English subtitles for clip: File:The President Meets with the King of the Netherlands.webm
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1 00:00:00,667 --> 00:00:06,737 The President: Well, it is a great honor to welcome 2 00:00:06,740 --> 00:00:09,240 His and Her Majesties, Willem-Alexander 3 00:00:09,242 --> 00:00:12,142 and Queen Maxima. 4 00:00:12,145 --> 00:00:14,945 They have been wonderful friends to myself and 5 00:00:14,948 --> 00:00:16,588 Michelle and the girls, personally. 6 00:00:16,583 --> 00:00:19,753 I want to thank once and again the people of the 7 00:00:19,753 --> 00:00:21,753 Netherlands for the incredible hospitality 8 00:00:21,755 --> 00:00:26,095 they had shown us in the past, including most recently 9 00:00:26,092 --> 00:00:29,862 during the Nuclear Security Summit that took place 10 00:00:29,863 --> 00:00:34,233 in Amsterdam and The Hague. 11 00:00:34,234 --> 00:00:38,804 We have 400 years of history between our two countries. 12 00:00:38,805 --> 00:00:40,875 In Europe, that doesn't mean a lot, but in the 13 00:00:40,874 --> 00:00:44,514 United States that is as old as it gets. 14 00:00:44,511 --> 00:00:47,151 And so the Dutch are some of our oldest 15 00:00:47,147 --> 00:00:49,247 and more precious allies. 16 00:00:49,249 --> 00:00:50,579 That continues to this day. 17 00:00:50,583 --> 00:00:54,893 We've had the opportunity to discuss the shared work that 18 00:00:54,888 --> 00:01:00,828 we do through NATO in making sure that the transatlantic 19 00:01:00,827 --> 00:01:02,167 relationship stays strong. 20 00:01:02,162 --> 00:01:06,632 We discussed the continuing challenges in Ukraine and 21 00:01:06,633 --> 00:01:09,403 the importance of making sure that the Minsk 22 00:01:09,402 --> 00:01:10,472 agreement moves forward. 23 00:01:10,470 --> 00:01:17,610 And I continue to make the solemn commitment to support 24 00:01:17,610 --> 00:01:20,780 the Dutch in the investigation of the 25 00:01:20,780 --> 00:01:25,490 Malaysia Airlines tragedy, and to make sure that not 26 00:01:25,485 --> 00:01:29,125 only is the truth brought forward, but there's 27 00:01:29,122 --> 00:01:32,322 accountability for what took place. 28 00:01:32,325 --> 00:01:36,725 We discussed our shared concerns in other parts of 29 00:01:36,729 --> 00:01:39,699 the world, including in the Middle East, where Dutch 30 00:01:39,699 --> 00:01:41,539 troops work alongside U.S. 31 00:01:41,534 --> 00:01:45,734 and other coalition members to help defeat ISIL and to 32 00:01:45,738 --> 00:01:46,838 stabilize Iraq. 33 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:50,940 We talked about the excellent work that the 34 00:01:50,944 --> 00:01:56,354 United States partnered with the Dutch when it comes to 35 00:01:56,349 --> 00:02:01,419 Ebola, and the work that still remains to be done 36 00:02:01,421 --> 00:02:05,061 around establishing the kind of health infrastructure 37 00:02:05,058 --> 00:02:07,128 that's going to be so important to preventing 38 00:02:07,126 --> 00:02:09,026 diseases in the future. 39 00:02:09,028 --> 00:02:13,538 I was particularly impressed with the outstanding work 40 00:02:13,533 --> 00:02:15,533 that Her Majesty the Queen is doing with the 41 00:02:15,535 --> 00:02:17,535 United Nations around inclusive financing. 42 00:02:17,537 --> 00:02:22,877 One of the things that we know is that all around 43 00:02:22,876 --> 00:02:26,416 the world there is enormous human potential that 44 00:02:26,412 --> 00:02:29,482 so often is locked up because of the difficulty 45 00:02:29,482 --> 00:02:30,482 of accessing capital. 46 00:02:30,483 --> 00:02:33,583 And the creative work that Her Majesty is doing in 47 00:02:33,586 --> 00:02:39,896 providing micro-loans and new mechanisms for credit, 48 00:02:39,893 --> 00:02:43,763 again, is making an enormous difference, particularly, 49 00:02:43,763 --> 00:02:47,733 I should add, when it is provided equally to women, 50 00:02:47,734 --> 00:02:53,574 who so often are even facing greater challenges in 51 00:02:53,573 --> 00:02:56,173 accessing capital. 