White House Statement from the Press Secretary Issued on: July 11, 2019 President Donald J. Trump will welcome Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands to the White House on July 18, 2019. President Trump looks forward to reaffirming the historic ties and shared interests that link the United States and the Netherlands. The President …
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The 1969 lunar landing was an unprecedented achievement — a milestone in human history. How did it happen? Decades of relentless scientific development as well as courageous astronauts who were determined to explore the unknown did the trick. But there is more. Technologies that are common today came out of Apollo space research. CAT scans, …
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U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra hosted the celebration of the 243rd year of America’s independence at the John Adams Park in Wassenaar, the location of the U.S. Embassy in The Hague. We thank all our amazing sponsors for their generous donations. The reception celebrated the 75 years since the Liberation of the Netherlands, with World War …
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Item on the website of “De Maatschappij” – In gesprek met Pete Hoekstra, ambassadeur van de Verenigde Staten van Amerika, met een primeur! On June 25, 2019, Ambassador Hoekstra spoke to more than 80 members of the local chapters of “De Maatschappij” at the Carlton-Ambassador Hotel in The Hague. Founded in 1777, “De Maatschappij” is the oldest network organization in the Netherlands. The Ambassador talked about recent geo-political developments and the Dutch-U.S. …
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Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Event: On Monday July 1, the U.S. Consulate will close to the public at 1:00 pm. The American Citizen Services Unit will be open from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, for U.S. Citizen emergency services only. U.S. Citizens in need of emergency passports should visit the Consulate General between 8:00 am …
Read More» Demonstration Alert – U.S. Embassy The Hague, Netherlands (June 25, 2019) Location: Announced gathering points and route includes, but is not limited to, the area in front of the U.S. Embassy, in The Hague, Netherlands. Event: A demonstration is expected on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, beginning at approximately 3:00 pm and lasting until approximately 5:00 …
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The annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom describes the status of religious freedom in every country. Annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom – Full Report Annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom – Netherlands Section
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Through the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, we assess what governments around the world are doing to combat this crime. The TIP Report is an invaluable tool to arm ourselves with the latest information and guide our action at home and abroad. 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report – complete report 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report – the Netherlands
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PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON, DC JUNE 19, 2019 The United States welcomes the announcement today regarding the indictment of four individuals for their role in the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 on July 17, 2014. This is an important milestone in the search for the truth, and we remain confident in …
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On June 17, 2019, Public Affairs Officer Sherry Keneson-Hall spoke at the Fulbright Award Ceremony, in the historic Academiegebouw of Utrecht University, on the occasion of Dutch students and scholars being honored as the latest Fulbright grantees. Established in 1946, the Fulbright Scholar program is an American scholarship administered jointly with the Dutch government, in which American students …
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Ambassador Hoekstra and a U.S. Embassy team joined over 15,000 other riders in the traditional Fietselfstedentocht on Whit Monday. The 235 km (or 146 miles) track led the participants through the eleven cities and the countryside of the beautiful province of Friesland, from Dokkum in the East to Stavoren on the shores of the IJsselmeer. What …
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Remarks Normandy American Cemetery June 6, 1944 Colleville-sur-Mer, France THE PRESIDENT: President Macron, Mrs. Macron, and the people of France; to the First Lady of the United States and members of the United States Congress; to distinguished guests, veterans, and my fellow Americans: We are gathered here on Freedom’s Altar. On these shores, on these bluffs, …
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OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON JUNE 5, 2019 The 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2019), co-hosted by the U.S. and Dutch governments, showcased the depth and breadth of innovations that are improving lives around the world, and the critical role of governments in enabling environments for innovation to thrive. With a theme of The Future Now, GES 2019 empowered entrepreneurs to pursue solutions to global challenges …
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News item | 05-06-2019 | 19:49 The 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2019), co-hosted by the governments of the United States and the Netherlands, showcased the depth and breadth of innovations that are improving lives around the world, and the critical role of governments in enabling environments for innovation to thrive. With The Future Now …
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News item | 04-06-2019 | 17:29 Today at GES 2019, the U.S. Government made substantial commitments to drive women’s economic empowerment in developing markets. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced $500,000 in funding and $100,000 in technical assistance to the Women’s World Banking Asset Management (WAM) blended-finance fund. Joining USAID, the Overseas Private Investment …
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PRESS AVAILABILITY MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE / JUNE 3, 2019 JOHAN DE WITTHUIS THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS MODERATOR: (In progress) gentlemen, welcome to today’s press conference. We’ll first have some statements and then there’s room for four questions. I’ll give the floor to Minister Blok. FOREIGN MINISTER BLOK: Well, first of all, it’s a great …
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REMARKS MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE JUNE 3, 2019 CITY HALL THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS SECRETARY POMPEO: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome. The prime minister and I were just remarking on what a great crowd, what a great group we have here. Thank you, Madame Mayor, for joining us as well and hosting us. I want to thank the prime minister as …
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release FACT SHEET June 3, 2019 SECRETARY POMPEO TRAVELS TO THE NETHERLANDS TO ADDRESS THE GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT AND REINFORCE U.S.-DUTCH TIES “The free-enterprise system… is the only system where a business started in a dorm room can disrupt a billion-dollar industry, and where risk-takers …
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STATEMENTS & RELEASES Statement from the President Issued on: June 1, 2019 As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions that LGBT people have made to our great Nation, let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish, imprison, or even execute individuals on …
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From May 20-24, 2019, during the nation-wide Dutch Technology Week , high school students from all across the country could watch the movie “Hidden Figures” in a Pathé cinema, followed by a discussion about the importance of empowering women in STEM fields, led by female role models. Tamar Neter-Gans, one of the women in STEM role models herself, was the …
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Ambassador Hoekstra’s Remarks at the annual Memorial Day ceremony as prepared. Sunday, May 26, 2019 Minister Blok, Governor Bovens, Admiral Ishee, Mayor Akkermans, distinguished veterans, your excellencies, Superintendent Williams, ladies, and gentlemen, it is truly an honor to join you once again, marking the 75th annual Memorial Day ceremony on these hallowed grounds. Everyone here …
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Remarks by DCM Shawn Crowley at the Memorial Day lunch as prepared. Thank you, Governor and Mrs. Bovens, for hosting us today. As the grandson, son, and brother of veterans, it is a great honor to once again celebrate Memorial Day here with you. When Sabine and I first came to Limburg three years ago, …
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PRESS STATEMENT MORGAN ORTAGUS, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON MAY 24, 2019 WASHINGTON, DC Today, the United States of America and the Kingdom of the Netherlands are pleased to announce Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump and business leader Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga will lead the closing session at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in The Hague, The Netherlands. Manisha Singh, …
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The U.S. Mission to the Netherlands, in cooperation with The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, organized a panel discussion on Strategic Competition, 5G, and the Geopolitics of A.I., with distinguished speakers Ms. Hester Somsen (Director for Security Policy, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Dr. Michael J. Mazarr (Senior Political Scientist, RAND Corporation), and Dr. Tim …
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75th Memorial Day in Margraten to be observed May 26 MARGRATEN, the Netherlands – The annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten will be held Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 15:00. This ceremony has been a U.S. and Dutch tradition since May 1945. As thousands usually attend the event, …
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Leading Speakers, Panelists Announced for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit MEDIA NOTE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON / MAY 15, 2019 The United States of America and The Kingdom of the Netherlands are pleased to announce some of the outstanding entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, supporters, and policymakers from around the world who will attend the 2019 Global …
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On the occasion of the opening of a new exhibition in Museum Eenigenburg, West-Friesland, commemorating the 170th anniversary of the dramatic journey to the United States by several Eenigenburg families, Ambassador Hoekstra was presented with the first copy of a book entitled “Geloven in een Nieuwe Wereld,” written by local historian Fred Hoek and specially …
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Queen Máxima to Open GES 2019 News item | 10-05-2019 | 17:00 Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will address the Opening Plenary of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2019 at the World Forum in The Hague on Tuesday morning, June 4. Co-hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo and Netherlands Prime Minister Rutte, GES …
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On May 10, 2019, Ambassador Hoekstra opened a special workshop at The Next Web Conference TNW2019 in Amsterdam, dedicated to the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Summit. The Next Web Conference is the largest tech conference in Europe, with more than 17,500 people participating. The two-day conference consists of speakers, panel discussions, and workshops. Ambassador Hoekstra tweeted: “Great to be at @thenextweb …
Read More» Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2019 Presidential Message on Ramadan, 2019 I send my warmest greetings to all Muslims observing the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan commemorates when the sacred Quran was revealed to Muhammad. At the spotting of the crescent moon, Muslim families and communities will honor this revelation …
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May 4 is Dutch Memorial Day. Ambassador Hoekstra and Colonel Trevor Nitz, the chief of the Embassy’s Office of Defense Cooperation went to Opijnen to honor those who gave their lives to store freedom in Europe during WWII. The eight gravestones of U.S. servicemen in the Dutch village stand as a testament to those who …
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More than 35 members of the 50PLUS political party attended a town hall meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Wassenaar. 50PLUS leader Mr. Henk Krol is a member of the U.S. Contact Group in the Dutch parliament. Ambassador Hoekstra addressed the group, and had an interesting exchange on how to improve the economic and security …
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On May 1, the Foreign Agricultural Service in The Hague organized a visit of Ambassador Hoekstra to the World Horti Center in Naaldwijk in the run up to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES ). The World Horti Center is a platform where business, education and government jointly innovate, connect, create, and inspire. It is an education institute for horticultural business and technology …
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Press Statement Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State Washington, DC April 27, 2019 On behalf of the United States government, I congratulate His Majesty King Willem-Alexander on his sixth celebration of Koningsdag, and extend my best wishes to the people of the Netherlands on this joyous occasion. The United States and the Netherlands share the …
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News item | 25-04-2019 | 09:56 https://www.ges2019.org/latest/news/2019/04/25/high-profile-investors-join-global-entrepreneurship-summit-2019 Today, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United States of America announced that APG, PGGM, Silicon Valley Bank, BlackRock, Atomico, Carlyle Group, Bank of America, WR Hambrecht Ventures, and CVC are among the investors planning to attend the 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Summit set to take place in …
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Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2019 Presidential Message on Earth Day, 2019 Earth Day is a celebration of the abundant beauty and life-sustaining bounty of our natural environment. On this day, we reaffirm our responsibility to protect God’s wondrous creation for future generations. From the Appalachian Mountains to the golden shores of California, …
Read More» Press Statement Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State Washington, DC April 21, 2019 The United States condemns in the strongest terms the terror attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter morning. Attacks on innocent people gathering in a place of worship or enjoying a holiday meal are affronts to the universal values and freedoms that we …
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On March 29, 2019, Ambassador Hoekstra spoke at an event organized by the America Europe Friendship Association (AEFA) in cooperation with the Municipality of Brunssum. More than 120 guests, including Limburg Governor Theo Bovens, Mayors and NATO representatives were present. The AEFA aims to strengthen the transatlantic relationship, particularly from Limburg but with inclusion of …
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The U.S. Embassy co-hosted the annual Dutch-American Friendship Day reception with the organization “Americans Overseas Remember” (OAR) . Each year, OAR presents a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ to an individual or organization in the Netherlands that provided a great contribution to the Dutch-American relationship. For 2019, Ambassador Hoekstra presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Wiel Lenders, Director of the …
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More than 60 members of the CDA Business Club (a network organization of the Dutch political party Christen-Democratisch Appèl) attended a town hall meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Wassenaar. Ambassador Hoekstra addressed the group, and had an interesting exchange on how to improve the economic and security relations between the Netherlands and the United States. Besides that, …
Read More» Issued from the Office of the Press Secretary – April 12, 2019 Today, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced its unanimous rejection of a request to investigate American military and intelligence professionals who served in Afghanistan. This is a major international victory, not only for these patriots, but for the rule of law. We welcome this decision and reiterate our …
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Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Europe and Eurasian Affairs Michael J. Murphy delivered a speech on NATO at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague April 8, 2019. The audience, of more than 80 guests included former Dutch Ministers of Defense, politicians, and students. A question and answer session followed the speech. The full text of his …
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Ringing the market bell, Ambassador Hoekstra yesterday officially opened the Gouda Cheese Market season. After a tour with Mayor Salet of this world famous cheese market, museum director Marc de Beyer showed the Ambassador and his wife the collection of Museum Gouda , including the beautiful 16th century religious art and impressive scale model of the historic city. The visit …
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Ambassador Hoekstra and Mrs. Diane Hoekstra traveled to Zeeland on April 2 and 3 for an official visit to the province. They were greeted by King’s Commissioner Han Polman. Ambassador Hoekstra then gave the Roosevelt Lecture at the Roosevelt Institute for American Studies, followed by a dinner with students from University College Roosevelt and Ostrea Lyceum in …
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USAID – US Agency for International Development Press Release: the United States pre-positions humanitarian assistance in Curaçao to help Venezuelans in need Mark Green, the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced that the United States is pre-positioning additional aid in the region for the people of Venezuela. Green noted that critically-needed health kits, containing medicine and medical supplies, are being sent by the United States …
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On April 1, 2019, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich participated in programs in Amsterdam and The Hague. He started the day with a visit to the Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo . Mr. Gingrich has a lifelong interest in zoos, and was very keen to visit one of the oldest zoos on mainland Europe. Together with …
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Cyberheroes is a one-week training that brought together 20 talented youngsters from the Netherlands and New Mexico. Together they were trained in ethical hacking skills by a series of subject matter experts – and each other – to address current security threats and crimes. Over the course of the week, they took on hacking battles, …
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In close cooperation with the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam, Ambassador Hoekstra hosted a town hall meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Wassenaar for more than 80 American Citizens living in the Netherlands. After brief remarks on the issues that the U.S. Embassy is currently working on, such as the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Summit and …
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Luke McNamara, a senior analyst at FireEye, visited the Netherlands recently to talk about protection against advanced cyber threats, including when these threats are directed against democratic processes such as elections. Mr. McNamara spoke with government officials, alumni from the International Visitor Leadership Program, as well as experts at The Hague Security Delta network. He offered strategic forecasts to …
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Secretary of State Pompeo delivered the March 18 keynote address, previewing his participation in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in The Hague, the Netherlands, June 4-5. The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Sigrid Kaag, who is to chair the Summit, also spoke at the Road to GES Heartland event. The United States is co-hosting GES 2019 with the …
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Willemstad- The Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United States of America signed an agreement in Willemstad, Curaçao, March 15, concerning access to and use of facilities in Curaçao for humanitarian supplies reserved for the Venezuelan people. Ambassador Hoekstra, who was in Curaçao for the Road to GES Caribbean event, joined Curaçao Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath at a signing …
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Ambassador Peter Hoekstra traveled to Curacao to take part in events around the “Road to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES)-Caribbean.” Ambassador Hoekstra addressed more than 200 entrepreneurs from throughout the Caribbean about the importance of entrepreneurship in today’s global economy. He said that he had been highly impressed by the business concepts, innovation, and entrepreneurship …
Read More» U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo To Deliver Keynote Remarks at Road to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit Heartland March 18, Overland Park, Kansas. Press Statement Robert Palladino Deputy Spokesperson Washington, DC March 11, 2019 United States Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will deliver the March 18 keynote address at the State Department’s Road …
Read More» International Women’s Day, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019 On International Women’s Day, we honor women worldwide for their vital role in shaping and strengthening our communities, families, governments, and businesses. We celebrate their vision, leadership, and courage, and we reaffirm our commitment to promoting equal opportunity for women everywhere. Through the efforts of …
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During a visit to the province of Friesland on March 1, 2019, Ambassador Hoekstra went to Jirnsum, where he visited the factories of Concorp , the third-largest confectionary company in the Netherlands. Founded in 1960, Concorp is a 100 percent family-owned business with an annual turnover of 60 million euros and 150 employees. Concorp brands include …
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This June’s Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2019 has so far attracted over 5,000 entrepreneur applications for 1,200 spots available. The selection has begun! GES 2019, June 4-5 in The Hague, will bring together 2,000+ world leaders in innovation, investment, entrepreneurship, and policy making. 1,200 of these participants will be hand-picked ‘next-generation’ entrepreneurs: companies from the US, the Netherlands and across …
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Issued on: March 1, 2019 During Women’s History Month, we celebrate the countless women whose courage and resolve have contributed to the character and success of our Nation and the entire world. The equal opportunity of women in every facet of daily life is an essential feature of a free and prosperous society. This month, …
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On February 28, 2019, Ambassador Hoekstra visited the province of Groningen. His trip included a tour of Groningen Seaports and its operations in Eemshaven and Delfzijl. In Eemshaven he met companies in the energy, chemical, and data management sectors, and was given a tour of the largest wind farm in the Netherlands. A later visit to the …
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On February 21, 2019, Ambassador Hoekstra hosted a reception for business people from the Transatlantic Christian Council . More than 50 entrepreneurs attended the event. This reception was a follow-up of Ambassador Hoekstra’s visit to Barendrecht and Bodegraven on October 30, 2018. In his speech, the Ambassador spoke about investment and innovation. He also focused on two major …
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Press Statement Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State Washington, DC February 23, 2019 Today has been a historic day. Interim President Juan Guaido, the National Assembly, and the people of Venezuela have been an inspiration to the world. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers turned out in peace to face down a dictator and helped to …
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“Let us know why you should participate in the Women2Women International Leadership Program 2019 in the U.S. and maybe you’ll be selected to participate.” U.S. Embassy The Hague is looking for young women (ages 15-19) who want to participate in the Women2Women International Leadership Program, which will take place in Boston, Massachusetts from August 1-10, …
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Remarks DCM Shawn P. Crowley Nijmegen Memorial, February 22, 2019 Friday, February 22, marked the 75th anniversary of the accidental bombing of Nijmegen that leveled much of the inner city and cost the lives of more than 800 people. Deputy Chief of Mission Shawn Crowley made remarks in the historic Sint Stevenskerk to mark the …
