A delegation from the Committee for European Affairs (EUZA) visited several European institutions in Brussels on Monday, May 19, 2025. The working visit was in preparation for the General European Discussions to be held on September 9, 2025, in the Senate. The delegation was led by the committee chair Van Apeldoorn (SP) and also included senators Panman (BBB), Van de Sanden (VVD), Rosenmöller (GroenLinks-PvdA), Bovens (CDA), Aerdts (D66), Van Hattem (PVV), Visseren-Hamakers (PvdD), Hartog (Volt), Van Rooijen (50PLUS) and Van der Goot (OPNL).
The delegation met with Henna Virkkunen, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, to discuss artificial intelligence, digital resilience, and technological sovereignty. In another meeting, Han ten Broeke, chief of staff of Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, addressed the European Work Program 2025 and the challenges in energy transition and clean industry.
In the afternoon, a meeting was scheduled with Esther de Lange, chief of staff of Commissioner Christophe Hansen, regarding European agricultural policy, nature and nitrogen policy, and the future Multiannual Financial Framework. Afterwards, the committee was received by Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of DG Enlargement and Eastern Neighborhood for a discussion on the enlargement of the European Union and its institutional implications.
The day concluded with a discussion about the geopolitical context of EU policy and security at the European External Action Service with Delphine Pronk, chair of the EU Political and Security Committee. She addressed the increasing threats and instability that the EU must face.
On Sunday evening, May 18, the delegation was received by the Dutch Permanent Representative to the European Union, Pieter Jan Kleiweg de Zwaan. He, along with several staff members of the Permanent Representation, briefed the delegation on important developments in the EU, foreign policy, the Multiannual Financial Framework, defense, trade, and the simplification of regulations.