H.E. Mr. Richard Van Rijssen Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

University of Economics in Bratislava

DIPLOMACY IN PRACTICE

Location

Kingdom of the Netherlands (in Dutch: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden) The Netherlands and its overseas islands – Saba, St. Eustatius and Bonaire. Often called Holland, because of the role the two western provinces North and South Holland played in its history.

Provinces of the Netherlands 12 provinces, which have their own capital, own self-rulers and administration. Each of these provinces has a its own atmosphere, history, and traditions.

Language Official language : Dutch Mother tongue of well over 21 million Dutch people and Flemish people

Constitution and capital Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system Government : the King and ministers. The Hague : government and parliament Amsterdam : capital city The Netherlands has a coalition government. King Willem-Alexander is the head of state.

Surface and Population Surface area : 41,528 square kilometers. The greatest distance from north to south : 300 km From west to east : 200 km One of the most densely populated countries in the world. Population : 16,5 million Average of over 400 inhabitants per square kilometers. The Netherlands however has some very interesting cities, beautifully preserved nature, and varied landscapes, always fresh through the wind from the sea.

› The flag of the Netherlands is red, white and blue

› Rotterdam's port is the largest port in Europe › The Netherlands is one of the best countries for children to live in (2007 Unicef report). › Holland is a geographic part of the Netherlands referring to the western part of the country (e.g. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague). › Amsterdam has 1.281 bridges and is entirely built on piles. › The Netherlands' highest point is 322,7 meters above sea level (Vaalserberg) and the lowest 6,76 meters below sea level (Prince Alexander Polder).

Economy GDP – 869,51 billion US dollars in 2014 (1,4% of the world economy)

GPD per capita - 43 140,91 US dollars in 2014

› adopted the euro on January 1st, 1999 introduced on January 1st, 2002

› the 6th largest economy in the EU

› noted for its stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, sizable trade surplus and European trasportation hub

Key sectors:

› Water,

› the agri-food industry,

› horticulture,

› high-tech,

› life sciences,

› chemical industry,

› logistics,

› creative industries.

Royal Dutch Shell

The top 8 Dutch companies

Export-oriented economy - the 3rd largest exporter in the Euro Area

Main exports are:

machinery and transport equipment (28%), mineral fuels (23%), food (11%), clothing and footwear (10%) and pharmaceuticals (5%)

Main imports are:

fuel (29%), machinery (26%) and food and live animals (8.6%)

Main trading partners:

Germany (24% of EX and 17% of IM) and Belgium (12% of EX and 10% of IM)

others: China, France, United Kingdom and United States

HORTICULTURE › global trendsetter and world leader in greenhouse horticulture

› in 2011 total production amounted to €8,6 billion, in 2013 it was €9,5 billion

Memberships

› BENELUX Since 1958

› EU Since 1951

› NATO Since 1949

› UN Since 1945 International Court of Justice in the Hague

› International Criminal Court Seat in The Hague

Tourism in Netherlands

Holland had a record number of 14m tourist visit in 2014, a 10 % increase from the number of visitors in 2013.

Most visitors from Germany, Great Britain and Belgium.

Biggest increase in number of tourists coming from China followed by Russia and North America.

Most Visited Places

Most famous for the canals; Amsterdam, Leiden

Most Visited Places Also known for it’s museums; Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank museum, the Rijksmuseum (Dutch National Museum)

The Netherlands has the highest concentration of museums in the world. Some of the most famous Dutch painters are Rembrandt, Vermeer, Steen, van Gogh and Mondrian.

Most Visited Places

Gardens and national parks Keukenhof gardens (Garden of Europe) Hoge Veluwe National Park

Culture in Netherlands

Religion

Roman Catholic 31%, Protestant 21%, Muslim 4.4%, other 3.6%, unaffiliated 40%

Sport

Football, cycling, speed skating

Traditional foods

Pea soup, kale stew, hotchpotch (a thick stew), white asparagus, meat croquets, and raw herring.

Culture in Netherlands

National symbolism: the Dutch royal family

King’s day; 27th April

Orange is related to the royal family. Dutch sport fans dress up in orange during some sport events and the whole country turns orange

Curriculum Vitae Name : Richard VAN RIJSSEN

Date of Birth : May 11, 1953

Place of Birth : Deventer, the Netherlands

Education : 1979 University of Groningen, Law (master’s degree)

1983 École Nationale d ’Administration (cycle long), Paris

Before joining the Foreign Service in 1979, Richard van Rijssen was between 1977 and 1979 an assistant teacher and researcher in Philosophy and Law at Groningen University.

He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1979

Subsequently Richard van Rijssen held the following positions:

1995 - 1999 Counsellor, Head of Political and Humanitarian Affairs at the Permanent Mission in Geneva

2002 - 2006 Director Trade and Investment Policy, Ministry of Economic Affairs

2006 - 2008 Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Head of Mission in Washington

2008 - 2009 Project Leader Safety, Crisis Management and Integrity

2009 - 2013 Ambassador in Oslo, also accredited to Iceland

Other functions:

1995-1999: Co-chair of the local group for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

1998-1999: Chairman Rapporteur of the UN Working group on the establishment of a Permanent Forum for Indigenous People(s)

2004-2006: Vice Chair of the OECD Trade Committee

Distinctions:

Richard van Rijssen was the recipient of the 1999 Human Rights Award issued by the International Service for Human Rights in Geneva

Investiture Medal 1980 (NL)

Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Kingdom of Norway

Officer in the Order of the Oak Crown of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Thank you for your attention

Ekrem Sözdinler Clélia Vandenbroucke Martina Somošová

Elias Baganz Dominika Palková Marc Ritter Chloe Scannell