The Foreign Policy of the Netherlands

The traditional objectives of Dutch foreign policy are maintaining good relations between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and other countries, protecting the country against outside threats and promoting a just world where peace, security, welfare and human dignity are guaranteed. 

The foreign policy of the Netherlands not only strives to balance the nation's own interests with broader values, such as human rights and peace, freedom, and prosperity for all nations, but also to be cohesive and effective, especially in the coordination of decision-making, organisation, and funding.

For a complete run-down of the main policy themes, organisational structure and funding of current Dutch foreign policy please visit the website of the  Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

Moral issues

The Netherlands has always been a country where freedom of thought has been respected.

In some aspects of life the Netherlands has been in the forefront. In particular issues like the use of drugs, euthanasia, abortus and marriage between persons of the same sex have given rise to controversy and lack of understanding. You can read more about the Netherlands approach to these issues on the websites of the  Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs the  Netherlands Ministry of Justice  and the  Netherlands Ministry of Health.

Phone:	++385 1 464 2210
Fax:	++385 1 464 2211
E-mail:	zag@minbuza.nl