Today we celebrate the official birthday of Queen Beatrix. On Queen’s Day, as the Dutch call their National Day, the whole country is in a festive mood.
Back home, over one million people — young and old alike — go out to enjoy various music and cultural festivals. According to tradition, many cities also organize flea markets where people dress up in the national colors: red, white and blue and, of course, orange.
Dutch missions all over the world, likewise, observe the occasion by holding a Queen’s Day celebration, expressing the national sentiments of Dutch nationals back home and in other parts of the world.
This year we celebrate the 400th birth anniversary of Rembrandt, our greatest painter. His work is widely regarded to be most influential from the so-called Golden Age. Rembrandt’s work is part and parcel of our cultural heritage and we are proud it. This will be reflected in today’s celebrations at the embassy.
As we mark our National Day today, I am happy to say that the Netherlands is enjoying excellent bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia in various sectors. Only last week, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs Laurens Jan Brinkhorst visited the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and he highlighted our intense economic cooperation.
During Mr. Brinkhorst’s visit, a letter of intent was signed by the governor of Limburg and the Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) for key investments in the Netherlands.
In Saudi Arabia, we find Saudi Hollandi Bank, the oldest bank in the Kingdom. KLM also flies to Saudi Arabia. We also have the Ballast Nedam which constructed the King Fahd Causeway. In agriculture we have Friesland Foods, which produces Rainbow dairy products. The Dutch engineering company NACO designed most domestic airports in the Kingdom and is also closely involved in designing the new airport in Jeddah.
On May 16-17, a Dutch delegation from the water sector will be visiting Saudi Arabia. We hope to transfer whatever technology we have for the benefit of Saudi Arabia.
Against this background there is every reason to celebrate today. I wish you a happy Queen’s Day!
Nicolaas Beets
Royal Netherlands Embassy
