Germany strengthens military cooperation with the Netherlands

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday confirmed an agreement that will see some 800 German soldiers integrated into the Dutch navy.
While in Amsterdam, where she met with the Dutch Defense Minister, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, von der Leyen called the plan a "prime example for the building of a European defense union."
In exchange for the German battalion, which will be subordinate to the Dutch navy until 2018 and includes mine detectors, reconnaissance and commando units, Berlin will share the use of an ultramodern Dutch supply ship.