Netherlands invites President Kufuor for state visit

President John Agyekum Kufuor will pay a three-day state visit to the Netherlands at the invitation of Queen Beatrix beginning October 24.

During the visit, which will end on October 24, the President will address a joint session of the Dutch Senate and the House of Representatives.

The long standing relations between Ghana and the Netherlands will be reviewed as well as other high level meetings with key officials of the Dutch government including Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.

Queen Beatrix will receive President Kufuor and First Lady Theresa at an official ceremony at the Noordeinde Palace where the presidential delegation will take residence for the period of the visit.

A business meeting, to be hosted by the Dutch Trade Minister and Chairman of Economic Affairs at the De Bazel Conference Center, affords the presidential delegation a direct interaction with top executives of the Netherlands industry and employers.

Other features of the visit include a wreath laying at the Dutch National Monument in memory of heroes of World War Two, a study tour of the Sitos facilities (an international soft commodity logistics company, with special focus on cocoa) and Vitens-Evides (the largest drinking water company in The Netherlands).

From The Netherlands President Kufuor go to the United Kingdom where as a guest of the Royal Institute of International Affairs he will be decorated with the prestigious Chatham House Prize for 2008, by the Duke of Edinburgh.

Chatham House announced last month the selection of President Kufuor in recognition of his positive role in mediating conflicts in Ghana's immediate neighbours including Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire as well as his contributions to the growth in the economy, social freedoms and the development of a free press.

The President is expected back home on October 28.