Speech by Minister Veldkamp at the Utrecht Conference 2024
Speech by Caspar Veldkamp, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Utrecht Conference, on 28 October 2024 in Breda. Check against delivery.
Mr Sikorski, ladies and gentlemen,
Witamy wszystkich, szczególnie naszych polskich gości. Witamy w tym pięknym mieście, Breda!
Beneath the four imposing white statues that adorn the roofline of the Golden House – the Złota Kamienica – in Gdańsk, a Dutch inscription reads:
‘Thue recht und scheve niemand’, which means ‘Act justly and fear no one’.
This 17th-century Dutch text reflects the longstanding trade relations and friendship between Poland and the Netherlands.
Originally, it served as a moral reminder to Jan Speyman, mayor of Gdańsk and the first resident of the Golden House.
Its message is timeless, yet it holds particular significance today, as we witness the grave injustice of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Poland, perhaps more than any other EU-country, feels the threat from Russia daily.
Your airspace is violated, you’re facing hybrid warfare, while the number of cyberattacks has doubled since last year.
In response your defence budget has doubled over the past years to well over 4 percent of your GDP, while you aim for 5 percent.
In these turbulent times our relationship is more important than ever.
Our message to Russia is crystal clear:
We stand for justice.
And we fear no one.
Like Poland, the Netherlands will continue to give Ukraine political, financial and moral support against Russia’s aggression.
We stand shoulder to shoulder.
Eighty years ago, here in Breda, Poland turned those words inscribed on the Golden House into deeds.
The First Polish Armoured Division, led by General Maczek, liberated this city from German occupation.
Yesterday, Mr Sikorski and I attended a remembrance ceremony at the Polish Military Cemetery to honour the heroic actions of General Maczek and his troops.
It was deeply moving to meet the last surviving Polish veteran, Eugeniusz Niedzielski, who took part in the liberation of the city.
Because of him, and so many other Polish soldiers, Breda and the Netherlands enjoy peace and freedom today.
But it came at a high cost.
Many of Niedzielski’s comrades died in their fight to liberate us.
More than 160 soldiers of the Polish Armoured Division, as well as troops from the First Polish Independent Parachute Brigade, are buried at the Polish Military Cemetery.
Some 80 more are buried in nearby Ginneken.
We will be forever grateful for the sacrifice they made in the name of freedom.
And we owe it to them to continue defending what they fought for.
One thing is clear to us: we cannot defend freedom on our own.
To safeguard our freedom and address the many challenges we face today, we need a strong European Union – one that defends our democratic values and upholds the rule of law.
A Union capable of building a strong European defence industry.
The backbone of such a strong Union rests on solid bilateral relations, like those that our two countries enjoy.
So it’s great to be holding the 33rd edition of the Utrecht Conference here in Breda, to discuss ways of strengthening our ties even more.
I’m delighted that reinforcing the rule of law is a central focus of this conference, and will be a priority during Poland’s upcoming EU Presidency.
Our efforts in these areas are inextricably linked to our collaboration in other fields – they form its very foundation.
Today’s agenda addresses security policy, justice, EU foreign policy and the single market.
The close bilateral ties between us extend well beyond the governmental level.
Our private sector in our countries worksectors collaborate closely as well.
Trade relations between the Netherlands and Poland are booming.
In fact, bilateral trade has doubled over the past decade, and now amounts to 38 billion euros.
I believe these strong economic relations are essential as we look to the future.
To protect our economic security and keep Europe competitive, we need steady, sustainable growth.
Our key task is to find ways to stay competitive in the market, while shifting towards a greener economy.
That’s an especially demanding challenge for our farmers.
And it’s our responsibility to provide them with prospects for the future.
I’m confident that we can learn from each other as we work to foster innovation in this sector.
All this will benefit not only the future of our countries, but also that of Europe as a whole.
Because only an economically strong and strategically autonomous Europe will be capable of effectively defending its freedoms.
Mr Sikorski,
Friends,
Legend has it that, from time to time, a luminous creature roams the corridors of the Golden House in Gdańsk.
It is said to be the ghost of Judyta Speyman, wife of Jan Speyman, whispering the words inscribed on the house: ‘Act justly, fear no one’.
I imagine she’s whispering it in Polish: Działaj sprawiedliwie, nie bój się nikogo.
In that spirit we’re working together.
In that spirit we’re defending our freedom.
And in that spirit we’re here together today.
I wish you all a successful and enjoyable conference.
Thank you.