Escorted by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, 2 Dutch Patriot units left for the port of Eemshaven near Delfzijl today, to be shipped to Turkey. A total of 150 vehicles and 130 trailers will transport the missile defence materiel via the A50 and the A28 to the seaport. As part of Operation Anatolian Protector, the systems will protect our NATO Ally against Scud missile attacks from Syria.
The military personnel of the Defence Ground-based Air Defence Command started their 300-kilometre road journey at their home base, the ‘Luitenant-generaal Best’ Barracks in Vredepeel. The 2 Patriot air defence systems, including radar stations and launch installations, will move in 6 convoys of 25 vehicles and around 20 trailers each. At the port of Eemshaven, the materiel will be loaded onto a cargo ship and then travel, accompanied by 5 military personnel, to Turkey, where it is expected to arrive on 22 January.
Chief of Defence General Tom Middendorp was there to see the military personnel off. “By baring our teeth, in a military sense”, he said, “we prevent the use of even more violence. It may sound contradictory (…), but sometimes weapons are what is needed to prevent more deaths and injuries. That is exactly how the Netherlands uses its armed forces, and we have seen this for instance in our successful counterpiracy operations.”
Tomorrow, some 30 Dutch and 20 German quartermasters will leave from Eindhoven Air Base to make preparations for the mission. The main force of around 270 Dutch military personnel will follow on 21 January.
Real threat
Turkey asked NATO for assistance in protecting its population and territory from attacks by medium-range missiles from conflict hotspot Syria, its neighbour to the south. Middendorp: “The threat is a very real one. These so-called Scud missiles have a potential range of hundreds of kilometres, so they could easily hit Turkish cities.”
The Netherlands, Germany and the United States will each cover a sector, sending 2 Patriot systems each. The Dutch will be going to Adana, which with 2.1 million inhabitants is the largest city in southern Turkey.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ensured that Dutch nationals could leave Niger on French evacuation flights after a coup occurred in the country on 26 July.
Dutch ambassador Paul Tholen is staying in Niger in order to monitor the political and security situation on the ground and help Dutch nationals who were unwilling or unable to leave. His staying also ensures diplomatic channels for dialogue with Niger are kept open.
Enlarge imageDutch ambassador Paul Tholen in Niger (photo taken earlier this year).
The Dutch embassy in Niger is closed to the public. The ambassador is currently working from another, safe location in the capital Niamey. In this interview, Paul looks back at the past week. ‘The work days were long and the nights short. But I’m very pleased that the Dutch nationals who wanted to leave were able to do so.’
But how was the situation in Niger, and how did the evacuation of Dutch nationals take place?
Situation following the coup in Niger
‘Strangely enough, the streets of Niamey were very quiet on the day of the coup,’ says Paul. ‘That was odd. Only the day before, when the demonstrations began, the mood had changed and things had got more serious. But what you see on the photos is not representative of the whole city. In large parts of Niamey it was still peaceful. However, the embassy and the ministry had already started to contact Dutch and international partners and stay in touch with them.’
Our highest priority: knowing which Dutch nationals were in the country, where they were and whether they were safe
The start of the crisis
‘Our highest priority was knowing which Dutch nationals were in the country, where they were and whether they were safe.’ The same applied to embassy staff. ‘Our embassy team was constantly in contact with one another. Everyone was at home in Niamey and, luckily, everyone was safe.’
The embassy is following the situation closely. ‘Although no two crises are the same, we are prepared for situations like this,’ Paul explains. ‘That’s one of our tasks as an embassy. If we need to evacuate people, we always look for the best and safest options. And here in Niger it was clear that the French would play an important role in that regard.’
One of our tasks as an embassy is to be prepared for situations like this.
Contact with Dutch nationals in Niger
‘We contacted Dutch nationals in two ways to inform them about a potential evacuation. In the first instance, the embassy had direct contact with Dutch nationals in Niger. We knew a lot of them already and we used to regularly call them to ask where they were and how things were going. They also called us if they had questions or concerns. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Contact Centre in The Hague was working around the clock to reach people. The aim was to find out who wanted to leave and then advise them on how to leave safely.’
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ensured that 19 Dutch nationals could leave Niger on French flights. ‘The mood during the evacuation was good. The situation at the airport was calm and French officials were handing out water. Our Dutch operational manager stayed there until everyone was on the plane.’ But some patience was required, says Paul. ‘The Dutch nationals needed to be at the airport by 6 am to wait for a plane. Some were only able to leave in the evening, making for a few long days for everyone – both the evacuees and the embassy staff.’
