Ms Abir Ali, H.E. Abdulaziz Abohaimed, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Mrs Marianne van Stekelenburg and H.E. Mr. Saywan Barzani, Ambassador of Iraq.
Once again Diplomat Magazine together with Carlton Ambassador and Diplomatic Card, organized a traditional Diplomats Meet and Greet in collaboration with the Embassy of Lebanon in The Hague.
The highly recognized and respected diplomat, Ms. Abir Ali, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy, received her guests after a long day of work, but with her kind smile, she was able to make everyone feel the warmth of the famous Lebanese hospitality. The rhythm of the conversations combined with the smooth music of the jazz band created a friendly and cosy atmosphere which all enjoyed.
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The Lebanese buffet especially made for the occasion was delicious. The flavors, colors, and presentation of the national dishes were exceptional. As Ms. Ali said, “the Lebanese cuisine is known in the whole world, and it has become Lebanon’s passport to the world”.
Guests from the Diplomatic corps, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Organizations, the business sector, and friends filled up Carlton Hotel. An atmosphere of friendship and conviviality reigned throughout the night, or as the Dutch would say, it was “gezellig”.
In her welcome speech, Ms. Ali expressed the following:
“I would like to thank Diplomat Magazine, and Mrs. Mayelinne De Lara, for initiating the beautiful practice of Embassies Meet and Greet, and for the many events they organize for the diplomatic community in The Hague.”.
“.It is spring time, and Holland is in bloom. Every year, when the season of green and colorful flowers begin, I find myself singing with the great Louis Armstrong ‘I see trees in green, red roses too, I see them bloom for me and you, and I think to myself what a wonderful world’. And I always stop.”.
“.I stop because, for one, I don’t know the rest of the song, and for two, I stop because I always ask myself: is it a wonderful world? Unfortunately, with the daily sad news that come to the screens of our smart phones, it is sometimes hard to think of the world as a wonderful place. But there is always hope like the hope that comes with the spring. And we, diplomats, have a responsibility to make the world a better and more peaceful place. And we leave it to the musicians and artists to make it a wonderful one”.
Ms. Ali conveyed to her guests the message that Lebanon represents. In her words: “My country, Lebanon, represents the message and values of tolerance, openness, acceptance of one another, and dialogue”. She ended by saying “wars can never solve anything, but dialogue can”.
