By Haris Achterberg
The reception of the MATRA Pre-Accession Training Programme (MATRA PATROL) on October 23 was attended by the participants of this programme, stakeholders and representatives of the Dutch Ministries. Both the Executive Director and Head of Education, Training & Events of the T.M.C. Asser Instituut Ms. Ann O’Brien and the Director Europe Department at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign affairs Ms. Daphne Bergsma stressed the importance of this programme in their speeches.
The importance is for one to strengthen the relations between the Netherlands and the target countries by sharing the necessary knowledge and skills with policy advisors, members of the judiciary and other civil servants. MATRA PATROL is commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Europe Department (DEU), the T.M.C. Asser Instituut, in cooperation with Ecorys Nederland BV and The Hague Academy for Local Governance. Drinks and finger food were served to the guests who were very enthusiastic about the training.