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Readout For Immediate Release Wednesday, February 20, 2019 Office of Press Relations U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green met with Curaçao Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath on February 18, 2019, outside of the island’s capital of Willemstad. Administrator Green thanked the Prime Minister for his support in helping alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, …
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On February 20, 2019, Ambassador Hoekstra visited the province of Flevoland , the newest of the 12 provinces of the Netherlands. The Ambassador kicked off the visit by meeting Flevoland King’s Commissioner Leen Verbeek in Lelystad. There he learned about Flevoland’s history, priorities, and challenges. Ambassador Hoekstra also informed the King’s Commissioner about the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) , which will …
Read More» Press Statement Robert Palladino Deputy Spokesperson Washington, DC February 13, 2019 Today the International Court of Justice has made a preliminary ruling in Certain Iranian Assets, rejecting many of Iran’s baseless claims and significantly narrowing what remains. This is a significant victory for the United States. Certain Iranian Assets is yet another case in which the Iranian …
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Ambassador Hoekstra gave the annual Machiavelli lecture for the Machiavelli Foundation in Nieuwspoort Press Center in The Hague on February 13, 2019 Remarks – Ambassador Pete Hoekstra February 13, 2019 Machiavelli Lecture As prepared Thank you for inviting me to be with you this evening. It is a real honor. Diane and I thoroughly enjoy living here, …
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Tamar Neter-Gans, founder and CEO of RobotWise , recently participated in the IVLP project “Hidden No More”, inspired by the movie “Hidden Figures” about three brilliant African-American women at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. This U.S. exchange program brought …
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Ambassador Hoekstra toured the campus of the European Space Research and Technology Center ( ESTEC ) in Noordwijk and learned about collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA . Franco Ongaro, head of ESTEC welcomed Ambassador Hoekstra and gave him an informative tour of the space engineering labs and campus. They spoke about the collaboration on future …
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During a diplomatic training program, Ambassador Hoekstra spoke to the youth chapter of ChristenUnie, PerspectieF, on international diplomacy, the tools used by the United States to promote foreign policy, and about his experience in business and politics. Questions from the students followed and it was a productive discussion with people who are on track to be …
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Video: D-Day Flag Ceremony in the Kunsthal, Rotterdam Ambassador Hoekstra spoke at a ceremony to open an exhibit presenting the first D-Day flag and celebrating 75 years of freedom at the Kunsthal in Rotterdam . Minister of Defense Ank Bijleveld also gave remarks along with the flag’s owner, art collector Bert Kreuk. The Rotterdam Philharmonic performed the U.S. and Dutch national anthems. The exhibit “D-Day flag 75 years. A symbol of freedom” opens February …
Read More» Press Statement Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State Washington, DC February 2, 2019 On December 4, 2018, the United States announced that the Russian Federation is in material breach of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, an assessment shared by all NATO Allies. The United States also provided notice that unless Russia returned to full …
Read More» Issued on: February 1, 2019 For far too long, Russia has violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with impunity, covertly developing and fielding a prohibited missile system that poses a direct threat to our allies and troops abroad. Tomorrow, the United States will suspend its obligations under the INF Treaty and begin the process …
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On January 30, 2019, Dutch and American officials celebrated the rollout of the first operational F-35A Lightning II for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, commemorating a transformational leap in capability for the future of the Netherlands’ national defense. “Receiving this F-35 at Leeuwarden Air Base later this …
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Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner – Remarks by Deputy Chief of Mission Shawn Crowley Hotel Den Haag, Wassenaar, January 27, 2019 Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, Roberta, and the members of Overseas Americans Remember for organizing this event, as well as everything else you do to strengthen Dutch-American relations. I would like to …
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“Make a short video in English to participate in our competition to earn a nomination for a prestigious youth program in the United States during the summer of 2019.” U.S. Embassy The Hague is looking for the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellow for 2019! Are you Dutch and will you be 16 or 17 years old …
Read More» December 19- This week De Telegraaf newspaper published an opinion piece by Ambassador Hoekstra about Nord Stream 2 entitled: “Don’t give the Russians power over your gas.” Below is the original English version. Last week the United States Congress passed a bipartisan resolution asking our European allies to take a very important action: reject the …
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THE HAGUE, the Netherlands, December 17, 2018 – Ambassador Hoekstra joined MFA Director General for Foreign Economic Relations Hanneke Schuiling for a kick-off coffee to mark the global launch of the 2019 GES online application portal for entrepreneurs in Amsterdam. The event was held at Café Dauphine, which is located in the same building as …
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Are you 17-23 years old, (socially) entrepreneurial, and a team player? Do you want to make a positive contribution to society, while strengthening the Dutch-American relationship? Are you a hard worker, looking to further develop your professional skills and your network? Then we might be looking for you! The U.S. Mission to the Netherlands is …
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Fifteen-year-old Just Pallandt, initiated a high-profile visit by inviting Ambassador Pete Hoekstra to the 4e Gymnasium in Amsterdam. The Ambassador spoke to a group of 140 students from this secondary school about his personal background, the strong relations between the Netherlands and the United States, economic and security challenges we are facing, and the upcoming …
Read More» Remarks Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State German Marshall Fund Brussels, Belgium December 4, 2018 SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, Ian, for the kind introduction. Good morning to all of you; thank you for joining me here today. It’s wonderful to be in this beautiful place, to get a chance to make a set of remarks …
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In honor of the memory of former President George H.W. Bush, condolence registries will be opened for those wishing to show their respect. Signing opportunities at the Embassy of the United States of America, John Adams Park 1 in Wassenaar, will be on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, and Thursday December 6, 2018, from 10:00 – …
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2018 Melania and I send our warmest greetings to our Jewish brothers and sisters in the United States, in Israel, and around the world celebrating Hanukkah. For eight nights, Jewish families and friends will come together to engage in the lighting of the menorah. This special tradition started more than …
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A Proclamation from the Office of the President December 1, 2018 – It is my sorrowful duty to announce officially the death of George Herbert Walker Bush, the forty-first President of the United States, on November 30, 2018. President Bush led a great American life, one that combined and personified two of our Nation’s greatest …
Read More» December 1, 2018 – A statement from the Office of the President Melania and I join with a grieving Nation to mourn the loss of former President George H.W. Bush, who passed away last night. Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his …
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On November 26, 2018, Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley gave opening remarks at the Road2USA and Canada event, which was organized by the Dutch Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. The event was held at the Willem II Stadium in Tilburg and promoted doing business in the United States and …
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November 17, 2018 – The U.S. Marine Security Guards marked the occasion of the 243rd anniversary of the forming of the United States Marine Corps at the Okura Hotel Amsterdam. Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley was Guest of Honor and the guest speaker was General Jeff Mac Mootry, the Commandant of the Netherlands Marines. Below are …
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During International Education Week , the Netherlands Fulbright Alumni Association and the U.S. Embassy The Hague organized an early Thanksgiving event for Fulbright alumni at the Ambassador’s Residence. The fifty guests had a lovely evening which started off with speeches by Public Affairs Counselor Sherry Keneson-Hall and Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley. The Fulbright program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored …
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November 15 – New York, New York Ambassador Pete Hoekstra , Dutch Ambassador Henne Schuwer, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy Michael Kratsios joined together in New York City to launch the 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES). The location was fitting given the more than 400 years of friendship between the Dutch and American people began in the city once known as New Amsterdam. This will be the first …
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November 13 – Ambassador Hoekstra co-hosted the third annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Dinner together with Ms. Carine de Meyere, the Dutch Ambassador for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. De Meyer is the Director of Partnerships for TEDxAmsterdamWomen . Around 25 high-level women entrepreneurs and business leaders from a broad range of fields joined the hosts for a presentation by Lotte Leufkens, …
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November 11, 2018 Westduin Cemetery, The Hague – Each year a service his held for Commonwealth Remembrance Day in The Hague to honor the sacrifices of the Commonwealth forces in the First and Second World Wars. The ceremony was hosted by British Ambassador Peter Wilson who spoke on the importance of remembering those who died so others might …
Read More» Statement from the Ambassador – November 9, 2018 On November 4, the United States reintroduced expanded sanctions on the Iranian regime. U.S. sanctions are aimed at deterring Iran’s behavior and driving Iran back to the negotiating table. These actions continue efforts started by the Trump Administration to put into place a framework to prevent Iran …
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Ambassador Hoekstra was presented Friday with the helmet of an unknown fallen World War II U.S. Army soldier. It was donated by a Dutch historian, who recovered the helmet from an Operation Market Garden drop zone near Nijmegen. Despite advances in DNA technology, there was no identifiable traces on the helmet that allowed for identifying …
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On November 5, 2018, the brand new U.S. Embassy opened its doors to 125 representatives of the Wassenaar service club community: the Ladies Circle , the Soroptimists , the Round Table , three Rotary clubs and three Lions clubs . In the presence of Wassenaar’s Mayor, Mr. Frank Koen, the evening was opened by Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. He welcomed all the guests and emphasized the …
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Last week, Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat of the Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (CECF) of Baltimore, Maryland, visited the Netherlands. In Rotterdam, The Hague, and Amsterdam, he provided insights into successful interfaith and cross-cultural exchanges to Dutch educational, community and religious leaders, as well as students, based on his religious expertise, CECF’s groundbreaking work with youth, and his 10-plus years of travel all …
