The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Harare has announced the arrival of Ambassador-designate to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, Mr Matthijs van Eeuwen, saying his extensive diplomatic and economic cooperation experience will help strengthen sustainable and inclusive trade relations between the Netherlands and the three countries.
In a statement, yesterday, the Dutch Embassy in Harare said the embassy team was pleased to welcome the new envoy, describing his appointment as significant at a time when the Netherlands is seeking to deepen economic partnerships in the region.
“The Embassy team is delighted to welcome Dutch Ambassador-designate to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, Mr Matthijs van Eeuwen.
We welcome this critical expertise given our focus on growing sustainable and inclusive trade ties with the Netherlands,” the Embassy added.
The Embassy said Ambassador-designate van Eeuwen joins the mission with strong diplomatic credentials, having served in several senior roles within the Dutch Foreign Service, particularly in Africa.
“Ambassador van Eeuwen joins us after just under four years as Deputy Head of Mission at the Dutch Embassy in Ivory Coast, and four years as Head of the Economic Department at the Dutch Embassy in Tanzania,” the statement said.
The Embassy noted that the incoming ambassador has a strong academic and professional background that makes him well suited to advance economic cooperation and international partnerships.
“With a background in European Union law and vast experience in diplomacy and international economic cooperation, especially in Africa, Matthijs is a trade policy expert with a demonstrated ability to identify opportunities and build international partnerships,” the Embassy added.
The Embassy also highlighted that Ambassador-designate van Eeuwen is already familiar with Zimbabwe, having previously worked with the mission.
“This is not his first time in Zimbabwe. Matthijs completed a short assignment to the Embassy in 2016 as a Senior Policy Officer in the Sub-Saharan African Department.
He is delighted to return a decade on, a bit older and wiser, and this time with his wife and three kids,” the Embassy noted.
According to the Embassy, the ambassador-designate has also shown keen interest in local culture and languages as he begins his new posting.
“Matthijs is an avid reader and passionate about languages. He has already started his Shona lessons to complement his Dutch, English, Spanish, French, Swahili and Arabic skills,” the Embassy said.
The Netherlands maintains diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi through its embassy in Harare, with cooperation focusing on trade, investment, development partnerships and strengthening economic ties between the Netherlands and Southern Africa.
