“The past 75 years have delivered enduring and productive partnerships between the Philippines and the Netherlands, rooted in mutual respect, shared democratic values, and warm friendship.” This is how the Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro described relations between the two countries when she met Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen during her Official Visit to the Netherlands in May this year.
17 May 1951 marks the beginning of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Netherlands, although engagements began much earlier. In the 17th century, a Dutch fleet led by Olivier van Noort tried to oust the Spanish colonizers from the Philippines, at the same time VOC trading vessels from Ternate in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) had flourishing trade arrangements with the Maguindanao Sultanate in Cotabato. These early engagements evolved and became harmonious, paving the way for Dutch merchants to ply their trade in the country and planting the roots of a relationship that has blossomed into robust ties characterized by mutually beneficial political, economic and cultural partnership, as well as enriching people-to-people connections.
Throughout the decades, both nations have recognized the significance of closely working together on various areas, not only to deepen ties but to harness the mutual benefits of sustained cooperation.
Enhanced Political Relations
In recent years, the Philippine Embassy, together with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has facilitated the steady flow of high-level exchanges which have signaled the commitment to deepening relations. These include the meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Prime Minister Mark Rutte in December 2022 at the sidelines of the ASEAN-EU Summit in Brussels; the visit of Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot to Manila in October 2023, the first Official Visit of a Netherlands Foreign Minister to the Philippines in more than three decades; and the visit of H.M. Queen Maxima to Manila in May 2024, in her capacity as the U.N. Secretary General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development.
Then, as mentioned, Secretary Lazaro visited The Hague this year, the first by a Philippine Foreign Secretary in 33 years and a highlight of the 75th year anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, on which occasion, a Joint Statement was issued which laid out the blueprint for cooperation in the coming months and years.
In the Joint Statement, the Ministers committed to strengthen cooperation in maritime security; combating transnational crime; trade and investment; sustainability and climate action; environmental protection; connectivity; academic cooperation; and people-to-people linkages. They placed particular emphasis on deepening economic relations, identifying water management, semiconductors, smart agriculture, and renewable energy as priority areas for cooperation. Additionally, they agreed to explore initiatives on critical raw materials to strengthen supply-chain resilience, promote diversification, and create greater opportunities for value addition.
The Joint Statement has given strategic direction to the cooperation of the two countries.
A couple of months after Secretary Lazaro’s visit, last July, it was Foreign Minister Berendsen’s turn to travel to Manila for the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia hosted by the Philippines as Chair of ASEAN. The two Ministers had the opportunity to meet again during at the sidelines of this event.
Robust Economic Relations
Trade relations between the Philippines and the Netherlands have also expanded at a fast pace with an average annual growth of 10% over the past five years. The Netherlands also consistently ranks among the top five sources of foreign investment in the Philippines.
Economic ties were enhanced in February 2026 when Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Aukje de Vries visited Manila—the first visit by a NL Minister for Foreign Trade to the Philippines in nearly 27 years—and was received by Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque. The establishment in recent years of the Meeting of the Coordinating Authorities on Economic and Technological Cooperation—the second meeting of which was held on 22 June 2026 in The Hague—has provided a most useful regular platform for economic talks.
The remarkable presence of over 100 Dutch companies operating in the Philippines has boosted business-to-business partnership, underscoring the deepening interest of Dutch businesses in the Philippine market. As part of the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Philippine Embassy hosted a dinner reception in honor of the Dutch companies operating in the Philippines. Held during the visit of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Allan Gepty to The Hague in March, the event recognized 20 Dutch companies and individuals for their significant contributions to the Philippine economy. Among those recognized were the semiconductor companies Ampleon and Nexperia, ING Bank N.V., FrieslandCampina (with the brand name Alaska Milk), the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners, The Ocean Cleanup, KLM Airlines, and Xinyx IC Design, among others.
Proactive Leadership in Multilateral Diplomacy
The Netherlands is significant for the Philippines not only bilaterally but also in light of its hosting of various multilateral institutions, particularly international tribunals and international organizations. As the Philippines advocates an open, inclusive and rules-based international order governed by international law, close engagement with the international organizations in The Hague is all the more vital.
It has been fulfilling for me to have had served as Acting President of the Administrative Council of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2023 and 2024, and worked on the adoption by the U.N. General Assembly of Resolution No. 77/322 on the 125th Anniversary of the PCA which cited for the first time ever the PCA’s “important contribution…to the peaceful settlement of dispute.” It has also been a rewarding experience to have helped oversee the preparations and conduct of the Congress of the Members of the Court in 2024, only the third such Congress in the PCA’s 125-year history.
No less gratifying has been the opportunity to serve as Chairperson of the Executive Board of the Common Fund for Commodities for three consecutive terms, 2024-2026, and as Coordinator of the Asia Group in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for five years, from 2021 to 2025, as well as to have contributed to the work of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), by making arrangements for the hosting in Manila of its Asia Pacific Week in October 2022, among other activities.
The Embassy is also proud of its collaboration with the Hague Academy of International Law, having brought its Advanced Courses on International Law to the Philippines three times in recent years—in February and November 2024 and in February 2026 for the first-ever “Advanced Courses on International Law for ASEAN Judiciaries,” as part of its advocacy to promote international law and develop the Philippines’ and ASEAN’s expertise in this field.
A Promising Future
Looking ahead, the potential for deeper bilateral cooperation remains immense. The Philippines and the Netherlands are poised to explore new avenues for collaboration that leverage their respective strengths. By working together, the two countries can spearhead pioneering projects in IT and semiconductor industry, clean technology, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture—areas that are vital not only for the two nations but also for the global community.
As we reflect on the shared history and look forward to closer collaboration, the Philippines finds great optimism in the spirit of friendship and partnership that binds the two peoples. The strong foundations of diplomacy and cooperation have paved the way to a thriving partnership.
The celebration of the 75 years of bilateral relations is not merely a commemoration of the past but a catalyst for renewed commitment and enhanced collaboration. We look forward with fervor to undertake this journey together with the Government and people of the Netherlands, embracing opportunities that lie ahead. Together, we can build a legacy that future generations will look back on with pride—one that bridges cultures, fosters understanding, and exemplifies the power of cooperation.
Cheers to 75 years of Philippine-Netherlands relations and to the bright future that awaits us!
by Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya