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.
The Netherlands is sharpening the focus of its collaboration with Africa by investing more, more specifically, and more sustainably, in both the continent and in relations with African countries. The strategy is intended to position the Netherlands and the European Union (EU) as attractive partners for countries in Africa. Doing so will facilitate collaboration between the Netherlands and its African partners in order to address cross-border issues such as migration, trade, the energy transition, security and food security. This is how the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Liesje Schreinemacher, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra presented the Africa Strategy to the Dutch House of Representatives.
The Africa Strategy sets out the Netherlands’ approach to cooperation in Africa in the coming decade. The Netherlands enjoys good relationships with many of the 54 countries on the African continent, collaborating closely on political matters, trade and development cooperation.
At the same time, both the Netherlands and the EU face geopolitical challenges and competition with other countries expanding their influence in Africa. Examples include China’s large-scale investment in infrastructure and critical raw materials, Russia’s disruptive influence in the region, and the increasing involvement of other players such as the Gulf states. In light of these developments, the Netherlands needs to strengthen its own involvement in Africa together with the EU and other European countries.
Mutual interests
The political, economic and security interests of European and African countries are closely intertwined. It is in the interests of countries in both Africa and the EU, including the Netherlands, to tackle and rein in conflict, violent extremism and terrorism. The EU is Africa’s most important trade partner and investor, and a major provider of development funding and humanitarian assistance. The African continent has large reserves of critical raw materials, such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth metals that are needed for the energy transition. After extraction in Africa, many of these raw materials are first transported elsewhere for processing before arriving in the EU. African countries would benefit from processing these materials themselves.
Instability and a lack of prosperity directly affect African citizens’ daily life and prospects, prompting some to seek safety or build a future away from the continent. Preventing irregular migration will therefore continue to be a major element of Dutch and European efforts in African countries.
Integrated approach
The Africa Strategy is the Netherlands’ first integrated strategy for the African continent as a whole. One element of the strategy is an action-based agenda that translates vision and commitment into actions in the short, medium and long term. It is underpinned by an awareness of the value of understanding each other’s positions and a willingness of each to support the other in the areas to which they attach importance.
The Africa Strategy is the product of broad consultations and in-depth discussions among social partners, knowledge institutions, businesses, the African diaspora, international organisations and government in the Netherlands, Europe and, above all, Africa itself.
The coronavirus situation in the Netherlands continues to be a significant cause for concern. Since the last press conference on 6 August, the number of infections and hospital admissions has increased. If we are not careful, we will soon lose all the ground we have gained. This is why the government has announced a tightening up of measures.
Most infections at private gatherings
On the basis of the latest advice from the Outbreak Management Team (OMT), some additional measures are being introduced at national level. What the OMT’s advice has shown is that private gatherings at people’s homes are where the most infections are occurring. This includes family events, birthday parties, drinks with neighbours and social gatherings among friends.
Maximum of 6 guests at home
The most significant new measure is that the government strongly and urgently advises people to limit the number of guests they receive at home to a maximum of six (excluding children under 13). This includes both indoors and in outdoor spaces like gardens. Guests should also be asked whether they have any symptoms and if so, they should not attend. It goes without saying that people should always stay 1.5 metres away from each other.
Allocated seats for everyone
Parties, drinks and other events involving large groups of people should preferably be held in hospitality venues where there is more space and guests have an allocated seat, can register their contact details and must confirm they have no symptoms. Guests should have at least 1.5 metres between them and physical contact should be avoided. The government would ask venue hire companies and restaurant, bar and café owners and managers to make sure the rules are being complied with, if that is not already the case. There will be a greater focus on this in terms of enforcement too.
Work from home
Of all the measures that have been introduced since the start of the pandemic, the advice to work from home wherever possible has proved one of the most effective. This advice was not time-limited and so the advice remains: work from home wherever possible.
Self-quarantine for 10 days
If you have travelled to a region that has an orange travel advisory due to coronavirus, or if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, you should self-quarantine. The OMT has advised that the quarantine period can be reduced from 14 days to 10 days.
