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Uruguayan Independence Day Celebrated in The Hague

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Uruguayan Independence Day Celebrated in The Hague

The Embassy of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay marked his country’s Independence Day with a grand and festive reception. Held on August 27 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in The Hague, the event drew over 200 distinguished guests from various sectors of Dutch society.

Ambassadors, chiefs of international missions, diplomats, academics, business leaders, and representatives from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with members of the Uruguayan community, all responded to H.E. Ambassador Dr. Álvaro González Otero’s invitation to celebrate ‘Día de la Independencia’—Uruguay’s National Day, commemorating its independence from Brazil in 1825.

H.E. Dr. Álvaro González Otero, Ambassador of Uruguay. National Day 2024 The Hague.

After nearly 200 years of conflict and civil unrest under Spanish and then Brazilian rule, Uruguay has emerged as a country renowned for its welcoming people, stunning landscapes, first-class meat production, and high-quality wine. In recent decades, Uruguayans have enjoyed a stable democracy, a steady improvement in living conditions, and overall well-being.

In a packed room with an animated audience, Ambassador González Otero took the microphone to thank all the attendees for their sincere affection for his people and country. He then proudly expressed:

“Two years have quickly passed since I arrived in this lovely kingdom. Since then, we have started to shift the focus of the Embassy, placing more emphasis on our bilateral relations. The Netherlands and Uruguay have more in common than people might imagine. We share international principles, landscapes, agricultural production, developed services, qualified exports, and a progressive lifestyle.

We also share strong commitments to the well-being of our citizens and visitors, the protection of human rights, environmental sustainability, progressive social policies, and significant efforts towards renewable energy and climate action. Both countries also emphasize education, democratic governance, and active participation in international organizations promoting peace and development. So, we will keep working to boost our bilateral relations.”

Uruguay National Day, August 27 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in The Hague.
From the Embassy of Uruguay, Counsellor Pablo Bayarres, Ambassador Gonzalez Otero and Hans Akerboom, Deputy Director Protocol and Host Country Affairs from the Netherlands.

Ambassador González Otero then listed some of the most relevant initiatives undertaken by the Embassy over the last few months:

– Uruguayan participation in the World Hydrogen Summit 2024: Led by the Minister of Industry, Energy, and Mining, Ms. Elisa Facio, with over 50 representatives from various sectors of the public and private sectors.

– Active participation in the “26th World Energy Congress.”

– Cooperation Project with Delft Institute for Water Education: Since 2011, Uruguayan professionals specializing in water resources have participated in the Delft Institute program for advanced training. Initially, the program began with 40 scholarships, resulting in 37 professionals successfully completing their studies. This early success led to the program’s relocation and implementation at the Technological University of Uruguay, now featuring regional participation. The program has since had two new editions in 2022 and 2024, expanding to include 17 professionals from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Peru. This development has transformed Uruguay into a regional hub in the field of water resource education.

– Uruguay’s status as one of the 32 signing states of the Ljubljana – The Hague Convention in February 2024.

– Positioning Uruguay as a potential living and working destination for Dutch farmers.

– Interactions with RVO and Port of Rotterdam related to port cooperation.

– Exploring and initiating new cooperation projects with Westland Municipality and Wageningen University.

– Meetings with private sector actors related to agribusiness.

– Preparation for the Capitan Miranda’s visit to Amsterdam: Uruguay’s school tall ship has already confirmed its participation in Sail Amsterdam 2025.

– Multilateral achievements: The Embassy has made progress in multilateral areas, including ongoing contributions and work with international organizations based in The Hague: the ICJ, ICC, OPCW, HCCH, and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Additionally, a closer relationship with The Hague Academy of International Law has been pursued. Significant advances have also been made through the coordinated work of the GRULAC Group in relation to various international organizations.

H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, OPCW Director General , Ambassador Gonzalez Otero and Mr Arias spouse, Patricia van Oordt.

