On the occasion of France’s National Day, H.E. Mr. François Alabrune, Ambassador of France to the Netherlands, hosted a reception at the French Residence in The Hague. The event brought together more than 200 distinguished guests from the diplomatic, military, judicial, economic, cultural, and institutional spheres.
Among those in attendance were the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Caspar Veldkamp, Mr. Fernando Arias González, Director-General of the OPCW; Dr. Marcin Czepelak, Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration; H.E. Ms. Graciela Gatti, President of the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals; Mr. Philippe Gautier, Registrar of the International Court of Justice; Prof. Jean-Marc Thouvenin, Secretary-General of The Hague Academy of International Law; Mr. Jan van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague; and H.E. Dr. Jan Anthonie Bruijn, President of the Senate of the Netherlands.
The reception highlighted the enduring friendship and partnership between France and the Netherlands. Both Ambassador Alabrune and the Dutch Foreign Minister delivered well-received speeches reflecting on the shared values, history, and growing cooperation between the two nations. Their remarks emphasized collaboration in fields such as sustainable energy, food technologies, culture, and security. The Ambassador also underscored the flourishing artistic exchange between France and the Netherlands, mentioning recent partnerships between the Centre Pompidou and the Rijksmuseum.
Ambassador Alabrune warmly acknowledged the close cooperation between the intelligence services of both countries and congratulated the Netherlands on its successful organization of last month’s NATO Summit. He further praised the international institutions based in The Hague—such as the ICJ, ICC, OPCW, Eurojust, Europol, and The Hague Academy—for embodying the principles of international law and multilateralism. Special recognition was given to Mr. Fernando Arias for his “extraordinary achievements” as Director-General of the OPCW, as his mandate approaches its conclusion later this year.
Looking to the future, the Ambassador highlighted joint Franco-Dutch projects in science and technology, including research in sustainable aviation, marine innovation, and renewable energy. He concluded by expressing gratitude to his team, partners, and sponsors, whose support made the National Day celebrations possible.
The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivering his remarks in flawless French, congratulated France on its National Day and reaffirmed the ever-strengthening ties of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
The reception, hosted in the warm setting of the French Residence, was the legendary celebration of Bastille Day and a joyful occasion for guests to reconnect, exchange ideas, and renew their commitment to a shared future of partnership and peace.
