The Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Erbil on April 28 hosted a celebration of the Dutch King’s Day in Erbil, held annually for the king’s birthday, in which the relationship between the Kurdish and the Dutch people was also celebrated.
On the occasion of the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (@nlinkri) organized a reception in Erbil on April 28th. pic.twitter.com/vAgBF5TJ2F
— Kurdistan Chronicle (@KurdChronicle) April 29, 2024
The Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Erbil focuses on three main pillars: policy advice, project support, and private sector development, in addition to support to the agricultural sector and peshmerga reform.
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“We are delighted that you showed up in great numbers again, and we sincerely feel this as a testimony to the warm and deep friendship between the Kurdistan Region and the Kingdom of the Netherlands,” Dutch Consul General to Erbil Jaco Beerends said in his opening speech.
“The friendship between the Kurdish and Dutch people is ultimately underlined by those that fall into both groups, all those people here tonight that are Kurdish and Dutch.”
There are reportedly 7,000 Dutch Kurds living in the Kurdistan Region.
“After almost two years in this position, I feel that I am Dutch and also a little Kurdish by now. I feel privileged to have met so many people and worked on so many important aspects of our relationship. Part of Kurdistan is in my heart, a part I will take with me when I end my assignment this summer. I know this will be the same for some of my colleagues that will also end their term in a few months’ time,” he added.
He added that the Iraqi Kurds need more unity. “My message is that this region needs unity more than anything else. The last two years have proven that, in this environment, a lack of unity between those that are Kurdish in heart and mind will mean your surroundings will make use of that weakness. You will lose ground to those that exploit the lack of Kurdish unity in order to strengthen their own position.”
Dutch Consul General Beerends also said that the possibilities for greater unity exist. “First of all, by having new parliamentary elections. We commend you for moving forward on this, despite the imperfect circumstances and conditions. We believe that new transparent and inclusive elections will give much-needed legitimacy to the democratic foundation of the Kurdistan Region.”
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He also added that the war in Gaza has had a direct impact on Erbil. On January 15, an Iranian ballistic missile attack killed four civilians in Erbil, including prominent businessman Peshraw Dizayee and his infant daughter, who was a Kurd from the Netherlands.
The attack was strongly condemned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Netherlands summoned the Iranian Ambassador in The Hague in response to the attack.
“A few months ago, a blatant attack was carried out on a Kurdish family in their home in Erbil. With weapons meant for strikes on military infrastructure, the home of Peshraw Dizayee and his family was destroyed,” Dutch Consul General Beerends said.
“The Dizayee family – a Dutch Kurdish family – was torn apart, and we felt the impact of this ruthless attack when visiting the family in the hospital, trying to support them in the days after. And this was not the only effect. The Kurdistan Region has been targeted many times by forces from within and outside its borders.
This year was indeed not easy for the Kurdistan Region.”
He also announced that the Netherlands will take over command of the NATO mission in Iraq from Spain at the end of May.
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Furthermore, he said there are many more positive ways forward, in which the people of the Kurdistan Region can work together on the opportunities for using the full potential of the region. “For instance, by boosting the private sector and the diversification of the economy, a priority for this government.”
“The Netherlands was, is, and will remain your partner in this, especially when it comes to the development of sustainable agriculture but also through our programs involving opportunities for young people, such as the Orange Corners and Orange Knowledge programs, as well as through knowledge-sharing programs such as Shiraka and our Tailor Made Trainings,” he concluded.
Delighted to address #KingsDay reception and congratulate the people & Government of the NL, Dutch community & diplomatic presence @nlinkri.
— Safeen Dizayee (@SafeenDizayee) April 28, 2024
Highlighted the strong friendship between our two nations & potential for further enhancement in our bilateral ties across diverse fields. pic.twitter.com/LhIDGRqqVu
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Head of the Department of Foreign Relations Safin Dizayee underlined the historical relations between the Netherlands and the Kurdistan Region in his speech.
“The relationship that we have enjoyed with your people and your country goes back to at least the mid-1970s. Even before then there were some Dutch journalists who used to come to Kurdistan in the 1960s to try to communicate the plight of the people of Kurdistan to the outside world,” Minister Dizayee said.
Moreover, he added that in 1975 and 1976 the Netherlands opened up its heart and borders to a number of Kurdish refugees. The Netherlands has proven a good home for them and provided an opportunity for them to develop themselves.
“Some have returned to this country and they have been instrumental and supportive in its development, particularly in the private sector that my government is supporting.”
Additionally, he emphasized that one of the most visible figures from the Netherlands is Dr. Fuad Hussein, who is currently the Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Iraq. Minister Hussein’s Dutch wife, Carolina Montessori, recently passed away.
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He also emphasized that there is still a lot to be done and thanked the Netherlands for supporting the agricultural sector. “We thank you for that and we appreciate it. Our ambition is to do more.”
On King’s Day, my best wishes to the people and Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, @nlinkri and warm birthday greetings to King Willem-Alexander. Wishing His Majesty a long life and good health, with continued peace, success, and prosperity.
— Safeen Dizayee (@SafeenDizayee) April 28, 2024
Fijne #Koningsdag pic.twitter.com/ssTarMToem
Moreover, he said that the Netherlands, along with the other coalition members, has been instrumental in fighting ISIS and in supporting Iraqi security forces and peshmerga forces. “We salute you for that.”
He also said that the KRG is still looking for “support from our friends to help us to build those means and capabilities in order to face economic, social, political, and security challenges. “
“We have been blessed that we’ve had diplomats of a very high caliber from your country, as well as from other diplomatic missions. So rest assured that your successor will enjoy the same support from the KRG and from all other institutions.”
On a concluding note, he wished Dutch Consul General Beerends success “wherever [he] may go. Please always remember that in Kurdistan you have friends and a home.”
