UK-Netherlands Cyber Dialogue 2022: joint statement

Statement from the governments of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands:

On 15 March 2022, the United Kingdom and Netherlands concluded their annual Cyber Dialogue, with interagency consultations on cyber security in London.

The United Kingdom and the Netherlands shared their concern over malicious conduct of State and non-State actors in cyberspace and reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations framework for responsible State behaviour endorsed by consensus by the General Assembly.

Both sides specifically denounced continuing cyber-attacks in the context of Russia’s unprovoked and premeditated military assault on Ukraine. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have strongly condemned these military actions that are in gross violation of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. Both sides agreed to continue to work closely together within NATO to bolster deterrence and defence in cyberspace and enhance cooperation between the EU and NATO on cyber defence.

The United Kingdom and the Netherlands affirm their comprehensive cooperation on cybersecurity, including on threat assessments, multilateral efforts, governance of cyberspace, online safety and security and cyber capacity building. Both sides agreed to further strengthen their bilateral cooperation with regard to deterring malicious cyber activity and irresponsible conduct in cyberspace. They also reaffirmed their support to the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise as a centre of excellence and expertise in global cyber capacity building.

The Bilateral Cyber Dialogue was held in London on 15 March 2022, with representatives from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Cabinet Office, National Cyber Security Centre, Department of Digital Culture, Media and Sport and Home Office; and from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Cyber Security Centre.

The UK and Netherlands have reaffirmed their commitment to cyber dialogue as a means of preventing, mitigating and responding to incidents in cyberspace. The joint statement released today outlines actions both countries will take to strengthen their relationship in the digital space.