THE HAGUE--The Netherlands is a strong country in an unstable world, King Willem-Alexander said Tuesday in his traditional speech that opens the parliamentary year.
Since there is a general election in 2017, the King’s address did not include any new policies. Instead, the King gave a positive assessment of the state of the country, outlining measures the government has already taken to boost the economy and cut unemployment.
The Netherlands, the King said, is a “prosperous and attractive” place with “good facilities, good infrastructure and a strong legal system.”
King Willem-Alexander addressed the rise of terrorism and referred to recent attacks in France, Belgium, Germany and Turkey. “We must not let terrorists threaten our freedom, our security and our democratic values,”
Turning to the refugee crisis, the King said it is “typical of our country’s character that private initiatives have arisen in many neighbourhoods and municipalities to encourage asylum seekers to interact with society. At the same time, it is understandable that there are concerns in society at large about the arrival of large groups of refugees. We wonder whether differences in our cultures and in our norms and values might be too great, and whether too great a strain might be placed on public services.”
The participation declaration, a document in which new arrivals pledge to uphold Dutch norms and values, will become compulsory next year, the King said. Among the key democratic values mentioned in this pledge, are the separation of church and state, freedom of religion and freedom of expression.
“In our country, men and women are equal before the law, and we do not discriminate on the grounds of race, belief or sexual orientation,” the King said. “Everyone who wishes to live in our country must respect these values and abide by them.”
No one, Willem-Alexander added, is being asked to renounce their own culture or origins. Nevertheless, norms are inviolable, and intimidation and violence will meet with a firm response.
The King mentioned the Dutch Caribbean in his speech once. He said that in working in close cooperation with the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, the government conducted a successful campaign for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
Reform of the United Nations is an important theme for the Government. “In substantive terms, its key priorities are combining peace, security and development in an integrated approach, preventing conflict and protecting civilians,” said the King.
