ISLAMABAD, Sept 10: A group of 18 junior Pakistani diplomats left for Netherlands on Friday to attend a four-week course in the Dutch diplomatic institute of Clingendael.

Dutch ambassador Dr Marcel Kurpershoek on Thursday hosted a reception for the foreign ministry officials, comprising five women and 13 men, to mark their departure to the Netherlands.

This is the first time that Netherlands has offered such a course to Pakistani diplomats. The course, which is tailor-made for Pakistani diplomats, begins from September 13 and will include lectures on a wide range of topics.

The lectures will focus on the understanding of current dilemmas in international relations and foreign policy-making and the implications for foreign policy of Pakistan, the Dutch ambassador said on Thursday. "They will also provide the latest insights in economic, political and societal developments, both from an international and regional perspective," he added.

The programme also includes field visits to the Dutch national parliament, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the European Commission and Parliament, NATO Headquarters in Brussels and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Clingendael Institute is based in The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government, which currently holds the EU presidency. The Institute is renowned for its quality education and research on a wide variety of subjects pertaining to foreign policy.

The Hague is also known for the presence of many UN and other international institutions, such as the International Court of Justice.