The House of Representatives will debate on Tuesday, March 18, about the European summit on March 20 and 21. The discussion will include the positions the cabinet can take during that meeting in Brussels. You can follow the debate via the livestream and Debat Direct from 4:45 PM.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Foreign Affairs Minister Caspar Veldkamp will come to the House of Representatives for the debate. Schoof will represent the Netherlands during the summit later in the week.
Topics of the European Summit
The agenda of the European summit includes the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), migration, the Middle East, and Europes competitiveness. Although the relationship between the EU and US is not on the agenda, it is expected to be discussed.
European Defense
During an interim extraordinary European summit on March 6, several ideas were presented to substantially increase European defense spending. This involves five initiatives under the banner of ReArm Europe. The European Commission is currently working out the policy proposals.
Motion on Eurobonds
In a letter to the House of Representatives dated March 14, the cabinet pledges that the Netherlands will not agree or abstain when proposals for so-called eurobonds and subsidies to budgets of other member states are tabled in European consultations. The cabinet takes the concerns of the House seriously, wrote the prime minister and the ministers of Finance and Defense in the letter. The House had, by majority supporting a motion by Member of Parliament Joost Eerdmans (JA21), expressed opposition to joint European loans.
Other Topics
In addition to a report on the extra summit on March 6, the report of the regular meeting of government leaders, which took place on February 3, is also on the agenda.
Read More and Follow Live
- Follow the debate from 4:45 PM via the livestream or the Debat Direct app. Live subtitles are available.
- Read the documents related to this debate.