THE HAGUE, 02/09/06 - The image of the Netherlands abroad is gloomier than the actual situation, according to Prime Minister Balkenende. "We have insufficiently succeed in the past years in bringing to the attention the achievements of the Dutch society," he told the annual conference of Dutch ambassadors.

Other countries have indeed noticed that the Netherlands is doing increasingly well economically, according to premier. "However, it strikes me that the image that exists of the Netherlands abroad does not always match the factual situation. Ghost images of a country that has broken away from its moral anchors are easily created. For example, in reaction to euthanasia. Or the founding of a paedophile party. As if the elderly and children were without rights here."

The premier called the Netherlands "a country where all can freely give their opinions within the boundaries of the law, even if these opinions are controversial". (...) "We have since the 16th century always been an open, tolerant and constructive nation. That characterises us and has determined our success to a large extent. We must cherish and voice that profile. (...) I wish to emphatically ask you attention for this," he told the ambassadors.

"Of course there is still work to do. Strengthening of trust between groups and religions remains a continuous task." The premier acknowledged that "this sometimes goes with ups and downs," but stressed that "large-scale ethnic riots have not occurred". As well, the Netherlands "is a country where radical parties fail to find fertile soil, even though the number of newcomers in our society is among the largest in Europe."