THE HAGUE, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The Dutch government on Monday accepted France's offer to discuss closer cooperation on nuclear weapons, the country's defense and foreign ministers said in an open letter.
"This offers the Netherlands an opportunity to reinforce the European dimension of nuclear deterrence together with our NATO allies," Minister of Defense Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen wrote in a letter addressed to parliament.
According to the letter, Europe is facing fundamental security challenges driven by geopolitical threats, shifting international dynamics, and rapid technological developments.
"This calls for greater European responsibility for its own security. Strengthening Europe's contribution to both conventional and nuclear deterrence forms part of that effort. France's offer to deepen dialogue on this issue with European partners aligns with this objective, and the Cabinet considers it desirable to accept the proposal," the letter states.
The ministers emphasized that NATO remains the cornerstone of European security for both the Netherlands and the continent as a whole. They added that enhanced cooperation with France would not replace NATO's collective defense and nuclear deterrence framework, but complements it.
French President Emmanuel Macron said earlier on Monday that France will strengthen its nuclear arsenal and incorporate "a European dimension" into its deterrence posture, while stressing that any decision on the use of French nuclear weapons will remain a sovereign French responsibility.
Macron said France is offering interested European partners closer cooperation that could include consultations, joint exercises and other forms of coordination, and countries including Sweden, Britain, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece and Denmark have expressed interest. ■