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1 Knapen and speed skating champion Koss: sport can boost development
Sport in developing countries can help to boost peace and security, hygiene and effective water supplies, and sexual health. This was the theme of talks last Friday between international cooperation minister Ben Knapen and Johann Olav Koss, the Norwegian speed skating champion.
2 Rosenthal disappointed by veto
Foreign minister Uri Rosenthal was disappointed to learn of the outcome of today’s vote in the UN Security Council on a resolution on Syria. ‘Faced with so much violence in Syria, the international community had a duty to act,’ said the minister. ‘This outcome is a terrible blow for the Syrian people. Assad has to step down.’
3 Dutch development funding to support transition in Yemen
In a letter today to the House of Representatives, international cooperation minister Ben Knapen announced that the Netherlands is to gradually resume support to help Yemen in its transition process. But at the same time, the Dutch government will closely monitor the situation and of course consult with other donors.
4 Rosenthal, Knapen and Verhagen meet World Trade Organisation chief
Foreign minister Uri Rosenthal, economic affairs minister Maxime Verhagen and international cooperation minister Ben Knapen held talks last Friday with Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The WTO plays a vital role in opening up and regulating world trade and its rules can help to prevent the unwelcome return of protectionism. This is vitally important for Dutch business interests. Mr Rosenthal emphasised that trade is also essential to global freedom and stability. ‘Economic growth, stability and the rule of law go hand in hand, and trade is a major catalyst.’
5 Government fleshes out support to Arab region
The government is to support Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and Libya in their process of transition. This was the message to the House of Representatives in a letter from foreign minister Uri Rosenthal and international cooperation minister Ben Knapen. Mr Rosenthal also included a focus on Iran in view of its disruptive effect on the process of transition in the Arab region. At EU level, the Netherlands will continue to press for tougher sanctions against Syria.
6 Rosenthal receives High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Foreign minister Uri Rosenthal met with the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Valentin Inzko, in The Hague today to discuss the political situation in that country. Mr Rosenthal expressed his hope that the new Bosnian government, which is expected to take office soon, will show unity in tackling the job of political and economic reform.
7 Knapen supports new World Bank programme: no money without results
The Netherlands supports the World Bank’s new financing programme for developing countries and the strict conditions associated with it. This new arrangement was actually requested by the developing countries themselves. Under this new scheme they will only receive funds when they have achieved goals that have been previously agreed with the World Bank. The Dutch position was expressed by the Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation Ben Knapen to Sri Mulyani Indrawati, a Managing Director of the World Bank.
8 Dutch business expertise makes a difference in developing countries
The knowledge and expertise of present-day and former Dutch entrepreneurs can be extremely useful to business people in developing countries. This was the topic discussed today by international cooperation minister Ben Knapen during talks with Thijs van Praag, General Director of PUM Netherlands Senior Experts, an organisation that matches the knowledge requirement of businesses in developing countries to Dutch entrepreneurs and specialists who share their knowledge and experience free of charge.
9 Knapen: No irregularities or factory farms with development grants
There have been no irregularities in the spending of development funds, nor have these funds been used to build factory farms. These are the conclusions of an investigation ordered by Ben Knapen, Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation, following allegations in the TV consumer programme Radar.
10 Knapen: substantial progress towards more effective EU
‘Due to the endless succession of “make-or-break” euro summits, there is a tendency to focus only on the most topical discussions and decisions. But if we widen our perspective we can see that substantial progress is being made towards making the EU more effective.’ European affairs minister Ben Knapen delivered this message on Wednesday at a lunch with ambassadors representing EU countries in the Netherlands.