State visit to the Netherlands – King stresses importance of international trade for the two small countries

State visit to the Netherlands – King stresses importance of international trade for the two small countries
King Phillip visits European Space Agency

At The Hague, King Phillip emphasized Tuesday the importance of international commerce for the economic fabric of Belgium and the Netherlands. The statement was made on the King’s second day of official visit in the Netherlands.

“We are two countries with small- and medium-sized companies. With relatively small internal markets and high productivity, we need a larger framework within the Benelux Union, a European market which functions well, and sound world regulations on international trade,” said the head of State.

Phillipe and Mathilde were welcomed Tuesday at Binnenhof in The Hague, the decision-making heart of the country, where they lunched with the Dutch executive, and in the presence of the head of government, Minister-President Mark Rutte. “Given our geographical situation, we are called to support each other mutually in the fields of infrastructure, transport and energy, in a long-lasting manner and working together efficiently,” added King Phillip.

Earlier in the day, the King of Belgium and King Willem-Alexander had visited Noordwijk, the European Space Research and Technology Centre (part of the European Space Agency, ESA). Present at the event was cosmonaut Frank De Winne, the second in Belgian history to have been in outer space. 

(Source: Belga)


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