Read More» “The United States has launched a campaign of economic pressure to deny the regime the funds it needs to advance its bloody agenda.” President Donald J. Trump November 2, 2018 REIMPOSING ALL SANCTIONS: President Donald J. Trump is reimposing the toughest sanctions ever on Iran, targeting many of the corrupt regime’s critical sectors. On November …
Read More» October 31, 2018 Since the founding of our Nation, generations of Americans have drawn upon every last measure of grit and determination to push the limits of human knowledge, invention, and capability. Our Nation thrives today because bold entrepreneurs and innovators had vision and drive, stopping at nothing to realize their dreams. This intrepid spirit, …
Read More» Assistant Secretary Mitchell Travel to Minsk, Vilnius, and The Hague Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC October 29, 2018 Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs A. Wess Mitchell will travel to: Minsk, Belarus; Vilnius, Lithuania; and The Hague, the Netherlands from October 30 to November 2. On October 30, he …
Read More» Presidential Proclamation Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – issued October 27, 2018 As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 2018, by the authority vested in me as President of the …
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On October 24, Ambassador Hoekstra visited the city of Eindhoven , the Netherlands’ fifth largest city. Located in the province of North Brabant, Eindhoven is known as a technology and design hub. The Ambassador began with a visit to the DAF Trucks operations and touring the facility. Ambassador Hoekstra learned more about “Van Doorne’s Aanhangwagen Fabriek” – now called DAF …
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Op-Ed Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State Foreign Affairs October 15, 2018 The end of the Cold War forced new thinking among policymakers and analysts about the greatest challenges to U.S. national security. The emergence of al Qaeda, cybercriminals, and other dangerous entities affirmed the threat of nonstate actors. But equally daunting has been the …
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By the invitation of Dr Julian Emami Namini, Ambassador Hoekstra spoke at the Erasmus University Rotterdam’s School of Economics on the recent developments in the Dutch and EU economic relationship with the United States. A large and engaged group of students asked the Ambassador questions concerning trade, tariffs, and other economic issues. There were about 500 students in attendance. Erasmus University …
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Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, October 4, 2018 U.S. Charges Russian GRU Officers with International Hacking and Related Influence and Disinformation Operations Conspirators Included a Russian Intelligence “Close Access” Hacking Team that Traveled Abroad to Compromise Computer Networks Used by Anti-Doping and Sporting Officials and Organizations Investigating Russia’s Use …
Read More» October 3, 2018 – Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo gave remarks in the press briefing room at the Department of State. Here are his remarks regarding yesterday’s events in The Hague. “… let me turn to the ICJ ruling from today. I’m announcing that the United States is terminating the 1955 Treaty of Amity with …
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October 2 – Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Cyber Jeanette Manfra emphasized the importance of collective cyber defense at the One Conference in The Hague. She said “Cyber security is more than a shared responsibility. We have to defend it collectively as allies.” The One Conference is an international cyber security conference and this year’s theme was ‘Merging Worlds – …
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On September 12 and 13, Dispatches Europe organized its first Tech Sister Cities event in Eindhoven, sponsored by U.S. Embassy The Hague. American investor Jonathan Blue, founder and chairman of Blue Equity, met with many representatives of Eindhoven’s tech and entrepreneurial communities. The main event, Mr. Blue’s talk called “Eyes Wide Open – How American Investors …
Read More» THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release September 25, 2018 REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP TO THE 73RD SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY United Nations Headquarters New York, New York 10:38 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Madam President, Mr. Secretary-General, world leaders, ambassadors, and distinguished delegates: One year ago, I …
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September 21-23 — Despite heavy rains, thousands showed up to pay their respects this weekend at events in honor of Operation Market Garden. On Friday, Ambassador Hoekstra laid a wreath in Airborneplein in Arnhem to mark the 74th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem and Operation Market Garden. Thousands of Dutch came out to pay their respects …
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September 17- Ambassador Hoekstra visited the Province of North-Brabant to learn about this innovative region and to visit some of the businesses located there. He had lunch at the Provincie Huis with King’s Commissioner Wim van de Donk, Vice-Governor Bert Pauli, and others. They discussed the drive and motivation that make the province a unique climate for …
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September 16 and 17 – U.S. Army General Curtis Scaparrotti joined Ambassador Hoekstra at remembrance ceremonies honoring the events of Operation Market Garden and the liberation of the south of the Netherlands in September 1944. Scaparrotti is the Commander of European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR). The two first toured Operation Market Garden …
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On September 14, Ambassador Hoekstra joined Principal Director of Security Assistance at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency Michèle Hizon, and Dutch State Secretary for Defense Barbara Visser at Gilze-Rijen Air Base for a signing ceremony. Dutch and U.S. officials signed a contract to modernize the Dutch fleet of 28 Apache helicopters. To date, the Dutch fleet has been used …
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U.S. Embassy staff gathered for a moment of silence to remember the victims of 9/11 and their families. The flag was flown at half staff to mark the somber anniversary. Ambassador Hoekstra attended the annual memorial ceremony organized by Overseas Americans Remember. He gave remarks at the ceremony that allowed people to come together to …
Read More» NATIONAL SECURITY & DEFENSE Issued on: September 10, 2018 “America is a sovereign Nation and our first priority is always the safety and security of our citizens.” Donald J. Trump President of the United States SAFEGUARDING AMERICAN SOVEREIGNTY: President Donald J. Trump is committed to defending our national sovereignty and security interests. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an international …
Read More» September 6, 2018 U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesperson Media Note Joint Statement on the Salisbury Attack We, the leaders of France, Germany, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, reiterate our outrage at the use of a chemical nerve agent, known as Novichok, in Salisbury on 4 March. We welcome the …
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Press Statement September 5, 2018- The U.S. citizens injured in the attack at Amsterdam Central Station on August 31 would like to thank some of the people who have helped them through this difficult ordeal. First, they thank the Dutch police for their quick and professional actions. The victims said the police have been empathetic …
Read More» Readout Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC September 3, 2018 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert: Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok about the August 31 attack in Amsterdam Central Station that injured two U.S. citizens. The Secretary expressed appreciation for the quick response of Dutch …
Read More» September 2, 2018 STATEMENT BY HEATHER NAUERT, SPOKESPERSON U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Attack on American Citizens in Amsterdam The Department of State extends its concern and support for two U.S. citizens injured in an attack Friday in Amsterdam. We ask that all parties respect the privacy of the victims and their families at this difficult …
Read More» Press Statement Pete Hoekstra Ambassador September 1, 2018 I want to express my support to those who were attacked at Amsterdam Centraal Station yesterday. We are aware that both victims were U.S. citizens visiting the Netherlands and have been in touch with them or their families. We wish them a speedy recovery and are working …
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World War II veterans Captain Roy Hanna and Lieutenant Colonel James “Maggie” Megellas visited the Embassy August 30 for a question and answer session with the Embassy staff. This was one of many trips the men have made to the Netherlands, but they focused on the first time they entered the country in September of …
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American Ambassador Pete Hoekstra had a special tour of the municipality of Wassenaar on August 29, at the invitation of Acting Mayor J.F. Koen. Their tour began at the Wassenaar town hall building, De Paauw, where they discussed the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Summit, the new Embassy in Wassenaar, and the amenities that the municipality has …
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August 28, 2018 Today, our Nation commemorates 55 years since the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March for Jobs and Freedom, and spoke passionately for his dream of equality and justice for all. On August 28, 1963, Dr. King addressed a sea of marchers …
Read More» August 27, 2018 Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment. I have asked Vice President Mike Pence to offer an address at …
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August 27, 2018 As a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding service of Senator John Sidney McCain III, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the …
Read More» U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release STATEMENT BY SECRETARY POMPEO August 27, 2018 Today, oral proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) began in The Hague on an application for provisional measures in a case brought by Iran against the United States, Alleged Violations of the 1955 Treaty of Amity, …
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On August 15, 2018, Ambassador Hoekstra laid a wreath on behalf of the United States at remembrance ceremony to commemorate the Japanese surrender and to remember the Dutch victims of World War II in Asia. Wreaths were laid at the Indisch Monument in The Hague by dignitaries including Prime Minister Rutte, survivors, and people with …
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On August 6, 2018, Laura and Trudy Roosevelt, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, unveiled a bronze bust of Laura’s grandmother Eleanor Roosevelt in the Abbey of Middelburg to mark the seventieth anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights. The province of Zeeland wanted the bust to be placed in the …
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Around 50 staff members and their families from the U.S. Embassy in The Hague and the U.S. Consulate in Amsterdam participated in the Amsterdam Pride Walk on July 28, 2018. The U.S. Mission in the Netherlands loves joining the people of Amsterdam in celebrating Pride and we reaffirm the United States’ commitment to protecting and …
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During his recent visit to the islands of Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten, Ambassador Hoekstra discussed including the islands in the work of the Congressional Caucus on the Netherlands. Ambassador Hoekstra was a founding chairman of the caucus during his time in the U.S. Congress as the Representative for Michigan’s Second District. This week Congressman Bill Huizenga …
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The 10th European Square Dance Convention is taking place in Amsterdam July 20-22. The weekend is a gathering of members of the European Association of American Square Dancing Clubs ( EAASDC). Three Dutch clubs (the Tulip Twirlers, Rainbow Strollers, and the Motiveters) organized the event along with Maarten and Wil Weijers. This is the first time the event has been …
