H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Netherlands.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Hague, 8 February 2918, the venue the Embassy of the Russian Federation. The occasion was the celebration of the annual professional holiday of all Russian diplomats “Diplomats Day”. Russian diplomats have been celebrating this day since 2002 commemorate the founding of the Russian Diplomatic Service in 1549 by Czar Ivan IV.
The fabulously outfitted Ilinsky sisters performed together with guitar player Irina Kulikova, Russian folk and Cossack songs, which further increased the festive atmosphere of the evening. The Medal “For Interaction» of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was bestowed upon Professor of East European Law, Ferdinand
The reception was attended by the Director General of the OPCW, H.E. Fernando Arias, many International Judges and members of the business community; the Ambassador of Nicaragua, Soudan, Belarus, South Africa and other dignitaries. All drop by to congratulate H.E. Ambassador Alexander V. Shulgin on this special day, “Diplomats Day”.
Ambassador Alexander V. Shulgin extended a warm welcome to all the guests. He went on to say: Today we celebrate a professional holiday of all Russian diplomats, “Diplomats Day” It was established in 2002 to commemorate the founding of the Russian Diplomatic Services in 1549 by Czar Ivan IV.
Since then, diplomatic activity widened its range considerably, it has become part of our daily life and grew in almost all fields of it. The new type of diplomacy requires true understanding of economic, financial, cultural and social data and a clear vision on political issues. Besides bilateral negotiations, multilateral ties became highly important at the level of international conferences and organisations. Cultural diplomacy also gained a significant place.
But what remains unchanged, is the main goal of diplomacy – promotion of friendship and cooperation, cultural, educational and scientific exchange, mutual understanding and respect between peoples, prevention of war and violence, protection of our shared values. And
We see diplomacy as a universal foreign policy tool: there is hardly a global challenge today that does not require our countries to cooperate – from fighting terrorism and nuclear proliferation to curbing the spread of illegal narcotics and epidemic disease, not to mention the development of economic ties which make life better for millions of our peoples.
We are determined to continue working at the level of international structures for the sake of international peace and security, prosperity of our nations. Russia is a member of a number of international organizations, including: World Trade Organization (WTO), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), UNESCO, Hague Conference on Private International Law, International Maritime Organisation, World Tourism Organisation and many other. Our counrtry is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
I mentioned the importance of educational and scientific cooperation in international relations. In this regard, I would like to fulfil a pleasant duty – to award the Medal «For cooperation» of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to professor European Law at the Leiden University.
In the 90s he advised Russian of the Leiden
In 2017 professor presented his new book «History of Russian law». Dutch and Russian experts in the field of law highly appreciate professor Feldbrugge`s many years of experience in the legal field, his contribution to the development of legal science. I would like to welcome Mr. Ferdinand Feldbrugge.
Finishing my welcoming remarks I would like to introduce to you our artists – guitar player Irina Kulikova and sisters of Ilyinskie who are here to increase the festive atmosphere of this evening//
