(MENAFN) Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen revealed on Friday that his government is considering reductions in development cooperation and asylum-related expenditures in a bid to meet NATO's new defense spending target. The announcement was made during an interview with media.

Heinen emphasized that the Netherlands must recalibrate its budget priorities in line with NATO’s revised defense spending goals, which were set during the alliance’s summit in The Hague this past June.

According to the new agreement, all NATO member states, including the Netherlands, are required to allocate 5 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to defense by 2035.

Currently, the Dutch government spends approximately 2 percent of its GDP on defense, and the new budget adjustments are aimed at bridging the gap to meet the ambitious NATO target. The proposal to cut funding for development and asylum programs is seen as a necessary step toward ensuring the country can fulfill its commitment to NATO’s defense spending requirements.

As the global security landscape continues to evolve, the Netherlands' decision to significantly boost its defense budget is expected to have wide-reaching implications for both its domestic policies and international relations.

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