Netherlands: the Minister’s meeting with his Dutch counterpart, Mr Tom Berendsen (5 March 2026)

M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, had a meeting with his counterpart from the Netherlands, Mr Tom Berendsen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Paris on Thursday 5 March 2026.

On the sidelines of their participation in meeting of European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers today, the ministers signalled their concern over developments in the Middle East and the risk of destabilization in the region. They agreed to continue coordinating with a view to protecting their nationals, their interests and those of their partners.
Coming a few days after the new government in The Hague took office, the visit testifies to the vitality of the relationship between France and the Netherlands and to the opportunities for cooperation existing in the fields of the economy, advanced technology, energy and defence. Border cooperation on the island of Saint-Martin – including the forthcoming signature of an agreement on the right of hot pursuit at sea, which will improve the fight against drug trafficking – was also discussed.
The visit also confirmed the two countries’ commitment to work for a more competitive, sovereign and resilient European Union, particularly as far as digital technology and supply chains are concerned. It provided an opportunity to note similar views about EU enlargement.

The ministers reaffirmed their long-term support for Ukraine, particularly in the Coalition of the Willing, in the face of the war of aggression being waged by Russia, and their determination to strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base.