Toespraak van Hare Majesteit de Koningin

Toespraak | 18-01-2005

Madam President,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you and Professor Freibergs on this official visit to our country. When my son Alexander and Princess Máxima returned from their very successful visit to Latvia, some two years ago, they spoke of your country with great enthusiasm. Since then, I have looked forward with even greater anticipation to greeting you here in the Netherlands. I was therefore disappointed when your visit had to be postponed after the death of my mother. In the meantime, I have had the opportunity of receiving you on the occasion of your impressive address at the Nexus Conference.

So, this is in fact the first official visit to take place between our two countries. Our relations are, however, of very long standing and have sometimes even been particularly close. They date as far back as the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and formed part of the activities of that powerful organisation, the Hanseatic League. In the seventeenth century, our Golden Age, trade reached its highest point and thousands of Dutch ships sailed the Baltic Sea. This trade - especially that in grain - was the basis for our prosperity and was affectionately known as the 'mother trade'. An exhibition on this period held in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam was thus entitled 'Gold from grain'. Timber was also an important product at the time. The piles on which the city of Amsterdam was built and the masts of Dutch vessels were made of spruce from the Baltic area. From our country came the typical red bricks that can still be seen in old houses and buildings in Riga. The great importance of this trade also attracted considerable numbers of my countrymen to Latvia, many of whom actually settled there.

The Second World War brought our relations to an abrupt end. Your country fell victim to the political ambitions of the great powers. Like the Netherlands, Latvia was occupied, but did not regain its independence in nineteen forty-five. That only happened years later, in a peaceful struggle for independence that made an immense impression throughout the world. The images of the human chain that stretched from Vilnius via Riga to Tallinn, over a distance of six hundred kilometres, are unforgettable. The moral strength of the independence movement demonstrated how much the Latvian people had managed to preserve their own culture and identity during the years of oppression. The great five-yearly dance festival, a tradition dating from eighteen seventy-three in which you yourself took part and helped to maintain, acquired a special significance in the dark wartime years.

Indeed, your country is known for its love of music. In the Netherlands that reputation is reinforced by the numerous Latvian choirs, and opera and ballet companies that over the years have performed here. In fact, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam recently appointed a Latvian-born musician as its principal conductor. The works of your composers are played here and the art of your painters is exhibited. Many Dutch people travel to your capital to admire its wonderful architecture. In these different ways our country has become acquainted with the riches of Latvian culture. The success of the transition process in your country in recent years is rightly called the 'Latvian miracle'. The perseverance, strength and drive shown by the Latvian people during those years, which were difficult in so many ways, also economically, evoked respect and admiration on all sides. Great sacrifices were made and much hard work was done to ensure that the transition ran smoothly. The presence of different population groups was a serious complication. It is gratifying that our compatriot Max van der Stoel was able to make a contribution to addressing this problem.

The result of all the efforts made by your country is impressive. The economy is growing steadily, inflation has been reduced and prosperity has visibly increased. Civil society is thriving, the rule of law has been firmly established and democracy, which was repressed for so many years, now rests on firm foundations.

Madam President,

Latvia has clearly resumed its place in the community of nations. As a member of NATO, your country contributes to a number of international peace operations. Last year, we welcomed you as a member of the European Union. It is your task as President to lead the new Latvia within Europe. On many occasions you have already demonstrated your conviction that accession to the EU may not only bring material progress, but also expresses the willingness to stand up for common spiritual values. It is important for all of us to keep this in mind and we are grateful that you so strongly emphasise this fundamental dimension of the Union.

May I invite all those present to raise their glasses and drink with me to your health, Madam President, to that of Professor Freibergs, and to a bright future for the people of Latvia in our common Europe.