Cyprus News Agency

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof spoke about his visit to the Groningen region.

Referring to the hardships faced by local residents, Schoof said, “Every time I go to Groningen, the stories I hear deeply affect me. Today I visited the village of ’t Zand, right next to Zeerijp. On November 14, this village was the epicenter of one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded. I met with villagers, staff from the Groningen Mining Damage Institute, and local government officials.”

As part of the visit, Schoof also visited a family affected by the earthquake, saying, “I also visited a family living in a newly built home that replaced their old one. Seeing the situation firsthand and speaking with local residents is very valuable. The people of Groningen deserve peace and security. And we are not only talking about repaired and safe homes. We also mean pleasant neighborhoods, good schools, and thriving businesses.”

Highlighting the need for legal and long-term guarantees for the region, Prime Minister Schoof concluded his remarks by saying, “After 60 years of natural gas extraction and earthquakes, this cannot be achieved in a single year; it requires a long-term approach. With the Groningen Act currently being debated in the House of Representatives, we are committing ourselves to this—now and in the future, regardless of which government is in power.”