A row between the Dutch government and the International Criminal Court (ICC) about the payment of rent for the building in which the court is located has been settled. The Dutch government will pay the rent until the end of this year. Payments were due to end on 1 July, but Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal has announced they will continue for another six months.

MPs had urged the minister to make the court pay more towards the rent of the building in The Hague. But the minister had already promised to do his best to meet the needs of the ICC. The rent costs six million euros per year.

Initially, the Netherlands had promised to pay rent for the ICC for a period of ten years. That period ends in July, but will now be extended for another five months. After 2012, the costs will be covered by all the countries which are affiliated to the International Criminal Court.

Democrats D66 leader Alexander Pechtold, who called on Mr Rosenthal to meet the ICC’s wishes, is impressed by the promise. Nevertheless, he thinks the Dutch government should go further: ''A good host doesn’t limit himself to a year. I’m sure the Netherlands will continue to do its best to meet the needs of the court until it moves into new premises in 2015.”

(nc)

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