Australian FM names Neil Mules as next ambassador to Netherlands

People Daily China, July 17, 2011     

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd on Sunday announced career diplomat Neil Mules as Australia's next ambassador to the Netherlands.

Mules, whose previously served in Brazil, Mexico and Iraq, will later this month take over the job from Lydia Morton, who has been in ambassador to Netherlands since 2008.

"Australia and the Netherlands had a strong relationship based on trade and shared interests," Rudd said in the statement released on Sunday, adding that Netherlands was the fourth-biggest direct investor in Australia in 2009.

Rudd said Mules, who has also had posts to Vietnam, Indonesia, Zimbabwe and Turkey, will represent Australia at the numerous legal bodies located in The Hague of Netherlands, including the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.

In 2003, Mules was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his help during the 2002 Bali terrorist attacks in Indonesia. He has also been awarded an Officer in the Order of Australia in 2004 for his services in Iraq.