Toespraak minister Yeşilgöz-Zegerius tijdens Shangri-La Dialogue
Toespraak minister Yeşilgöz-Zegerius tijdens de jaarlijkse Shangri-La Dialogue van het International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Singapore op 31 mei 2026. Dat is de grootste defensie- en veiligheidsconferentie van Azië.
De toespraak werd gehouden in het Engels. Gesproken woord geldt.
Excellencies and colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, let me begin with a heartfelt thank you to our gracious hosts: the Singapore Ministry of Defence and the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Thank you for your warm welcome, and for creating a forum where countries from every corner of the world can still come together – openly, honestly and respectfully – to discuss the defining security challenges of our time. It is a great honour to speak to you today.
The theme of this plenary session – Managing Regional Tensions amid Global Competition – could not be more relevant. Because we live in a world where crises no longer remain confined to one region.
A missile launched in one theater affects shipping routes, food prices, energy markets and political stability thousands of kilometres away. A cyberattack on one continent can disrupt hospitals, ports and satellites on another. A war in Europe involves drones from Iran, soldiers and ammunition from North Korea, and various types of support from China.
The lesson is clear: regional tensions are no longer regional. Our security is interconnected. And because our security is interconnected, responsibility for our security must also be shared.
For the Netherlands, this is not an abstract idea. We are a small country – although, when it comes to soccer, we occasionally like to think of ourselves as a much larger nation! We’ll see if you hear from us during the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
But small or not, the Netherlands is also one of the world’s most connected economies, just like many countries in this region. Our prosperity depends on open sea lanes, secure supply chains, stable markets, a healthy dose of common sense, and friends and partners like you.
When instability disrupts the Red Sea, our people feel it. When war hits the Persian Gulf, our people feel it. When tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific – we feel that too. Dutch, European and Indo-Pacific security can no longer be separated into neat geographic boxes.
Likewise, when Russia invaded Ukraine, countries far beyond Europe understood that this war was not only about territory. It was – and remains – about the future of the international order itself. We have seen countries across the Indo-Pacific step up in support of Ukraine. Countries like Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand have demonstrated leadership and solidarity.
How the war in Ukraine ends matters not only to Europe – but also to Asia, to Africa, and to every country that depends on a secure geopolitical environment to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Because if aggression is rewarded, that lesson will spread rapidly. Other actors – including here in the Indo-Pacific – may then conclude that borders are negotiable. That intimidation works. That might makes right. None of us should want to live in that kind of world. That is why dialogues like the one we are having here today matter so much.
Because ladies and gentlemen, the international order is not shaped by great powers alone.
It is also shaped by smaller countries like ours. Countries that may not always dominate the headlines. But beyond the spotlight, it is countries like ours that drive global trade, Diplomacy, innovation and stability. Together, we have true power.
Amid major-power competition, middle powers cannot afford to become spectators. Nor should we become the subject of conversations held by others. Together, we have great influence. We can defend international law. We can strengthen institutions. We can reduce the risk of escalation. And we can build coalitions that preserve stability.
The fact that international rules are being violated does not mean we should abandon them. On the contrary – it means we must defend them more consistently and more courageously.
International law may be imperfect, but history teaches us that the alternative is far worse.
This is why regional organisations such as ASEAN and the European Union are so important. They foster a habit of mutual cooperation. They create predictability. They give middle powers a stronger collective voice. And they reduce the risk that competition turns into confrontation. At a time of fragmentation, we need more bridges – not more blocs.
For the Netherlands, stability in the Indo-Pacific is directly connected to our own security. That is why we have steadily increased our engagement in this region – and why we will continue to do so.
At this very moment, our frigate De Ruyter is operating in the Indo-Pacific, engaging with partners across the region. She has already visited Kochi, Surabaya and Manila – and as we speak, she is in Vietnam. Let me underline that our frigate De Ruyter is following its planned route in full accordance with international law, operating in waters where freedom of navigation applies and only entering territorial waters for port visits and joint exercises.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Netherlands has been one of the driving forces behind the European Indo-Pacific Strategy, and we continue to turn that commitment into practical cooperation. Dutch military units regularly train alongside regional partners through exercises such as Super Garuda Shield, Exercise Komodo, and the upcoming Rim of the Pacific exercise – the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. We have strengthened cooperation with partners such as Japan, including joint training with advanced capabilities, such as the F-35 fighter jet.
And our engagement is not only military. It is also diplomatic. Industrial. Technological. We invest in people-to-people exchanges, information sharing, cyber cooperation and defence industry partnerships. We come to listen, to learn and to build lasting relationships based on mutual respect and mutual interests.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The challenges we face today are complex. The pressures on the international order are real. History is shaped by the choices we make – and by the courage we show when the pressure rises. The Netherlands stands ready to work with all of you – in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. As a reliable partner. As a listening partner. And as a country that firmly believes that stability is never built alone.
Thank you very much.