After having talked to Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Frans Timmermans a mere two weeks ago, participants to the training course for Dutch junior diplomats got the chance to discuss trade and aid with Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen on Wednesday 12 June.

After a brief introduction to the minister's recent policy document 'What the world deserves: A new agenda for aid, trade and investment' by the minister herself, the floor was opened for questions and discussion. Thanks to the forthcoming attitude of minister Ploumen an interesting and open discussion ensued, chaired by Clingendael director Ko Colijn. Questions by the participants related to the way the minister would be able to unite trade and aid, what expectations the minister had with regard to the Dutch Good Growth Fund and her recent visit to Uganda.

The hour reserved for the meeting with minister Ploumen was over too soon and after a quick photo (that naturally showed up on the minister's Facebook-page soon after) minister Ploumen wished the group good luck and left for her next appointment.