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MEDIA NOTE – July 20, 2018 Ambassador Deborah L. Birx Travel to Amsterdam Ambassador Deborah L. Birx, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy, is on travel to Amsterdam, The Netherlands from July 20-27, leading the U.S. delegation to the 22nd International AIDS Conference. While in Amsterdam, Ambassador Birx will provide …
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Ambassador Pete Hoekstra visited the Dutch-Caribbean islands of Curacao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten July 14 to July 19. Through meetings with officials and exploration of local cultural and educational sites, his visit underscored the strength of the shared values between the United States and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. U.S. Consulate General Curaçao helped to …
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On July 17, 2018, the Netherlands signed a contract with the United States to purchase four MQ-9 Reapers, as well as associated ground stations, sensors, and operational support. During a ceremony at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK, Vice Admiral Jan de Waard, the director of the Netherlands’ Defense Materiel Organization, and Lt. General Charles Hooper, head of …
Read More» Heather Nauert Spokesperson Department Press Briefing Washington, DC July 18, 2018 EXCERPT FROM TRANSCRIPT: QUESTION: … Does the U.S. Government still stand by its previous statements and positions that – in support of the Dutch investigation team that held that Russia was responsible for downing it? MS NAUERT: We certainly do. The United States Government has long …
Read More» Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC July 18, 2018 The G7 foreign ministers today issued the following statement in advance of the anniversary of the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17: We, the G7 foreign ministers, of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High …
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Kay Bailey Hutchison U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO NATO Press Briefing July 10, 2018 Ambassador Hutchison gave remarks at a press engagement on July 10 in Brussels ahead of the NATO summit to highlight NATO priorities. Here is an excerpt: “I am very encouraged by the work that’s been done not only over …
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U.S. Dried Fruits and Tree Nuts Recipe Book (In Dutch and English) (PDF 1 MB) The popularity of nuts and dried fruits in the Netherlands is rising. One of the largest exporters of almonds, pistachios and walnuts to the Dutch market are the United States. Besides that, the U.S. is the largest supplier of cranberries and (dried) plums to the Netherlands. On …
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THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 3, 2018 Joint Statement from President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Mark Rutte President Donald J. Trump welcomed Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands to the White House yesterday. Both leaders note the relationship between the United States and the Netherlands …
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THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release July 2, 2018 Oval Office PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, thank you very much. It’s a great honor to have the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. That’s the official title. PRIME MINISTER RUTTE: Absolutely. PRESIDENT TRUMP: Sounds very elegant and beautiful. But …
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Ambassadors Pete Hoekstra and Henne Schuwer signed a Chapeau Agreement Establishing a Framework for bilateral Defense Cooperation Activities. With this agreement, the Netherlands and the United States strengthen cooperation between the two countries on military equipment and operations. The agreement involves exchanging military personnel, such as pilots, liaison officers, and technicians, as well as exchanging information about new …
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STATEMENT BY DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN SULLIVAN AT THE FOURTH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE STATES PARTIES JUNE 26, 2018 ORGANIZATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONSTHE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS Director General Űzümcü, Chairperson Bellouki, it is an honor to join you today at this special session to address the current crisis resulting from the appalling …
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More than 65 Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters from 4th Combat Aviation Brigade , 4th Infantry Division, are on their way to Eindhoven after arriving in Rotterdam from Texas on June 20, 2018. The helicopters, from Fort Carson, Colo., will team up with 1,700 troops as part of Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing mission to show the U.S. commitment to the …
Read More» Issued on: June 18, 2018 President Donald J. Trump will welcome Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands to the White House on July 2, 2018. President Trump looks forward to reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and the Netherlands, which reach back over four hundred years. The President and Prime …
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Together with Dutch astronaut André Kuipers, Ms. Christine van der Sman, director of Museon , and former Deputy Mayor of The Hague Karsten Klein, unveiled a special moon rock in the Museon science museum in The Hague. The moon rock was collected by NASA’s Apollo 17 mission in December 1972. The stone is 3.8 billion years old and …
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The U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos , travelled to the Netherlands for an official program on June 11-12, as the second stop on a three country trip to Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, to explore the vocational education, decentralized school systems, and apprenticeship programs within Europe. Her visit to the Netherlands, planned by the Dutch Ministry of Education, …
Read More» Press Statement Mike Pompeo Secretary of State Washington, DC June 1, 2018 The United States joins people around the world in celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) Pride Month, and reaffirms its commitment to protecting and defending the human rights of all, including LGBTI persons. In many parts of the world, LGBTI individuals …
Read More» THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 31, 2018 President Trump released two proclamations today adjusting imports of aluminum and steel into the United States. Please read the full text of the Presidential proclamations at the links below. For the full text of the proclamation Adjusting Imports of Aluminum click …
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Ambassador Pete Hoekstra delivered remarks and handed out awards at the annual Fulbright Award Ceremony in Leiden. Out of a pool of Dutch applicants, nine PhD candidates and eight graduate students were selected to participate in the internationally renowned program. Established in 1946, the Fulbright Scholar program is an American scholarship administered jointly with the …
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The annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten is always emotional. The ceremony is held among the names of 10,023 service men and women buried or honored in the cemetery. Those service members died in World War II during the liberation of Europe. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra spoke at the ceremony of …
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Remarks of Deputy Chief of Mission Shawn Crowley America-Europe Friendship Association Dinner Saturday, May 26, 2018 Distinguished members of the America-Europe Friendship Association, Captain Louie, Secretary Claes, Arthur and Josie, ladies, and gentlemen: It is wonderful for Sabine and I to be here this evening. Tonight we celebrate the American and Allied servicemen who liberated Europe in …
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Each Memorial Day weekend, thousands of visitors travel to the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten to honor the Americans killed in World War II. On Saturday, American children from the local Boy and Girl Scout troops, as well as other volunteers, spent several hours planting U.S. and Dutch flags on each of the 8,301 graves. …
Read More» Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC May 25, 2018 We strongly support the decisions by the Netherlands and Australia to call Russia to account for its role in the July 2014 downing of Malaysia Flight #17 (MH-17) over eastern Ukraine and the horrific deaths of 298 civilians. It is time for Russia to …
Read More» May 24, 2018 The United States has complete confidence in the findings of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) as presented today by the Dutch Public Prosecutor: the missile launcher used to shoot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 originated from the 53rd Anti-aircraft Brigade of the Russian Federation, stationed in Kursk. Today’s announcement confirms and adds …
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In a short ceremony hosted by Ambassador Pete Hoekstra at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague, jump boots belonging to 2nd Lieutenant Frederick Humphrey were returned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Lt. Humphrey was killed in action in September 1944 during Operation Market Garden and was buried in Kansas City. His boots remained lost until …
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Readout Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC May 18, 2018 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert: Secretary Mike Pompeo met with Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok on May 18, in Washington, DC. During the meeting, Secretary Pompeo thanked Foreign Minister Blok for Dutch support in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Mali, and for the Netherlands’ …
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The U.S. Embassy in The Hague hosted a symposium May 16 to discuss tolerance, discrimination, and freedom in relation to the play Anne & Emmett. The play, written by symposium panelist Janet Langhart Cohen, details a conversation between Anne Frank and Emmett Till in a town called Memory. The play has its Dutch debut May …
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Remarks by President Trump at Swearing-In Ceremony of Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. I must say, that’s more spirit that I’ve heard from the State Department in a long time — many years. (Laughter.) We can say many years, and maybe many decades. It’s going to be a fantastic start, …
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On May 2, 2018, Ambassador Pete Hoekstra visited the Netherlands American Cemetery Margraten to commemorate the fallen and missing men and women who helped in the liberation of the Netherlands during World War II and to show support for “ The Faces of Margraten ” initiative. He was joined by Theo Bovens, the King’s Commissioner of the Province of Limburg, and Dieudonné Akkermans, …
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On April 26, we concluded a year of programs celebrating the Marshall Plan 70th anniversary with a symposium in Rotterdam at the Hotel New York. On April 26, 1948, the MS Noordam arrived in the city of Rotterdam with the first load of Marshall Plan aid. Our symposium featured remarks by Rotterdam Mayor Aboutaleb, Ambassador …
Read More» As part of routine emergency preparedness planning, the U.S. Embassy will be training with counterparts from the Dutch emergency services today, April 26. Dutch emergency vehicles and equipment will be present at the U.S. Embassy to ensure all sides know how to best work together in the event of an emergency. U.S. Embassies around the world …
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Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, and the Dutch State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Mona Keijzer spoke before a group of automotive industry experts, Dutch and American business people, and government officials at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Netherlands and the State of Michigan on April 25 …
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The U.S. Embassy co-hosted the annual Dutch-American Friendship Day reception with the organization “Americans Overseas Remember” (OAR). Ambassador Hoekstra delivered brief remarks and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Sebastiaan Vonk of the “Faces of Margraten” organization. He received the award for his commitment to the memory of the American soldiers who are commemorated at the Netherlands American …
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The trend to eat more vegetables is reflected in the sales figures of pulses. Sales of dried beans, peas and lentils have increased by 25 percent since 2014 and are now good for a total turnover of more than 65 million euro. The market has grown due to product innovations, especially in the field of …
Read More» STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR KENNETH D. WARD Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the OPCW at the Fifty-Ninth Meeting of the Executive Council EC-M-59 — AS DELIVERED April 18, 2018 Mr. Chairman, Mr. Director-General, distinguished ambassadors and delegates, It is extraordinarily troubling that we find ourselves together again this week to discuss …
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THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 17, 2018 DEATH OF BARBARA BUSH —— BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION On this solemn day, we mourn the loss of Barbara Bush, an outstanding and memorable woman of character. As a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, military …
Read More» April 16, 2018 Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) released a joint Technical Alert about malicious cyber activity carried out by the Russian Government. The targets of this malicious cyber activity are primarily government and private-sector organisations, critical infrastructure providers, …
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On April 16, 2018, Ambassador Kenneth D. Ward, Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the OPCW, addressed the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Executive Council in The Hague to raise U.S. concerns about Russia tampering in the Douma investigation. Full text of his remarks at https://www.state.gov/t/avc/rls/280509.htm
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Museum Huis Doorn and Friends of Romagne 14-18 (Stichting Vrienden van Romagne 14-18) held an event In Doorn on April 14 as part of their World War I Centennial. They presented Public Affairs Officer Sherry Keneson-Hall with the first copy of a new book entitled The Road to Romagne: An American heritage of the First World …
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Ambassador Hoekstra travelled to Friesland April 11 and 12, to strengthen cooperation between the Mission and the province. The Ambassador participated in a handful of political and cultural events over the duration of his stay. He met with the King’s Commissioner to Friesland Arno Brok in Leeuwarden, where they discussed the economic and historic relationship …
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April 4, 2018 – On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr. King, a special evening of commemoration, organized by volunteers, was held at the Abdijkerk in Loosduinen , the oldest church in The Hague. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra was guest of honor for the commemoration. The evening was filled with video, choir songs, and …
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On April 3, 2018 Ambassador Hoekstra visited Bier&cO in Amsterdam, one of Europe’s leading importers of U.S. craft beer. Here, the Ambassador and the staff of Bier&cO had a round table discussion about the market for craft beer. Stephanie Heijning category manager at Albert Heijn informed the Ambassador about the attractive and innovative packaging of craft …
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On March 27, 2018, the Rotterdam Chapter of the AmCham hosted a welcome dinner on board the SS Rotterdam to honor the arrival of U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. Among the guests were members of a bipartisan Congressional Delegation consisting of Congressman Bill Huizenga, Congressman John “Judge” Carter, Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, Congressman Gregory Meeks and Congressman …
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The U.S. Embassy to the Kingdom of the Netherlands is pleased to announce that today it was officially opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at John Adams Park 1 in Wassenaar. The ceremony was hosted by Ambassador Peter Hoekstra and included officials from the Department of State, a five-member bi-partisan delegation from the U.S. Congress, the Minister of Social …
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On March 20, 2018, Ambassador Hoekstra met with Dutch financial experts from the mortgage, real-estate, and banking sectors to discuss general trends in the U.S. economy and U.S.- Dutch economic priorities. This Dutch delegation will be traveling to Miami and New York in April for a study program through the Atlantic and Pacific Exchange Program (APEP). This year’s program with the …
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March 21, 2018 – Ambassador Hoekstra and his wife, Diane visited the Voorlinden Museum and Gardens to familiarize themselves with the American Embassy’s new neighbor. The Voorlinden is an influential local museum that connects people, art, nature, and architecture. Established in 2016, the museum showcases modern and contemporary art and wants to be “an oasis of tranquility in the …
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On March 14, 2018, journalists, professors, diplomats, and members of the Dutch parliament gathered at the American Embassy to listen to and participate in discussions around three presentations on digital information warfare. On the panel were Dr. Rand Waltzman, Dr. Peter Burger, and Tim Sweijs. Dr. Waltzman is a Senior Information Scientist at the RAND …
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March 6-7 2018 – Ambassador Pete Hoekstra visited his birthplace – the city of Groningen. His two-day journey offered a nostalgic look at the city where his parents lived, but also included briefings and meetings with officials, local businesses, universities, and institutes to learn about the innovative opportunities in the northern city. The Ambassador visited …
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March 5, 2018 – Ambassador Pete Hoekstra was delighted to hand over the key for the old U.S. Embassy at the Lange Voorhout to Mayor Pauline Krikke of Gemeente Den Haag, who promised to give the building a good second life. For nearly 60 years, from 1959 until 2018, the U.S. Embassy in The Hague …
Read More» “Let us know why you should participate in the Women2Women International Leadership Program 2018 in the U.S. and maybe you’ll be selected to participate.” U.S. Embassy The Hague is looking for young women (ages 15-19) who want to participate in the Women2Women International Leadership Program, which will take place in Boston, Massachusetts on July 19-28, …
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February 16, 2018 – Ambassador Hoekstra and his wife Diane hosted 10 participants of the third IMC Weekend School’s “Ambassador’s Training” program at their Residence for a meeting and dinner. The IMC Weekend School, organizes extracurricular Sunday lessons for high-potential school children in underprivileged communities throughout the Netherlands. It currently has ten branches. During a …
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February 22, 2018 Dank u wel. Ik wil u allereerst mijn excuses aanbieden. Ik wil deze toespraak heel graag in het Nederlands houden, ondanks dat mijn Nederlandse uitspraak nog niet perfect is, maar ik werk er aan. Burgemeester Bruls, collega’s van het corps diplomatique, overlevenden, verwanten van de slachtoffers, dames en heren, beste kinderen, ik …
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DEA, Dutch law enforcement continue attack on dark web drug sale International day of action includes knock and talks with suspected dark web drug buyers; Information produced from Hansa takedown THE HAGUE – The United States Drug Enforcement Administration and Dutch law enforcement officials today announced sustained action against drug trafficking on the dark web, …
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Passengers on KLM flights departing participating US airports will start to see TSA Pre✓® on their boarding passes and can now use the TSA Pre✓® lines. TSA Pre✓® expands to include 5 additional domestic and international airlines Expedited screening now available through 47 air carriers National Press Release Thursday, February 1, 2018 https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2018/02/01/tsa-precheck-expands-include-5-additional-domestic-and-international-airlines WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration …
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January 30, 2018 TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States, and my fellow Americans: Less than 1 year has passed since I first stood at this podium, in this majestic chamber, to speak on behalf of the American People …
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For immediate release January 19, 2018 The U.S. Embassy to the Kingdom of the Netherlands is pleased to announce that it will open for business at a new location in Wassenaar, Monday, January 29, 2018. The address of the new location is John Adams Park 1, 2244 BZ Wassenaar. The telephone number will remain the …
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Tonight Gershwin Bonevacia and Frank Sheppard performed an original piece written by Paulette Smit and directed by John Leerdam at De Nieuwe Kerk as part of the “We Have a Dream: Gandhi, King, Mandela” exhibit. The performance honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr on his birthday with words, song, and photographs. Ambassador …
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On Wednesday, January 10, Peter Hoekstra presented his credentials to King Willem-Alexander to officially become the 67th U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands. Ambassador Hoekstra was driven to Paleis Noordeinde in a ceremonial state coach accompanied by his wife Diane. Upon arrival at the palace, the Ambassador inspected the Koninklijke Militaire Kapel Johan Wilem Friso, which played the …
Read More» NOTE: Consular Services (American Citizen Services. Visa Services) remain at the U.S. Consulate General at the Museumplein in Amsterdam. The U.S. Embassy in the Netherlands will be moving to a new location in John Adams Park in Wassenaar. It will be open on January 29, 2018. Embassy phone numbers will remain the same. To contact us call: +31 70 …
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“Make a short video in English to participate in our competition to earn a nomination for a prestigious youth program in the United States during the summer of 2018.” U.S. Embassy The Hague is looking for the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellow for 2018! Are you Dutch and will you be 16 or 17 years old …
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Soliders from the U.S. Army participated in the annual mass honoring the Christmas Eve Mass celebrated by American soldiers in 1944. For the second year, CDA Shawn Crowley and his wife Sabine represented the U. States Mission. December 24th, 1944, the Dutch Brothers of the Immaculate Conception organized a Christmas Eve Mass in the …
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CDA Shawn Crowley and others from the Embassy’s Foreign Commercial Service and Office of Defense Cooperation attend the signing ceremony for the Chinook Helicopter CH47 Modernization at Gilze Rijen Air Base. The ceremony was attended by officials from Boeing and the Dutch Ministries of Defense, Finance, and Economic Affairs. The ceremony celebrated the Dutch government’s decision to modernize six CH47 helicopters. During the …
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Vice President Mike Pence performed the ceremony to swear in Peter Hoekstra as U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands in Washington, DC on December 11. The Vice President congratulated the Holland, Michigan native on Twitter, noting that he knew from serving with Hoekstra in the Congress that “there’s no better man to be in the Netherlands …
Read More» The recent announcement that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and plans to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem may spark protests, some of which have the potential to become violent. U.S. Mission the Netherlands reminds U.S. citizens of the need for caution and awareness of personal security. …
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Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited NATO Headquarters during his travels this week to Belgium, Austria, and France. On December 6, 2017, he spoke at a press conference in Brussels. SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, good afternoon, all. It truly is a pleasure to be back in Brussels. Someone reminded me this is my seventh trip to Europe already this …
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THANKSGIVING DAY, 2017 – – – – – – – BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION On Thanksgiving Day, as we have for nearly four centuries, Americans give thanks to Almighty God for our abundant blessings. We gather with the people we love to show gratitude for our freedom, …
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The Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands, opened an incredible exhibit November 18, with music, food, Elvis and Marilyn. “The American Dream” is an exhibit that spans more than 70 years and is spread across two museums in two countries. The Drents Museum is displaying works covering the post-war decades 1945-1965 and the Kunsthalle Emden, …