Things never go as expected during an evacuation.
‘Things never go as expected during an evacuation and there are always a lot of uncertainties. But if you can deal with that and work closely with colleagues and international partners, you always get there. We’re very grateful to our French counterparts, but also to the European Union delegation. Both played a crucial role in planning the evacuation and sharing knowledge to make sure it was a success. It was a great example of European cooperation!’
The Dutch embassy is closed to the public until further notice. However, the Netherlands will continue to be represented in Niger, led by the ambassador. There are two reasons why we are staying, Paul notes. ‘For one, it’s to make sure someone is there for Dutch nationals who remain in the county. Several have said they are unable to leave, or don’t want to. We’ll stay in close contact with these people and keep them updated. At the same time, we want to follow the political developments in Niger closely. What is happening in the country, and in the region? And how is the security situation developing? That’s also important for the Netherlands. And something else that’s important: we want to keep channels for diplomatic dialogue open and remain in contact with civic society organisations, influential parties and partners on the ground.’
Looking ahead
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world. What’s happening in Niger now will have a significant impact on its people. Hopefully it won’t further worsen their plight. The situation for Dutch nationals who remain in the country is unpredictable. For them, Paul has the following message: ‘We hope that every Dutch national in Niger has signed up to the BZ Information Service. Or, if they haven’t done so already, that they will do so now. That’s really important. Know that the embassy is following the situation closely, but that you should do this yourselves too. We will keep you informed of any major developments.’
The tanker Nautica is heading to Yemen to pump oil from the derelict tanker FSOSafer. The ship could break apart at any moment, triggering a major environmental disaster. The Netherlands is helping to fund a salvage effort being coordinated by the United Nations.
The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Liesje Schreinemacher, announced the Netherlands’ €7.5 million contribution to the project in March 2022. That amount has now increased to €15 million.
‘Normally, as minister, it’s my job to deal with the repercussions of disasters,’ Ms Schreinemacher noted. ‘But in this instance we have a chance to prevent a disaster. The Safer is a ticking time bomb. We need swift action. It’s encouraging that so many countries have pledged their financial support. Thanks in part to the Netherlands’ contribution we now have the necessary funds to start salvaging the vessel. Obviously, all the other parties will have to follow through on their pledges as well. The Netherlands stands ready to help the UN start this operation as soon as possible.’
Supertanker
FSOSafer is a 40-year-old supertanker moored around 8 kilometres off the coast of Yemen with a huge cargo of oil. Due to years of neglect, the vessel is decaying. The risk of leakage, fire or even an explosion is high. If no action is taken, large quantities of oil could spill into the Red Sea.
The consequences of an oil spill would be enormous. It would have a huge impact on the environment and shipping and on the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people who depend on small-scale fishing. The UN estimates that a spill would cost $20 billion to clean up and that it would take another 25 years for fish stocks to recover from an ecological catastrophe of this magnitude. Taken together, these potential consequences pose a huge humanitarian risk for a country that is already suffering food shortages. The UN is therefore committed to taking swift action, in concert with a number of countries including the Netherlands.
The Dutch salvage company Boskalis/SMIT Salvage, which specialises in dredging and maritime services, has taken on the task of recovering the Safer’s cargo of oil and salvaging the vessel. The company has been preparing for this operation for two years, without any of its team yet having set foot on board the ship. That is unique, says CEO Peter Berdowski. ‘When we undertake a salvage operation, we usually only have days and sometimes only hours to get a picture of the situation on board.’ This time is different. ‘We carry out a lot of salvage work around the world, and we don’t often have to deal with a ship that is in worse state than the Safer,’ he explains.
Ticking time bomb
Like Ms Schreinemacher, he calls the ship a ticking time bomb. ‘There are 1.1 million barrels of oil on board, and oxygen has been detected in all the storage tanks. That could cause a gigantic explosion. We should definitely not underestimate the dire condition this ship is in.’
Boskalis is therefore going about its task with due caution, says Mr Berdowski. ‘We’re continually weighing risks. Can we berth our own vessel safely alongside the Safer? Is the tanker’s hull strong enough for pumping to commence? What condition will the oil be in when it comes out of the tanker? We won’t know that until the transfer operation has started.’