Following his remarks, Ambassador González Otero invited the audience to watch a short video about Uruguay, which made a great impression on those present. He expressed, “Uruguay is an exceptional country that has developed a dynamic and robust culture, shaped by a fascinating blend of gaucho traditions, European influences, and the unique Rioplatense spirit. Tango, folklore, candombe, and milonga are examples of its rich artistic musical expression. Uruguayan gastronomy, featuring high-quality meat, wine, and dairy products, especially the beloved ‘dulce de leche,’ delights palates and consistently wins prestigious awards worldwide.”

“The work we have done does not mean we are satisfied; we want to continue advancing in a deeper process. The bilateral relationship is already strong, but the potential to strengthen bonds in several key areas is even greater.”

The Ambassador of Uruguay, H.E. Alvaro Gonzalez Otero and the President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Judge Graciela Gatti Santana with her husband Mr Gustavo Segovia.

The event was conceived to showcase the rich and diverse culture of Uruguay, a nation with a population of approximately 3,495,527 as of 2022.

The national anthems of Uruguay and the Netherlands were performed by the Uruguayan opera singer Sara de los Campos. After the ambassador’s speech, the Embassy paid tribute to two influential musicians: José “El Sabalero” Carbajal and Jaime Roos, who both lived in the Netherlands. Jaime Roos settled in Amsterdam in 1978, where he played bass in several salsa, rock, and jazz groups. He had a son and remained in the Netherlands until 1984 when he returned to Uruguay.

Carbajal spent his days in the Netherlands with his wife, Anke van Haastrecht, and their two children. Anke was invited to share some special stories from their life together.

Uruguayan opera singer Sara de los Campos.
Uruguayan drummers Luis Gradin, Marcelo Terra, and Nicolás Sánchez.

The enthusiastic audience enjoyed an authentic performance by talented Uruguayan drummers Luis Gradin, Marcelo Terra, and Nicolás Sánchez. The celebration continued with Uruguayan wine, classic savory empanadas, and dulce de leche, which delighted the crowded room and completed the great celebration.

Ambassador González Otero concluded the event by thanking his Embassy team: Counselor Pablo Bayarres, Chancellor Gustavo Morales, his assistant Juan Diego, and Martha Hernández and Sofía Anastasiou. He then led a warm toast for the people of the Netherlands, Uruguay, and the necessary and desired peace in the world.

China: A New Actor in the Contemporary Multipolar World

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China: A New Actor in the Contemporary Multipolar World

By Mariarosaria Iorio, Political Analyst

I. The post-cold war world  

International relations are nowadays characterised by major changes that started at the end of the 80s with the fall of the Berlin Wall.  Indeed, the end of the cold war was marked by the dislocation of the two main political blocks, namely the Soviet Union and the Western World. Such a dislocation resulted in the marginalization of the post-war multilateral system embodied in the United Nations, and the standstill of the multilateral trade negotiations in the late 90s in the context of the World Trade Organisation.  New lines of political thought have been facing each other since then, while reshaping the post-cold war world in a number of fragmented and variable sub-blocks of countries. 

The United States decided to put itself first by concentrating on its internal affairs, while withdrawing from international affairs.  

Europe, the old continent, looks for an efficient strategy towards autonomy from the United States.  Europe also tries, not without difficulty, to create a more cohesive internal and external political approach.  The reality is however evolving rather more towards fragmentation of Europe in favour of European National fragmented interests. Such a fragmentation is the natural consequence of the decadence of the European Institutional and collective actions to the advantage of individual Sates actions and interests.   In sum, what seemed to be a structured and coherent European Union block fighting for the promotion of its economic and political values all over the world has somehow become an alliance at variable geometry both internally and externally.  The disorganisation of the leadership results in a chaotic and unpredictable European External and Internal action. 

Thereof, the empty influence spaces left on the international relations scene has given new international actors the opportunity to emerge.  

Meanwhile, the fragmentation of the European Institutions has also impacted the EU-USA relations within NATO, and affected the security and peace sphere.  Security issues have been on and off on the European agenda.    

In this context, Russia that has lost its empire in the 80s looks now for a new power game. In spite of the disruption of the Soviet Union, Russia attempts either by influence or by force to exercise power in its ancient affiliate countries.  Russia that was supposed to be defeated with the fall of the Berlin Wall takes back its role of opponent to the Western World on the international scene at least as it concerns the international affairs philosophy.  Thus, creating a tension aimed at restoring its power in the world.   

