France’s proposal to discuss closer nuclear cooperation with other EU countries has received a broadly positive response in the Dutch parliament, with the three coalition parties saying they are open to talks, broadcaster NOS has reported.

French president Emmanuel Macron said in a speech on Monday that France wants to expand its nuclear arsenal and explore cooperation with European countries including the Netherlands. The Dutch government quickly indicated it is willing to discuss the idea.

D66 MP Fatimazhra Belhirch said the proposal should be taken seriously given the current security situation and the Middle East war. “We see that Russian aggression is significant and we must be able to guarantee our own security in Europe, and that includes nuclear security,” she said during a debate on the defence ministry budget on Wednesday.

VVD parliamentary leader Ruben Brekelmans also welcomed Macron’s proposal, saying the French nuclear arsenal could play a greater role “in defending Europe and deterring our enemies”.

CDA MP Maes van Lanschot said closer cooperation between European countries was necessary to maintain a strong position globally. “So we see this open hand from Macron as a positive development,” he said.

The largest opposition alliance, GroenLinks-PvdA, reacted more cautiously. MP Kati Piri said Europe should reduce its heavy reliance on the United States for defence, though she warned against assuming nuclear weapons are the only guarantee of security.

The Socialist Party opposes the plan, arguing that expanding nuclear cooperation could trigger a new arms race similar to that of the Cold War and make the world less safe.

France is currently the only EU country with its own nuclear arsenal and is one of five states recognised as nuclear powers under the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The treaty allows those countries to possess nuclear weapons but aims to prevent the spread of such arms to additional states.

It is widely believed that US nuclear weapons are already stored at the Dutch air force base in Volkel, although this has never been officially confirmed.

French request

Meanwhile, the Dutch cabinet is also considering a French request to send a frigate to support its operations in the Mediterranean Sea, foreign minister Tom Berendsen and defence miniser Dilan Yesilgöz have told MPs.

France has requested that the frigate Zr. Ms. Evertsen supports the French aircraft carrier in its operations in the eastern Mediterranean.

“We are going to assess exactly what they want and take a decision shortly,” Yesilgöz said on Wednesday.