The Algemeen Dagblad on Thursday published an open letter from the French and German ambassadors to the Netherlands, calling on the Dutch to help preserve the unity of the European Union.

In the letter, French ambassador Luis Vassy and German ambassador Dirk Brengelmann slate attempts to make European governments’ reactions to the coronavirus crisis look ‘weak and disorganised’, which they say is an attack on democratic values.

The letter, headed ‘Dear Nederlanders, dear friends’, warned of ‘eurosceptics’ in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe who are taking advantage of the ‘worst crisis since the World War II’ to point to the EU’s ‘shortcomings’.

The letter does not identify who these eurosceptics are, but some political parties in the Netherlands, such as PVV and Forum voor Democratie have long campaigned for the Netherlands to quit the European Union.

Instead of criticising the EU, the ambassadors ask their ‘dear Dutch friends’ to consider the importance of shared values, particularly the democratic values of transparency, responsibility and debate.

Science

The ambassadors point out that in Europe ‘whistleblowers are not silenced and scientists are listened to’. This reaction to the crisis, the letter went on to say, is ‘now being painted by propagandists as weak and disorganised in an attempt to create discord and weaken people’s faith in our democratic system’.

The ambassadors also stressed the need for solidarity, citing the €37bn funding package which was finally hammered out between the member states last week.

However, Dutch finance minister Wopke Hoekstra and prime minister Mark Rutte were both heavily criticised for showing a lack of solidarity to fellow EU countries who are struggling to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

Post coronavirus

The Netherlands will also have an important role to play in a post coronavirus Europe, the ambassadors said, pointing out that a number of things will have to change in case Europe is faced with a similar challenge in the future.

The production of strategic goods, such as medical equipment, will have to take place in Europe while the Dutch will also have to contribute to issues related to climate, the digital economy and the management of big data. These, they said, are ‘fields in which none of the European countries have the means to become the dominate player’.

According to the AD the message is part of a trend for ambassadors to make their opinions known to the public. DutchNews.nl has asked the French embassy for a comment.