The 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. During and after the 17th century—its Golden Age—the Dutch built up a commercial and colonial empire. It was a leading shipping and naval power and was often at war with England, its main rival. Its main colonial holding was Indonesia, which fought for and achieved independence after 1945. The historical ties inherited from its colonial past still influence the foreign relations of the Netherlands. Foreign trade policy is handled by the European Union. The Dutch have been active in international peacekeeping roles.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the Netherlands' ministry responsible for foreign relations, foreign policy, international development, international trade, diaspora and matters dealing with the European Union, NATO and the Benelux Union. The ministry was created in 1798, as the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Batavian Republic. In 1876, it became the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry of Finance is the Dutch Ministry responsible for economic policy, monetary policy, fiscal policy, tax policy, incomes policy, financial regulation, the government budget and the financial market. The Ministry was created in 1798 as the Department of Finance of the Batavian Republic. It became the Ministry of Finance in 1876. The Minister of Finance is the head of the Ministry and a member of the Cabinet of the Netherlands. The current Minister is Eelco Heinen.
Netherlands–Russia relations is the relationships between the two countries, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Russian Federation. Russia has an embassy in The Hague, and the Netherlands has an embassy in Moscow, a consulate in Saint Petersburg, and an honorary consulate in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Canada and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have a special relationship resulting from actions during World War II when Canada hosted the Dutch royal family in exile and then led the military liberation of the Netherlands. The special relationship is still visible today, with the Canadian government describing the Netherlands as "one of Canada's most significant trade, investment and innovation partners." In part, the annual Canadian Tulip Festival still commemorates this relationship, with a tradition of tulips sent to Canada from the Netherlands as gratitude for the Canadian actions during World War II.
Netherlands–Romania relations are the bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Romania. The Ambassador to Romania is concurrently accredited to Moldova. Romania has an embassy in The Hague and honorary consulates in Heeg, Rotterdam and Venlo. The Netherlands has an embassy in Bucharest, honorary consulates in Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara and Constanța, and since 2016 an office in Chișinău in Moldova.
Netherlands–Ukraine relations are foreign relations between the Netherlands and Ukraine. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. Notable incidents in their relations include was the shoot-down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014 and the 2016 Dutch Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement referendum. the Netherlands is a member of the European Union, which Ukraine applied for in 2022. Both countries are full members of Council of Europe.
Dutch–Turkish relations are the bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Turkey. The diplomatic relations widely encompass and span four centuries, beginning in 1612. The first Turkish representative in the Netherlands started activities in 1859.
Relations between the Moroccans and the Dutch people of the Kingdom of the Netherlands span a period from the 16th century since the Dutch Revolt period and the era of the Dutch Empire and the Dutch Republic to the present day. The relations between the Moroccans and the Dutch people were strengthened during the reigns of William the Silent and Maurice of Orange, the founding father of the House of Nassau dynasty, the House of Orange-Nassau dynasty and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Dutch-Moroccans are the third-largest ethnic group in the country. Morocco is represented in the Netherlands by an embassy in The Hague, as well as four consulate-generals in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, 's-Hertogenbosch, and Utrecht. The Netherlands is represented in Morocco by an embassy in Rabat and a consulate-general in Casablanca.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs is the Netherlands' ministry responsible for international trade, commercial, industrial, investment, technology, space policy, as well as tourism.
India–Netherlands relations are the foreign relations between India and the Netherlands. India maintains an embassy in The Hague, Netherlands and the Netherlands maintains an embassy in New Delhi and a consulate general in Mumbai. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1947 the same year India became independent.
Diplomatic relations exist between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands. Azerbaijan has an embassy in The Hague. the Netherlands has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe. Azerbaijan celebrated its 30th anniversary with the Netherlands on April 1, 2022.
Netherlands–Spain relations are the bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Spain. The relations between both countries are defined mainly by their membership in the European Union and by being allies in the NATO.
Dutch–Portuguese relations are the bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Portugal. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the European Union and NATO. The Netherlands has an embassy in Lisbon and 3 honorary consulates, while Portugal has an embassy in The Hague.
André Haspels is a Dutch diplomat currently serving as the Dutch Ambassador to China since 2023. He previously served as ambassador in Vietnam and South Africa and most recently as ambassador in the United States.
Netherlands–South Korea relations are foreign relations between South Korea and the Netherlands. The Netherlands have an embassy in Seoul, while South Korea has an embassy in The Hague.
Brazil—Netherlands relations are the bilateral relationship between Brazil and the Netherlands. Brazil has an embassy in The Hague and a consulate in Amsterdam, and the Netherlands is represented by an embassy in Brasília and consulates in Belém, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, São Paulo and Vila Velha.
Bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Thailand date back to 1604, as one of the earliest interactions between Europeans and Siamese. Thailand today is a popular tourist site for Dutch tourists, while the Netherlands is the largest EU investor in Thailand. The Netherlands operates an embassy in Bangkok, as well as a consulate in Phuket. Thailand itself operates an embassy in the Hague, as well as a consulate in Amsterdam.
Netherlands–Syria relations were first established on 24 January 1952 when Knoop Koopmans from the Netherlands was accredited in Syria.
Colombia–Netherlands relations are the bilateral relations between Colombia and the Netherlands. Both nations have had a friendly relationship since the beginning of the 19th century.
