Pictured H.E. Ambassador Jose De Bouza Serrano, Minister Counselor Domingos Alvim and spouse D.Luisa and the Commercial Counselor Miguel Porfirio.
For many months, people from the international community in The Hague have had Friday 10 June marked in their calendars as an important date. Diplomat Magazine can confirm that many diplomats rearranged trips, meetings or events because of the importance of this specific day.
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The occasion: Portuguese National Day and a farewell for Ambassador José De Bouza Serrano, leaving the Netherlands at the end of a remarkable career. On the day, the queue of people stretched out of the garden and onto the pavement, crossing two streets and ending close to the Peace Palace.
Hundreds came to say goodbye to a man who gained the love and respect of everyone fortunate enough to meet him. A legendary former Chief of Protocol who contributed significantly to his country’s diplomatic reputation and savoir-faire vis-à-vis foreign states, particularly for his expertise in handling high-level visits which included HRH The Prince of Wales and Benedictus XVI, Bishop of Rome.
Ambassador De Bouza Serrano contributed to the process of European integration by his steadfast promotion of Portuguese culture and heritage vis-à-vis the European Union in his time as Portugal’s Permanent Representative to the European Union.
Ambassador José De Bouza Serrano has been awarded innumerable orders from many countries; too many to list here. He distinguished himself as a person to whom people would turn for consultation and advice on all manner of issues. Ambassador De Bouza Serrano authored several books and contributed to many others, mostly in the field of protocol and diplomacy.
During his four years as Ambassador of Portugal to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, he helped solidify Portugal’s position in the European Union and supported the Netherlands to their election in the UN Security Council. The Netherlands also supported Portugal in its election to the same body. Bilateral commerce and Dutch investment in Portugal increased during his tenure, with a notable increase the number of visitors to Portugal from the Netherlands.
At the event, the Ambassador said:
“Two very old countries with a large common history, sometimes enemies but united by the sea.
“It was a privilege to serve Portugal in this position, present my credentials to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and to be able to assist later on in the coronation of King Willem Alexander. And what a pleasure to have the opportunity to say goodbye to so many Dutch and foreign friends who helped me to accomplish my tasks – at the OPCW, in the tribunals, and all the work we accomplished together to consolidate the image of The Hague as city of peace and a centre for international justice.
“Visiting the beautiful, historical Dutch cities, always in a hurry between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, visiting Maastricht, TEFAF, the great museums of this country, going every year to Utrecht to the admission of new knights and ladies to the Order of Malta, the dinners with His Majesty the King or the Princesses of Bourbon de Parma at the Haagse Club, buying curious pieces and old books at Langevoorhout, taking tea at Des Indes or attending a concert honouring SAR the Princess Amalia at the gothic salon on her birthday.
So many dear souvenirs will stay in my memories from this, my last position as diplomat, that I can said with no doubt that I served here with the same enthusiasm as I served my first posting.”