The difficulty of the task is underlined by Peter-Derrek Hof, the Dutch ambassador to Yemen. ‘This salvage operation is extremely difficult. There are underlying political issues and it’s also an engineering challenge. And then of course there’s the financial aspect. On that point the Netherlands is shouldering its responsibility and has made averting an ecological disaster in the Red Sea a priority. We’re the second biggest donor in this salvage effort.’
What will happen next?
Now that Boskalis has given the go-ahead, all the oil will be transferred to a specially equipped tanker. The Safer can then be safely cleaned and towed away. It is still uncertain what will be done with the oil. Difficult issues first need to be resolved in light of different countries’ contributions and interests. But everyone agrees on one thing: the first step is to transfer the oil from the Safer as quickly and safely as possible in order to avert a huge humanitarian and environmental disaster.
The Netherlands has earmarked over €118 million for its second aid package for Ukraine for 2023. A sum of €93 million will be drawn from the €2.5 billion reserved by the government for support to Ukraine this year, and the remaining €25 million will come from the Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation budget.
The government has also appointed top diplomat Roderick van Schreven as a Special Envoy to facilitate the involvement of the Dutch business community in the reconstruction of Ukraine. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher announced these developments to the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Ukraine Envoy
The government has appointed Roderick van Schreven as Special Envoy for Business and the Reconstruction of Ukraine. Mr van Schreven, who has had a long career as a senior diplomat, possesses both the necessary experience and an extensive network of contacts within the Dutch and international business communities. This will enable him to advise Dutch companies effectively and support them in making contact with multilateral organisations.
Reconstruction and healthcare
The ongoing war continues to take its toll on Ukrainian society and the economy. As a result, there is a great need for assistance. The government has allocated €83 million for repair works and healthcare, €58 million of which will go to repairing infrastructure, residential buildings and drinking water facilities. The remaining €25 million has been set aside for medical equipment and support for mobile clinics. In order to implement this aid package, the Dutch government is working closely with the UN, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, Dutch public drinking water companies and NGOs.
Emergency aid and human rights
The destruction of the Kakhovka dam has had major consequences for Ukraine. The Netherlands is working, at both bilateral and multilateral level, to support victims of this disaster. To that end, this second aid package includes €10 million for emergency aid. These funds are intended for goods like rescue boats.
An amount of €875,000 will be donated, via the Dutch Human Rights Fund, to local NGO projects to support Ukrainian human rights defenders. They play a key role in providing access to reliable information, particularly for people living in occupied areas.
Support for the private sector
The government supports companies that want to do business with Ukraine while also contributing to the reconstruction of the country. The emphasis is on sectors of the economy where the need is greatest and where Dutch involvement would have the greatest added value: agriculture, water and healthcare. In practice, however, companies are facing a number of challenges, including funding obstacles arising from the war.
With this in mind the government is allocating €25 million in grants to companies and civil society organisations. These grants will go to projects that meet the needs of the Ukrainian people and contribute to reconstruction and recovery. Starting in September, companies and civil society organisations can submit project proposals, in partnership with local organisations, to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
Additional financial support is also being provided to a Ukrainian company in the western part of the country, for the construction of a plant for manufacturing building materials. The necessary machinery will be supplied by a Dutch SME. The government is also exploring ways of offsetting the risks faced by businesses that export to or invest in Ukraine, by means of a guarantee or insurance facility.
On 1 September 2023 additional export control measures will enter into force for advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment. From that point on, the export of certain advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment will be subject to a national authorisation requirement. The ministerial order in question, which was announced on 8 March in a letter to the House of Representatives, was published today in the Government Gazette.
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher said, ‘We’ve taken this step on national security grounds. It’s good for the companies that will be impacted to know what they can expect. This will give them the time they need to adapt to the new rules.’
Under this ministerial order, it will now be necessary to apply for an export authorisation for the export of certain types of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The order deals with a number of very specific technologies for the development and manufacture of advanced semiconductors. Because of the specific ways they can be used, these semiconductors can make a key contribution to certain advanced military applications. The uncontrolled export of goods and technologies therefore potentially poses national security risks. The Netherlands bears an extra responsibility in this regard because this country has a unique, leading position in this field. Like the export control policy in general, this additional step is country-neutral.
