Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands

Government official in the Netherlands

The minister of foreign affairs (Minister van Buitenlandse Zaken) is the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a member of the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers. The incumbent minister is Hanke Bruins Slot of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) who has been in office since 5 September 2023. Regularly, a state secretary is assigned to the ministry who is tasked with specific portfolios, currently the function is not in use. Additionally since 1965 there has been a minister without portfolio assigned to the ministry, the minister for foreign trade and development cooperation has traditionally development cooperation as portfolio, since 2012 the portfolio of trade and export has been assigned added to the function. The current minister for foreign trade and development cooperation is Liesje Schreinemacher of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) who has been in office since 1 September 2023.

Minister of Foreign AffairsTerm of officePartyPrime Minister (Cabinet) Lieutenant general Joannes Josephus van Mulken (1796–1879) 4 June 1868 – 8 June 1868 Independent Liberal (Classical Liberal)Pieter Philip van Bosse (Van Bosse–Fock) Theodorus Marinus Roest van Limburg (1806–1887) 8 June 1868 – 12 December 1870 Independent Liberal (Classical Liberal)Lieutenant general Joannes Josephus van Mulken (1796–1879)12 December 1870 – 18 January 1871 Independent Liberal (Classical Liberal)Johan Rudolph Thorbecke (Thorbecke III) Baron Louis Gericke van Herwijnen (1814–1899)18 January 1871 – 27 August 1874Independent Liberal (Classical Liberal) Gerrit de Vries (De Vries–Fransen van de Putte) Jonkheer Joseph van der Does de Willebois (1816–1892) 27 August 1873 – 3 November 1877 Independent Christian Democrat (Catholic) Jan Heemskerk (Heemskerk–Van Lynden van Sandenburg) Baron Willem van Heeckeren van Kell (1815–1914) 3 November 1877 – 20 August 1879 Independent Liberal (Classical Liberal) Jan Kappeyne van de Coppello (Kappeyne van de Coppello) Count Theo van Lynden van Sandenburg (Prime Minister) (1818–1897) 20 August 1879 – 15 September 1881 Independent Christian Democrat (Protestant)Theo van Lynden van Sandenburg (Van Lynden van Sandenburg) Jonkheer Willem Frederik Rochussen (1832–1912) 15 September 1881 – 23 April 1883 Independent Conservative (Liberal Conservative) Jonkheer Joseph van der Does de Willebois (1816–1892) 23 April 1883 – 10 August 1885 Independent Christian Democrat (Catholic)Jan Heemskerk (J. Heemskerk) Baron Marc Willem du Tour van Bellinchave (1835–1908) 10 August 1885 – 14 September 1885 Independent Conservative (Liberal Conservative) Jonkheer Joseph van der Does de Willebois (1816–1892) 14 September 1885 – 1 November 1885 Independent Christian Democrat (Catholic) Jonkheer Abraham van Karnebeek (1836–1925) 1 November 1885 – 21 April 1888 Independent Liberal (Conservative Liberal) Jonkheer Cornelis Hartsen (1823–1895) 21 April 1888 – 21 August 1891 Independent Conservative (Liberal Conservative) Aeneas Mackay (Mackay) Gijsbert van Tienhoven (Prime Minister) (1841–1914) 21 August 1891 – 21 March 1894 Independent Liberal (Classical Liberal)Gijsbert van Tienhoven (Van Tienhoven) Joannes Coenraad Jansen (Minister of the Navy) (1840–1925) 21 March 1894 – 9 May 1894 Liberal Union Jonkheer Joan Röell (Prime Minister) (1844–1914) 9 May 1894 – 27 July 1897 Independent Liberal (Conservative Liberal) Joan Röell (Röell) Willem de Beaufort (1845–1918) 27 July 1897 – 1 August 1901 Independent Liberal (Conservative Liberal) Nicolaas Pierson (Pierson) Baron Robert Melvil van Lynden (1843–1910) 1 August 1901 – 9 March 1905 Anti Revolutionary PartyAbraham Kuyper (Kuyper) Vice admiral Abraham George Ellis (Minister of the Navy) (1846–1916) 9 March 1905 – 22 April 1905 Independent Conservative (Liberal Conservative) Jonkheer Willem van Weede van Berencamp (1848–1925) 22 April 1905 – 7 August 1905 Independent Christian Democrat (Protestant) Vice admiral Abraham George Ellis (Minister of the Navy) (1846–1916) 7 August 1905 – 17 August 1905 Independent Conservative (Liberal Conservative) Jonkheer Dirk van Tets van Goudriaan (1844–1930) 17 August 1905 – 12 February 1908 Independent Classical Liberal Theo de Meester (De Meester) Dr. Jonkheer René de Marees van Swinderen (1860–1955) 12 February 1908 – 29 August 1913 Independent Christian Democratic Protestant Theo Heemskerk (T. Heemskerk) Dr. Pieter Cort van der Linden (Prime Minister) (1846–1935) 29 August 1913 – 27 September 1913 Independent Classical LiberalPieter Cort van der Linden (Cort van der Linden) Dr. Jonkheer John Loudon (1866–1955) 27 September 1913 – 9 September 1918 Independent Classical Liberal