Symptoms? Stay at home and get tested
In addition, anyone with symptoms should continue to stay at home and get tested. This will ensure that the vast majority of infections are prevented. In the event of a positive result, source and contact tracing will be carried out. This will allow us to gain a clearer picture of the virus in the Netherlands, so we can take fast, targeted action to prevent it spreading further.
Children with symptoms stay home
Everyone is working hard to make sure schools are safe. Part of that is ensuring that children stay home if they have symptoms. Children must also stay at home if someone in their household tests positive; something that was emphasised once again during the press conference.
Summary
From now on, receive no more than 6 guests at home (indoors and outdoors), excluding children under 13.
Continue working from home whenever possible.
The self-quarantine period has been reduced from 14 days to 10 days.
The Netherlands’ approach is aimed at keeping coronavirus under control as much as possible in order to protect vulnerable groups and make sure the healthcare system can cope. In the run-up to summer, we saw how important it is to keep following the measures in place. The number of cases fell and, as a result, we were able to gradually relax measures.
Read the information of 6 August about coronavirus in simple English
Fortunately, many people are still complying with the basic rules. However, there are also lots of people who are not. This is a cause for concern and is reflected in the recent outbreaks that have been seen. If we cannot all work together to turn the tide, we run the risk of losing control over the virus again. We will also lose the progress we have achieved together over the past few months.
As a result, the government will be supporting local authorities in taking additional action to get coronavirus under control where necessary. This can include introducing extra, local measures in addition to the national measures already in place. We will also be implementing and strengthening certain nationwide measures.
These are the new nationwide measures:
Educational institutions should hold orientation activities online wherever possible. In-person activities can only take place in small groups and must be informative in nature. Study associations (‘studieverenigingen’) and student sports clubs can only hold in-person activities if these are necessary to introduce students to their chosen programme of study or sport. Such activities can only take place in small groups and must end by 22.00 at the latest. No alcohol may be consumed. The governing body of the educational institution in question and the head of the relevant safety region must give permission for such activities to take place. Student societies (‘studentenverenigingen’) are not permitted to hold in-person recruitment or orientation activities.
Restaurants, cafés and bars must use reservations (made either in advance or at the door), pre-entry health checks and assigned seating (at either a table or the bar). This applies both outdoors and indoors and regardless of the size of the establishment. Customers must be asked to provide their names and contact details so that the municipal health service (GGD) can contact them if an outbreak is traced to that establishment. Customers can voluntarily provide this information.
If a GGD traces an outbreak to a leisure establishment (for example a cinema, café, amusement park, theater or museum), the head of the safety region can close that establishment for up to 14 days.
Test centres will be created for travellers arriving in the Netherlands from high-risk areas. The first test centre will be at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, with other locations following in due course. Travellers can get tested on arrival and must then self-quarantine at home. Travellers who do not get tested upon arrival, must self-quarantine for 14 days.
The heads of safety regions can now take steps to prevent coronavirus hotspots emerging and to gain control of these local outbreaks. These local and regional measures are intended to make sure people comply with the basic rules and to prevent overcrowding so that the virus cannot spread further.
The measures safety regions can take include:
limiting the opening times of eating and drinking establishments
introducing behavioural measures such as making face masks mandatory in outdoor locations
closing places like parks or shopping centres
closing off parking facilities, for example at beaches or in city centres
managing crowds and traffic flow in busy areas
enforcing the basic rules and ensuring compliance with sector-specific agreements
banning large-scale gatherings, for example banning spectators at football matches or sports training sessions
They will also enforce rules more strictly where necessary.
Control over the virus
The most important thing is that we get the virus under control again. It is vital that we stay 1.5 metres away from others and continue to follow the basic rules, including at home. Especially at home, in fact. Don’t have more visitors than your home can accommodate under the 1.5 metre rule. Make sure your visitors follow the basic hygiene rules. Don’t hug each other and don’t sit next to each other on the sofa. Lots of people with coronavirus caught it at home or at someone else’s home.
Finally, everyone with symptoms should stay at home and get tested. This will help prevent the majority of further infections. If you test positive, the GGD will carry out source and contact tracing. This will allow us to gain a clearer picture of the virus in the Netherlands, so we can take fast, targeted action to prevent it spreading further.
