College
The day-to-day management of the Secretariat-General is a team effort. A secretary-general and two deputy secretaries-general make up the College of Secretaries-General.
Ms. Ariadne Petridis (BE) has been secretary-general of the Benelux since 1 January 2026. Together with Ms. Liesje Schreinemacher (NL) and Mr Tom Köller (LU), they form the College.
This College, appointed for three years, together with a team of some 50 people, leads the Secretariat-General of the Benelux in Brussels. Based on the Benelux Work Programme (2025-2028), its ambition is to jointly realise cross-border projects that have a positive impact on the lives of citizens and entrepreneurs.
From left to right: Mrs. Liesje Schreinemacher (NL), Mrs. Ariadne Petridis (BE), and Mr. Tom Köller (LU)
Secretary-general (BE)
Ariadne Petridis
“At a time when Europe must defend its rightful place on the geopolitical stage, I wish, together with my colleagues, to continue positioning the Benelux Union as a laboratory for European cooperation.”
Deputy Secretary-General (NL)
Liesje Schreinemacher
“The Benelux is a driving force for innovation and cooperation, whether in cross-border police cooperation, the strengthening of the internal market, or the enhancement of our resilience. We face major challenges, and I look forward to putting my experience in international cooperation at the service of this ambition.”
Deputy Secretary-General (LU)
Tom Köller
“The security and resilience against hybrid threats remain an absolute priority for the Benelux. I want to contribute to maintaining our leadership role in this field.”
The College is supported by a team composed of Strategic Coordination, Internal Organization Management, and Strategic, Knowledge and Communication Management.
