By Alimat Aliyeva

The Heads of Government of Belgium and the Netherlands recently
visited Luxembourg to strengthen cooperation within the Benelux
countries, particularly in the area of defense policy, in light of
the ongoing war in Ukraine. The leaders of the three countries
gathered at the Senningen Castle in Luxembourg for a significant
meeting, Azernews reports.

“We want to work more together, buy together, and produce
together,” said Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel after the
discussions. He emphasized that simply spending money on defense
isn’t enough; it is also crucial to invest effectively to maximize
resources.

This sentiment was echoed by the Prime Ministers of the
Netherlands and Belgium, Mark Rutte and Alexander De Croo,
respectively. “The Benelux Union was established in 1944, during
the context of the Second World War. Today, we face a new war in
Europe, and this calls for even closer cooperation between the
Benelux countries,” stated Prime Minister De Croo. Following the
meeting, the defense ministers of the three countries are expected
to identify specific areas of cooperation and collaboration.

“We need to do more. We need to meet the NATO target of 2% of
GDP allocated to defense,” said De Wever. He emphasized that this
target should not remain static, and expressed hope that the
upcoming NATO summit this summer would set even higher targets. De
Wever, who made his first trip abroad to Luxembourg after taking
office, highlighted the importance of moving beyond the current
goal to better prepare for future security challenges.

In addition to defense cooperation, the leaders also discussed
expanding economic ties and enhancing joint efforts in the fight
against transnational crime. This includes strengthening border
security, tackling organized crime, and enhancing intelligence
sharing.

The meeting in Senningen underscored the importance of continued
collaboration among the Benelux countries, as they navigate
shifting geopolitical landscapes. It also serves as a reminder of
the critical role small, yet strategically important, nations can
play in shaping European and global security frameworks. The
Benelux countries are looking to build on their long-standing
history of cooperation and reinforce their commitment to shared
security and prosperity.