Microsoft Word - The Netherlands country report.doc

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs details the foreign policy, economic status, and African engagements of the Netherlands, with a specific focus on its bilateral relationship with South Africa.

• The Netherlands' economic profile is characterized by its role as a distribution hub, with more than half of its GDP originating from international trade, specifically in machinery, chemical products, and food. In 2004, the country recorded a trade surplus of $30.7 billion and a current account surplus of $13.5 billion.
• The Netherlands is a significant contributor to the EU budget on a per capita basis, paying €180 per person annually, which is higher than the contributions of Germany (€71) and Sweden (€95).
• Dutch foreign policy toward Africa is selective, focusing heavily on the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa. The Netherlands has pledged to allocate at least 50% of its bilateral development budget to Africa and has committed to maintaining Official Development Assistance (ODA) at 0.8% of its Gross National Income (GNI).
• During its EU presidency in the second half of 2004, the Netherlands worked to elevate Africa's priority on the EU agenda. It advocated for the creation of an African peacekeeping facility, the renegotiation of the Cotonou Agreement with ACP states, and a more flexible application of the European Development Fund.
• Bilateral relations between the Netherlands and South Africa are characterized by a long history of economic and social links, though the report notes the relationship has often been conducted on an ad hoc basis due to South Africa's status as a regional power rather than a typical developing state.
• Economic ties between the Netherlands and South Africa are substantial; South Africa is the Netherlands' main trading partner in Africa. In 2002, exports from South Africa to the Netherlands, primarily agricultural products, chemicals, and coal, totaled €740 million.
• Defense cooperation between the Netherlands and South Africa has increased, with the Netherlands providing €4.5 million from the Peace Fund to support the South African Mission in Burundi and military equipment for the South African contribution to MONUC II in the DRC.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). Microsoft Word - The Netherlands country report.doc. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/euaf_rep_the_netherlands_country_report.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Microsoft Word - The Netherlands country report.doc. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/euaf_rep_the_netherlands_country_report.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Microsoft Word - The Netherlands country report.doc |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/euaf_rep_the_netherlands_country_report.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndmicrosoft, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Microsoft Word - The Netherlands country report.doc}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/euaf_rep_the_netherlands_country_report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }