President Christian Receives the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

 

On Monday, October 26, 2015, President Peter M. Christian received the Letter of Credence of H.E. Maria Christina Theresia Derckx, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Federated States of Micronesia, in an official ceremony held at the President’s conference. She is cross-accredited from Manila, Philippines.

In welcoming Ambassador Derckx, President Christian opened dialogue by congratulating the newly appointed Ambassador and noted the working relationship between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the FSM. The President took the opportunity to touch on climate change and other issues of regional importance. Ambassador Derckx thanked the President and expressed the Kingdom of the Netherlands keen interest to work with the FSM both regionally and internationally.  Netherland’s upcoming assumption to the Presidency of the European Union and its interest in the United Nations Security Council were also discussed.

Both President Christian and Ambassador Derckx reaffirmed that the two countries continue to elevate their friendship by strengthening their bilateral relationship.

Accompanying the Ambassador was her husband Sjef Ijzermans. Also present at the ceremony were Secretary of the Department of Resources & Development Marion Henry, Secretary of Department of Education Kalwin Kephas, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs Samson Pretrick, Special Advisor to the President on Micronesia Regional Affairs Speaker Dohsis Halbert, and staffs.