Postponement of Visit By Netherlands Foreign Minister

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Due to pressing domestic commitments, the Foreign Minister of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Hans van Mierlo, has postponed his
planned visit to Australia which was due to commence today.

However, the visit of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr
Wim Kok and Mrs Rita Kok (whom Mr van Mierlo was accompanying) will
proceed. They are scheduled to arrive in Sydney this evening.

The visit of Mr van Mierlo has been postponed to a date to be
agreed early next year.

For inquiries concerning the visit of Prime Minister Kok,
please contact Paul Molloy, DFAT, Canberra, on (02) 62611594 or
mobile 018 477 199.