The group of emerging and developing economies that constitute a new variable block with a large portion of population employed in agriculture have emerged as new actors in the world’s geo-political discourses.  At the head of this block on the international scene, there is China.  The shaky international leadership context has indeed given China a new space. China’s   communist past combined with its market-based economic strategy gives it a particular position.  

China is The One that can communicate to Russia. China is also The One that can have an influence on the Western economic and political scene as China owns a big part of Western Foreign Debt  

China embeds a horizontal strategy in both its trade and development policies, while producing at low wages.  Its production system coupled with its pragmatic political approach has reshaped the international power structure.  The top-down approach of the Western World faces now the competition created by the horizontal win-win approach proposed by China in both developing and industrialized countries.

Indeed, as a result of the decline of the Western World global hegemony based on market access and economic and social liberalism as a means to ensure economic growth and promote economic development, the vision promoted by China’s discourse, centred on the protection of livelihoods and local sovereign choices finds new adepts.  Furthermore, China has successfully attempted to promote a trade-off approach to international cooperation during the last 20 years.  A cooperation that does not interfere in internal affairs of partner countries as it has often reproached to the Western countries involved in international cooperation.  

As the developing countries leader, China positions itself as the spoke country for the poor.  As a new world powerful economic actor China plays as the guarantor of the Western Economic stability.  China positions itself as the bridge between the rich and the poor.  It is representing a different hegemonic game that only changes in its discourse, while still pursuing its own interests and influence zones.  Such a situation poses the question of the values that the international regime wants to embrace.  Indeed, this changing world results in an increased number of conflicts – be new or historical conflicts.  

The dislocation of the traditional leaders of the international relations has definitely created a chaotic and unpredictable scenario.  Chaos has in some cases been chosen as a political strategy to disrupt the post-1945 international regime. Such a disruption has benefitted new actors, and given space to new lines of thought.  These new lines of thought have attacked the existing international framework but has not yet succeeded in creating a new regime.  The increasing unbalance of power and the lack of leadership on the international political scene is risky. 

The reduction by choice of leadership of the United States has indeed resulted in the weakening of the values emerged as a result of the dramatic experience of Second World War, namely freedom of thought and freedom of speech to mention only a few.   We are now facing a much more authoritarian world with force used as a means to manage the political arena.  Dialogue seems to be a rather consuming exercise that has left its place to the use of force.  Force is no longer seen as the last option but rather the opening act for political dialogue.  Nationalism and individual interests are now at the centre of the political game. This trend is taking the world to instability and conflict.  

The peoples of the world are more and more questioning the existing system. People’s needs and expectations are not met.  The new emerged actors, such as China have given the hope of a possible change in the present international system without fundamentally questioning its rationale but rather trying to rip a slate of the cake.  

The struggle for influence among countries has not succeeded in building a peaceful and stable world. Citizens will have to face the challenge of building a new era of peace and stability worldwide.

Derrière les murs du Palais de la Paix : permanence et changements de la Cour internationale de Justice

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Derrière les murs du Palais de la Paix : permanence et changements de la Cour internationale de Justice

S.E. M. Philippe Couvreur est arrivé à La Haye en avril 1982, où il a d’abord occupé le poste d’assistant spécial aux bureaux du greffier et du greffier adjoint de la Cour internationale de Justice.

