Bernard Bot

In 2013, Bernard Bot, former minister of foreign affairs of the Netherlands (2003-2007) introduced former president of South Africa F.W. de Klerk i and professor Karel van Wolferen i at the 12th Europe Lecture. The theme of this lecture was 'Europe in the World' i.

Bernard Bot (1937) is an experienced diplomat who became minister of foreign affairs in 2003 in the Balkenende II cabinet. He is the son of civil servant, diplomat and former minister Theo Bot. In his childhood Ben Bot was imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.

As a diplomat Bot occupied various posts, including serving as the permanent representative at the EU for over a decade. He was also secretary-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.