Minister of Foreign Affairs Term of office Party Prime Minister (Cabinet) Dr. Jonkheer Herman van Karnebeek (1874–1942) 9 September 1918 – 1 April 1927 Independent Classical Liberal Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck (Ruijs de Beerenbrouck I • II) Hendrikus Colijn (Colijn I) Dirk Jan de Geer (De Geer I) Jonkheer Frans Beelaerts van Blokland (1872–1956) 1 April 1927 – 20 April 1933 Christian Historical Union Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck (Ruijs de Beerenbrouck III) Jonkheer Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck (Prime Minister) (1869–1944) 20 April 1933 – 26 May 1933 Roman Catholic State Party Jonkheer Andries Cornelis Dirk de Graeff (1872–1957) 26 May 1933 – 24 June 1937 Independent Classical Liberal Hendrikus Colijn (Colijn II • III) Hendrikus Colijn (Prime Minister) (1869–1944) 24 June 1937 – 1 October 1937 Anti Revolutionary Party Hendrikus Colijn (Colijn IV) Jacob Adriaan Patijn (1873–1961) 1 October 1937 – 10 August 1939 Independent Classical Liberal Hendrikus Colijn (Colijn V) Eelco van Kleffens (1894–1983) 10 August 1939 – 1 March 1946 Independent Classical Liberal Dirk Jan de Geer (De Geer II) Pieter Sjoerds Gerbrandy (Gerbrandy I • II • III) Willem Schermerhorn (Schermerhorn–Drees) Dr. Herman van Roijen (1905–1991) 1 March 1946 – 3 July 1946 Independent Social Democrat Baron Pim van Boetzelaer van Oosterhout (1892–1986) 3 July 1946 – 7 August 1948 Independent Conservative Liberal Louis Beel (Beel I) Dirk Stikker (1897–1979) 7 August 1948 – 2 September 1952 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Willem Drees (Drees–Van Schaik • Drees I) Johan Beyen (1897–1976) 2 September 1952 – 13 October 1956 Independent Conservative Liberal Willem Drees (Drees II) Joseph Luns (1911–2002) 13 October 1956 – 6 July 1971 Catholic People's Party Willem Drees (Drees III) Louis Beel (Beel II) Jan de Quay (De Quay) Victor Marijnen (Marijnen) Jo Cals (Cals) Jelle Zijlstra (Zijlstra) Piet de Jong (De Jong) Norbert Schmelzer (1921–2008) 6 July 1971 – 11 May 1973 Catholic People's Party Barend Biesheuvel (Biesheuvel I • II) Max van der Stoel (1924–2011) 11 May 1973 – 19 December 1977 Labour Party Joop den Uyl (Den Uyl) Dr. Chris van der Klaauw (1924–2005) 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Dries van Agt (Van Agt I) Max van der Stoel (1924–2011) 11 September 1981 – 29 May 1982 Labour Party Dries van Agt (Van Agt II) Dries van Agt (Prime Minister) (1931–2024) 29 May 1982 – 4 November 1982 Christian Democratic Appeal Dries van Agt (Van Agt III) Hans van den Broek (born 1936) 4 November 1982 – 3 January 1993 Christian Democratic Appeal Ruud Lubbers (Lubbers I • II) Ruud Lubbers (Lubbers III) Dr. Pieter Kooijmans (1933–2013) 3 January 1993 – 22 August 1994 Christian Democratic Appeal Hans van Mierlo (1931–2010) 22 August 1994 – 3 August 1998 Democrats 66 Wim Kok (Kok I) Jozias van Aartsen (born 1947) 3 August 1998 – 22 July 2002 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Wim Kok (Kok II) Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (born 1948) 22 July 2002 – 3 December 2003 Christian Democratic Appeal Jan Peter Balkenende (Balkenende I) Jan Peter Balkenende (Balkenende II) Dr. Ben Bot (born 1937) 3 December 2003 – 22 February 2007 Christian Democratic Appeal Jan Peter Balkenende (Balkenende III) Maxime Verhagen (born 1956) 22 February 2007 – 14 October 2010 Christian Democratic Appeal Jan Peter Balkenende (Balkenende IV) Dr. Uri Rosenthal (born 1945) 14 October 2010 – 5 November 2012 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Mark Rutte (Rutte I) Frans Timmermans (born 1961) 5 November 2012 – 17 October 2014 Labour Party Mark Rutte (Rutte II) Bert Koenders (born 1958) 17 October 2014 – 26 October 2017 Labour Party Halbe Zijlstra (born 1969) 26 October 2017 – 13 February 2018 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Mark Rutte (Rutte III) Sigrid Kaag (born 1961) 13 February 2018 – 7 March 2018 Democrats 66 Stef Blok (born 1964) 7 March 2018 – 25 May 2021 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Sigrid Kaag (born 1961) 25 May 2021 – 17 September 2021 Democrats 66 Tom de Bruijn (born 1948) 17 September 2021 – 24 September 2021 Democrats 66 Dr. Ben Knapen (born 1951) 24 September 2021 – 10 January 2022 Christian Democratic Appeal Wopke Hoekstra (born 1975) 10 January 2022 – 1 September 2023 Christian Democratic Appeal Mark Rutte (Rutte IV) Liesje Schreinemacher (born 1983) 1 September 2023 – 5 September 2023 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Hanke Bruins Slot (born 1977) 5 September 2023 – Incumbent Christian Democratic Appeal

