Toespraak minister van Defensie Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius Spring Tour 2026 buitenlandse defensieattachés
Deze toespraak is alleen beschikbaar in het Engels.
Good morning Generals, Colonels, distinguished Defence Attachés,
Welcome to The Hague; thank you for being here – especially those of you who travelled from abroad. As the new Minister of Defence of the Netherlands, I look forward to working closely with you.
Because rarely has your role been as important as it is today. We are living in a time of profound change. The world order is shifting in ways we have not seen for generations. Geopolitical competition is intensifying. Wars rage on the edges of Europe: in Ukraine, in the Middle East. Instability persists in parts of Africa and the Caribbean. Tensions are rising in the Indo-Pacific. And rapid technological change is radically transforming the character of conflict.
In today’s world, you stand on the front line of understanding. You are often the first to see change – before it reaches the headlines. You sense changes in tone, posture, and intent. You recognize opportunities for dialogue where others might only see distance. That makes your work more complex than ever. But also more vital than ever.
In my first months in office, I have already seen the impact of what you do. Of course, the tireless efforts of the Ukrainian defence attaché in coordinating vital military support. The efforts of the French defence attaché to smoothly integrate the deployment of the frigate Evertsen in the French task group in the Eastern Mediterrean. The strategic engagement facilitated by the British defence attachés between the UK’s Chief of the Defence Staff and our own leadership. The impressive port visit of a Turkish task group to Rotterdam as an effort by the Turkish defence attaché.
These are no small matters. They are the quiet foundations of security and cooperation. As defence attachés posted abroad, you are the eyes and ears of your home nation. But just as importantly, you are the bridge – helping nations to understand one another. And yes, at times, you are translators between entirely different ways of thinking. In a world full of noise and urgency, you are the ones who must keep a cool head. Who must stay focused. And who must act professional, with discipline and integrity.
For me, as Minister of Defence, navigating this era of uncertainty comes down to three clear priorities: stronger armed forces, stronger alliances, and the ability to adapt – fast.
First – stronger armed forces. The Netherlands fully recognizes the gravity of today’s security situation – and we are acting accordingly. We are increasing defence spending, and we will continue to do so, moving toward the 5% benchmark agreed at the NATO Summit here in The Hague.
But investment is not just about numbers. It is about people. About readiness. About ensuring that our armed forces can respond when it matters most. NATO capability targets guide our choices, and this summer we will present our 2026 Defence White Paper – turning strategy into action.
Today, you will hear more about our new Joint Force Command, designed to prepare us for large-scale conflict. And later this year, during your Autumn Tour, commanders of our four service branches will fully brief you on the 2026 Defence White Paper and how we will further strengthen our armed forces.
My second priority – stronger alliances. Alliances are more than agreements on paper. They are expressions of trust, solidarity, and resolve. And that signal – allies acting together in alliances – is what deters.
Today, the most direct threat to Europe and the Netherlands comes from the east – from Russia. The Netherlands stands firmly with Ukraine, and we are proud to be among the largest providers of military support. But we also understand that conflicts are interconnected. They are shaped by global forces: power shifts, economic dependencies, technological change, and scarcity.
As a highly interconnected nation, what happens far beyond our borders directly affects our security and prosperity. That is why the Netherlands aims to be at the forefront of international cooperation – within NATO, within Europe, and in flexible coalitions of willing partners. From Ukraine to the Strait of Hormuz, from Cyprus to Japan, from the Nordic region to NATO exercises across the alliance – we step forward, we contribute, and we stand with our partners. And in all of this, your role is indispensable. We need to remain connected – more than ever.
My third priority – adaptability. In today’s world, change can come quickly – and unexpectedly. Sometimes adaptability is tangible – such as when our frigate Evertsen changed course at the request of our French partners. But more often, adaptability is about mindset. About innovation. About ensuring that our industries can deliver what modern conflict demands.
And again, partnership is key. By learning from one another, by challenging our industries, by advancing together in areas such as drones and space – we reinforce not only our own capabilities, but also those of our allies.
Your role here, again, is crucial. You connect industries. You open doors. You help build the partnerships that allow us to produce, innovate, and scale up at the speed required.
The Dutch defence industry stands ready to contribute. It delivers high-quality products, is a reliable partner, and can serve as a long-term knowledge partner. I would very much welcome engaging with your countries – including, where appropriate, on a government-to-government basis – to explore where our industries can connect and reinforce one another.
A fine example in this regard is the recently announced partnership between German technology group Rheinmetall and the Dutch firm Destinus. These partners will begin the large-scale, joint production of advanced missiles systems in the second half of this year.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Across all three priorities – stronger armed forces, stronger alliances and adaptability – one thing remains constant: diplomacy is crucial. Partnerships do not build themselves. Trust does not maintain itself. They require constant effort. Continual dialogue.
This is your work, every single day. Often taking place quietly, in the background. Often far from home. But always with impact.
In the coming days, you will be visiting the National Military Museum and have the opportunity to learn about the Battle of Dordrecht. You will see how we continue to remember what our country endured during the Second World War. On the fourth and fifth of May, we pause as a nation to reflect – because we know that freedom is never a given.
To protect it, we embrace a strategic culture that values openness and dialogue, without being naïve. We engage with allies, with partners, and yes, also with those who see the world differently. Because we believe in the power of connection.
That is why gatherings like this matter. I invite you to exchange views openly, to share perspectives honestly – and, when necessary, to disagree with respect. It may be too much to ask you to prevent the next conflict – though we would all welcome that! But what you do is no less important.
So as you take part in this Spring Tour in the Netherlands, let us remember what unites us: a shared commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation. You are the architects of trust. And for that, I thank you – for your dedication and your contribution to peace.
I wish you inspiring and productive days here in the Netherlands. Thank you.