The world has become more volatile, more contested and less secure. In this geopolitical environment, it is more important than ever that like‑minded partners stand together and deepen their cooperation.
At the same time, Australia and the Netherlands see significant opportunities to work together to drive innovation, economic growth, shared prosperity and effective development cooperation.
Australia and the Netherlands recognise the need to continue investing in our close cooperation to meet current and future challenges. In this context, the Government of Australia and the Government of the Netherlands are elevating their relationship to a Strategic Partnership.
1. Bilateral Cooperation
Australia and the Netherlands are natural partners, bound by a long‑standing friendship, shared values, strong and dynamic trade and investment links, extensive people‑to‑people connections and centuries of shared history. Both our countries share a deep commitment to universal human rights, upholding and defending international law, an effective multilateral system based on agreed rules and norms, free trade, ambitious climate action and freedom of navigation.
Building on this strong foundation, we commit to regular exchanges at ministerial level and between our Prime Ministers. These exchanges will be underpinned by regular consultations between senior officials and by a bilateral workplan that sets out specific areas of cooperation.
2. Security and Defence Cooperation
The security and prosperity of the Indo‑Pacific region and Europe are deeply linked. Australia and the Netherlands will continue to step up their security cooperation, including through annual Security Consultations between senior officials and enhanced information‑sharing on key issues such as regional security developments, arms control, disarmament and non‑proliferation, maritime security, counter‑terrorism, foreign interference, hybrid threats, conflict prevention and cyber security. We will also explore ways to strengthen the legal and technical framework for information‑sharing through a bilateral General Security Agreement.
Our countries will continue to support ongoing cooperation between Australia and NATO. In parallel, we welcome the Australia–European Union Security and Defence Partnership, a significant milestone which sets up the framework to further strengthen our cooperation, particularly in relation to defence industry. Our countries will also continue our strong defence relationship, including through materiel cooperation and exercising together.
Australia and the Netherlands will continue to strengthen their cooperation on global security challenges, including strengthening maritime security, preventing youth radicalisation, countering terrorism and foreign interference (including transnational repression), addressing climate‑related security risks, tackling transnational crime, and advancing the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
3. Economic Cooperation, Trade and Investment
The Australia‑European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will give a significant boost to our already strong economic ties. Australia and the Netherlands support its early ratification and implementation. Together with the Australia–EU Security and Defence Partnership and Australia’s association with Horizon Europe, the FTA will further deepen bilateral trade, investment and innovation links. Investment and partnerships in clean‑energy solutions, low carbon fuels, and clean hydrogen and derivatives, and investments in the circular economy offer particular opportunities for our businesses and workers.
We will work together to continue building our dynamic investment relationship, to promote an open, rules‑based multilateral trading system, including a strong and reformed WTO, foster economic growth, counter economic coercion and support resilient supply chains, including in critical minerals and raw materials. We will also promote economic resilience, including working together to support regional economic resilience in the Indo‑Pacific, and develop joint initiatives through our annual bilateral Economic Security Dialogue. We remain committed to engaging on the challenges and opportunities presented by critical technologies, including AI.
4. Increasing strategic convergence and engagement in the Indo‑Pacific
Australia and the Netherlands reaffirm the importance of their cooperation in the Indo‑Pacific and the wider region in contributing to a strategic balance that preserves peace and stability. We will pursue closer engagement, both bilaterally and with partners, to support internationally agreed rules, norms and standards. In this context, we attach particular importance to working with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and its respective member states, and with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), recognising the central role of both organisations in promoting dialogue and a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.
We recognise that Small Island Developing States, many of them in the Pacific, are on the frontline of the climate crisis, facing sea‑level rise and more frequent extreme weather events, and that they confront unique energy security challenges that affect their sustainable development, economic prosperity and stability. The Kingdom of the Netherlands itself includes Caribbean island countries and territories that face similar climate‑related challenges, underscoring our shared interest in addressing these challenges.
Australia and the Netherlands will continue efforts to promote high‑quality climate‑resilience infrastructure that are led, owned and managed by small island states, supporting their transition to a renewable‑powered future while enhancing energy security, affordability and access to finance.
5. Supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression
Australia and the Netherlands unequivocally condemn Russia’s unjustified, full‑scale war of aggression against Ukraine. We will continue to cooperate within the Coalition of the Willing and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group to coordinate our support, including on Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
Our countries will keep working closely together to ensure accountability for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Australia and the Netherlands will continue to support the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and will continue to engage in efforts to establish a comprehensive compensation mechanism for Ukraine.
6. Upholding International Rules and Norms
Australia and the Netherlands attach great importance to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter as the cornerstone of international law and the multilateral system. We will step‑up our efforts to strengthen middle‑power cooperation to reinforce the multilateral system. Our countries will continue to work together to champion and support ambitious and meaningful reform to make the multilateral system, including the UN, more effective, efficient and inclusive.
We are concerned by growing pushback against gender equality, which threatens progress on human rights, sustainable development and peace and security. Australia and the Netherlands will continue to champion gender equality and support gender‑responsive justice and accountability mechanisms to ensure that the human rights, leadership and protection of women and girls remain central to an effective and inclusive multilateral system.
We recognise the extreme pressure on the international system in responding to humanitarian crises. Australia and the Netherlands will improve coordination and, where possible, undertake or join initiatives to defend humanitarian space, promote respect for international humanitarian law and increase accountability for violence against humanitarian personnel. We remain focused on delivering on the commitments made, together with more than 120 other countries, through the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.
7. Climate and Energy
Australia and the Netherlands have a shared interest in adapting their societies and economies to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. We will act in line with our obligations and commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement and our Nationally Determined Contributions, to advance global climate action and accelerate the net zero transition.
Australia and the Netherlands reaffirm that energy security will be strengthened in the long‑term by accelerating electrification and clean energy. Building upon the Australia–Netherlands Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Hydrogen, signed in 2023, Australia and the Netherlands reaffirm our commitment to work together to take advantage of the economic opportunities provided by the clean energy transition.
8. Pursuing truth, justice and accountability for the victims of MH17
Australia and the Netherlands reaffirm that they hold Russia responsible for the downing of Flight MH17 under international law and consistent with the decision of the International Civil Aviation Organization Council. Australia and the Netherlands remain resolute in their commitment to pursuing truth, justice and accountability on behalf of the victims of the downing of MH17 and their next of kin.
9. People‑to‑People Exchanges & Culture
Australia and the Netherlands greatly value their cultural cooperation, rooted in a shared history encompassing maritime, migrant, military and mercantile heritage. Our countries remain committed to working together, including under the Memorandum of Understanding on underwater heritage. Australia and the Netherlands also aim to work closer together in the field of creative industries.
Source: government.nl
