MINISTER VAN BUITENLANDSE ZAKEN
The Hague, 28 February 2002
Dear Mr. v. Loon,
I have the honour to refer to the correspondence between you and representatives of
the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands concerning privileges and immunities
to be extended to the Secretaries referred to in Article 4 of the Statute of the Hague
Conference on Private International Law of 31 October 1951 (hereinafter: the Statute).
With reference to the Exchanges of Letters of 1 December 1959, 2/10 May 1989 and 16/17
December 1992, I have the honour to propose that the Secretaries referred to in Article
4 of the Statute not having the Dutch nationality or permanently residing in the Netherlands
and the members of their families forming part of their household not having the Dutch
nationality or permanently residing in the Netherlands shall, in addition to the privileges
and immunities extended to them by the aforementioned Exchanges of Letters, be accorded
the privileges and immunities as are accorded to members of the diplomatic staff of
comparable rank and the members of their families forming part of their household,
as referred to in the Convention on Diplomatic Relations (Vienna, 18 April 1961).
I have the honour to propose that if this is acceptable, this letter and your letter
in reply indicating your acceptance shall constitute an agreement between the Kingdom
of the Netherlands and the Hague Conference on Private International Law, which shall
enter into force on the date of receipt of your reply.
Please accept, Mr. Secretary-General, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.
Sincerely yours,
(sd.) JOZIAS VAN AARTSEN
J. J. van Aartsen
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr J. H. A. van Loon
Secretary-General of
the Hague Conference on Private International Law
Scheveningseweg 6
2517 KT The Hague
