The Political-Economic Section assists the Front Office in the conduct of bilateral relations with the Dutch Government on political and economic policy matters, as well as a full range of transnational issues. In addition, the Section ensures the Department of State and other U.S. government agencies are aware of significant political and economic developments in the Netherlands. The section is also responsible for coordinating U.S. and Dutch positions in multilateral fora.

The Section also has the lead on bilateral counterterrorism and law enforcement policy issues within the Mission in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, FBI, DEA and the Department of State.

The section tracks, analyzes and reports on bilateral political, economic and transnational issues by maintaining contact with Dutch government departments, members of parliament, political parties and think tanks, as well as interested non-governmental organizations, academics, individuals and businesses. The officers and staff of the Section use these opportunities to advocate U.S. policy, promote U.S. interests, assess the degree of support for U.S. policies, and promote cooperation with the Dutch Government in areas of mutual concern.

Some of the issues handled by the Political-Economic Section include:

• Bilateral and multilateral trade policy
• Technology, including biotechnology, IT, and telecommunications
• Transportation, including civil aviation
• Environmental policy, including climate change
• Counter-terrorism initiatives
• International development and aid coordination
• Energy security and infrastructure
• Financial and economic policy
• International security issues, including NATO and non-proliferation
• Multilateral concerns, including UN and EU affairs
• Human Rights
• Counternarcotics
• Law Enforcement
• Trafficking in Persons

The U.S. Commercial Service (Department of Commerce) at the American Embassy in The Hague offers valuable assistance to help U.S. companies export to the Netherlands.

We provide assistance in locating agents and distributors in the Netherlands. We organize trade events to promote the sale of U.S. products and services.

We counsel U.S. companies on market opportunities, regulations and methods of doing business in the Netherlands. We conduct market research targeted to the needs of U.S. companies.

More information: http://www.export.gov/netherlands/

Office of Defense Cooperation

Defense Cooperation (ODC) in the Netherlands. ODC Netherlands is subordinate to Headquarters European Command and is an integral part of the American Embassy in The Hague.

The purpose of ODC Netherlands is to facilitate the long-term US-Netherlands defense relationship by promoting defense cooperation, with a goal of providing the U.S. Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine the best materiel possible, while promoting interoperability between U.S., NATO, and Dutch forces.

Mission and Responsibilities

ODC achieves this mission by:

• Supporting the U.S. European Command (EUCOM J-5), the Ambassador, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense;
• Representing U.S. defense interests in the Netherlands through security assistance, cooperative armament programs and direct commercial sales;
• Assisting U.S. government and industry in cooperative armaments Research & Development efforts;
• Identifying off-the-shelf equipment or developments that may satisfy U.S. operational requirements;
• Increasing standardization and interoperability of weapons and munitions;
• Facilitating U.S. government and industry participation in international trade shows;
• Ensuring U.S. technology security through end-use monitoring procedures.
• Contact Us For:

Defense Import / Export / Foreign Military Sales / Foreign Schools / Tradeshows

Email: ODCTheHague@state.gov
Phone: +31 70 310 22 82
Facsimile: +31 70 364 83 30

Security Assistance

Security assistance includes Foreign Military Sales of U.S. defense equipment and training.  Specifically, Security Assistance concerns the transfer of military and economic assistance through sale, grant, lease, or loan to friendly foreign governments. Transfers are carried out under the principle that if they are essential to the security and economic well being of such governments and international organizations, they are equally vital to the security and economic well being of the United States.

International Armaments Cooperation (IAC)

International Armaments Cooperation includes support for bilateral government-to-government cooperative agreements. IAC efforts include the F-16 Multinational Fighter Program, Joint Strike Fighter Program (Development, Operational Test and Evaluation, and Production), Data Exchange Agreements, Foreign Comparative Testing, Engineer & Scientist Exchanges, and support to U.S. defense industries seeking to do business in the Netherlands.

Logistics and Agreement

In this function, the ODC serves as the point of contact for United States European Command (USEUCOM), its subordinate units (i.e. USAREUR, USAFE, NAVEUR) and the Government of the Netherlands for establishment, amendment, negotiation and cessation of technical stationing and international implementing agreements. This includes planning and coordinating  bilateral mutual logistics support arrangements to provide for flexible and responsive logistics throughout the spectrum of conflict.

Areas of Assistance

The primary constituency of ODC Netherlands includes U.S. Department of Defense personnel, the Dutch Chief of Defense staff, the Dutch Defense Materiel Organization, U.S. defense vendors, defense-related industries of the Netherlands wishing to participate in cooperative programs with the U.S., and the Dutch Ministry of Defense. Specific areas in which the ODC may provide assistance include:

• National and defense decision-making process
• Defense procurement regulations and policies
• Defense budget and procurement plans
• Defense industries and product lines
• Country Team Assessments in support of Foreign Materiel Sales
• Points of contact for specific procurement programs
• Coordination with other U.S. Embassy offices, to include other ODCs
• Industrial cooperation requirements
• Bilateral logistics agreements
• Data Exchange Agreements
• Foreign Comparative Testing programs
• Assistance for participation in U.S. training programs
• Third Party Transfer documentation for major defense articles
• Processing requests for procurement or information requiring release of sensitive technology.

Military Training

International Military Student (IMS) training opportunities in the United States

The training section within the Office of Defense Cooperation is the point of contact for United States sponsored Foreign Military Sales (FMS) training utilized by personnel within each of the Dutch military services. The Netherlands Ministry of Defense sends approximately 400 students to the United States for various military training courses annually.  Training requirements are passed to ODC via a designated training point of contact within each Dutch military service.  See Training Link (PDF 61 KB) for additional information.

The Public Affairs Section of the American Embassy is responsible for delivering information to the Dutch public about the United States, its government and its policies, and about America’s institutions and its people and culture. As part of this role, the Section’s officers serve as the Embassy’s official press spokesmen.

In addition, the Section organizes conferences, seminars and talks by visiting American officials and academics, as well as electronic meetings of American and Dutch counterparts. As part of the Embassy’s overall outreach efforts, the Section manages speaking programs by other Embassy officers, invites groups to the Embassy for presentations, and maintains the Embassy web page and social media platforms.

The Section also manages a variety of educational and cultural exchanges — both short-term and long-term — that allow Dutch and American scholars, officials and professionals to visit each other’s country. The Section works closely with the Fulbright Center, which enables Dutch and American students and faculty to study in America and the Netherlands.

FAS Page

Procurement Opportunities.