Your Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Queen and I are delighted to welcome you all to the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
We are grateful you accepted our invitation. The tradition of dining with you, members of the Diplomatic Corps, is something we cherish. It’s a way to express our appreciation for you and your important work. And to give you the opportunity to meet each other and discuss the issues that matter to you.
And there are many urgent issues to talk about. A great many. The reality we face right now gives cause for concern. Some of you here this evening will have heavy hearts, thinking of the situation back home.
Violence is an everyday reality in places all over the globe. Millions of people’s lives are at risk. Many are fleeing – fearful, hungry, and desperate. Searching for support and assistance.
Our thoughts are with all the victims of the violence in Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan and in so many other regions.
Conflicts cause shockwaves that travel beyond national borders, harming communities, cultures and economies. They undermine the safety and trust of people all over the world.
Wherever we come from, we all feel the impact of the tense times we live in. Times that we together bear responsibility for.
The lesson that history teaches us is clear. Injustice breeds injustice. Oppression breeds anger and resistance. It’s a lesson we must take on board.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands therefore feels an unwavering sense of responsibility when it comes to promoting the international legal order. Last week I was at the Peace Palace in The Hague for celebrations to mark the eightieth anniversary of the International Court of Justice. A crucial UN body whose purpose is the peaceful resolution of interstate disputes.
We are proud to be host state to this institution. And to the International Criminal Court, set up to tackle impunity for the gravest of crimes.
International cooperation is the only way forward. Cooperation forces us to find the things that unite us. There is so much that we have in common!
People all over the world want stability, security, a roof over their heads, food on the table, healthcare when they fall ill, education for their children, respect for their culture, good governance and the freedom to be themselves.
Cooperation also makes us think about the longer term. About how people all over the world can build good lives for themselves. How we can keep our planet liveable for future generations. How we can preserve our natural resources on land and in the oceans.
Geopolitics should not be a zero-sum game. Our lives are too closely connected to simply ignore or violate the rights and freedoms of others. This applies to countries both large and small.
Especially in turbulent times, we need predictability and stability. Institutions, treaties and agreements are essential for this purpose. Let us work to make them stronger.
As diplomats, your role is indispensable. Solutions often start with you. Many breakthroughs come about thanks to your talent for spotting the smallest of openings. Your work is done discreetly and often out of sight. But its impact can be huge.
That is why we cherish our Diplomatic Corps.
We hope that you feel welcome here. And we’re keen to help you in your important work.
This event is an example of that. Whoever you wish to speak to, there’s a good chance that they will be here this evening.
To help you even more, this evening we have invited another group of special guests too. Representatives from every level of Dutch public administration. Ministers from the government that took office two months ago, members of parliament, mayors, chairs of key institutions and many others.
Like you, they have an open outlook on the world and understand the benefits of meeting and networking beyond borders. So I hope you will seize the opportunities that this evening offers.
May I now ask you all to raise your glasses with me.
To the power of diplomacy.
To our cooperation and our friendship.