Prime Minister Schoof: Netherlands continues to have critical say on European defense plan
At his weekly press conference, Prime Minister Schoof indicated that the Netherlands remains actively involved in the talks on the European rearmament plan and will try to ensure its financing and not jeopardize the financial stability of European countries. During a crisis meeting with governing parties opposed to participation in the plan, Schoof stressed that the Netherlands is in the EU and has no veto power, but can insist on financial viability. Nor does the Netherlands want to contribute to long-term joint financing of each other's defense spending and stretching the definition of defense. The talks between European countries and the House of Representatives will also focus on strengthening the European defense industry and becoming more independent from the U.S. because of long-term concerns about Russian aggression.
