A delegation from the First and Second Chambers participated in a conference on the European Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) from August 26 to 28, 2025. The conference took place in Copenhagen. Denmark has been the president of the European Union since July 1, 2025.
Topics
During the plenary sessions of the conference, attention was paid to cooperation between the EU and NATO, support from the European Union to Ukraine, EU enlargement for the security of Europe, and enhancing the EUs resilience in various areas. Additionally, there were also choice sessions on the role of the EU in the Middle East and on cooperation with third countries to combat migration.
Dutch Delegation
The semi-annual conference brings together members of national parliaments from all EU member states to discuss various topics in the field of foreign, security, and defense policy. On behalf of the First Chamber, Koen Petersen (chairman of the BDO committee - VVD) participated in the conference. From the Second Chamber, Annemarie Heite (NSC) was present.
Strength
Koen Petersen emphasized in his contribution that the EU must invest in strategic capabilities such as intelligence, nuclear deterrence, and political power, so that Europe is no longer dependent on the United States in these areas. He raised the question of what factors are decisive for Europe to catch up with the US in this regard and how much time will be needed for that.
Moldova
Prior to the conference, the delegation was received by Nienke Trooster, the Dutch ambassador to Denmark. She briefed the delegation on current developments in Denmark and the priorities of the EU presidency of the country. The delegation also spoke with Cristina Gherasimov, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of Moldova, about current developments in her country.
More Information
The next CFSP/CSDP meeting will take place from March 3 to 5 in Cyprus, the country that will take over the EU presidency from Denmark on January 1, 2026.