Speech by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words and express my support for you and the important work you do.
Four and a half years ago I also visited EMA. Not physically, but digitally. I remember it well. We were in the middle of the corona pandemic. We were also in lockdown.
Here in the Netherlands we had just begun administering new vaccines which, after thorough assessment, had been authorized by EMA.
I was briefed on the full scope of your work. And I thought: what a blessing to have EMA! And how wonderful that this European organization has been based in the Netherlands since 2019. All that knowledge, all that experience, right here on our doorstep.
You safeguard an essential common interest: medicine that protects our health. With authority and clarity, for 450 million Europeans.
I am extremely proud of the fact that EMA has found its home in the Netherlands. What characterizes our health care are high standards, innovation and the pooling of expertise. In every one of those aspects you are an inspiration.
That’s why I would like to congratulate you on your 30th anniversary.
May you have every success with the extremely valuable work you carry out.
I look forward to seeing you again!