Because of coronavirus, summer 2020 will be different to what we’re used to. Going on holiday this year is not something that can simply be taken as a given. If you do decide to go on holiday, the government’s advice is to prepare well and make sure you’re well informed.
During the summer, everyone should:
follow the basic rules and advice to prevent the spread of coronavirus, such as avoiding busy places. And if you have coronavirus-like symptoms, get tested and stay home.
travel by car, bike or on foot and only use public transport for essential journeys.
travel off-season if possible, if you aren’t bound to school holidays.
Consider holidaying in the Netherlands. Avoid busy places and consider visiting regions or cities that are not part of the regular tourist hotspots. If you do go abroad on holiday, you will need to prepare well. Only go to countries with a yellow travel advisory. Travelling to these countries is responsible, but you must still be extra vigilant. Make sure you know what the rules are in the country you’re travelling to; know what your travel insurance covers; and stay up to date with the latest information during your trip, for instance by using the BZ Travel App (Dutch). Travel advice can change quickly, including while you’re away.
Travelling within Europe
As of 15 June, travel advisories for several European countries will be changed from orange to yellow. That means that the risk to health in these countries is comparable to that in the Netherlands and that these countries are happy to receive Dutch tourists. Other countries, for instance France and Spain, still need to make an official decision on whether or not Dutch tourists are welcome this summer.
Travel advisories will remain orange for three European countries: Sweden, the United Kingdom (because the risk to health is considered to be greater there) and Denmark (because this country does not yet want to receive tourists from the Netherlands). The aim is to allow travel to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Bonaire, St Eustatius, Saba, Curaçao, Aruba and St Maarten) from 15 June as well. Keep checking Nederlandwereldwijd.nl for the most up-to-date travel advice (Dutch).
Travelling outside Europe
In order to limit the risk of a new outbreak as much as possible, travelling outside Europe is not recommended. Travel advisories for countries outside Europe and outside the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will therefore remain orange for the time being. This means: only travel there if it is absolutely essential. If you do go, you are strongly advised to self-isolate at home for 2 weeks upon your return to the Netherlands.
Foreign tourists in the Netherlands
Tourists from countries where the risk to health is either comparable to or lower than that of the Netherlands can visit the Netherlands this summer. They must of course follow all the rules in place in the Netherlands to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The Schengen area (which the Netherlands is part of) and the United Kingdom have closed their external borders to people from outside the EU whose journey is not essential. This ban will be in place up to 15 June 2020 (inclusive) but will be evaluated at EU level before that date.
In the press conference of 3 June, Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed that primary schools will be fully operational from 8 June. Research by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has confirmed that there is no reason not to proceed with allowing schools to do this.
The main points of the timetable for relaxing the measures in place to tackle coronavirus in the Netherlands will remain unchanged. This was decided by the government on Wednesday 27 May 2020. Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke about the outcome of government deliberations at a subsequent press conference.
On 1 June several measures will be relaxed, including for groups, cafés, bars and restaurants, schools and cultural institutions. The basic rules still apply: wash your hands, keep a distance of 1.5 metres, avoid busy places, stay at home if you have symptoms and work from home as much as possible. All the information can be found on www.government.nl/coronavirus.
Developments permitting, more measures will be relaxed on 1 July. The government has added several categories to the list of locations set to reopen on that date, namely gyms and fitness centres, saunas and spas, clubhouses, casinos and amusement arcades. These locations were previously expected to reopen on 1 September. The basic rules and additional measures will of course apply at these locations too. A definite decision on this matter will be taken at the end of June, when the situation regarding other indoor sports activities will also be considered.
Outdoor sports activities for under 18s
From 1 June young people aged 13 to 18 will be allowed to take part in organised sports activities outdoors under the supervision of sports clubs or professionals, without keeping a distance of 1.5 metres. This is already the case for children aged 12 and under. Competitions and matches will remain prohibited.
Testing in the case of mild symptoms, including loss of smell or taste
From 1 June, anyone with mild symptoms that may point to coronavirus will be able to phone a national hotline and make an appointment to be tested by the municipal health service (GGD). If we are to keep the virus under control now and in the weeks and months ahead, extensive testing and source and contact tracing are crucial. Loss of smell or taste have been added to the list of symptoms that may point to a coronavirus infection.
