Young Israeli & Palestinian diplomats on joined diplomatic course in the Netherlands

The Dutch secretary of Foreign Affairs mr. Maxime Verhagen has opened the first joined diplomatic course for eleven Israeli and ten Palestinian youngsters. It is the first time for both people to follow such a course on an invitation and paid by the Dutch departemtn of Foreign Affairs.

The courses will take one year and given by the Clingendael Institute, a renowned Dutch institute for international affairs. The cost for the departement of Foreign Affairs are €200.000,-

It was the Dutch secretary of Foreign Affairs, mr Verhagen, himselve who took the initiative. He told the young students to take their responsibility to pay down a public fundament for sustainable peace. Also he stressed the importance of making compromises!According to Secretary Verhagen it's:

(significant for the strength of Dutch diplomacy. A combination of dialogue and practical cooperation). The Netherlands does all within it's powers to support the Middle East peace process in an active manner. Not in the high profile ways the USA or other larger nations are able to do. The Dutch way is more subtle in the margins of the whole process.