King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and his spouse Queen Máxima hosted an official dinner in honour of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, on Tuesday.
Prior to the dinner, His Majesty shook hands with the distinguished guests. His Majesty then delivered a speech, reading as follows: “Your Majesty the King... Your Majesty the Queen...
It is a great honour to be here in the Netherlands to celebrate the firm friendship between our two countries. We extend our sincere gratitude for the gracious hospitality we have received and for the valuable contributions that have fostered our partnership over the years. The warm welcome we received reflects deep-rooted cooperation between our two peoples which has flourished over centuries through maritime trade, exploration, and the shared pursuit of knowledge.
"This visit reflects the long-standing historical ties between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Early Dutch traders and navigators built bridges of friendship since the 17th century, laying the foundation for the fruitful cooperation we are witnessing today.
"This legacy is embodied at present in the Port of Sohar, the fruit of a joint venture between Asyad Group and the Port of Rotterdam to manage and operate Sohar Port and Freezone. This port symbolises our shared maritime heritage and our collective commitment to innovation, cooperation and a forward-looking vision. The port has become a vibrant hub for global trade and investment demonstrating what can be achieved when nations work together in a spirit of openness and determination.
"The Netherlands’ expertise in clean energy and water management is globally recognised and appreciated and we are grateful that this visit provided an opportunity to discuss our cooperation and initial successes we have achieved particularly in the production of green hydrogen and innovative water solutions.
"In addition to economic cooperation, the countries continue to foster ties through political consultations, academic exchange, and cultural dialogue. Mutual understanding between our peoples is at an all-time high. As we continue to uphold our shared values of justice, pluralism, and the rule of law, we are confident that our cooperation will contribute to promoting peace and stability in Europe and the Middle East.
"Based on the achievements we have made together in the fields of transport, logistics, trade and energy, we have to expand our cooperation to address urgent global challenges, particularly in upholding international law and ensuring security for all. In these endeavours, we must be wise in our visions, bold and courageous in our actions, and aware that our shared responsibility for shaping a better future extends beyond the borders of our two countries.
Your Majesty the King...
Your Majesty the Queen...
As we move forward towards realising this shared vision, allow us in conclusion to reiterate our strong appreciation for the deep-rooted friendship between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We are looking forward to the honour of welcoming you, Your Majesty the King and Your Majesty the Queen, in Muscat soon. We are also looking forward to continuing our joint efforts in the upcoming months and years.
Thank you.”
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands also delivered a speech on this occasion, in which he reiterated his welcome to His Majesty the Sultan and his accompanying official delegation, affirming his country’s keenness to diversify areas of partnership and investment between our two countries to enrich the economic growth of the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of the Netherlands at various levels.
The dinner was attended by the official delegation accompanying His Majesty, and a number of senior officials from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. — ONA
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