NOS News •
The Dutch Parliament, along with the cabinet, appears positive towards French President Macron’s proposal for closer cooperation in the realm of nuclear weapons. Coalition parties D66, VVD, and CDA are keen to engage, marking a shift in tone from previous decades.
Macron stated on Monday that he intends to expand France’s nuclear arsenal and collaborate with several European countries, including the Netherlands.
While Dutch policy has traditionally focused on reducing the number of nuclear weapons globally, the cabinet responded promptly to Macron’s offer, expressing willingness to discuss the matter, and it seems to have parliamentary support.
‘For Deterrence’
“We witness that Russian aggression is significant, and we really need to be able to guarantee our own security in Europe, which also includes nuclear security,” says D66 MP Belhirch.
VVD faction leader Brekelmans also believes it’s positive that Macron wants more European cooperation and intends to use French nuclear weapons “more for the defense of Europe,” and “more for the deterrence of our enemies.”
CDA MP Van Lanschot adds that Europe can only have a “strong position” in the world through cooperation between member states. “So, we see this open hand from Macron as a good development.”
The largest opposition party, GroenLinks-PvdA, is responding cautiously, but due to the unpredictability of international developments, MP Piri considers the French proposal to enter into discussions “interesting.”
“We are now highly dependent on the Americans for our defense,” says Piri. “My faction believes it is really necessary to reduce that dependence.” She does state that one shouldn’t assume that “you are only safe if you have a nuclear weapon against the power of the greatest.” “That is a dangerous discussion.”
‘Makes the World Less Safe’
Another opposition party, the SP, is opposed. More nuclear weapons could lead to a novel nuclear arms race, as in the Cold War, and that only makes the world less safe, says MP Dobbe.
It is still unclear what the cooperation between France and the Netherlands will look like. This still needs to be negotiated. Macron suggested on Monday that “strategic assets” could be temporarily stationed in other countries.
Does this mean that French warheads will soon be located in the Netherlands? It is an open secret that American nuclear weapons are already stored at the Royal Air Force base in Volkel. This has never been officially confirmed, but former Prime Minister Lubbers admitted in 2013 that “those crazy things” are still there.
one squadron of the Royal Air Force has F-35 fighter jets that are suitable for carrying out a NATO nuclear task. French nuclear weapons could theoretically be transported with these.
‘Participation in Exercises’
CDA’s Van Lanschot contemplates what could happen: “Training, joint maintenance of facilities where nuclear weapons are stored, and of course strategic placement of them.”
Former Defense Minister Brekelmans does not want to be too specific. “You could also believe of Dutch participation in exercises that France does regularly,” he says. “The ball is now really with France and the cabinet.” The Dutch Parliament will be involved again afterwards.
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