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Ambassador Vornis of Netherlands accredited to FSM

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Services): October 1, 2004 - Ambassador Robert Arthur Vornis has been accredited as the Netherlands third Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia.

On September 28, President Joseph J. Urusemal received Ambassador Vornis credentials as the successor to former Ambassador George Theodore Eugene Richard (Theo) Arnold. Ambassador Vornis is based in the Philippines.

Along with the President, witnesses to Ambassador Vornis credential ceremony included: members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of the President's cabinet and various officials from the FSM National Government.

The FSM and the Netherlands had established diplomatic relations on April 4 1996, on the basis of mutual interest and understanding.

Ambassador Vornis said his government "looks forward to a continued close cooperation with the Government of the FSM." He noted FSM's efforts in the international community, specifically in the field of environment.

He said the current state of the world affairs calls for "profound co-operation between nations and therefore the efforts of the FSM to be a responsible member of the international community are recognized."

On a similar note, President Urusemal said the FSM and the Netherlands share "common foreign policy interest as evident in our membership within the framework of multilateral organizations, on issues such as environment, human rights and sustainable development."

The President commented the Netherlands for its "initiatives and outstanding leadership roles in the pursuit of international peace and security."

President Urusemal welcomed Ambassador Vornis to the FSM and assured the Ambassador that FSM would accord the "support and assistance necessary to make [his] accreditation to the FSM both fruitful and enjoyable."

Ambassador Vornis is a graduate of the University of Leiden, Faculty of Law. He joined the Diplomatic Services of Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1970 and served overseas in Chile, Malaysia, Kenya and Norway. In the early 1980s', he served as Counsellor for the Embassies of the Netherlands in Caracas and Washington until his appointment as an Ambassador of the Netherlands.

As an Ambassador, he headed his country's diplomatic missions in Maputo, Dhaka, Mexico. Ambassador Vornis and his wife A.N. Hendrie are now stationed in Manila.