Dutch government recognizes geopolitical necessity of Ukraine’s EU membership – FM Berendsen
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen has said that the Dutch government recognizes the geopolitical necessity of Ukraine’s membership in the European Union.
He said this in an interview with an Ukrinform correspondent in The Hague.
“Ukraine’s future lies within the EU, and that prospect carries enormous importance for the Ukrainian people. Our government takes a realistic perspective on enlargement, recognizing its geopolitical imperative. This is not at odds with the merit-based approach that we adhere to. It is high time to formally open negotiation Cluster 1, followed by the five others, in accordance with the methodology,” Tom Berendsen said.
According to him, the EU accession process is careful and thorough; it is based on the Copenhagen criteria and the implementation of rule of law reforms and the fight against corruption.
“To become a full member, a country must, at the time of accession, uphold the values of the Union and meet all accession conditions. This is the baseline position of the new Dutch government. It is important that we look for ways to maintain momentum in the accession process – including by putting pressure on countries that create bilateral blockades, and by investing in gradual integration. It is essential that this process is both realistic and workable, which is why we offer Ukraine our support wherever we can,” Berendsen said.
He also noted that he visited Kyiv in February.
“It was actually my very first weekend in office. From the moment I arrived, I was deeply moved by the resilience of every Ukrainian I met during that visit. I sat down with minister Sybiha, and together we discussed the importance of a strong Ukraine – on the battlefield, at the negotiating table, and in shaping its own future. We also talked about accountability, through mechanisms such as a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, the Register of Damage, the International Claims Commission, and efforts to locate and reunite abducted children. And of course, I reaffirmed the Netherlands’ unwavering military, political, financial, and humanitarian support, as well as our commitment to supporting Ukraine on its path toward the EU,” he said.
Berendsen noted that the annual Lviv Conference, held this year in the Dutch city of Breda at the end of March and taking place for the second time after its initial edition in Lviv, has become an important platform for deepening bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and the Netherlands.
“It was a pleasure to welcome the Ukrainian delegation to my hometown. This year, we chose to build on the foundations laid last year – deepening the themes we explored together and strengthening the relationships that have grown between our civil servants. The topics we focused on include the rule of law, energy, agriculture and social affairs. We organized this conference to reinforce our bilateral ties with Ukraine and to support the country on its reform journey toward EU membership – the Dutch government underlines that Ukraine’s future is in the European Union, and we are committed to assist in Ukraine’s accession path,” he said.
The minister added that it is equally important to look beyond the war toward Ukraine’s future, including European integration and reconstruction.
He also highlighted the participation of companies from both Ukraine and the Netherlands in the conference, noting strong business ties between the two countries.
“The Business Forum was a very good addition to the conference. We do this by offering our expertise in the areas I mentioned earlier – helping Ukraine take meaningful steps forward in its EU accession process. At the same time, we remain firmly committed to upholding the standards required for EU membership, because a strong and cohesive EU benefits us all,” he said.
As previously reported by Ukrinform, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma said that Dutch businesses are interested in investing in Ukraine, supporting reconstruction and creating new opportunities for cooperation.