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“We are honored to welcome the Dutch Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkende, to the New York Stock Exchange,” said NYSE Euronext CEO John A. Thain.

“I was honored this morning to stand beside my fellow Dutchman, Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, as he rang the Opening Bell,” said NYSE Euronext Chairman Jan-Michiel Hessels. “We are especially pleased to welcome the Prime Minister during these early days of the transatlantic merger of NYSE Euronext. Together, our joint markets are leading the way into a new era of globalization and diversification of trading… As a Dutchman, I also take special pride in noting that the central role of the Amsterdam stock exchange, both past and present.”

“It was my great pleasure to open the New York Stock Exchange today, the most dynamic stock market in the world,” said Prime Minister Balkenende. “It was a fascinating moment and I thank Mr. Hessels, Mr. Thain and the Exchange for inviting me.”

The New York Stock Exchange is home to 14 companies from the Netherlands with a tota global market of approx. $500 billion. In the first half of 2007, the NYSE had a market share of worldwide trading of Dutch companies of nearly 10%.

Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende
Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende was first appointed Prime Minister of the Netherlands and Minister of General Affairs on July 22, 2002, in the first government to bear his name. On Tuesday May 27, 2003, he returned to serve in the same capacities in his second government. Since July 7, 2006, he has been Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs in the third Balkenende government.

 27 Sep 07 Press Release: Netherlands Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, Visits NYSE and Rings Opening Bell

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