Minister Hoekstra in conversation with ROC Mondriaan students about peace and security | News item

News item | 06-09-2022 | 13:04

Minister Hoekstra of Foreign Affairs had to stay focused on September 5, 2022. At the ROC Mondriaan he spoke with MBO students from the School for Order and Safety. Among other things, about the evacuation from Afghanistan and the war in Ukraine.

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Hoekstra in conversation with Order and Safety students

Image: ©Kick Smeets

Hoekstra visiting

Naomi (student): ‘It actually felt quite normal. He’s just a very calm man.’ The atmosphere was good during this special lesson of the Citizenship course at the ROC Mondriaan in The Hague. For the visit of Minister Hoekstra, students from the Order and Security degree programs from different years were present. They are our future at Defence, Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, enforcement and security.

Minister Hoekstra: ‘What you are doing, being trained for the safety of all 17 million Dutch people, and all generations to come: I think it’s fantastic that you are making a contribution to that.’

Foreign Affairs and Security

What does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs actually have to do with security in the Netherlands? ‘Security in the Netherlands has two sides,’ Hoekstra explained. ‘On the one hand, our safety is exactly what you do: ensure that the Dutch are simply protected on the street, at school and in their own home. On the other hand, you have to keep a country safe from the outside. By protecting your borders and making sure no army invades. Our diplomacy contributes to this, and for example the cooperation within NATO and the European Union (EU).’

War in Ukraine

Hoekstra and the students soon came to a joint conclusion: ‘Unfortunately, abroad is not all happy.’ Many questions were asked about the war in Ukraine. For example, why the Netherlands continues to support Ukraine and send troops and goods to eastern Europe.

‘We do that because the war in Ukraine is also about our peace and stability,’ Hoekstra said. “That’s why we need to help Ukraine and make sure Putin doesn’t succeed in his mission. In addition, it is important that we show that we are prepared to defend NATO territory.’ Would you like to know more about this? Also read: what does NATO do?

Minister Hoekstra: two visits to Ukraine

Minister Hoekstra visited Ukraine twice this year. Once before the war, and once during the war. ‘In Kyiv I immediately saw the big differences,’ he said about his last visit.’ The destroyed houses, soldiers everywhere, there are sandbags and roadblocks. Statues are encased to protect them from missile strikes. But on the other hand, you see that normal life continues. Couples walk hand in hand down the street, people are just back at the coffee shop.’

Everyone I spoke to in Ukraine said somewhere: we are going to win this war.

“You hear the horrors that have been done to people, and at the same time you see tremendous determination. Everyone I spoke to in Ukraine said somewhere: we are going to win this war. Without me asking. I found that very impressive.’

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Hoekstra visits the ROC Mondriaan

Image: ©Kick Smeets

Worrying about the future

The students of the ROC Mondriaan also told what they are concerned about. For example, about the housing shortage and rising prices. “I can imagine that in a normal family it’s going to feel impossible to feed your children,” said one of the students. On Budget Day (Tuesday 20 September), the cabinet will announce its plans to support the Dutch.

Working as Minister of Foreign Affairs

What does Hoekstra actually think of working as Minister of Foreign Affairs? ‘The work I do, on behalf of and for the Netherlands,’ he said, ‘is a huge responsibility and a great honour. You often have to deal with difficult choices and difficult conversations. The situation with Russia is very complicated, but also with other countries on the world stage it is really not all cake and egg. That makes it a big challenge.’

‘The work I do gives me a lot of energy. And I hope you will also find that energy in the work you will be doing for the security of the Netherlands.’

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Hoekstra with Order and Safety students at the ROC Mondriaan

Opening of the academic year

Minister Hoekstra also opened the academic year of Leiden University on 5 September. His speech also focused on peace and security. Watch the live stream (Leiden University) or read the speech.

Minister Hoekstra in conversation with the Dutch

What happens in the world has consequences for security and prosperity in the Netherlands. Minister Hoekstra visits all provinces to talk to the Dutch about foreign policy: the plans and agreements that the Netherlands makes about the challenges in the world – and to listen to how the Dutch think about it.

On May 9, 2022, Hoekstra spoke in Maastricht with 40 Dutch people who took part in the civil dialogue Look at Europe. To hear how they envision the future of the European Union (EU). Hoekstra will enter into talks with the Dutch in Gelderland at the beginning of October.

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