On Thursday 5 September 2024, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer paid an official visit to his native country the Netherlands. Here he was received by Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans, Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman and Chief of Defence General Eichelsheim. In addition, Admiral Bauer met with the Standing Committee for Defence of the Dutch House of Representatives.
Admiral Bauer was received by a military guard of honour in the Hague, where he was welcomed by Deputy Chief of Defence Vice-Admiral Boudewijn Boots. In the meeting with Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Admiral Bauer discussed the importance of continuing and ramping up support to Ukraine while at the same time ramping up NATO's own deterrence and defence.
In the meeting with the Standing Committee for Defence, Admiral Bauer discussed the new era of NATO collective defence, the whole of society approach to security, and the importance of support to Ukraine.
The meeting with the Minister of Defence, Secretary for Defence, and Chief of Defence, focused on the integration of NATO and national defence plans. They discussed the new defence white paper that was published on 5 September. Admiral Bauer: "This paper clearly sets out a path for the Netherlands Armed Forces to meet the NATO capability targets. It will help the armed forces become even stronger, and it will bring them closer to their Allies. Now, it is crucial that this plan is fully executed."
