State visit by Finnish president - NL Host Nation
State visit by Finnish president
On 11 and 12 December, the president of Finland, His Excellency Mr Alexander Stubb, paid a state visit to the Netherlands together with his wife, Suzanne Innes-Stubb. The Protocol and Host Country Affairs Department’s Visits and Events Division (DPG/BE) was tasked with organising the visit together with the European Affairs Department (DEU), the International Enterprise Department (DIO) and the Royal Household (DKH). Finland and the Netherlands work together within forums such as the European Union, the United Nations and NATO. Our two countries strive to keep their economies strong and resilient and to further modernise and boost their energy sectors and defence industries.
The visit began with an official welcome ceremony in Dam Square, after which President Stubb placed a wreath at the National Monument. President Stubb then gave a lecture at the University of Amsterdam on the future of multilateral cooperation.
The Finnish delegation joined King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima on a visit to the Amsterdam Drone Lab in the city’s historical naval dockyard, the Marine Etablissement. This visit centred on civilian applications of drones in sectors such as energy and defence. A number of drones were presented indoors, and an outdoor demonstration involved drones in the air and on the water.
After this, the delegation – minus President Stubb – visited the premises of the Ministry of Defence at the same location. Staff highlighted Defence enrolment and educational programmes, including Defensity College, the Service Year voluntary enrolment programme and National Resilience Training. The focus here was on the Netherlands’ innovative recruitment policy, as compared to the Finnish conscription system. Students demonstrated first aid techniques, shooting proficiency and other skills.
At a business forum on strengthening economic relations between Finland and the Netherlands business representatives exchanged ideas on cooperation, trade and economic resilience. This event included a speech by State Secretary for Foreign Trade and Development Aukje de Vries and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation on hydrogen. In the evening there was a state banquet in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
The second day of the state visit focused on international security and social resilience. In The Hague, His Majesty the King and President Stubb visited the NATO Communications and Information Agency. In Rijswijk, Her Majesty the Queen and Mrs Innes-Stubb spoke with experts and experts by experience about the city's approach to tackling domestic violence and femicide.
President Stubb also met with the Presidents of the States General and attended a government lunch at Duivenvoorde Castle, where topics included the energy transition and geopolitical developments. This was followed in the afternoon by a visit to the Clingendael Institute. Mrs Innes-Stubb visited the Mauritshuis for a guided tour. The programme concluded with a joint visit to the International Criminal Court.
The state visit was a success in every respect, and once again confirmed the close cooperation between Finland and the Netherlands.