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In honor of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, Charge d’Affaires Shawn Crowley and his wife Sabine Crowley hosted a dinner with women business leaders. Guests came from a variety of fields and discussed mentoring, leadership, start-up financing, and many other topics. We were also joined by the Global Ambassador for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Carine de Meyere, who …
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There were thousands of events in 160 countries around the world for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2017, including more than 100 here in the Netherlands. As part of the week-long program to inspire millions into entrepreneurial activity, U.S. Embassy the Hague invited two U.S. speakers to participate in numerous events. Dr. Sharon T. Freeman, president and …
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On behalf of the Department of State and all of our employees serving overseas and at home, I wish the United States Marine Corps congratulations on its 242nd birthday. The Department and the Corps have a special, historic relationship. U.S. Marines have safeguarded our embassies and consulates since 1949, but our common effort to promote …
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Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley on Monday spoke to Dutch entrepreneurs at the Road2NorthAmerica XL event. The networking event, organized by Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland – RVO.nl and the Kamer van Koophandel , supports Dutch companies wanting to do business in the United States and Canada. Crowley: Thank you, Mark. Good afternoon, Madam Ambassador. Good afternoon everyone. I’m delighted to see so many of you at …
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Lt. Col. James “Maggie” Megellas, the most-decorated officer in the history of the 82 nd Airborne, may be 100 years of age, but he sure doesn’t look it. And when he tells his stories, particularly the one about the harrowing events around the “Waal Crossing” of September 20, 1944, he’s a young man of 27 …
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More than 20 students attended a panel discussion on Cybersecurity and Entrepreneurship at the U.S. Consulate in Amsterdam on Monday. The students, from the Vrije Universiteit’s School of Business and Economics in Amsterdam, participated fully in the discussion that touched on cyber threats as well as how to start businesses to deal with them. Leading …
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A rare artifact is coming to a Dutch railway museum in Goes this week: a Whitcomb diesel locomotive from after the Second World War. The Whitcomb locomotive type was bought in bulk by Dutch Railways after World War II. A part of the Marshall Plan – the U.S.-funded blueprint for reconstruction of 16 war-crippled countries …
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The Canadian soldiers who helped liberate the Netherlands in World War II were honored during a memorial ceremony held on October 22, 2017, at the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen op Zoom. Our Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley joined Canadian Ambassador Sabine Nölke as well as hundreds of others at the impressive ceremony. The cemetery is …
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The Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley delivered remarks at the unveiling of a new monument in the community of Beek on Saturday, October 14. He was joined by Mayor Christine van Basten-Boddin and the deputy Governor of the Province of Limburg Ger Koopmans. The Embassy’s Air Attaché Colonel Scott Fisher also participated in the ceremony. On …
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Call for proposals is now: OPEN Deadline for Applications: November 10, 2017 (midnight; local time) Period of performance: 2017-2018 Program Description U.S. Embassy The Hague is proud to announce a special grant competition in honor of CyberSecurity Awareness Month focusing on supporting programs to promote the use of technology among younger audiences to solve problems related …
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John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, would have been 100 this year. To mark that occasion, Alex Krijger published the first in-depth biography of JFK in Dutch in almost 25 years. At a book launching event at ProDemos in The Hague, Krijger presented Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley the first copy of …
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Museum Voorlinden, which celebrated its one-year anniversary on Sept. 11, opened an exhibit by Los Angeles-based artists Shio Kusaka and Jonas Wood on September 28. With this exhibit, which runs through January 7, the modern and contemporary art museum kicked off its year-long American Season series. Also to be featured in this series are Martin …
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Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for coming out tonight. Please allow me to give a special welcome to Executive Director Marcel Oomen, whose leadership of the Fulbright Center for more than 20 years has ensured the continuing success of the program. I’d like to also thank the members of the Fulbright Executive …
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Consul General David McCawley delivered remarks before the annual Liberation Concert at the Netherlands-American Cemetery in Margraten September 17, 2017 Distinguished veterans, Mr. Mackus, Mayor Akkermans, Ms. Young, Lieutenant General Rittimann, Superintendent Stadler, Mr. de Goeij, Mr. Rosu and members of the South Netherlands Philharmonic, it is a distinct honor for me and my wife …
Read More» The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate ReleaseSeptember 24, 2017 New security measures establish minimum requirements for international cooperation to support U.S. visa and immigration vetting Today, President Donald J. Trump announced the establishment of enhanced national security measures, aimed at creating—for the first time in history—minimum requirements for international cooperation to …
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Leo S. Ullman was one of the lucky ones. It probably didn’t feel much like luck at the time. He was taken away from his parents. He had to stay with strangers for more than two years. He had to disappear, given false papers. Become illegal. He ended up in an orphanage. His parents had …
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Goede avond dames en heren. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I’m delighted you could join us here this evening to celebrate one of the State Department’s most important programs: the International Visitor Leadership Program, or IVLP. I am honored to welcome a fraction of the hundreds of Dutch participants. We also are pleased to see …
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Remarks for the Waal River Crossing Ceremony CDA Shawn Crowley Nijmegen Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Mayor Bruls, Mayor Akkermans, Director van Afferen, distinguished veterans, ladies and gentlemen, and most importantly dear students. Thank you for the opportunity to take part in this ceremony commemorating the 73rd anniversary of the Waal River Crossing and the liberation …
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Remarks for St. Stevenskerk Ceremony Nijmegen, September 17, 2017 Good afternoon. Thank you, Mayor Bruls, for welcoming us once again to your beautiful city. Thank you as well, Mayor Sheehan, for making the trip all the way from Albany. I would like to acknowledge the presence of General Gavin’s family. I recognize the outstanding work …
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Last weekend the 73rd Anniversary of Operation Market Garden was commemorated in dozens of towns and hamlets in and around Arnhem, Nijmegen, and Eindhoven. Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley, Defense Attaché Captain Robert Buzzell, and U.S. Army Attaché Vince Martinelli laid wreaths and flowers at monuments large and small over four days that showed just how …
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Overseas Americans Remember (OAR) organized the annual 9/11 Memorial in The Hague on September 11, 2017. Charge d’Affaires Shawn Crowley gave remarks, along with this year’s guest of honor, Sgt. James Hines, a 25-year veteran of the NYPD, who was at the World Trade Center 16 years ago. The program featured music, readings, and a …
Read More» Press Statement Rex W. Tillerson Secretary of State Washington, DC September 11, 2017 Today we remember the victims of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, and honor the heroes who valiantly saved many lives that day, even sacrificing their own. Their courage on that day remains an example of the character of the American …
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Each year during the first weekend of September, the city of Rotterdam and the Port of Rotterdam co-sponsor the annual World Port Days festival. This year marks the 40th celebration of World Port Days and the festival theme is “Worldwide.” The weekend-long festival is a chance for the public to visit many of the companies …
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A photograph taken March 1843 in Washington, D.C. is the oldest known photograph of a U.S. President, but could this be the oldest known photograph of a U.S. Ambassador too? John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States from 1825 to 1829, but before that he was also the fifth U.S. Ambassador …
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Two exhibits, sponsored in part by the U.S. Embassy, will close soon. Martin Scorsese: The Exhibition, at Eye in Amsterdam, runs through September 3rd. (Note the exhibit is closed August 30th). This is the first major exhibition on the work, life, and passions of the American filmmaker Martin Scorsese. This exhibition is devoted entirely to Scorsese and …
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It was 8:45 p.m. and getting dark. It was drizzling. And still a group of locals from Grave, the Netherlands, came to remember a man most of them had never met who was being buried – at that precise moment – 5,600 miles away in Riverside, California. George Roth, 98, died on July 24 and …
Read More» Although terrorist attacks and fatalities from terrorism declined globally for the second year in a row in 2016, terrorist groups continued to exploit ungoverned territory and ongoing conflict to expand their reach, and to direct and inspire attacks around the world. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) remained the most potent terrorist threat …
Read More» U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS Security Message for U.S. Citizens: UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 Soccer Championship, July 16 – August 6, 2017 July 17, 2017 The United States government is aware of a threat to this year’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 Soccer Championship taking place at various venues throughout the Netherlands from July 16 …
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July 17, 2017- The third anniversary of the downing of flight MH17 will be marked by the opening of a national monument dedicated to the victims. The creators of this living memorial forest were inspired by the form of the black memorial ribbon, which was used as a symbol in the aftermath of the tragedy, and …
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On June 19, 2017, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Sherry Keneson-Hall attended the Fulbright Award Ceremony in the historic Academiegebouw of Utrecht University. Twenty-three Dutch students and scholars were honored as the latest Fulbright grantees. The Fulbright Program offers scholarships to highly motivated foreign students to study in the U.S. and about an equal number …
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Department of State Ben Franklin Room Washington, DC June 27, 2017 Well, thank you so much, Susan, and welcome to all of you to the State Department for this important event, and particularly I’m honored to welcome members of Congress, and in particular I want to highlight the leadership of Chairman Corker who’s with …
Read More» Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC June 26, 2017 With the objective of maximizing national security, the Department of State will implement Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States” in an orderly fashion, consistent with the Supreme Court’s unanimous order, and in accordance with the Presidential …
Read More» The demonstration, sponsored by the Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb) or General Education Union, is to draw attention to primary education.
