H.E. Andrea Gustovic Ercegovac, Ambassador of Croatia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The celebrations started with the rendition of the Croatian and Dutch national anthem followed by the welcome remarks of H.E. Andrea Gustovic Ercegovac, Ambassador of Croatia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
With dignity and splendor Andrea Gustovic Ercegovac, welcomed her many guests on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Croatia. The venue chosen for the reception was the Marriott Hotel The Hague, date 17 June 2016. Indeed, a festive atmosphere reigned at the Marriott and a multitude of diplomats, business people, members of Croatian diaspora and government officials among others attended.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157667408467533
Independence Day or Statehood Day is a public holiday in Croatia. On this day, the people of Croatia celebrate their liberation from Communist Yugoslavia which took effect on June 25, 1991. Croatian Statehood Day is also referred to as Croatian National Day.
Ambassador Gustovic said: “In celebrating this beautiful anniversary of Croatian statehood, permit me to turn with pride to Croats who are here with us today. These 25 years have been like a wind that was carrying us and encouraged us on the way forward. Let me congratulate everyone in Croatia and wish a long and prosperous life in a strong Europe.”
The Ambassador continued her welcome remarks by stating: “Today we share a pride of being an EU and NATO member, freedom and democracy have been part of the Croatian heritage since the Republic of Dubrovnik and we invested a lot of effort in order to reach our destination in joining the European family. Netherlands was and is a great friend of Croatia and we are grateful for that. Proof of close a relationship is almost 400,000 Dutch visitors to our country.”
His majesty king Willem-Alexander gave a speech last month in the European Parliament on the importance of the EU and eloquently expressed that the European bouquet is not complete without the Spanish carnations, Croatian irises, Dutch tulips and English roses.
H.E. Andrea Gustovic Ercegovac subsequently introduced the guest speaker; the Director General of Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mr. Robert de Groot; Ambassador De Groot applauded the good and the cordial relationship existing between the two sovereign states: the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Croatia.
As a conclusion, a light lunch was served.