Minister without Portfolio Portfolio(s) Term of office Party Prime Minister (Cabinet) Jonkheer Edgar Michiels van Verduynen (1885–1952) • Foreign Policy 1 January 1942 – 25 June 1945 Independent Classical Liberal Pieter Sjoerds Gerbrandy (Gerbrandy II • III) Dr. Herman van Roijen (1905–1991)• United Nations 25 June 1945 – 1 March 1946 Independent Social Democrat Willem Schermerhorn (Schermerhorn–Drees) Eelco van Kleffens (1894–1983) 1 March 1946 – 1 July 1947 Independent Classical Liberal Louis Beel (Beel I) Not in use (1947–1952) Joseph Luns (1911–2002) • United Nations • Netherlands Indonesian Union • Netherlands New Guinea • Benelux • International Organizations 2 September 1952 – 13 October 1956 Catholic People's Party Willem Drees (Drees II) Not in use (since 1956)

State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Portfolio(s) Term of office Party Prime Minister (Cabinet) Nico Blom (1899–1972) • Dutch East Indies 16 February 1950 – 2 September 1952 Independent Conservative Liberal Willem Drees (Drees–Van Schaik • Drees I) Vacant Ernst van der Beugel (1918–2004) • European Economic Community • European Union • Benelux 8 January 1957 – 22 December 1958 Labour Party Willem Drees (Drees III) Vacant Dr. Hans van Houten (1907–1996) • European Union • NATO • Benelux • International Organizations 24 August 1959 – 24 July 1963 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Jan de Quay (De Quay) Leo de Block (1904–1988) • European Union • Benelux 3 September 1963 – 5 April 1967 Catholic People's Party Victor Marijnen (Marijnen) Jo Cals (Cals) Jelle Zijlstra (Zijlstra) Dr. Isaäc Nicolaas Diepenhorst (1907–1976) • Development Cooperation • United Nations • International Organizations 28 September 1963 – 14 April 1965 Christian Historical Union Victor Marijnen (Marijnen) Max van der Stoel (1924–2011) • United Nations • International Organizations 22 July 1965 – 22 November 1966 Labour Party Jo Cals (Cals) Hans de Koster (1914–1992) • European Union • Benelux • NATO 12 June 1967 – 6 July 1971 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Piet de Jong (De Jong) Tjerk Westerterp (1930–2023) • European Union • Benelux 17 August 1971 – 7 March 1973 Catholic People's Party Barend Biesheuvel (Biesheuvel I • II) Laurens Jan Brinkhorst (born 1937) • European Union • Benelux • NATO 11 May 1973 – 8 September 1977 Democrats 66 Joop den Uyl (Den Uyl) Dr. Pieter Kooijmans (1933–2013) • United Nations • International Organizations 11 May 1973 – 19 December 1977 Anti Revolutionary Party Durk van der Mei (1924–2018) • European Union • Benelux28 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 Christian Historical Union Dries van Agt (Van Agt I) Christian Democratic Appeal Hans van den Broek (born 1936) • European Union • Benelux 11 September 1981 – 4 November 1982 Christian Democratic Appeal Dries van Agt (Van Agt II • III) Dr. Wim van Eekelen (born 1931) • European Union • Benelux 5 November 1982 – 14 July 1986 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Ruud Lubbers (Lubbers I) René van der Linden (born 1943) • European Union • Benelux 14 July 1986 – 9 September 1988 Christian Democratic Appeal Ruud Lubbers (Lubbers II) Baron Berend Jan van Voorst tot Voorst (1944–2023) 27 September 1988 – 7 November 1989 Christian Democratic Appeal Piet Dankert (1934–2003) • European Union • Benelux 7 November 1989 – 16 July 1994 Labour Party Ruud Lubbers (Lubbers III) Michiel Patijn (born 1942) • European Union • Benelux 22 August 1994 – 3 August 1998 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Wim Kok (Kok I) Dick Benschop (born 1957) • European Union • Benelux 3 August 1998 – 22 July 2002 Labour Party Wim Kok (Kok II) Agnes van Ardenne (born 1950) • Development Cooperation 22 July 2002 – 27 May 2003 Christian Democratic Appeal Jan Peter Balkenende (Balkenende I) Atzo Nicolaï (1960–2020) • European Union • Benelux 22 July 2002 – 7 July 2006 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Jan Peter Balkenende (Balkenende II) Vacant Frans Timmermans (born 1961) • European Union • Benelux 22 February 2007 – 23 February 2010 Labour Party Jan Peter Balkenende (Balkenende IV) Dr. Ben Knapen (born 1951) • European Union • Benelux • Development Cooperation 14 October 2010 – 5 November 2012 Christian Democratic Appeal Mark Rutte (Rutte I) Not in use (since 2012)