12 June, 2012 - 19:14

Bolivian President visits the Netherlands

The Bolivian President Evo Morales visited the Netherlands today, where he spoke with Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal about sustainability.

President Morales and Minister Rosenthal spoke about sustainable agriculture and growing gluten-free quinoa seeds. Minister Rosenthal told him about Dutch expertise in this field. The minister told President Morales “Unilever and DSM are true frontrunners in producing sustainable food.”
The two agreed a Bolivian delegation should visit the Netherlands soon to discuss sustainable ways to mine for the metal lithium which is used in mobile phones. Dutch know-how in these areas could be very useful to the Bolivians. They did not discuss the politically sensitive issue of relations between Bolivia and Surinam. Surinam president Desi Bouterse is persona non grata in the Netherlands.
The president also requested a meeting with Socialist Party (SP) leader Emile Roemer. Mr Roemer says he was “very honoured” to be asked to speak with the Bolivian president. A spokesperson for the party said he thought the SP’s interest in Bolivia and its high position in the polls may have played a role in the presidential request. The Socialist Party are currently in the lead in opinion polls. A parliamentary election is due on 12 September after Mark Rutte’s cabinet fell at the end of April.
The president also visited the Floriade horticultural exhibition in Venlo with Infrastructure and Environment Minister Melanie Schultz. President Morales did not meet Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the Dutch PM was unable to make room in his busy agenda at such short notice.

(nc)