Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, met with His Excellency Cornelis Wihelmus, Hersbach, newly-appointed Ambassador of The Netherlands to Trinidad and Tobago during a courtesy call on 10th October, 2023 at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs. This courtesy call took place prior to the Ambassador’s presentation of his Letters of Credence to Her Excellency Christine Kangaloo, O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
During the courtesy call, Minister Browne welcomed Ambassador Hersbach to Trinidad and Tobago and congratulated him on his appointment as the Ambassador of The Netherlands to Trinidad and Tobago. Noting the long history of friendly relations between Trinidad and Tobago and The Netherlands, Minister Browne expressed the hope that Ambassador Hersbach would continue building on the legacy of his predecessors in maintaining The Netherlands’ strong role within the diplomatic corps in Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Embassy’s active role in Trinidad and Tobago society.
Minister Browne raised the tragic history of slavery and commended the Dutch Prime Minister’s comments and that country’s leadership on the issue of reparations for slavery and the Atlantic Slave Trade. He noted further that The Netherlands’ position was well-received by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Ambassador Hersbach thanked Minister Browne for his gracious welcome to Trinidad and Tobago, and informed that he is keen to work with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. In discussing areas for cooperation, Minister Browne and Ambassador Hersbach identified renewable energy, climate change, food security and water management as issues of great and topical importance for both countries.
Discussions also focused on the cultural linkages between Trinidad and Tobago and The Netherlands, in particular Carnival, which both parties noted, offer great opportunities for strengthening the ties between Trinidad and Tobago and The Netherlands.
The meeting ended cordially with Minister Browne indicating his intention to meet with the Ambassador in the near future in order to hold substantial discussions on deepening relations between Trinidad and Tobago and The Netherlands. The Minister extended best wishes to the Ambassador for a successful tenure in Trinidad and Tobago.
