Sint Maarten student Roberto Patrick departed for Pristina, Kosovo, on Saturday, 4 July, to participate in the 2026 Prishtina International Summer University (PISU). Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell was at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to wish him every success before his journey. Roberto will participate in the 2026 Prishtina International Summer University (PISU), where he has been admitted to the course Law & Economics of Artificial Intelligence (AI). His participation was made possible through a scholarship that originated from earlier discussions between Minister Arrindell and Kosovo's Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Dren Doli. During those meetings, both parties explored opportunities to strengthen [...]

Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell attended the U.S. Independence Day Reception hosted by the U.S. Mission to the Netherlands at the Louwman Museum in The Hague. This year's celebration was particularly significant as it marked Freedom 250, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. Held under the theme Freedom 250, the reception celebrated not only a defining moment in American history but also more than two centuries of friendship between the United States and the Netherlands. Diplomats, government representatives and other guests gathered for an evening reflecting on the shared values of freedom, democracy and [...]

Yesterday, Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell attended the National Commemoration of the Dutch Slavery Past at the National Slavery Monument in Amsterdam's Oosterpark. The annual ceremony provides an opportunity to reflect on one of the darkest chapters in the shared history of the Kingdom, while honouring the lives, resilience and legacy of those who endured slavery. Held on Keti Koti, the day marking the abolition of slavery in Suriname and the former Dutch Caribbean colonies on 1 July 1863, the commemoration serves as a moment of remembrance and renewed commitment. While emancipation was legally declared in 1863, many formerly enslaved people [...]

On Monday, June 29, Minister Arrindell attended the presentation of the Dutch Defence White Paper 2026 at Gilze-Rijen Air Base. During the event representatives from government, defence and industry discuss the future direction of the Dutch armed forces and the changing international security environment. The Defence White Paper outlines the Netherlands' long-term vision for building a more agile, resilient and future-ready military. It emphasizes strengthening national and collective security through closer cooperation with NATO allies, government partners, and society, while investing in innovation, readiness and the ability to respond to rapidly evolving security challenges. Minister Arrindell welcomed the opportunity [...]

Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell attended the opening ceremony of Netherlands Veterans Day in The Hague on Saturday June 27, joining veterans, government representatives and invited guests in paying tribute to the men and women who have served the Kingdom of the Netherlands in times of war, peacekeeping missions and other international operations. Due to extreme heat and an orange weather warning issued by the KNMI, the National Parade and the public programme at the Malieveld were cancelled following the advice of the Veiligheidsregio Haaglanden. The official opening ceremony in the Royal Theatre (Koninklijke Schouwburg) proceeded as planned. The ceremony brought [...]