THE HAGUE, 24/04/08 - The member states of the Permanent Court of Arbitration have appointed Christiaan Kroner secretary-general. He is currently the Netherlands ambassador to the US.

Foreign Minister Verhagen termed the Dutchman's appointment "a recognition of the services of our country in the area of international law." More than 100 countries are affiliated to the court, based in The Hague, which arbitrates in disputes in areas such as territory, environment and trade.

Verhagen said in an address to the management council of the court that the Netherlands will make a total of 800,000 euros available from the budget for development cooperation in the next four years to support the court in preventing conflicts.