A delegation from the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives attended a conference on the European Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) from March 23 to 25, 2025. The conference was held in the Polish Parliament (Sejm) in Warsaw. Poland has held the EU presidency since January 1, 2025.
The semi-annual conference brings together members of national parliaments from all member states to discuss foreign, security, and defense policy topics. Representing the Senate were Koen Petersen (chairman of the BDO committee – VVD) and Tineke Huizinga-Heringa (vice-chairman of the BDO committee - ChristenUnie). From the House of Representatives, Isa Kahraman (Chairman of the Defense Committee - NSC) and Eric van der Burg (VVD) were present.
During the plenary sessions, attention was given to hybrid threats, the war in Ukraine, strengthening the European defense industry, the future of transatlantic relations, and security in the Baltic region.
Koen Petersen spoke about the future of transatlantic relations, emphasizing the importance of keeping the United States involved in NATO by increasing defense budgets, expanding troop numbers, transforming the defense industry, and preparing for the deployment of forces. This would create the necessary deterrence for our security.
Prior to the conference, the delegation also met with the Dutch Ambassador to Poland, Mr. Jens Mol, who updated them on current developments in Poland and the priorities of the EU presidency of this country.
You can watch the meeting in Warsaw here. The next CFSP/CSDP meeting will take place from August 26 to 28, 2025, in Denmark, which will assume the EU Presidency on July 1, 2025.