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 Kingdom of the Netherlands was a neutral state, since 1945 it has become a member of NATO, the United Nations, the European Union and many other international organizations. The Dutch economy is very open and relies on international trade. During and after the 17th century—its Golden Age—the Dutch built up a commercial and colonial empire. It was a leading shipping and naval power and was often at war with England, its main rival. Its main colonial holding was Indonesia, which fought for and achieved independence after 1945. The historical ties inherited from its colonial past still influence the foreign relations of the Netherlands. Foreign trade policy is handled by the European Union. The Dutch have been active in international peacekeeping roles.
Since Slovenia declared independence in 1991, its Governments have underscored their commitment in improving cooperation with neighbouring countries and to actively contribute to international efforts aimed at bringing stability to Southeast Europe. Resource limitations have nevertheless been a problem hindering the efficiency of the Slovenian diplomacy. In the 1990s, foreign relations, especially with Italy, Austria and Croatia, triggered internal political controversies. In the last eight years, however, a wide consensus has been reached among the vast majority of Slovenian political parties to jointly work in the improvement of the country's diplomatic infrastructure and to avoid politicizing the foreign relations by turning them into an issue of internal political debates.
As part of the foreign relations of Suriname, the country is a participant in numerous international organizations. International tensions have arisen due to Suriname's status as a trans-shipment point for South American recreational drugs destined mostly for Europe.
The president of the Republic of Suriname is, in accordance with the Constitution of 1987, the head of state and head of government of Suriname, and commander-in-chief of the Suriname National Army (SNL). The president also appoints a cabinet.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a member of the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers. The incumbent minister is Wopke Hoekstra of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) who has been in office since 10 January 2022. Regularly a State Secretary is assigned to the Ministry who is tasked with specific portfolios, currently the function is not in use. Additionally since 1965 there has been a Minister without Portfolio assigned to the Ministry, the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation has traditionally Development Cooperation as portfolio, since 2012 the portfolio of Trade and Export has been assigned added to the function. The current Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation is Liesje Schreinemacher of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) who has been in office since 10 January 2022.
The foreign relations of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania have, since 1960, been dominated by the issues of the Spanish Sahara and the recognition of its independence by its neighbours, particularly Morocco. Mauritania's foreign relations are handled by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, who is currently Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the Netherlands' ministry responsible for foreign relations, foreign policy, international development, international trade, diaspora and matters dealing with the European Union, NATO and the Benelux Union. The ministry was created in 1798, as the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Batavian Republic. In 1876, it became the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dutch–Finnish relations are foreign relations between the Netherlands and Finland. the Netherlands recognised Finland's independence on 28 January 1918. Diplomatic relations between them were established on 14 August 1918. The Netherlands has an embassy in Helsinki and consulates. Finland has an embassy in the Hague, an honorary consulate general in Amsterdam and other honorary consulates in Rotterdam and Terneuzen. Both countries are full members of the European Union. In july of 2022, the Netherlands have fully ratified Finland's NATO membership application.
The Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation is a Minister without Portfolio in the Netherlands. The officeholder, who is a member of the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers, is assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Minister is tasked with Trade and Export, Development Cooperation and International Environmental Policies. The current Minister is Liesje Schreinemacher of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) who has been in office since 10 January 2021.
Stephanus Abraham "Stef" Blok is a Dutch politician serving as Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy in the Third Rutte cabinet from 25 May 2021 till 10 January 2022. He is a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy is the Netherlands' ministry responsible for international trade, commercial, industrial, investment, technology, energy, nuclear, renewable energy, environmental, climate change, natural resource, mining, space policy, as well as tourism.
Sigrid Agnes Maria Kaag is a Dutch diplomat and politician, serving as Minister of Finance and First Deputy Prime Minister in the Fourth Rutte cabinet. She previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 25 May 2021 until 17 September 2021 and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation from 26 October 2017 until 10 August 2021 in the Third Rutte cabinet.
Winston Guno Lackin was a Surinamese politician. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname in the cabinet of President Dési Bouterse between 13 August 2010 and 13 August 2015.
Michael Ashwin Satyandre Adhin is a Surinamese educator, politician, and was the Vice President of Suriname between 2015 and 2020. He is a member of the National Democratic Party. At the age of 35, he became the youngest vice president in the history of Suriname to lead the Council of Ministers. Adhin is a Hindu of Indian descent.
Diplomatic relations exist between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands.
Albert Ramchand Ramdin is a Surinamese diplomat serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Santokhi cabinet since 16 July 2020. He is a member of the Progressive Reform Party (VHP).
André Haspels is a Dutch diplomat currently serving as the Dutch Ambassador to the United States since September 16, 2019. He previously served as ambassador in Vietnam and South Africa and most recently as Director general of political affairs in The Hague.
Thomas Justinus Arnout Marie de Bruijn is a Dutch diplomat, civil servant and politician who served as Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation in the third Rutte cabinet from 10 August 2021 to 10 January 2022. He is a member of the social-liberal Democrats 66 (D66) party.
The Wittenburg Conferences are Dutch-Turkish meetings with the aim of strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between Turkey and the Netherlands through meetings of specific working groups and the exchange of views on topics of common interest. The meetings are at ministerial and official level and are held alternately in the Netherlands and Turkey. Social, economic, cultural and security issues are discussed in these meetings.
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