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Members of the States General,
The Dutch have always had the ability to set a new course if circumstances
require. During the crisis of the past few years that strength has once again
come to the fore. And it has produced results. The economy is growing again.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of entrepreneurs, employees and many
others in society, the Netherlands is in relatively good socioeconomic shape.
The recovery is being driven not only by exports, but also by factors such as
growing consumption, rising business investment and a strong upturn in important
sectors like construction and the housing market. For the first time in a long
while, we are again seeing growth forecasts of over two per cent and public
finances heading in the right direction.
But despite all these reasons to face the future with confidence, we cannot
afford to sit back. Unemployment is still too high. The number of jobs is
increasing, but too many people are still unable to find work.
With its planned changes to the tax system the government aims to boost both job
creation and purchasing power. Labour costs are being reduced for employees on
or slightly above the minimum wage. This will make it more financially
attractive to take on or retain, for example, cleaners, classroom assistants and
cashiers. Lower income tax stimulates consumption and hence employment. Coupled
with the available scope for wage increases in the private and public sectors,
it opens up the possibility of greater purchasing power for all working people.
The purchasing power of pensioners and people on benefits will be maintained.
It is important that everyone feels the impact of the recovery, so that people
will again dare to face the future with growing optimism. The Netherlands has
long been a country with a balanced distribution of income and a large, strong
middle class. Generations have grown up confident that they could improve
themselves by going into business, studying, working or taking an active role in
society in some other way. Now that the economy is picking up and there is
qualified scope for a recovery in purchasing power and employment, we can feel
renewed confidence that future generations will be better off.
The government is playing its part by safeguarding the quality and accessibility
of public services. In the Netherlands people must be able to count on good
health care, high-quality, accessible education, proper social security
provision and a robust pension system. Together with a well-functioning housing
market and labour market, this enables people to shape their own future. This
has been the aim of the necessary reforms made in recent years. They came about
with broad political support and respond to the need for choice and the desire
for autonomy and a tailored approach.
Many measures have just taken effect. The major task now is to implement them
effectively and with due care, mindful of unintended and unwanted consequences,
especially for the most vulnerable. The government will dedicate itself to this
task in the coming years. Where people get into difficulties, changes will be
required, as in the case of the personal budget.
Everyone wants to be healthy and independent in their old age. If a time comes
when this is no longer possible, people want to know they can rely on good
support and care, enabling them to grow old with dignity. € 210 million is being
made available on a structural basis to improve care in nursing homes and
provide scope for more personal attention.
This autumn the government will present a work programme providing further
details of the plans for the future pension system. It is important that all
working people have the opportunity to build up a good pension. The system can
be made more transparent, simpler and more personalised, striking the right
balance between choice and risk sharing.
Young parents will be given more scope to combine work and family in a demanding
period of their lives. Childcare benefit is being raised. There will be
additional places in pre-school childcare that are affordable for all parents.
Paternity leave will be increased.
One important outcome of the government’s reform policy is that higher education
will receive around 4,000 additional lecturers and several hundred additional
researchers with teaching duties. For students this will mean substantially more
personal attention, more intensive supervision and a smoother passage into the
labour market. This investment in educational quality will be paid for from
money freed up through the introduction of the new student loan system.
In November 2015 the government will present the National Science Agenda, which
will be devised in close collaboration with top academics and leading
businesspeople. The aim is to build on the strengths of the Dutch scientific
community and to make choices that will raise the profile of our institutions.
This will boost not only the international position of our universities, but
also the innovative potential and competitiveness of our industry and other
knowledge-intensive sectors.
All these measures, reforms and investments will help promote further economic
recovery and maintain the high quality of life in the Netherlands. But the
quality of our society also has a non-material side. People are concerned about
issues like the coarsening of society and public manners. In the Netherlands,
tolerance and individual freedom traditionally go hand-in-hand with a strong
sense of solidarity and mutual engagement. These shared values are a great
social asset. They give everyone in our Kingdom the freedom to shape their
lives, a sense of security and a feeling of belonging. This cherished way of
life is also the focus of the joint celebrations of the Kingdom’s bicentenary.
Together with the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, the Netherlands will continue
to work towards a bright future.
The government must set an example in propagating these shared values. The
integrity of public administration must be beyond reproach. The government sets
rules and enforces them to safeguard public order and safety. Instances where
the underworld and the legitimate world become entwined will be tackled, and
additional funds will be made available for this purpose.
However, values are a matter not just for the government, but for all
inhabitants of our country. Anyone who puts their own interests or their own
convictions above all else limits the space available to others and puts our
collective values and achievements under pressure. It is incumbent on us all to
be vigilant and active in upholding standards of civil and respectful public
interaction, in keeping with the long Dutch tradition of responsible
citizenship. This applies in particular in the light of the verbal or physical
aggression encountered by police officers, road workers, ambulance personnel and
others who work with heart and soul for the public good.
