It's election day! 🗳️

Today, the Netherlands heads to the polls for the House of Representatives elections.

Polling stations will close tonight at 21:00h.

📝🔎 Brussels thinks tanks plays a vital role in keeping our policies firmly evidence-based. Today, we hosted policy experts from Brussels‑based think tanks to continue the conversation.

🙏 Thanks to all who attended. Interested in collaborating? Please reach out.

🇳🇱🇪🇺 A warm welcome to Carola van Rijnsoever as our new Deputy Permanent Representative.

“It is great to be back in Brussels. From agriculture and climate to energy and innovation, I look forward to working with our friends and partners to strengthen our shared interests in Europe.”

🇵🇱🇳🇱 Poland is a friend, an ally, and a leader in defence within NATO and the EU.

Today, the Netherlands and Poland signed a defence pact.

This means more joint training, stronger air defence, and closer defence-industry ties between our two countries for a safer Europe.

“The custom laws are outdated and not suited for today's reality, especially with the volume of e-commerce packages. Over a billion e-commerce declarations need to be handled, so new legislation is needed and is on its way.“

🎙️Finance State Secretary van Oostenbruggen at today’s #Ecofin

🎙️ Hear @Minister_FIN Heinen explain below why further progress on the #CapitalMarketsUnion is essential to securing our future prosperity ⬇️

💬 Development aid should be in our mutual interests, such as trade, economy, security, stability, and reducing migration.

It’s good that European and Dutch interests are now guiding our development aid efforts.

🎙️ Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Klever at today’s #FAC on #developmentaid

Security transcends borders.

Today, Minister @ministerjenv launched the European Resilience Coalition together with 🇧🇪 🇩🇰 🇪🇪 🇫🇮 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 🇱🇺 🇸🇪

Together, we will increase our crisis preparedness and secure our critical infrastructure.

🔗 Full statement: bit.ly/3Se3LCH

“The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is dismal.

We see that under international pressure Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced to open up slightly the access to Gaza for humanitarian aid.

But we believe that this is not enough.”

🎙️ @ministerbz.bsky.social Veldkamp at the #FAC

And that is a wrap on the EU open day at the Council!

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate #EuropeDay with us.

We look forward to the next edition!

#EUOpenDay2025

🇳🇱 To the King! 🥂

All over the world, Dutch servicemen raise their glasses today in honour of His Majesty the King.

It is a long-standing tradition in the Dutch military to toast with oranjebitter on the birthdays of royal family members.

#Koningsdag

Let's modernise and streamline the new EU budget!

Here's our position:
🔹 Focus on Competitiveness, Migration, Security & Defence
🔹 Simplify the #MFF for more responsiveness
🔹 Enhance EU spending by linking private and public financing

🔗 More info: bit.ly/3G8aD1o

“It shows that Russia still intends to intensify this war. It also shows we must all stand by Ukraine. Such an attack shows that we must maintain, even increase, pressure on Russia.”

🎙️Minister Veldkamp @ministerBZ reacts to the attack on #Summi ahead of today’s #FAC

"Looking at food security, we aim to be less dependent on Russian gas and fertiliser. RENURE can play a crucial role here.”

🎙️ Minister of Agriculture, Femke Wiersma at today’s #AGRIFISH

Doorstep of PM Schoof @MinPres ahead of today's #EUCO on #EuropeanDefence

“What is crucial is strengthening European defence, that is important. And that the Netherlands advocates for financial stability, debt sustainability, and targeted joint investments seems only logical to me.”

🇪🇺 We welcome today's publication of the ‘Savings and Investment Union’ by the European Commission.

📈 This is a step in the right direction towards a #CapitalMarketsUnion to align EU capital markets and boost competitiveness.

🔗 Info on 🇳🇱 position: bit.ly/4hKs2KC