‘We’ve given careful consideration to this decision and drafted the ministerial order as precisely as possible. That way, we can address the most important vulnerabilities without causing unnecessary disruption to the global manufacture of chips,’ the minister remarked.
Yesterday, Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra met with U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in The Hague, where they discussed support to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression that is causing death and destruction across Ukraine, and sowing instability around the world. Those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine must not go unpunished. The Ukrainian people deserve justice. The United States and the Netherlands are both deeply committed to domestic, regional, and international efforts to promote accountability and combat impunity in Ukraine. The International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) will play a critical role in the ecosystem for prosecuting atrocity crimes committed in Ukraine.
“Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting with Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra, in The Hague, Netherlands,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The U.S. partnership with the Netherlands is one of our oldest and closest, and our strong bilateral relationship is critically important as we confront common challenges. Ensuring accountability for Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine was at the top of our agenda. We are grateful that the Netherlands has agreed to host the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (the ICPA), which will be based at Eurojust. I am pleased to announce that I have appointed an experienced federal prosecutor, Jessica Kim, to serve as the United States’ Special Prosecutor for the Crime of Aggression and our representative in this important effort. We will continue to seek justice alongside, and stand with, our Ukrainian partners, for as long as it takes.”
“The Netherlands is the host nation to the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and is honored to do so,” said Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius. “We view the ICPA as the first step towards justice for the crime of aggression committed by the Russian Federation and its leadership. We see the commitment by the United States to appoint a Special Prosecutor for the Crime of Aggression as very valuable and call on other states to support this endeavor to ensure justice and exclude impunity.”
“The Netherlands greatly appreciates the close cooperation with the United States in supporting Ukraine, and in the fight against impunity for atrocities committed by Russia’s unjustified war of aggression,” said Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra. “We will continue to work together to bring those responsible to justice, including through the work of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, as well as the Register of Damages Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which will also have its seat in The Hague. The Register will serve as a record of evidence and claims information on damage, loss or injury caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.”
Fifteen trucks filled with emergency equipment have departed the Netherlands this afternoon and are on their way to provide relief to the region in Ukraine that has been heavily affected by floods as a result of the destruction of the Kachovka dam.
Last Thursday, Liesje Schreinemacher (Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Coordination) announced that the Netherlands will assist Ukraine by means of emergency equipment. Since her announcement, the amount of assistance has been increased. Dutch water authorities are providing 40 boats, 75 water pumps, 20 lifebuoys, 370 life jackets and 120 waders. This contribution is being done in cooperation with the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (Koninklijke Nederlandse Redding Maatschappij). The Royal Lifesaving Federation of The Netherlands (Reddingsbrigade Nederland) is providing 22 life boats.
All the equipment has been collected in a depot of the Ministry of Defense in Vriezenveen (Overijssel). From there, fifteen trucks – containing the first part of the goods – have left for Ukraine today. The transport is being financed, in part, by the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating the efforts on behalf of the Netherlands.
Dutch emergency equipment on its way to flooded regions in Ukraine
See here the emergency equipment that is being shipped from Vriezenveen to Ukraine:
Together with Canada, the Netherlands will be instituting proceedings against Syria before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment of its own population. This is the next step in a process invoking state responsibility that started in September 2020.
For some time now, the Netherlands and Canada have been pursuing justice for the many victims of the Syrian regime and seeking to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable. ‘Syrian citizens have been tortured, murdered, disappeared, attacked with poison gas or forced to flee for their lives and leave behind everything they had,’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra said. ‘These large-scale atrocities have been reported on extensively by international organisations. Establishing accountability and combating impunity are important elements of achieving a lasting political solution to the conflict in Syria. Bringing this case before the ICJ is a major next step on the long road to that goal.’
It is the Dutch government’s position that there is ample evidence demonstrating that Syria has committed serious human rights violations against Syrian citizens on a grand scale. This evidence has been gathered by various bodies, including the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, the UN’s investigative body for Syria. This is why the Netherlands decided to invoke state responsibility against Syria in September 2020; Canada joined this process in March 2021.
For over two years the Netherlands and Canada have attempted to reach a negotiated settlement with Syria, in line with the dispute resolution mechanism set out in the UN Convention against Torture. These talks have not led to a solution. In addition, Syria did not consent to the proposal for arbitration within the six-month period stipulated by the Convention. For this reason, it was decided to bring the case before the ICJ on 8 June 2023, in an effort to compel Syria to comply with its obligations under the Convention, to which Syria is itself a State Party.
