THE HAGUE, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- On the traditional opening day of the parliamentary year, the Dutch government presented its plans for the forthcoming year on Tuesday in The Hague through the Speech from the Throne by King Willem-Alexander, who advocated for a strong European Union.
"Together with our partners in the European Union we work together on security, stability and prosperity for all residents of the member states," the King stated. "For the European Union, 2019 will be an intensive year with a new European Commission and an unpredictable Brexit. The Dutch government continues to advocate for a better EU with a positive agenda."
"Together, we must deepen the internal market and make the euro stronger," he continued. "Together we stand for the rule of law. And only together can we effectively address the unrest on the external borders of Europe and the migration issue."
According to message of the King, the membership of the EU makes the Netherlands stronger "in a world where power relations are shifting and old alliances are no longer self-evident".
He emphasizes the importance of a collective effort for free world trade and against "the threat of import tariffs and other trade barriers".
The Speech from the Throne contained the government's key plans for the year ahead, this time the first plans of the third cabinet of Prime Minister Mark Rutte, which was sworn in in 2017. In general the King passed a positive economic message, with a growing economy for the sixth year in a row.
According to the government message issued by the King, the Netherlands is a "strong country" and "well prepared for future economic shocks" . Nevertheless the King said that the government hopes that "more people will concretely notice that things are going well, at home, at work and in the neighborhood".
"Prinsjesdag", Prince's Day, held every year in The Hague on the third Tuesday of September, is not only about the opening of the parliamentary year, but also a day of many other traditions. The King traveled with his wife Queen Maxima in a glass coach from Noordeinde Palace to the Hall of Knights in The Hague, where all the ministers, state secretaries, members of parliament and other guests are assembled for his Speech. According to tradition, female politicians wore their most extravagant hats and male MPs their most formal dress.
After his last words the people in the hall traditionally shouted "Long live the King" and the King and the Queen boarded the glass coach again to move to the Noordeinde Palace for the traditional balcony scene. Dutch Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra moved to the House of Representatives to present an overview of the costs of the plans, by opening a ceremonial briefcase, with the "Miljoenennota", the national budget plan.
