A delegation of the Netherlands paid an official visit to the headquarters of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague on 22 September 2005 and presented a gift through its Permanent Representative, Ambassador M.W.J. Lak.
According to Ambassador Lak, who presented his credentials last July, the gift —a contemporary painting by Dutch artist Pieter Stoop dated 1983— is meant to signify the dual role of the Netherlands as a member of the OPCW and the host country for the OPCW, as well as the legacy left by the former Permanent Representative of the Netherlands, Ambassador Marc Th. Vogelaar, who represented his country to the OPCW from September 2002 to July 2005.
The Dutch delegation visiting the OPCW included members of the Permanent Representation to the OPCW and the National Authority. Ambassador Lak said “The painter of this work, Pieter Stoop, was born in Breda on 1 January 1946. The subjects he likes to paint most of all are architecture and landscapes. As you can see, his style is very abstract. I think it goes well with our OPCW building. Pieter Stoop admires the work of artists who in relation to their personal evolution keep on verifying their inevitable specialism —those who dare to take the risk to change, who don’t stay in the same style all their life. As the meaning of this painting, which has no title, is best adapted from moment to moment, I would like to suggest you look at it in the same way as Pieter Stoop does: verify and change, both very apt notions to OPCW.”
The Acting Director-General of the OPCW highlighted the exceptional contributions of the Netherlands to the OPCW, including to the OPCW Laboratory in Rijswijk, through providing test samples and analytical data to the OPCW Central Analytical Database. Mr Hawtin praised the Netherlands for hosting the OPCW and pointed out that nearly 90 Dutch nationals are employed by the Technical Secretariat —around one-fifth of the total workforce. The Acting Director-General also expressed his gratitude to the Dutch authorities for the “positive spirit of co-operation and readiness displayed over the many issues which affect the functioning of the OPCW.”
In showing gratitude for the gift to the OPCW, Mr Hawtin stated that “It is appropriate that we should become the proud custodians of this token of the strong friendship that we enjoy with our most special supporter; and I can assure you that we will treasure this painting in the same way as we do the cooperation with you. You may take great pleasure in knowing that many colleagues will be able to enjoy the painting, which we are displaying in one of our most frequented public rooms, for years to come.”
50/2005