52 00:02:56,175 --> 00:03:01,785 And we discussed the ongoing work that we'll be doing 53 00:03:01,781 --> 00:03:06,421 to build on the progress that's been made over the last 54 00:03:06,419 --> 00:03:08,089 several years through the Nuclear Security Summit and 55 00:03:08,087 --> 00:03:10,087 the importance of non-proliferation. 56 00:03:10,089 --> 00:03:13,989 So whether it's in Afghanistan, whether it's 57 00:03:13,993 --> 00:03:20,003 in public health issues, whether it's in Europe and 58 00:03:22,602 --> 00:03:27,812 the need for us to maintain solidarity and uphold the 59 00:03:27,807 --> 00:03:32,747 principles that have been central to building a 60 00:03:32,745 --> 00:03:36,645 unified and peaceful Europe, the Netherlands 61 00:03:36,649 --> 00:03:40,819 has consistently been one of our greatest allies. 62 00:03:40,820 --> 00:03:46,160 And I think for His Majesty the King and Queen to have 63 00:03:46,159 --> 00:03:51,669 gone to Arlington and to honor not only the Tomb of 64 00:03:51,664 --> 00:03:54,564 the Unknown Soldier, but to meet some of that Greatest 65 00:03:54,567 --> 00:03:58,037 Generation who helped to liberate Europe and the 66 00:03:58,037 --> 00:04:03,777 Netherlands and to usher in this era of peace and 67 00:04:03,776 --> 00:04:06,746 prosperity is extraordinarily significant. 68 00:04:06,746 --> 00:04:10,516 So many of our World War II veterans during the 70-year 69 00:04:10,516 --> 00:04:15,286 anniversary are at the twilight of their lives, and 70 00:04:15,288 --> 00:04:21,628 for them to hear directly from such important people 71 00:04:21,628 --> 00:04:24,968 how much of a difference they made and to get that 72 00:04:24,964 --> 00:04:26,964 recognition is truly significant. 73 00:04:26,966 --> 00:04:33,206 So I'm grateful, Your Majesty, for that, and even 74 00:04:33,206 --> 00:04:35,706 more grateful for the continuing friendship that 75 00:04:35,708 --> 00:04:38,178 the Dutch people have shown the United States of 76 00:04:38,177 --> 00:04:39,717 America. 77 00:04:39,712 --> 00:04:40,682 King Willem-Alexander: Well, thank you very much, 78 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:42,680 Mr. President, for your warm words of welcome here. 79 00:04:42,682 --> 00:04:46,152 On behalf of my wife and myself, we're very thankful 80 00:04:46,152 --> 00:04:48,252 to be back at the White House. 81 00:04:48,254 --> 00:04:52,154 Great to see you again since last year at the 82 00:04:52,158 --> 00:04:53,758 Nuclear Security Summit. 83 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:57,360 First of all, I'd like to express my sympathy to the 84 00:04:57,363 --> 00:05:00,203 people in Texas and Oklahoma for their suffering in such 85 00:05:00,199 --> 00:05:03,039 severe weather conditions right now. 86 00:05:03,036 --> 00:05:05,306 The floodings are terrible. 87 00:05:05,304 --> 00:05:09,144 The victims and families are going through a rough time. 88 00:05:09,142 --> 00:05:11,142 And if we can help as the Netherlands, of course we 89 00:05:11,144 --> 00:05:12,574 are willing to help. 90 00:05:12,578 --> 00:05:15,478 Second of all, my heartfelt condolences for 91 00:05:15,481 --> 00:05:19,821 Vice President Biden for a second big tragedy in his life, 92 00:05:19,819 --> 00:05:23,659 now losing a son while he is serving as best he can as 93 00:05:23,656 --> 00:05:26,026 Vice President here in the United States. 94 00:05:26,025 --> 00:05:29,425 The main reason for our visit obviously was to thank 95 00:05:29,429 --> 00:05:31,869 the United States for what you'd done for us 96 00:05:31,864 --> 00:05:33,834 70 years ago. 97 00:05:33,833 --> 00:05:36,473 Especially the 82nd and 101 Airborne have played 98 00:05:36,469 --> 00:05:41,409 a major role in liberating our country, taking away the 99 00:05:41,407 --> 00:05:45,247 Nazi oppression and giving us back justice and rule 100 00:05:45,244 --> 00:05:47,344 of law and freedom. 