Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Netherlands)

History

Responsibilities

• to maintain relations with other countries and international organisations.
• to promote cooperation with other countries.
• to help developing countries accelerate their social and economic development through international cooperation.
• to promote the interests of Dutch nationals and the Netherlands abroad.
• to collect information on other countries and international developments for the Government and other interested parties.
• to provide information on Dutch policy and the Netherlands' position on international issues and developments.
• to present the Netherlands to the world.
• to deal with applications from and the problems of foreigners living in the Netherlands or seeking to enter or leave the country.

  Organisation

• The Directorate-General for Political Affairs is concerned with peace, security and human rights. This includes the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, the political role of NATO, the United Nations ands the guidance for embassies and other diplomatic missions.
• 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 organisations like the Council of Europe, the OECD and the Benelux.
• The Directorate-General for International Cooperation is responsible for international development, in line with the four Dutch priorities of water, security and the rule of law, food security and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• The Directorate-General for Foreign Economic Relations promotes the interests of Dutch businesses abroad and helps shape the Dutch contribution to the global economic order.

See Also

• List of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.''