The threat of radicalisation and terrorist attacks in Europe is putting pressure
on society. It not only jeopardises public safety and security, but also fuels
mutual distrust and imperils social cohesion. We must prevent conflicts abroad
from having a polarising effect on our own society. It is crucial that we arm
ourselves against this threat. The government will therefore earmark extra funds
on a structural basis to strengthen the operational capability of the security
services, the collection and analysis of intelligence, and prevention policy.
The terrorist threat is not an isolated problem but a direct consequence of the
rise of jihadist groups in Syria, Iraq and other countries in the Middle East
and North Africa. In addition, the arc of instability around Europe has grown in
the past year with Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the conflict in eastern
Ukraine. Other conflict hotspots also pose a threat to the international legal
order, for example in Mali, Yemen and Afghanistan. These developments affect our
security and freedom both directly and indirectly.
The most acute situation involves the large numbers of people trying to claim
asylum in Europe, often travelling in unsafe and overcrowded boats. The
heart-rending images of this exodus, which reach us daily from places such as
Kos and Calais, expose a broad range of problems and human suffering that cannot
be solved quickly or easily. These problems are rooted in military conflicts,
political instability, human rights violations, poverty and a lack of future
prospects and opportunities.
The flow of refugees is growing, and demands an active response. The current
situation is generating tensions within Europe. Difficult choices need to be
made so as to restrict the flow of new arrivals and distribute them among the
member states more effectively. A comprehensive approach is required, which
takes account of all the relevant factors. It should include international
conflict management, reception in the region, combating people smuggling, a
strict but fair asylum procedure in every country, effective policy on return,
and giving those unable to return opportunities to integrate. This is the only
way to properly address both the humanitarian aspect of the crisis and the need
for public support in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe.
In its foreign policy, the government firmly believes in opting for
international cooperation and a comprehensive approach, including at EU, NATO
and UN level. Military and legal action must go hand in hand with capacity
building, efforts to strengthen the rule of law, diplomacy in the region,
emergency aid and trade promotion.
Where NATO is concerned, the member states want to ensure that the Alliance is
able to respond more quickly to threats from any quarter. This will require
adjustments, both to political decision-making and to military capabilities.
From 2016 the government will make extra funds available for the armed forces on
a structural basis, rising from € 220 million next year to € 345 million in
subsequent years. This money will be used in part to further improve the armed
forces’ operational deployability. In addition, extra funding will be made
available on a structural basis for Dutch participation in military missions.
The manner in which Dutch military personnel are working to promote peace and
security is impressive and worthy of the highest admiration.
Security and migration are two key international issues that will also define
the Netherlands’ EU Presidency in the first half of 2016. As President the
Netherlands aims to build bridges by taking a pragmatic stance. Only by acting
in concert can we safeguard our collective security, defend our shared values
and foster the prosperity and wellbeing of Europe’s people. For the Netherlands,
key focus areas will be promoting economic growth and generating as many new
full-time jobs as possible. To achieve that we need an innovative Europe, with a
well-functioning single market and open trade relations with the rest of the
world. Other matters requiring attention during our Presidency will be Greece’s
situation and the British referendum on EU membership. The government’s priority
remains ensuring that Europe functions more effectively and concentrates on the
essentials.
One major forum in which the EU will need to present a united front is the UN
Climate Conference in Paris, in December this year. Together with the other EU
member states, the Netherlands will press for a considerable reduction in
harmful emissions compared with 1990 levels. Dutch multinationals are already an
example for the rest of the world when it comes to sustainable business
practices, knowledge and expertise. The government will make it more attractive,
from a tax perspective, for businesses to invest in environmentally friendly
technologies.

Combating climate change and creating a sustainable economy are major,
overarching themes. The consequences for future generations are very direct and
very concrete. This is especially true for the Netherlands, much of which lies
below sea level. Flood prevention is therefore a high priority. Dykes and dune
areas will be reinforced in many locations over the next few years, often by
means of the most innovative techniques available. The renovation of the Barrier
Dam, for example, combines flood defences with nature development and the
generation of energy. Projects like these help bolster the excellent
international reputation and position of our water sector, while contributing to
our future energy supply.
Earlier this year, the decision was taken to reduce the amount of natural gas
extracted in Groningen, in view of the earthquakes that have taken place there.
Together with local residents, the National Coordinator for Groningen is drawing
up a plan for reinforcing houses in the area. The reduced supply of gas will
make the Dutch Energy Agreement on the development of new forms of energy even
more crucial. In December 2015 the government will present a report setting out
a strategic vision for the Netherlands’ energy supply.
Members of the States General,
The Netherlands is a stable and attractive country to live in. To ensure it
stays that way we must all play our part and continue to invest in society. In
an unstable international context and a society in flux, new issues are
constantly arising. For the government the priorities in the coming period will
be contributing to international stability, furthering the economic recovery,
fostering growth in employment, and ensuring that the reforms now under way are
implemented effectively. This will enable the Netherlands to remain a country
that offers all its people opportunities and gives them confidence in the
future. The government will work with you to this end. In discharging your
duties, you may feel supported in the knowledge that many are wishing you wisdom
and join me in praying for strength and God’s blessing upon you.