Summer holidays
The government hopes to be able to provide more information next week about the summer holiday months. It is however already certain that the basic rules as they apply now will still apply in July and August.
Keeping the virus under control
The Netherlands’ approach is aimed at keeping the virus under control as much as possible in order to protect vulnerable groups and make sure the healthcare system can cope. Thanks to people complying with the measures, the situation has improved. The figures show a positive trend and so we can move step by step towards having more freedom.
The government has started by relaxing restrictions at local or neighbourhood level. This has made our roads and public transport busier. In July, restrictions will be relaxed at regional level and after that at national level. First small gatherings are allowed, and later larger gatherings, so that everything remains as manageable and orderly as possible.
Each step can only be taken if the virus stays under control. This must be done with great care. If circumstances require, any decision to relax measures will be reversed.
Please note: this news item was published on April 21.
Together we will continue the approach to tackling coronavirus in the Netherlands. Handwashing, staying at home as much as possible, working from home, keeping a distance from others – all the measures advised by experts have been extended. But careful steps will be taken to give children and teenagers a little more freedom.
Thanks to the measures put in place to tackle coronavirus we are, slowly, moving in the right direction. Many people have found a way to manage their everyday lives, even if it is not always easy. Healthcare professionals are doing their utmost to give everyone the medical care they need. People are still being admitted to hospital with coronavirus, but the number of patients is falling steadily.
Although the situation is still precarious, there is now some scope to relax measures. This will ease the pressure people are under. For example parents who are trying to combine work with schooling their children at home. And children and teenagers who are missing school, sports activities and playing. The scope we have now is the result of all our efforts. Because we have followed the measures, we can now take small steps forward.
The government has extended most measures until 19 May inclusive. In the week before 19 May the government will assess what measures are necessary in the period after that date. Below is an overview of the measures that will change and when. Over the coming weeks, the practical details will be worked out in consultation with those involved.
Schools and childcare centres
Primary schools, including special primary schools, and childcare centres for children aged 0 to 4 (including childminders) will reopen on 11 May. Children who normally go to out-of-school care (BSO) can do so on the days they attend school.
The size of classes at primary schools will be halved. Pupils will go to school approximately 50% of the time. They will spend the other 50% of their school hours doing distance learning.
The practical details will be worked out by the schools in the weeks ahead. Different schools may opt for different measures. Schools will inform parents about the arrangements at their children’s school.
Pupils of primary schools for special education may attend school every day.
Parents are asked to take their children to school or childcare on foot or by bike wherever possible. This will prevent public transport becoming crowded.
Secondary schools can begin making preparations for pupils to gradually return to school from Tuesday 2 June.
Sports
From 29 April children and teenagers will have more scope for participating in organised sports activities and play outdoors. Official matches will not be allowed.
Children aged 12 and under will be allowed to play sports together outdoors under supervision.
Young people aged 13 to 18 will be allowed to play sports together outdoors under supervision, but must stay 1.5 metres apart.
Municipalities will make agreements on this with local sports clubs and community sports coaches. Different municipalities may opt for different approaches.
Top-level athletes will be allowed to resume training sessions at dedicated training facilities if they maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others.
Older people living independently
The recommendation not to visit people aged over 70 will be adjusted. From 29 April people aged over 70 who live independently may be visited occasionally by the same one or two people.
Events and culture
Unfortunately large events mean a risk of the virus spreading too quickly and too widely. The ban on events that require a permit has therefore been extended to 1 September 2020.
The social and economic effects
Every step that we take in this process will be a relief to some and a cause of disappointment or concern to others. We are opting for an intelligent way to move forward towards a healthy society in which people feel safe, can do business, go to school and move as freely as possible. The promising plans that businesses and organisations are making for a 1.5-metre society will contribute to this.
The social and economic effects of this crisis are substantial. Thanks to its strong financial position, the government is able to offer some support to businesses, self-employed people and hard-hit sectors. But it is unavoidable that many people will be affected to some extent. Fortunately we are seeing that people, businesses and organisations throughout society are rising to the challenge and helping others.
