Dear compatriots, At the occasion of the 2002 Dynasty celebration I once more want to share with all you my best wishes to the royal family of Belgium. The meaning of a dynastic celebration is, as was reminded last Friday in presence of the royal family during the Te Deum in Brussels and as was also later echoed at the official reception in the Belgian Senate, that royalty probably is in a democratic federal and Kingdom the best example of combined perennial power and responsibility.
Similarly, whatever our position or responsibilities are in this society, I personally feel privileged for sharing the many values of our host country. Similarly I will continue to share, whenever possible, our own cultural dignity with that of our host country, Taiwan.
As Belgians living in Taiwan, we probably more than others appreciate and better understand the values of the multi-cultural, multi-language environment that became ours over the years. Most of us, I am sure, have gained much from the enrichment that living in the midst of another nation is bringing to our everyday lives.
As member of the Belgian community in Taiwan, I would want to continue to know all of you personally and whenever possible or necessary assist you in accomplishing your duty of citizen.
Our Taiwanese friends are even more than others sensitive to the meaning of identity. As Taiwan and Belgium are close equal in size, I feel that the national diversity that for centuries we have shared within our national space and that also will be shared more than ever before within our newly expanded European House will make the experience of the Belgian house even more valuable.
Since the time that the Romans brought us our laws with our sense for local freedom and justice we have gained an invaluable experience in sharing other European cultures on our own national soil. This made us Belgians prone for the unprejudiced assimilation of other values allowing us to find great satisfaction to be here.
May the Royal Celebration also be an occasion to remind us how much we can assist newcomers. Having been given already the opportunity to meet many of you personally, I have felt your eagerness to better integrate, to enrich yourself with what is offered, but also to share and meet the expectations from our hosts. I am sure that these efforts will continue to be gratifying for you, your friends and your families.
May I wish you also happy season's greetings at the beginning of this festive period.
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