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Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Netherlands)
Encyclopedia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken; BuZa) is the Dutch
ministry of foreign affairs: it is occupied with the external relations
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
, including European cooperation
and International development
. The current minister is Uri Rosenthal
, he is aided by state secretary Ben Knapen
.
The Ministry is responsible for the foreign policy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It has eight goals:
The ministry consists out of the political leadership the two ministers and the state secretary, civil service in the Hague, the diplomatic missions and various independent agencies.
Politics of the Netherlands
The politics of the Netherlands take place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democracy, a constitutional monarchy and a decentralised unitary state. The Netherlands is described as a consociational state...
ministry of foreign affairs: it is occupied with the external relations
Foreign relations of the Netherlands
The foreign policy of the Netherlands is based on four basic commitments: to the Atlantic cooperation, to European integration, to international development and to international law. While historically the Netherlands was a neutral state, since the second World War the Netherlands became a member...
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a sovereign state and constitutional monarchy with territory in Western Europe and in the Caribbean. The four parts of the Kingdom—Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten—are referred to as "countries", and participate on a basis of equality...
, including European cooperation
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
and International development
International development
International development or global development is a concept that lacks a universally accepted definition, but it is most used in a holistic and multi-disciplinary context of human development — the development of greater quality of life for humans...
. The current minister is Uri Rosenthal
Uri Rosenthal
Uriël "Uri" Rosenthal is a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy . He is the Minister of Foreign Affairs since October 14, 2010 in the Cabinet Rutte. He served as a Member of the Senate from June 8, 1999 until October 14, 2010. And the Parliamentary leader in the Senate...
, he is aided by state secretary Ben Knapen
Ben Knapen
Hubertus Petrus Maria "Ben" Knapen is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He is the State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation in the Cabinet Rutte serving since October 14, 2010. His portfolio at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs comprises European Union...
.
Responsibilities
- To strengthen the international legal orderInternational lawPublic international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
and respect for human rightsHuman rightsHuman rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
. - To promote security and stability, effective humanitarian assistanceHumanitarian aidHumanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
, and good governanceGood governanceGood governance is an indeterminate term used in development literature to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in order to guarantee the realization of human rights. Governance describes "the process of decision-making and the process by which...
. - To strengthen European cooperationEuropean UnionThe European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. - To increase wealthWealthWealth is the abundance of valuable resources or material possessions. The word wealth is derived from the old English wela, which is from an Indo-European word stem...
worldwide and fight povertyPovertyPoverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
. - To promote human and social developmentInternational developmentInternational development or global development is a concept that lacks a universally accepted definition, but it is most used in a holistic and multi-disciplinary context of human development — the development of greater quality of life for humans...
. - To protect and improve the environmentNatural environmentThe natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
. - To promote the welfare and safety of Dutch nationals abroad and to regulate the movement of persons
- To raise the Netherlands' cultural profileCulture of the NetherlandsDutch culture, or the culture of the Netherlands, is diverse, reflecting regional differences as well as the foreign influences thanks to the merchant and exploring spirit of the Dutch and the influx of immigrants...
and help create a positive image within and beyond the Netherlands
Organisation
Ministry
The civil service consists out of the top level, the secretary general and his deputy and five directorates general, which manage several departements. The directorates general are led by Directors-General and are occupied with specific issues of foreign policy.- The Directorate-General for European Cooperation concerns itself with the European Union. It is responsible for Dutch relations with EU members and candidate countries. It also coordinates policy in other regional organizations like the Council of EuropeCouncil of EuropeThe Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, the OECD and the BeneluxBeneluxThe Benelux is an economic union in Western Europe comprising three neighbouring countries, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. These countries are located in northwestern Europe between France and Germany... - The Directorate-General for Political Affairs is concerned with peace, security matters and human rights. This includes the EU's Common Foreign and Security PolicyCommon Foreign and Security PolicyThe Common Foreign and Security Policy is the organised, agreed foreign policy of the European Union for mainly security and defence diplomacy and actions. CFSP deals only with a specific part of the EU's external relations, which domains include mainly Trade and Commercial Policy and other areas...
and the political role of NATO and the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. - The Directorate-General for International Cooperation is responsible for international developmentInternational developmentInternational development or global development is a concept that lacks a universally accepted definition, but it is most used in a holistic and multi-disciplinary context of human development — the development of greater quality of life for humans...
, including economic development, education, health and environment. It implements Dutch development policy within the United Nations and the World BankWorld BankThe World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
and has strong contacts with non-governmental organizationNon-governmental organizationA non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
s like NOVIB. - The Directorate-General for Regional Policy and Consular Affairs coordinates the diplomatic missions. It also shapes the migration and cultural policies of the ministry.
Missions
The Netherlands has more than 150 missions. These missions promote the interest of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. They include:- 110 embassies
- 27 consulates-general
- 15 permanent representations at international organizations, such as the UN, the EU and NATO.
