Defence

Defence, Army, Naval and Air Attaché Mission Statement:

The Defence Attaché is the military representative of the Commander of the Armed Forces (CDS). The CDS, general Peter van Uhm, is on behalf of the minister responsible for the execution of military operations. The CDS is the highest ranking military within the MoD and therefore the most important military advisor of the minister. He is supported in his tasks by the Defence staf. The CDS is commanding the operational elements of the Armed Forces. These are the Royal Navy, the Royal Army and the Royal Airforce. The Royal Marechaussee is also part of the Armed Forces and has it's own commander because of it's distinct tasks.

The Defence Attaché is accredited to the Republic of Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia.

The office of the Defence Attaché provides information to the concerned authorities in the Netherlands on all relevant matters in the area of national defence and of the armed forces, as well as on defence material related subjects.

The office provides advice to the Republic of Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia on defence-related matters and aims to promote and maintain security and stability in the region by working closely with the institutions of the host countries and with other Defence Attachés, accredited to the Republic of Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia. The office assists in the reform and modernisation of the Albanian and Macedonian armed forces and Kosovo’s Security Force (KSF) through bilateral assistance, co-operation and training. Support is tailored to help the Republic of Macedonia in her path towards NATO membership and to help the Republic of Kosovo with the stand-up of KSF.

The Defence Attaché is also the contact person for the Netherlands military personnel and other representatives of the Ministry of Defence, who are ordered for active duty in the Republic of Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo.

For further information, please select one of the choices below. For specific questions on the bilateral co-operation between the Netherlands and Macedonia, Albania or Kosovo please contact:

Defence Attaché at the Embassy:
Lt. Col. Ton Koedam 
Tel: +389 2 3109250 (Ext. 217)

Assistant Defence Attaché:
WO Karel R. Rademaker
Tel: +389 2 3109250 (Ext. 230)
Fax : +389 2 3129309