Foreign relations of the NetherlandsThe foreign policy of the Netherlands is based on four basic commitments: to the Atlantic cooperation, to European integration, to international development and to international law. While historically the Kingdom of the Netherlands was a neutral state, since 1945 it has become a member of NATO, the United Nations, the European Union and many other international organizations. The Dutch economy is very open and relies on international trade.
Cabinet of the NetherlandsThe cabinet of the Netherlands (Dutch: Nederlands kabinet) is the main executive body of the Netherlands. The current cabinet of the Netherlands is the Jetten cabinet, which has been in office since 23 February 2026. It is headed by Prime Minister Rob Jetten. Composition and roleThe cabinet consists of the ministers and state secretaries, and is led by the prime minister. Pursuant to article 44 of the Constitution, each ministry is headed by a minister.
European UnionThe European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. A supranational union with a total area of 4,233,255 km2 (1,634,469 sq mi) and an estimated population of just under 452 million as of 2026, its member states generated a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of around €18.802 trillion in 2025, accounting for approximately one sixth of global economic output.
List of ministers of foreign affairs of the NetherlandsThe minister of foreign affairs (Dutch: minister van Buitenlandse Zaken) is a member of the cabinet of the Netherlands and the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The officeholder is in charge of the Kingdom's foreign policy and international relations. The current minister, Tom Berendsen, has served since 23 February 2026. Alongside the minister, a minister without portfolio is usually attached to the ministry to oversee development cooperation and trade promotion.
Sjoerd SjoerdsmaSjoerd Wiemer Sjoerdsma (born 10 July 1981) is a Dutch diplomat and politician who has served as Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation since February 2026 in the Jetten cabinet. A member of the Democrats 66 (D66) party, he previously served as a member of the House of Representatives from September 2012 to December 2023. CareerEarly careerPrior to his election to Parliament in 2012 Sjoerdsma worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tom BerendsenTom Berend Willem Berendsen (born 11 April 1983) is a Dutch politician who has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Jetten cabinet since 2026. From 2019 until his appointment to the government he served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). He is a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA).BeneluxThe Benelux Union, or simply Benelux, is a politico-economic union, alliance and formal international intergovernmental cooperation of three neighbouring states in Western Europe: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The name is a syllabic abbreviation formed from the initial syllable of each country's name and was first used to name the customs agreement that initiated the union (signed in 1944).Ministries of the NetherlandsThe most influential part of the executive of the Government of the Netherlands are the ministries. There are twelve ministries of the Netherlands, all with their own minister. There are also several ministers without portfolio and State Secretaries. The names and responsibilities of the various ministries have undergone frequent change in the period 1980–2014.Executive (government)The executive is the part of the government that executes or enforces the law and policy of a government. It is typically organized as a branch of government, though in other systems of government like absolute monarchies the executive serves as the organ of a unified state apparatus centered on a singular constitutional authority (ie, the monarch).
NATOIntergovernmental military allianceThe North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an intergovernmentalmilitary alliance between 32 member states (thirty in Europe and two in North America). Founded in the aftermath of World War II, NATO was established with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949. The organization serves as a system of collective security and deterrence, whereby its independent members agree to defend each-other from attack by any outside party.
Batavian RepublicThe Batavian Republic was the successor state to the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. It was proclaimed on 19 January 1795 after the Batavian Revolution and ended on 5 June 1806, with the accession of Louis Bonaparte to the Dutch throne. From October 1801 onward, it was known as the Batavian Commonwealth. Both names refer to the Germanic tribe of the Batavi, representing both the Dutch ancestry and their ancient quest for liberty in their nationalist lore.
DiasporaWidely scattered population from a single original territoryIndia has the world's largest annual emigration.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.