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Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley The Hague, June 19, 2017 Ladies and gentleman, it is a true honor for Sabine and me to host this special Iftar dinner. Over the years we have had the pleasure of celebrating the breaking of the fast with friends in Tripoli, Kuwait City, Jerusalem, Benghazi, and Pristina, but also …
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Authorities at Schiphol Airport take seriously their responsibilities to protect children. One way is to require additional screening of minors traveling alone or with only one parent. If you are traveling alone with kids this summer, or are entrusting them in the care of someone else, we recommend you fill out and bring with you …
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Remarks of U.S. Charge d’Affaires Shawn Crowley Memorial Day Ceremony American Cemetery at Margraten May 28, 2017, 15:00 __________________________________________________________________ General Van der Louw, on behalf of the King; Minister and Mrs. Plasterk; General Middendorp; General and Mrs. Scaparrotti; your excellencies; Governor and Mrs. Bovens; Mayors; Ladies, and Gentlemen. As the grandson, son, and brother of …
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The Harmonie Concordia Festival celebrated its 140th anniversary with a concert dedicated to American composer and conductor John Philip Sousa on May 20, 2017. Over 150 sousaphonists played the tuba-like instrument named after him. John Philip Sousa (November 6, 1854 – March 6, 1932) was known primarily for American military and patriotic marches. In fact, …
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A remembrance ceremony was held May 4th in Barendrecht to honor nine Dutch Resistance members, five Dutch military members, a Royal Australian Air Force Spitfire pilot, and four US Army Air Corps aviators who died when their B24 “Liberator” crashed in 1945. · Resistance Fighters M. Maasdam C. Keijzer J. Veldhoen A. Eriks B. Moekestorm …
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Press Statement Rex W. Tillerson Secretary of State Washington, DC May 9, 2017 In honor of Europe Day, I join all Americans in offering our best wishes to the citizens of the European Union. The United States and the European Union have a strong and enduring partnership based on our shared democratic values, strong economic …
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We were deeply honored to join U.S. and other Allied veterans at Friday’s “Het Gooi Bevrijd” commemoration in the village of Bussum near Amsterdam. More than 80 vintage WWII vehicles joined the colorful procession in honor of Dutch Liberation Day. It was great to see so many young people in the crowds. We were especially …
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May’s book is The Things They Carried from National Book Award-winning author Tim O’Brien. The 1990 semi-autobiographical novel blurs fact with fiction in its vivid collection of short stories tracking the lives of a fictional group of American soldiers in Vietnam and their adjustment to civilian life after the war. Considered one of the best …
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Remarks Rex W. Tillerson Secretary of State Dean Acheson Auditorium Washington, DC May 3, 2017 SECRETARY TILLERSON: Good morning. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. Are we on? Can you all hear me back there in the back? Can you hear me now? (Laughter.) Can you hear me now? AUDIENCE: Yes. SECRETARY TILLERSON: All right. I …
Read More» Press Statement Rex W. Tillerson Secretary of State Washington, DC May 3, 2017 Today, on World Press Freedom Day, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting the fundamental principles of a free press around the world. We honor those men and women who work tirelessly, often at great personal risk, to tell the stories we would …
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Press Statement Mark C. Toner Deputy Department Spokesperson Washington, DC April 28, 2017 The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the world’s only multilateral treaty that verifiably bans an entire category of weapons of mass destruction, marks the 20th anniversary of its entry into force this Saturday, April 29. The CWC prohibits the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, …
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Today is World Intellectual Property Day, a time to celebrate the role that intellectual property protections play in allowing digital creativity and innovation to thrive. Entrepreneurs, artists, and people with ideas for new products can benefit from learning their rights and taking action. This year, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) explores how innovation is …
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In honor of Earth Day, staff from the U.S. Embassy in The Hague invited contacts to tour the construction site of the new embassy to look at the Earth-friendly features of our new home. The new U.S. Embassy boasts a number of “green” features from a heat-reflective “cool roof” to the ground source heat pump system. The building …
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Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Bob Kingman was in Maastricht for the presentation of a new book by Mieke Kirkels, “Children of African-American Liberators.” Along with Kierkels, he presented copies of the book to the 12 “children” who were featured in the book. Kirkels’ first book, “From Alabama to Margraten,” told the story of Dr. …
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The U.S. Embassy co-hosted the annual Dutch-American Friendship Day reception together with the organization “Americans Overseas Remember” (OAR). Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Kingman delivered brief remarks and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Board of the “ Stichting Herdenking Amerikaanse Kerstviering 1944” (SHAK 1944). Each year, they organize the Christmas Eve Mass in the caves of Maastricht …
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The Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy, Lieutenant General Rob Verkerk welcomed Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley to the Dutch naval base in Den Helder. Crowley was able to see first-hand the capabilities of the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) and Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (RNLMC) teams. Verkerk discussed their leadership, organizational, and command structures. Captain Robert …
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Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley visited PepsiCo’s Lay’s, Smiths and Cheetos factory in Broek op Langedijk. The factory was the first to produce potato chips in the Netherlands when it opened in 1958. Today, the factory supplies a wide assortment of snacks for the European market. In addition to the Broek op Langedijk facility, PepsiCo also …
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April’s book is Pale Blue Dot from imminent U.S. astronomer and Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer Carl Sagan (1934-1996). Long-time Professor of Astronomy and Space Science at Cornell University, Sagan played a leading role in advancing America’s space program, from briefing the Apollo astronauts to collaborating on the Viking, Voyager and Galileo space missions. Creator of …
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Remarks Rex W. Tillerson Secretary of State Brussels, Belgium March 31, 2017 Good morning, Secretary General and my fellow ministers, and thank you for the opportunity to speak. Let me be very clear at the outset of my remarks: the U.S. commitment to NATO is strong and this Alliance remains the bedrock for transatlantic security. …
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The Louisiana Air National Guard-159th Fighter Wing is participating in operation Frisian Flag 2017 at the Dutch Air Base in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. Pilots from the Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, the UK, and the U.S. will participate in exercises over Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands from March 27 to April 7. The United …
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The Centre Child Trafficking in Human Beings (CKM) has set up an EscapeVan in The Hague in order to heighten awareness for the crime of human trafficking. The Human Rights team of the U.S. Embassy in The Hague found out how difficult it was to escape.
Read More» U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Statement By U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson March 22, 2017 On the Attack in London On behalf of the United States, I express my condolences to the victims and their families. The American people send their thoughts and prayers to the people of the United Kingdom. We …
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Yesterday we celebrated international women’s day and women’s history month at the U.S. Consulate General. Let’s keep pushing so that future girls think “what’s the big deal” with a woman astronaut, a woman president, a woman CEO, a woman dean, whatever.
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Innovative cyber skills educational programs were the feature of a March 7 partnership between the U.S. Embassy The Hague and ECP (Platform for the Information Society). As a part of Global Partnerships Week, we were very pleased to partner with ECP, along with leading Dutch and U.S. businesses and organizations, to talk about the importance …
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Marcel Pinckaers (Foreign Agricultural Service) and Alec Boydston (Foreign Commercial Service) accompanied Kevin Oldenburg, CEO of Spokane, Washington based 2nd Sight BioScience, on a fact-finding visit to commercial greenhouse growers in the Westland region of the Netherlands. The visit included a meeting with Erik Helderman from Harvest House, one of the largest grower cooperatives in …
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On March 6, 2017, President Trump signed a new Executive Order on Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States which directs us to review current screening procedures, while protecting national security – our top priority when issuing visas. The Executive Order has an effective date of March 16, 2017. We are …
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As February draws to a close, Black History Month also ends. March is when Women’s History Month is celebrated in the United States. This video on the life of Sojourner Truth highlights her contributions as a woman and as an African-American to U.S. history. As a young girl, Truth was known as Isabella “Baumfree”, after …
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Public Affairs Counselor Sherry Keneson-Hall joined Mayor Bruls and other regional leaders in laying wreaths at the annual commemoration of the Nijmegen bombing February 22, 2017. The ceremony has taken place since 2001 to remembers the 800 victims of the tragic 1944 bombing of the city of Nijmegen. Keneson-Hall was asked to speak as the …
Read More» Remarks Rex W. Tillerson Secretary of State World Conference Center Bonn, Germany February 16, 2017 SECRETARY TILLERSON: So I want to make a very brief statement. Foreign Minister Lavrov and I had a productive meeting and we discussed a range of issues of mutual concern. As I made clear in my Senate confirmation hearing, the …
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Remarks Rex W. Tillerson Secretary of State Washington, DC February 2, 2017 SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, good morning, all. We apologize for being late. It seemed that this year’s prayer breakfast, people felt the need to pray a little longer. (Laughter.) But I certainly welcomed them all, so – thank you for such a warm reception. …
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American author Colson Whitehead visited the Netherlands last week to participate in the Winternachten Literature Festival in The Hague (January 19-22). The most recent National Book Award for Fiction winner talked about his award-winning novel “The Underground Railroad,” a story about fugitive slaves Cora and Caesar in the ante-bellum South. The network of Americans, black and …
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Cees van ‘t Veen, Director National Cultural Heritage, on behalf of the Minister of Education, officially designated the American Embassy in The Hague a national monument during a ceremony at the Embassy on January 20, 2017. He presented the official designation plaque to Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley. Tracy Metz, Director of the John Adams Institute …
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U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam paid tribute to the memory of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a January 12 reception. Click here to see students from the Lucia Marthas Institute for Performing Arts in Amsterdam give a special performance in his honor.
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Come and visit the Brand USA Pavilion at the Vakantiebeurs , the largest travel and tourist event in the Netherlands. Location: Jaarbeurs Utrecht, January 11-15, 2017 The Brand USA Pavilion can be found in Hall 3 of the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. 1000 square meters of USA inspiration and information. Drinks, food and live performances can be …
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The inauguration of the President will take place on Friday, 20 January 2017 and will be the fifty-eighth Presidential Inauguration. Information on the Presidential Inauguration is always available from the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies website . Related websites Presidential Inaugurations , a Library of Congress American Memory web site The Constitution of the United States of America White House website (whitehouse.gov) Inauguration Quick Facts Who? President Donald J. Trump, the …
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Consul General McCawley proudly accepts a copy of “180 Amsterdammers” from project co-founder Ahmed Larouz. Check out www.180amsterdammers.nl to learn more about the initiative and the 180 nationalities calling Amsterdam home.
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This month’s book, the first for 2017, is Cannery Row from Nobel winning author John Steinbeck. Born in California’s fertile Salinas Valley in 1902, Steinbeck went on to become one of America’s most celebrated writers of short stories and novels. Steinbeck captured the lives and day-to-day struggles of working-class America in ways that few other …
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Nieuwjaarsduik is a Dutch New Year’s Day tradition. People gather at the seaside and local lakes to dive into the new year- literally with a polar bear plunge. Some say it’s a symbolic way of casting off the previous year and starting fresh. This year a group from the US Embassy in The Hague braved …
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Chargé d’Affaires Shawn Crowley recently hosted a buffet lunch for a group of young Syrian refugees to launch a small exhibition by Syrian artist Mohammed Hussein in the living room of the residence. Hussein’s works very much reflect the Syrian world in which he was living before fleeing to Europe. Unfortunately, he could not be …
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On 15 December 2016, the United States of America (USA) deposited its Instrument of ratification of the Hague Convention of 5 July 2006 on the Law Applicable to Certain Rights in Respect of Securities held with an Intermediary (2006 Securities Convention). The USA had signed the Convention, together with Switzerland, 5 July 2006. The deposit …
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Consul General McCawley welcomed Elon University law students to the consulate on Tuesday during their multiday trip through Europe. He and his team talked about the work of the U.S. mission and careers in the Foreign Service. Check out careers.state.gov to learn more.
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As a result of the Cabinet decision on December 9, 2016 the United States and the Netherlands will formally begin negotiations to implement U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance operations at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) in early 2017. With Preclearance, travelers undergo CBP immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections before boarding a flight to the …
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Enjoyed meeting our neighbors last friday at Amsterdam’s Lucia Marthas Institute for Performing Arts and deeply honored to see their students perform. What talent! Learn more about this dance institution at www.luciamarthas.nl
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An old, retired F-16, has now found a permanent home on the ground: a roundabout near Volkel Airbase in the Province of Brabant. On December 3, 2016, the airplane was transported to the traffic junction Zeelandsedijk/Rondweg, in the presence of Defense Minister Hennis-Plasschaert and the Mayor of the Municipality of Uden. U.S. Embassy The Hague’s …
