KUWAIT CITY, May 1: Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kuwait Laurens Westhoff praised the close historical ties between his country and the State of Kuwait, indicating these ties extend to more than 60 years of diplomatic and economic cooperation based on shared values and interests. In his speech at the Dutch National Day celebration, which coincided with the birthday of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander; Westhoff stressed that Kuwait and the Netherlands are two relatively small countries surrounded by larger powers; hence, they rely on diplomacy, soft power and economic cooperation to protect their national interests and defend the international order based on laws and agreements.

Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Ambassador Sadiq Marafi and many diplomats were also present at the event. Westhoff continued to say that the two countries have stood together on many occasions in defense of the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-violation of internationally recognized borders. He called to mind the participation of the Royal Netherlands Navy in the international coalition to liberate Kuwait in 1990/1991. He affirmed that these values continue to form the solid foundation of bilateral relations despite the current decline in respect for the rules of the international system and multilateralism.

He also reminisced on the celebrations in his country, where every city or village organizes popular events, disclosing that the King and his family participate annually in this occasion by visiting a different city. He pointed out that this affirms the royal family’s connection to the people. He confirmed that these traditions have continued for more than 500 years; contributing to the building of a cohesive society characterized by creativity and innovation, particularly in agriculture, trade, and energy. He added that the Netherlands, like Kuwait, overlooks the sea and that the sea has been a bridge for trade and exploration for centuries.

He said the economic relations between his country and the Gulf region date back to the 17th century, when the Netherlands began trading textiles and spices with pearl merchants in Basra and Bahrain. “In the mid-18th century, the Netherlands became the most active European partner in the Gulf. Trade was not just about exchanging goods, but also a means of understanding other cultures and strengthening relations between peoples, something humanity needs today more than ever,” he asserted. He also called for the common defense of a global system that allows small countries to flourish and guarantees freedom and prosperity for their people. He expressed his deep appreciation to the leadership and people of Kuwait for their close friendship, while extending gratitude to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Sheikh Jarrah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and all the staff of the ministry for their continued support for bilateral relations. He confirmed that much has been achieved between the two countries, but the future holds even more opportunities, especially in the areas of food security, climate change, trade, investment, and shared values.

By Fares Al-Abdan
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff