Cold Dutch-Russian relations

[pjotr]

Russia and the Netherlands

by Nicole Herben on 11 March 2013

2013 is the year in which Russia and the Netherlands celebrate their special, long-lasting relationship. A nation wide programme with a wide range of subjects, such as economics, culture, sports education and sciences and topics in the political and social fields confirm the relationship between Russia and the Netherlands. Several organisations and ministries have a part in the programme, for example the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Maastricht University Library also likes to take this up. The Jesuit Library – as part of the university’s heritage collection – offers many books about Russia. The coming weeks, show cases in both the Inner City and Randwyck Library show some highlights.

Russian-Dutch relations: from missionary work to partnership

Western Europe has always had a special relationship with Russia. In the past Russia was considered an area for explorers and missionary work. Later on the relation changed during times of war, from the Napoleonic to more recent times as an opponent in the Cold War. Lately Western Europe and Russia are partners in peace initiatives.

For the Dutch, the acquaintance with Russia started with the visits Tsar Peter the Great paid to this country in the 17th century in his thirst for knowledge in sciences, such as shipbuilding and architecture.

The clergy, the Jesuits included, have also played an active role in this part of Eastern Europe. Examples of this role lie in the field of the missionary work, scientific voyages of discovery and the study of political developments.

[pjotr]

www.hurriyetdailynews.com/russias-foreign-minister-defends-anti-gay-bill.aspx?pageID=238&nid=41896

www.government.nl/news/2013/02/26/timmermans-and-lavrov-discuss-russian-dutch-bilateral-year-2013.html

[tufta]

Thanks for an interesting update on Dutch-Russian relations. It seems from what you write that the relations are not and were not that cold?

[pjotr]

Yesterdaymorning I heard the Dutch Labour politician, Thijs Berman, speaking extremely critical about Human rights violations in Russia (the case of , Russian corruption, the opression of Russian dissidents, the treatment of Russian Gays and lesbians and the lack of democracy in Russia. In his view Dutch, German and other European leaders, prime-ministers, ministers of foreign affairs and others have to ask critical questions about the human rights situation in Russia (The Russian Federation). (The lawjers, dissidents and other oponents of Putin's government, who are in jail)

programma.vpro.nl/buitenhof/afleveringen/buitenhof-31-maart.html (on 36 minutes the discussion starts. It is so unfortunate that you can't understand it, because it is Dutch. It was a very good discussion, and there was real criticism of Russia from people who know Russia from the inside.)

I was amazed, because often in the light of Dutch-Russian trade ties, the Dutch politicians and diplomats are very carefuly in their words. This program 'Buitenhof' (something like 'Courtyard') is watched by the Dutch and Flemish (Dutch speaking Belgian) elite of academics, politicians, journalists (of the quality press; magazines and newspapers), university students, public servants, lawjers, judges, diplomats and the intelligentsia in general.

The English translation of the Dutch discription about the discussion/debate:

The state of Russia

On April 8 starts Netherlands Russia Year 2013 with the arrival of President Putin in the Netherlands. One year long there will be an atempt to strengthen the mutual friendship ties with our major trading partner from the East: Russia. This will be done through cultural exchanges, exhibitions and displays. But how do you celebrate these old historical ties between the twonations on a moment when the Kremlin invades the offices of organizations like Amnesty? Why does Putin steps up the political repression and what is our (Dutch) response? A discussion between Sjeng Scheijen, artistic director of the Netherlands Russia Year, and Thijs Berman, Member of the European Parliament (PvdA = The Dutch Labour Party).

Comment from Pjotr, who watched the discussion:
"Sjeng Scheijen seemed nervous about Berman's sharp criticism and looked like a defender of Russian interests. But even Scheijen was critical about the human rights situation in Russia, about the treatment of Gays and Lesbians and called the Russian government an authoritarian regime which you can't change on the short term. He lives in works in Moscow. What the two gentlemen forgot to mention in my point of view was the racism and xenophobia in Russia. Black, colored and Asian people aren't safe in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other places. They are harassed, beaten up, verbaly abused and worse, killed. The Dutch talk show host, Kees Driehuis, was also critical about the situation in Russia."


Sjeng Scheijen, artistic director of the Netherlands Russia Year


Thijs Berman, Member of the European Parliament for the Dutch Labour Party, PvdA. (and former Moscow correspondent for several Dutch newspapers and magazines)


Presenter Buitenhof Kees Driehuis

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buitenhof_(TV_series)
programma.vpro.nl/buitenhof
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thijs_Berman

P.S.- A family member of Berman, a naive, idealistic Dutch communist, who went to Moscow during the thirtees was mudered there during the Great Purges of that time. The accusation was "He was part of a Trotskyist conspiracy or that he had counterrevolutionairy Trotskyist ideas. That was enough to be executed."

- I think that the Russian embassy in the Hague or even Moscow must have seen this discussion too. ;D

[pjotr]

www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/08/31/20100831russianprotest.html?nclick_check=1

Speech of Thijs Berman in Warsaw
freecaster.tv/custom/1019215/press-conference-of-the-european-parliament-thijs-berman-building-partnerships-with-ukraine-and-russia

On the European student program Erasmus


He has the same stance on Russia supporting human rights there and the Russian opposition

[pjotr]