Syria has been notified of this decision in the form of a diplomatic note from the Netherlands’ Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva. The Netherlands and Syria have had no diplomatic relations since 2011, but they are both represented at the UN in Geneva.
This news item contains information from Thursday 8 June. The Royal Lifesaving Federation of the Netherlands is now providing 22 rescue boats.
The Netherlands is sending aid supplies and lifesaving equipment to the region of Ukraine affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. For now, the equipment being sent consists of approximately 20 boats and at least 15 water pumps, 180 lifejackets and 50 wading suits made available by the Dutch water authorities and the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM). In addition, the Royal Lifesaving Federation of the Netherlands is providing at least 12 rescue boats. The supplies will be dispatched to Ukraine as quickly as possible. The ministries and parties involved are still working out the details of how the supplies will be transported.
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher announced the aid on Thursday. According to initial estimates, the cost of providing it will be at least €500,000.
Ms Schreinemacher said: ‘We are doing everything in our power to help Ukraine with this as well. What has happened is devastating. I am grateful to the water authorities, the KNRM and the Royal Lifesaving Federation of the Netherlands for their rapid assistance. In the days ahead we will examine what else we can do for the affected region.’
The Netherlands has announced its participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. The Netherlands Pavilion is unique in that it is based on a fully circular concept and features an anthropogenic sun. Individuals and representatives of businesses, governments and knowledge institutions who visit the pavilion will discover new technologies that can harness the power of water, making renewable energy more accessible to everyone. The Netherlands Pavilion presents the innovative solutions that the Netherlands has to offer for tackling global challenges linked to the energy transition.
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher announced the design of the winning consortium at the launch event on Monday.
‘Making clean, renewable energy accessible to everyone is the key to a sustainable society and a sustainable economy,’ said Ms Schreinemacher. ‘The Russian war in Ukraine has put energy security higher on many countries’ agendas. I’m proud of the Dutch design, which showcases the innovative solutions that the Netherlands has to offer and introduces visitors to the possibilities of a zero-emission future driven by circularity.’
The pavilion was designed by architecture firm RAU, engineering consultancy DGMR, experience design studio Tellart and Japanese construction company Asanuma. These parties have extensive experience in circular design and construction and specialise in solutions for safe, sustainable and healthy living environments.
Cross-border challenges and solutions
Expo 2025 Osaka centres around the challenges facing a world where major crises relating to matters such as climate change and health will determine our quality of life. These cross-border challenges require international cooperation. The Netherlands Pavilion is therefore intended as a place that brings together different perspectives and expertise to create joint solutions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a multi-year campaign in the run-up to the Expo. During the Expo itself businesses, knowledge institutions, governments and cultural organisations will come together in the pavilion to share knowledge and expertise. Events, visits, trade missions and exhibitions will be organised in the lead-up to the Expo as part of the Road2Osaka programme. Businesses and organisations will be invited to participate, and the pavilion and programme will also offer opportunities for sponsorship.
The design
The theme of the Netherlands’ participation is ‘Common Ground: creating a new dawn together’. The contribution introduces new technologies that will use water power to generate zero-emission energy, making energy more accessible to everyone. The rising sun in the pavilion’s design symbolises unlimited clean energy, and the pavilion itself is also completely circular.
Host country
Japan is the world’s third largest economy and an important trade partner for the Netherlands. In 2022 the Netherlands exported goods worth nearly €4.3 billion to Japan. In the same year Japan exported €7.4 billion worth of goods to the Netherlands. The Netherlands is also a major destination for Japanese investment.
‘The year 2025 will mark 425 years of Dutch relations with Japan,’ said Ms Schreinemacher. ‘Japan is an important partner for us when it comes to innovation, trade, culture and politics. Expo and Japan offer Dutch companies, organisations and art institutions many opportunities to share their knowledge and work together.’
Like the Netherlands, Japan faces pressing and complex challenges, including climate change, resource scarcity, food insecurity, demographic ageing and maintaining access to the healthcare system. Opportunities for Dutch businesses and organisations are primarily in the areas of the energy transition, agriculture and horticulture, life sciences and health, digitalisation and culture. Various ministries and public and private parties are organising activities in the lead-up to and during Expo to put these Dutch sectors on the map and help businesses take advantage of opportunities.
