Vice President U Henry Van Thio and wife attend ceremony of the Netherlands National Day

April 27, 2017

Vice President U Henry Van Thio and wife Dr. Shwe Hlwan attended the Netherlands National Day ceremony marking the birthday of King Willem Alexander and the ceremony to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Myanmar—the Netherlands held at Lake Garden Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday evening.

First of all, the ceremony of the Netherlands National Day marking the birthday of King Willem Alexander was opened by playing the national anthems of Myanmar and the Netherlands after which the Netherlands Ambassador to Myanmar gave a welcoming speech.

Then, the Vice President said, “It is a remarkable milestone in the history of Myanmar-Netherlands relationship that diplomatic relations between the two countries had been established since 1947, just prior to the attainment of Myanmar’s Independence. Netherlands is an old friend of Myanmar as well as a friendly country of importance for the development of Myanmar. Cooperation between the two countries has developed remarkably in recent years. We were greatly pleased that the Netherlands had been providing a considerable amount of development assistance in many sectors including culture, tourism industry and management of water resources in Myanmar. As regards the co-operation in multi-dimensional water resources management, Myanmar and Netherland signed the MoU in 2013. As the chairman of National Water Resource Committee (NWRC), we warmly welcome that partner countries, NGOs and INGOs and interested individuals would be providing assistance by cooperating with us in implementing the aims and objectives for sustainable development. I firmly believe that cooperative efforts and relations between the two countries would develop and friendship would also strengthen more than ever. On such a pleasant occasion of the Netherlands National Day and 70th anniversary of the establishment of Myanmar—Netherlands diplomatic relations, I am very happy and proud of Mr Wouter Jurgens, Netherlands Ambassador to Myanmar. I pray for the development and prosperity of the Netherlands and its people.”

Afterwards, the Vice President attended the dinner given in his honour together H.E. Mr Wouter Jurgens and those present at the ceremony.

Present at the ceremony were Union Minister U Thant Sin Maung and wife, Union Minister Dr. Myo Thein Gyi, National Security Advisor U Thaung Tun, Hluttaw representatives and invited guests. 

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar