On the picture from left to right H.E. Ahmet Üzümcü, Ambassador, Director-general of the OPCW, H.E. Chris Hoornaert, Ambassador of Belgium to the Netherlands, H.E. Laurent Pic, Ambassador of France to the Netherlands, Mr. Marc Clairbois, Delegate of Wallonia-Brussels in the Netherlands.
The Day of Wallonia and the Federation Wallonia-Brussels was celebrated in The Hague on the 23rd of September. On invitation of the Delegate of Wallonia-Brussels in The Hague, Marc Clairbois, and his spouse a reception was organised in the Sociëteit De Witte. Ambassadors, diplomats, representatives from Dutch authorities and associations and members of the Belgian community were present.
Marc Clairbois seized the opportunity to mention the most important fields of activity of the Delegation Wallonia-Brussels, the Walloon agency for exports (AWEx) and Wallonia-Brussels Tourism in The Netherlands. These domains include education, culture, scientific research, universities, the promotion of foreign trade and investments and tourism.
Special attention was drawn to several projects. Among those the opening of the lock of Lanaye on the Dutch-Belgian border in November 2015 by King Philippe of Belgium and the Dutch Minister for Infrastructure Mrs. Melanie Schultz van Haegen. This major construction project is of strategic importance for the economic development of Wallonia, since it will facilitate waterway traffic between the ports of Liège and Rotterdam.
Marc Clairbois also evoked the intensive cooperation with The Netherlands in the field of cinema as well as the support for Dutch education in Wallonia and French education in The Netherlands.
The theme of this reception was “Mons 2015, European capital of culture”. A photographic exhibition entitled “Mons street review” was presented; inspired on the “Street View” function of Google, a company that has made some major investments in the region of Mons. It was an illustration of the success of Mons2015 (1.5 million visitors up till now), and of the cultural programme that will continue until the end of the year.
The presence of a Jazz quartet from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, as well as some local Walloon drinks and food, further contributed to the excellent atmosphere of this reception.
