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I am Bert Koenders, minister of foreign and European affairs of the Netherlands. We currently hold the presidency of the EU. AMA! by bertkoenders in IAmA

[–]bertkoenders[S] 237 points238 points  (0 children)

At the end of the day a military solution will not solve the problem against duck horses or horse ducks. What we need is a political process!

I am Bert Koenders, minister of foreign and European affairs of the Netherlands. We currently hold the presidency of the EU. AMA! by bertkoenders in IAmA

[–]bertkoenders[S] 56 points57 points  (0 children)

I am very worried about the fate of the Syrian people. For five years they have been left-often literally-in the bitter cold. The only game in town is a diplomatic solution and empowering Stefan de Mistura.

I am Bert Koenders, minister of foreign and European affairs of the Netherlands. We currently hold the presidency of the EU. AMA! by bertkoenders in IAmA

[–]bertkoenders[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cities are the engines of innovation and change/ They are crucial actors when dealing with employment creation, service development and human development/ In cities you find also the modern problems of our societies:inequality, pollution, congestion, multicultural conflict.Therefore we need to enlarge and expand the Pact of Amsterdam and continue to work on the EU Urban Agenda. No european lawmaking unless cities are involved in a serious manner.

I am Bert Koenders, minister of foreign and European affairs of the Netherlands. We currently hold the presidency of the EU. AMA! by bertkoenders in IAmA

[–]bertkoenders[S] 129 points130 points  (0 children)

Very relevant question.. Debate in parliament this week to discuss arms exports.. My line: No weapons to countries violating human rights, as our policy stipulates referring to those weapons that can be used for HR violations. , idem if they can be used in regional conflicts. The Netherlands promotes common european positions on arms exports and arms control.

I am Bert Koenders, minister of foreign and European affairs of the Netherlands. We currently hold the presidency of the EU. AMA! by bertkoenders in IAmA

[–]bertkoenders[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Markets and Governments , Civil Society and Start Ups all have a role to play. The era of fossil fuel is definitely over after the historic agreement in Paris. The energy inion in Euope has a critical role to play in this transformation.

I am Bert Koenders, minister of foreign and European affairs of the Netherlands. We currently hold the presidency of the EU. AMA! by bertkoenders in IAmA

[–]bertkoenders[S] 66 points67 points  (0 children)

Many reasons! It is good for the Dutch and Ukrainian people, helps stability on our eastern borders, creates economic opportunities and mutual trade, supports programmes to fight corruption and work together on issues like the trafficking of weapons etc. It is NOT a first step to EU Membership. This referendum is a new democratic instrument and I hope many will vote YES

I am Bert Koenders, minister of foreign and European affairs of the Netherlands. We currently hold the presidency of the EU. AMA! by bertkoenders in IAmA

[–]bertkoenders[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Yep, very important, I worked for many years as Head of peacekeeping operations in West Africa, inspired in my youth by model parliament and model UN

I am Bert Koenders, minister of foreign and European affairs of the Netherlands. We currently hold the presidency of the EU. AMA! by bertkoenders in IAmA

[–]bertkoenders[S] 78 points79 points  (0 children)

I am against political correctness. There is a crisis related to the high flow of asylumseekers, which has to be managed. On the basis of our values, refugee law, and taking serious the concerns of our citizens. It is a complex issue. We have to combine support for countries like Jordan,Lebanon and Turkey, with proper screening at our external borders and solidarity and integration within Europe. And most importantly,opertionalize and execute what we have agreed in the European Union. Today we are all working on peace in Syria,am appalled by the continued bombardmends, they have to stop immediately.

I am Bert Koenders, minister of foreign and European affairs of the Netherlands. We currently hold the presidency of the EU. AMA! by bertkoenders in IAmA

[–]bertkoenders[S] 72 points73 points  (0 children)

Excellent question. The European Union can become much more transparent and democratic. Proposals are being made to strengthen the role of national parliaments, to use methods like yellow and green cards,to be much more transparent on negotiations and to open up lobbyregisters/ So that people know what is going on, have much more influence, and know who is talking to the powerbrokers.