101 00:05:47,346 --> 00:05:49,346 And ever since that moment, we are grateful. 102 00:05:49,348 --> 00:05:51,348 And as long as the Netherlands exist, we will 103 00:05:51,350 --> 00:05:53,350 be grateful for the United States for giving 104 00:05:53,352 --> 00:05:54,352 that to us. 105 00:05:54,353 --> 00:05:56,353 This morning, at Arlington, the wreath-laying ceremony, 106 00:05:56,355 --> 00:05:59,555 we honored those people that gave their utmost, their 107 00:05:59,559 --> 00:06:01,259 life, for our country. 108 00:06:01,260 --> 00:06:03,600 And speaking with the veterans and the Rosies 109 00:06:03,596 --> 00:06:06,296 was very impressive for us -- veterans that have liberated 110 00:06:06,299 --> 00:06:09,869 my country; the Rosies that took the place in the 111 00:06:09,869 --> 00:06:12,769 industry here and that kept this country running so that 112 00:06:12,772 --> 00:06:15,872 the men could fight on the other side of the ocean. 113 00:06:15,875 --> 00:06:17,875 Very, very impressive, I must say. 114 00:06:17,877 --> 00:06:19,877 And once again, USA, thank you very much 115 00:06:19,879 --> 00:06:21,149 for liberating us. 116 00:06:21,147 --> 00:06:24,047 Those values that you stood for at the time and that 117 00:06:24,050 --> 00:06:26,750 were not available to us and we regained, 118 00:06:26,753 --> 00:06:30,053 we now stand shoulder by shoulder fighting ISIL -- 119 00:06:30,056 --> 00:06:32,056 "shoulder by shoulder," meaning a small shoulder 120 00:06:32,058 --> 00:06:33,058 and a big shoulder. 121 00:06:33,059 --> 00:06:36,159 But still, we stand next to each other and we have the 122 00:06:36,162 --> 00:06:40,262 same values we want to defend facing ISIL. 123 00:06:40,266 --> 00:06:43,606 So having said that, the next part of our visit will 124 00:06:43,603 --> 00:06:47,143 be also looking back at the Dutch history. 125 00:06:47,140 --> 00:06:52,850 First, Hudson of 1609, and then the first salutes to 126 00:06:52,845 --> 00:06:55,445 the American flag from the Island of Statia in 127 00:06:55,448 --> 00:06:57,148 November, 1776. 128 00:06:57,150 --> 00:06:59,490 When the Andrew Doria sailed there, the Dutch 129 00:06:59,485 --> 00:07:01,225 saluted the flag. 130 00:07:01,220 --> 00:07:03,560 And ever since, we've had a great bond with 131 00:07:03,556 --> 00:07:04,556 your country. 132 00:07:04,557 --> 00:07:06,897 Four and a half million Americans 133 00:07:06,893 --> 00:07:08,593 are from Dutch descent. 134 00:07:08,594 --> 00:07:10,934 You are the largest investor in our country; we are the 135 00:07:10,930 --> 00:07:12,700 third largest in your country. 136 00:07:12,698 --> 00:07:15,138 So this is really worthwhile to continue our 137 00:07:15,134 --> 00:07:17,134 relationship, and that's what we are working 138 00:07:17,136 --> 00:07:18,136 on these days. 139 00:07:18,137 --> 00:07:20,177 We're going off to Michigan, to Holland, Michigan, 140 00:07:20,173 --> 00:07:23,313 to Grand Rapids, to see a lot of these descendants, 141 00:07:23,309 --> 00:07:26,749 and we're going to Chicago, where we hope to have 142 00:07:26,746 --> 00:07:29,046 a party -- your hometown, obviously. 143 00:07:29,048 --> 00:07:33,018 But also the origin of House -- the House of Orange is 144 00:07:33,019 --> 00:07:35,559 hoping to see some good music there at 145 00:07:35,555 --> 00:07:39,055 Millennium Park and also look at some serious topics as 146 00:07:39,058 --> 00:07:42,428 healthy aging, urban farming, solar, and there a lot 147 00:07:42,428 --> 00:07:44,428 of things that we can learn from each other. 148 00:07:44,430 --> 00:07:46,430 But once again, Mr. President, thank you 149 00:07:46,432 --> 00:07:48,702 very much for receiving my wife and myself here. 150 00:07:48,701 --> 00:07:51,001 It is great to see you again. 151 00:07:51,003 --> 00:07:52,843 All the best of luck for the United States. 152 00:07:52,839 --> 00:07:53,769 And thank you very much.