- one embassy office (in Pristina, Serbia)
- two representations: one to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and another in Afghanistan.
Independent agencies
The ministry has several different independent agencies:- Advisory Council on International Affairs, which adivises the ministry on foreign affairs.
- Advisory Committee on Issues of Public International Law, which advises with international public law.
- Netherlands Development Assistance Research Council, which advises the ministry on international development.
- Government Committee on Private International Law, which advises with international private law.
- Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries aids developing countries in selling their products and services in the European Union.
- National Committee for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development, manages the funds for international development that are spent by civil society.
History
The Ministry was formed in 1813. Since 1965 a minister for international development has been appointed each formation (excluding in the first cabinet Balkenende) and since 1956 a state secretary for European Affairs has been appointed.Ministers
Since the 1990s there have been three political leaders of the ministry of foreign affairs: the minister (called M), the minister without portfolio for international development (called R) and the state secretary for European affairs (called T). The state secretary of European Affairs has the right to call himself Minister of European Affairs outside of the Netherlands.- 2010-now Uri RosenthalUri RosenthalUriël "Uri" Rosenthal is a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy . He is the Minister of Foreign Affairs since October 14, 2010 in the Cabinet Rutte. He served as a Member of the Senate from June 8, 1999 until October 14, 2010. And the Parliamentary leader in the Senate...
(VVD)- 2010-now Ben KnapenBen KnapenHubertus Petrus Maria "Ben" Knapen is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He is the State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation in the Cabinet Rutte serving since October 14, 2010. His portfolio at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs comprises European Union...
(CDA, state secretary for European affairs and international development)
- 2010-now Ben Knapen
- 2007–2010 Maxime VerhagenMaxime VerhagenMaxime Jacques Marcel Verhagen is a Dutch politician in the Christian Democratic Appeal party. He is the Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation and Deputy Prime Minister since October 14, 2010 in the Cabinet Rutte.He previously served as a Member of the European Parliament for...
(CDA)- 2007–2010 Bert KoendersBert KoendersAlbert Gerard "Bert" Koenders is a former Dutch politician. He was Minister for Development Cooperation of the Netherlands from 2007 until 2010...
(PvdA; minister for international development) - 2007–2010 Frans Timmermans (PvdA; state secretary for European affairs)
- 2007–2010 Bert Koenders
- 2003-2007 Ben BotBen BotBernard Rudolf "Ben" Bot is a Dutch diplomat of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from December 3, 2003 until February 22, 2007 in the Cabinets Balkenende II and III....
(CDAChristian Democratic AppealThe Christian Democratic Appeal is a centre-right Dutch Christian democratic political party. It suffered severe losses in the 2010 elections and fell from the first to the fourth place...
)- 2003-2007 Agnes van Ardenne (CDA; minister for international development)
- 2002-2006 Atzo NicolaiAtzo NicolaïAtzo Nicolaï is a former Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy . Since 1 June 2011 he is a member of the board of directors of the Dutch chemical multinational DSM....
(VVD; state secretary for European affairs)
- 2002-2003 Jaap de Hoop SchefferJaap de Hoop SchefferJakob Gijsbert "Jaap" de Hoop Scheffer is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as the 11th Secretary General of NATO from January 5, 2004 until August 1, 2009....
(CDA)- 2002-2003 Agnes van Ardenne (CDA; state secretary for international development)
- 1998-2002 Jozias van AartsenJozias van AartsenJozias Johannes van Aartsen is a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy . He is the Mayor of the Hague since March 27, 2008....
(VVD)- 1998-2002 Eveline HerfkensEveline HerfkensEva Leonie "Eveline" Herfkens is a former Dutch politician.She was a member of the Dutch parliament from 1981–1990 and Minister of Development Cooperation from 1998–2002.-Career:...
(PvdA; minister for international development) - 1998-2002 Dick Benschop (PvdA; state secretary for European affairs)
- 1998-2002 Eveline Herfkens
- 1994-1998 Hans van MierloHans van MierloHenricus Antonius Franciscus Maria Oliva "Hans" van Mierlo was a Dutch politician of the Democrats 66 . In 1966 Van Mierlo together with Hans Gruijters founded the Democrats 66...
(D66)- 1994-1998 Jan PronkJan PronkJohannes "Jan" Pieter Pronk is a Dutch politician and diplomat. Currently, he is a Professor of Theory and Practice of International Development at the International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague....
(PvdA; minister for international development) - 1994-1998 Michiel Patijn (VVD; state secretary for European Affairs)
- 1994-1998 Jan Pronk
See also
- Diplomatic missions of the NetherlandsDiplomatic missions of the NetherlandsThis is a list of diplomatic missions of the Netherlands, excluding honorary consulates.-Europe:** Tirana ** Vienna ** Baku ** Brussels ** Antwerp ** Ghent...
- List of diplomatic missions in the Netherlands