75 years diplomacy Netherlands-Germany: “Germany needs to become sexy again”
This year marks 75 years since diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Germany were officially established. Researcher Hanco Jürgens of the German Institute looks back on these years and notes that we are not quite there yet: “Of course, going to Berlin is already cool, but that should really also apply to Hamburg and Munich.”
Let’s start at the beginning, 75 years ago: 1951. Just six years after the end of the Second World War. Was rapprochement with the Germans still a sensitive issue back then?
“There was, of course, still a tremendous amount of suspicion among the population. At that time, Germany was very clearly ‘the old enemy,’ and Germans living in the Netherlands were officially declared enemy subjects immediately after the war. Society was also under enormous pressure for reparations, compensation payments, and even the annexation of a large part of Germany. Politically, however, it quickly became clear that we would be dependent on each other. The Cold War was already underway, and the Netherlands and Germany became a kind of partners out of necessity.”
Where did that necessity come from?
“Economically, cooperation had to resume quickly: the port of Rotterdam naturally wanted to continue supplying the hinterland. But politically, it was also very much in the Netherlands’ interest that Germany would soon become a healthy democracy again and be integrated into the Western alliance.”
Did the strengthening of ties happen quickly then?
“In the Netherlands, there were still many frictions and tensions for a long time. At that time, the perception prevailed that the Netherlands was the hardest-hit country in the Second World War. As a result, people expected a generous gesture from Germany. That, in turn, was why Germany primarily saw the Netherlands as a country that was difficult to negotiate with. They also had to stand firm, because conceding to Dutch demands would mean having to do the same with France, for example. But im Großen und Ganzen, the understanding between the two countries became fairly good fairly quickly.”
What was ultimately the breakthrough?
“In diplomatic terms, the visit of Federal President Heinemann to Amsterdam in 1969 was an important moment. Heinemann had been involved in the resistance and was someone who had written pamphlets against Hitler. Among other things, he visited the Hollandsche Schouwburg, the place where Jews were taken before being sent to Westerbork. Symbolically, that was of great significance. In addition, changes within Germany, Ostpolitik, and a Dutch diplomacy that increasingly focused on Europe all contributed to the Netherlands and Germany gradually growing closer together.”
Because by now we are best friends.
“Steinmeier, the current Federal President, already said in 2014 that the relationship between the Netherlands and Germany has never been as good as now. In a sense, he is right. At the same time, I think there is still quite a bit that can be done. There is certainly still a task at hand.”
What is that task?
“Germany no longer really figures in people’s awareness. It would be an interesting study to see how many people can name the new chancellor. If you have to name a German philosopher or filmmaker, you get the same names people would have mentioned thirty years ago. We also don’t listen to German pop music anymore, for example.”
Such a shame.
“I think mobile phones and games play a huge role. Entire generations grow up with English and often speak it very well from a young age. That reduces the necessity to learn, for example, German. But attention to Germany has also diminished, especially on television. I notice that it’s only about Trump and America. Sometimes it seems as if we in the Netherlands are living on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. As if Washington, D.C. is much closer than Berlin. That really shouldn’t be the case, I think. I also believe journalism has an important role to play here.”
What needs to happen to correct that?
“I think Germany needs to become sexy again. It’s hard to put into words. Of course, going to Berlin is already cool, but that should really also apply to Hamburg and Munich. I think there needs to be a kind of translation to bring Germany closer again. That is partly up to Germany itself, but we can also contribute. We need to feel its relevance again. Germany is the third-largest economy in the world and is building the largest army in Europe; what happens there directly affects our own future. It would be good if we reflected on that more often.”
