News item | 14-04-2022 | 14:55
Minister Hoekstra is visiting Washington DC today. There he spoke with his American colleague Antony Blinken about support for Ukraine and transatlantic cooperation. Including in the field of safety.
The visit focuses on the war in Ukraine. Minister Hoekstra: “The current European security crisis shows how essential the transatlantic partnership is for our security. Now, but certainly also in the future.”
Cooperation between the Netherlands and the United States (US)
Discussions are underway about how the Netherlands and the US can work together to support Ukraine, to put maximum pressure on Russia, and to ensure that perpetrators of war crimes are held accountable. The ministers will also discuss how the Netherlands and the US can work together to reduce energy dependence on Russia as quickly as possible, and how the European Union can be more decisive as a geopolitical player.
Freedom and security
At the Center for Strategic and International Studies the minister spoke about freedom and security on both sides of the ocean and transatlantic cooperation in that area, for example within NATO.
Minister Hoekstra: “The war in Ukraine has far-reaching consequences. Not just for Europe, but for the whole world. And so we must look ahead and take further steps to strengthen our defenses and deterrence. We do that as a united West.”
Visit to the Netherlands Carillon
The minister concludes his trip with a visit to the Netherlands Carillon, located next to Arlington Cemetery. The Netherlands donated this Carillon to the US in 1954 as a token of friendship and as a thank you for the role the US played in the liberation of the Netherlands during the Second World War. This year marks 240 years of diplomatic relations between the US and the Netherlands.