It is my pleasure to join you this evening to celebrate the National Day of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
This coming October, the Netherlands and Malta will be celebrating the 60th anniversary since the establishment of their bilateral relations. Our countries enjoy excellent ties, built on common values and respect. These have translated into the signing of bilateral agreements in various sectors.
Collaboration with the Netherlands thrives across diverse sectors like agriculture, education, blue economy, and tourism.
Malta and the Netherlands share a dynamic trade relationship in both importation of goods and services from the Netherlands and the exportation of goods from Malta to the Netherlands. There is also room for more evolvement of trade between our two countries.
In the field of tourism, we note with satisfaction that the number of tourists visiting Malta has significantly surpassed pre-Covid levels. The Netherlands continues to be a priority country for Malta’s tourism sector, and we are eager to explore new avenues in this area also with a view of furthering an increase in people-to-people contacts.
Cooperation in the fields of culture and education is also strong and ongoing.
Excellencies, distinguished guests
The Netherlands and Malta are also united by their strong commitment to the UN Charter and international law. Regrettably, world peace remains elusive as war and conflict continue to plague different areas around the world.
Russia’s illegal and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine has now entered its fourth year, and the near daily barrage of drones and missiles continues to kill and injure scores of civilians across the country.
In Gaza, the resumption of intense airstrikes and bombardments are rendering life for the Palestinian population unbearable as the Palestinians constantly face the threats of death, displacement, destruction, and deprivation. Israel’s decision to block the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip is exacerbating these hardships and should be reversed without further delays.
In Libya, the situation remains fragile as competing internal and external interests continue to erode the stability of the country.
The people of Sudan continue to face hunger and displacement as the country is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of the 21st
In Myanmar, the recent earthquake has further compounded the suffering brought about by conflict.
Despite this bleak outlook, we cannot afford to be disheartened and above all, we must not lose hope. On the contrary, it is in the face of such sobering realities that we must intensify our commitment to peace and reaffirm our role as champions of international law and humanitarian principles.
I stand firm in my belief that, apart from being morally wrong, a world in which ‘might is right’ would be detrimental to us all.
I therefore reiterate the need for all members of the international community to stand up and give tangible evidence of their commitment to establish peace and stability by concrete initiatives in the United Nations. It is concrete initiatives by its members that make the United Nations relevant in today’s world.
The UN brings together nearly all the world’s nations. This fact must be employed to the hilt in the interest of peace, security, and stability for humanity.
The UN is not an abstract entity. On the contrary, it is a living body made up of individual states, our states, and it can only be as effective as we empower it to be. It is therefore incumbent upon us to make sure that it has the necessary tools and resources to keep it relevant in an ever-changing world, but maintaining a constructive tone, even if certain reforms in its structures are desirable, remains key.
Global challenges such as climate change, gender inequality, poverty, migration, and the digital divide will still require global solutions, regardless of political rhetoric. A holistic approach based on solidarity and cooperation among nations remains paramount if we are to successfully address them in a satisfactory manner.
These principles should also be at the heart of trade policies too, so they can serve to build bridges rather than erect walls.
Excellencies, distinguished guests
On 1 May, Malta will be celebrating its 21st anniversary since joining the European Union. Malta’s accession to the EU brought the Netherlands and Malta even closer. This will be an opportunity to reflect upon the values on which the Union is built, renew our commitment to them, and identify ways to continue strengthening them.
It is, above all, a time to remember that the European Union was established primarily to maintain peace and prosperity in a continent that had been devastated and decimated by two world wars, and this in full respect for human rights and political and civil freedoms.
Last, but definitely not least, I express my sincere appreciation to the Dutch Community in Malta. You are an integral part of our society, and the Presidency greatly values your contributions to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of our country.
Ambassador, distinguished guests
On behalf of the people of Malta, I raise a toast to the wellbeing of His Majesty Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands, and to the people of the Netherlands.
