The Netherlands foreign policy misses focus and should once again be directed towards Europe, the government’s WRR policy advisory council said on Tuesday.

Cuts in government spending make it necessary for ministers to sharpen their focus, the council said. At the moment, foreign policy is like a doughnut, with nothing binding different policy initiatives together in the middle.
And the anti-European sentiment expressed by parties such as the PVV and SP deny the reality that the Netherlands is a part of Europe, the council said. ‘If we want to achieve foreign policy targets, we must exercise more influence and excel in Europe.’
In terms of specific policy areas, the Netherlands could focus on niche areas such as water management, climate, food and the development of international law, the council suggested.