Presentation of a gift to the King's Commissioner Theo Bovens
A long-prepared gift was presented today to the King's Commissioner Mr. Theo Bovens by the Ambassador of the Land of Rode Mr. Jörg Schmitz-Gielsdorf. A photo book documenting the visit of King Willem-Alexander, then still Prins Willem-Alexander, to Rolduc Abbey on the occasion of the unveiling of the Juliana Column! Max Ruiters, President of the Saint Catharine's Guild and leader of the CDA Kerkrade parliamentary group, established contact so that future plans could be set in motion with key representatives of the governorate of Maastricht. Mr. Ger Koopmans, Member of Parliament for Culture, Finance and Integration, spoke to the small delegation from Belgium. Norbert Dolman, Head of Cabinet of the King's Commissioner in the Province of Limburg and the King's Commissioner Theo Bovens welcomed the Ambassador of the Land of Rode and his small Belgian delegation of volunteers with kind words. Finally, Mr. Eric Lemmens, representative of the EUREGIO Meuse-Rhine in the Province of Limburg, guided the guests through the halls of the governorate. A very friendly and forward-looking meeting that breathes new life into the cross-border friendship in the old Duchy of Limburg! The guests from Belgium were shown the modern parliament building, its numerous works of art and its historical dimension by a charming tour guide from the city of Maastricht. After the tenth anniversary of the inauguration of the Ambassade in the Ville historique Limbourg, the Ambassade, together with the governorate, is now looking ahead to the 1000th anniversary of the county and the 900th anniversary of the Duchy of Limbourg in 2020. How will this historic event be celebrated? An interesting, cross-border idea is on the table!