President Maia Sandu visited The Hague, Netherlands, on May 20 and met Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen.
The leaders focused their discussions on strengthening the bilateral partnership and on Dutch support for Moldova’s internal reforms and European integration path. The Netherlands has supported Moldova’s justice reform, civil society development, and free media, and it has also helped counter hybrid threats, including information manipulation, illicit political financing, and cyberattacks. Both countries are expanding cooperation in cybersecurity and defense, which now serve as key pillars of their security partnership.
“We have faced hybrid threats, and the Netherlands has stood by us. You have helped us protect our elections, our institutions, and our democratic processes,” Maia Sandu said.
The two countries are also expanding economic cooperation. Trade has increased, Dutch companies have expanded their presence in Moldova, including in the IT sector, and the double taxation avoidance agreement has supported investment growth. Organizers plan to hold the Benelux–Moldova Business Forum in Maastricht in June to further strengthen business ties.
During her meetings in The Hague, Maia Sandu urged Dutch officials to support the opening of all EU negotiation clusters so Moldova can advance to the next stage of its accession process.
The visit to The Hague forms part of a wider series of diplomatic engagements by the Moldovan president with EU member states aimed at advancing European integration.