Netherlands - Foreign Relations
After the Second World War peace and stability in Europe were sorely needed. European countries decided to work together on economic matters, on the principle that countries that depended on one another would not go to war. In 1952 the Netherlands joined Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and West Germany in establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The ECSC contributed to economic growth and ensured greater employment and prosperity.
In 1957 the same six countries signed the Treaties of Rome, the first of which established the European Economic Community and the second the European Atomic Energy Community, more commonly known as Euratom. In 1958, former Dutch Agriculture minister Sicco Mansholt was appointed European Agriculture Commissioner. He would spearhead the introduction of economies of scale in agriculture and the development of a common European agricultural policy. The Netherlands has always been a major beneficiary of these reforms. Thanks in part to the EU, it is one of the world’s largest exporters of agricultural products.
In 1992 the 12 member states signed the Treaty of Maastricht [deep in the south of the Netherlands], which formed the basis of the European Union. The Treaty contained agreements on a variety of major issues, including Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). In 2002 the euro became the official currency of many EU member states. Since then, Dutch holidaymakers who visit one of the other Eurozone countries no longer have to exchange their money. The European Commissioner for External Relations at the time, Hans van den Broek, a former Dutch foreign minister, played a major role in the implementation of the Treaty of Maastricht.
The Dutch government believes that the EU should limit itself to areas in which it adds value, such as security, or climate and the environment. Matters like pensions, taxes, culture, education and health care should be the domain of the member states themselves. There is no need for EU legislation in these areas.
The Netherlands has benefited greatly from the opening of internal borders. Trade has increased significantly since then. But the internal market is not yet complete. Not all businesses can enjoy its advantages. There is, for example, no free market yet for services, such as IT, insurance and knowledge. So it is very much in the Netherlands’ interests that the internal market function even better. This is good for the economy and good for employment.
The Dutch historically do not want to choose sides among the UK, Germany and France. The Dutch err on the side of realism and "getting it right" rather than pursuing an ambitious agenda or trying to push minority positions (even those the Dutch might otherwise support) through the EU. The Dutch economic agenda is practical and focused on realizing actual progress rather than setting unrealistic goals.
Just how European the average Dutch citizen felt remained an open question. EU citizens were looking for the "next benefit" when weighing the value of the EU. Yes, the EU had created new jobs for the Netherlands, but citizens don't always see the new jobs as an improvement. European leaders need to respond to middle class fears that globalization will result in a decline in their economic situation; they need to show the prospect of equal or better jobs. In addition, citizens are concerned about their identity, and the impact of immigration.
After Britain voted 23 June 2016 to leave the European Union, Brussels feared other members could leave the bloc. In the Netherlands, just as in Britain, there are big concerns over immigration and sovereignty – and growing demands for Dutch voters to have their own referendum on EU membership. By 2016 polls showed half of Dutch voters want a referendum on EU membership – with support strongest in the conservative south.
The newly formed ‘For The Netherlands’ party is campaigning for a Dutch exit from the EU. The far-right ‘Freedom Party,’ led by Geert Wilders, topped opinion polls. Wilders campaigned against what he called the ‘Islamization’ of Europe and demanded that the Dutch, like the British, have a vote on EU membership. Dutch law made a referendum on EU membership unlikely. But with elections due by March 2017, contagion from so-called ‘Brexit’ could be felt first in the Netherlands – one of the union’s founding members.
The Trade part of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement became operational in 2016, the Netherlands was the only EU member state which has not ratified the whole treaty. The Netherlands held an advisory referendum 04 April 2016, meaning that it was not binding. Dutch citizens had to decide whether they agree with the Ukraine-EU treaty, which enables tighter economic and political cooperation between the two sides. Euroskeptics, including René, denounce the "undemocratic" decision process leading to the agreement. For them, the agreement is also a step toward further EU expansion. The Dutch Ukraine referendum put a damper on the EU association agreement with Ukraine. Turnout in the referendum was just 32% but 61% of the people voting were against the treaty and the government pledged to respect the outcome.
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