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On 12 May 2025, the IOS Platform ‘The Transactional State as an Institution for Good’ and the Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ Centre for Public Procurement (UUCePP) organised another event in the Transactional Talks series. Prof. Elisabetta Manunza and Sebastian Meyer had the pleasure of welcoming Ron Nulkes, programme director Procurement and National Security (ABRO) at the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.   

In the present geopolitical situation, the Netherlands and other European states can no longer be naive in their dealings with businesses. Focussing on efficient outcomes in public procurement procedures is thus not appropriate at a time when hostile states threaten liberal democracies, while the peace dividend has been exhausted. In this context, the Dutch Government plans to introduce a new screening instrument – the ABRO (Algemene Beveiligingseisen voor Rijksoverheidsopdrachten) – which enables contracting authorities to assess risks to national security in all public tenders. In this Transactional Talk, Ron Nulkes discussed how the ABRO will contribute to national security and strategic autonomy.

The talk sparked a wide-ranging and constructive discussion. Participants reflected on how ABRO aligns with EU law, particularly the principle of mutual recognition, and whether it might raise tensions between national security interests and open internal market rules. Questions were also raised about how ABRO will engage with broader public procurement priorities, such as sustainability, innovation, and social value; and whether security concerns could displace or integrate with these goals.