Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte promised his Benelux partners at a Benelux summit in Rotterdam on Wednesday that the Netherlands will continue to focus on key issues despite recent far-right election gains.
Rutte will remain in his role while a new government is formed, a tricky task in light of the victory by Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom, PVV.
This is the first time in a decade that the Benelux summit did not solely comprise liberals. In Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel has handed over the reins to Christian Democrat Luc Frieden, while the Belgian federal government is headed by another liberal, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld).
Wilders’ victory raises questions about the Netherlands’ future approach to Europe. Rutte was clear that “The Netherlands will continue to respect European agreements and international treaties,” Prime Minister De Croo said after the meeting.
A joint statement from the three nations expressly maintains their commitment to lead in European integration. The prime ministers advocate internal reforms to sustain the strength of a European Union comprising 30 or more partners.
“First, we will improve ourselves before we expand,” Mr. De Croo stated, looking ahead to the discussion on expansion during Belgium’s presidency of the EU Council, starting in January.
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg also emphasised their support for the rule of law within member states and for Ukraine’s impending accession to the EU.
These topics will be discussed at a European summit in Brussels in mid-December, where the decision will be made on initiating Ukraine’s accession negotiations and a €50 billion financial aid package for Kyiv.
Lastly, Belgium will assume the rotating presidency of Benelux in 2024. This organisation remains at the forefront of regional and cross-border cooperation, with a new police cooperation treaty coming into effect in early October. Belgium hopes, in particular, to draft a treaty on cross-border cooperation against social fraud.
