Governor Shapiro, ladies and gentlemen,
The Queen and I would like to thank you for your hospitality here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It means a lot to us to be visiting the United States in the year that you celebrate your 250th anniversary. And where better to start than here in Philadelphia, in Independence Hall. The place where the story of the United States began. This is a historic site, for the Dutch as well as the Americans.
By declaring independence in 1776, the US lit a beacon of hope for all freedom-loving peoples. The course of world history changed. And the Netherlands was one of the first countries to recognise this new era and to embrace it.
In fact: the very first official salute to your newborn nation came from Fort Oranje on St Eustatius, a small Caribbean island that is part of the Netherlands. It was a tribute to an American ship carrying a precious gift: a copy of your Declaration of Independence, adopted four months earlier here in Philadelphia.
If there was one people that understood and supported the aims of that document, it was the Dutch. Because we too had resisted oppression and abuse of power.
And we too had fought for our freedom and independence, making great sacrifices for that cause.
Your Declaration of Independence mirrors our own founding document, the Act of Abjuration, drawn up in 1581 in the course of the revolt against Spanish rule.
Both documents reflect the same spirit and defend the same principles:
liberty;
the rejection of tyranny and dictatorship;
and government by consent of the governed.
As a gift to you, I have brought with me a copy of our Act of Abjuration. It’s important that we continue to cherish the centuries-old bond between our nations. Because this is the essence of what has always united us.
It’s the origin of our democracy and the rule of law, with its separation of powers, respect for human rights, protection of minorities and fair elections.
Your founding father Benjamin Franklin, whose name and reputation are so closely associated with this city, put it like this:
‘In free governments the rulers are the servants, and the people their superiors and sovereigns.’
We want nothing more than to continue working in this same spirit – with you in Pennsylvania and with the entire United States – towards peace, liberty and prosperity. As partners who respect each other and recognise their joint potential.
That potential is huge. The Netherlands is one of the top four international investors in the United States. Within the US, Pennsylvania is one of our key partners.
And this is about more than business alone. We work together closely on innovations to improve our healthcare, strengthen our maritime sector, help our cities thrive and make our living environment cleaner.
All of these positive impacts are achieved thanks to openness and connection. Connection between people, ideas, governments, companies and economies. The Kingdom of the Netherlands believes in relations based on free trade. In solutions that focus on shared interests. In working together to tackle problems that go beyond national borders.
And in dialogue and cooperation as important conditions for stability, peace, security and prosperity.
Our transatlantic bond is the best guarantee of a good future. For both Europeans and Americans. In an unpredictable world, it makes sense to build on relationships with strong, loyal and reliable partners – partners who you’ve worked with for many years and who have proved their good intentions.
To quote the words of Benjamin Franklin once more: ‘We must all hang together, or most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.’
The aim of our visit is to reaffirm and strengthen our ties with you. One day is nowhere near enough to experience everything this city and state have to offer. We’re looking forward to our visit to Fishtown. And of course we’ll also be seeing the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, where the team laid the foundations for its success. The Eagles’ stadium will be one of the venues where the Curaçao team plays during this summer’s World Cup.
We are proud that the Kingdom of the Netherlands will be represented by two teams.
As you know: the Caribbean parts of our Kingdom are capable of making history. St Eustatius proved that back in 1776… And 250 years later, Curaçao has similar ambitions on the soccer pitch, so be prepared!
Governor Shapiro, let me once more express my gratitude for the hospitality you have shown us here in the City of Brotherly Love, in the Comintentmonwealth of Pennsylvania. We can’t wait for the rest of the day’s programme.
Thank you.