Il a ensuite exercé les fonctions de Secrétaire, Premier Secrétaire et Secrétaire juridique principal, avant d’être élu Greffier de la Cour en 2000, et réélu en 2007 et 2014. Pour marquer l’anniversaire de ses débuts à la Cour, il y a 35 ans, Diplomat Magazine l’a invité à témoigner de son expérience unique au service de cette institution, des évolutions qu’il a pu y observer, et à partager le regard qu’il porte sur les changements qui ont marqué la Cour et La Haye au cours des trois dernières décennies.
Philippe Couvreur avec le Pape Jean-Paul II prise le 13 mai 1985.
Je suis arrivé à La Haye en avril 1982 — de façon aussi inattendue que j’avais entamé des études de droit treize ans auparavant (mais c’est là une autre histoire…) — pour occuper un poste temporaire à la Cour internationale de Justice. La Cour était alors la seule institution judiciaire internationale existante au plan universel. Son activité, particulièrement faible à la fin des années 1970, ne pouvait en ce temps-là guère laisser présager du succès que rencontrerait la Cour dans les décennies à venir. Mon bienveillant maître de Louvain, le professeur Paul de Visscher, fils du célèbre internationaliste Charles de Visscher, unique juge belge à la Cour, m’avait prédit des jours aussi sereins qu’heureux, écoulés à lire et à écrire des ouvrages dans la solitude des imposants murs de la bibliothèque du Palais de la Paix…
Les mémoires ont été dûment déposés dans l’affaire El Salvador c. Honduras dans la salle Bol le 1 juin 1988, l’affaire du Différend frontalier terrestre, insulaire et maritime.
En rejoignant la Cour, un frais matin d’avril, dont je garde un souvenir très précis, le jeune juriste que j’étais découvrit, non sans étonnement, une organisation de taille très modeste, le Greffe, qui en est l’organe administratif, alors composé de moins d’une quarantaine de fonctionnaires. Le fonctionnement de la Cour reposait entièrement sur cette équipe restreinte de personnel permanent, auquel s’ajoutait, selon que de besoin, un personnel temporaire pour faire face au surcroît de travaux linguistiques et de sténodactylographie lors des sessions (publiques et privées) de la Cour. Je me rappelle avoir été frappé par la personnalité haute en couleur de certains de ces traducteurs indépendants, dont la grande culture littéraire m’émerveillait. Cette structure très économique du Greffe impliquait une grande polyvalence de ses membres, et les Secrétaires de la Cour — ses fonctionnaires supérieurs — étaient appelés, en sus de leurs travaux de recherches juridiques, de préparation des documents de la Cour, et de rédaction de la correspondance diplomatique, à assumer eux-mêmes l’essentiel des tâches linguistiques (traduction et interprétation) et d’information, ainsi que la supervision de nombreuses activités administratives et logistiques.
La Grande salle de Justice, l’affaire Relative au Timor Oriental (Portugal c. Australie) Arrêt du 30 juin 1995.
Il n’était nullement rare qu’un nouveau venu comme moi ait à passer week-ends et nuits blanches au Palais de la Paix à effectuer les travaux les plus divers… allant jusqu’à imprimer et polycopier, sur de vieilles machines à stencils ronéotype, des décisions dont la Cour devait donner la lecture en séance publique le lendemain ! Dès mon arrivée au Greffe, j’ai eu le bonheur et le privilège d’être initié et associé à l’ensemble des fonctions de l’institution sous la patiente supervision de personnalités d’exception, tels que MM. Torres Bernárdez et Pillepich, alors respectivement Greffier et Greffier adjoint. J’en ai retiré le plus grand bénéfice, puisque cette immersion sans préparation dans toutes les facettes de l’activité du Greffe m’a permis d’acquérir de ce dernier une connaissance unique — de l’intérieur — et sous tous ses aspects —, un acquis particulièrement précieux au moment où j’ai été amené, bien des années plus tard, à assumer la délicate responsabilité d’en assurer la gestion au plus haut niveau. Devenir un fonctionnaire du Greffe au début des années 1980 signifiait accepter de se couler sans discussion dans un moule à tous égards exigeant, et se donner corps et âme, avec humilité et discrétion, à l’institution, sans penser à soi ni parler de soi. Depuis ces années d’initiation, j’ai été le témoin de profondes transformations de la Cour, rendues inévitables à la fois pour répondre à l’accroissement considérable de ses activités, avec la disparition du monde bipolaire qui avait relégué le règlement judiciaire à un rôle quelque peu marginal, et pour saisir les opportunités nouvelles offertes, notamment, par le progrès des technologies et de la communication. Entre 1982 et aujourd’hui, le nombre de fonctionnaires a ainsi presque triplé (il a quasiment doublé depuis l’an 2000, année de ma première élection en tant que Greffier). L’organisation du travail a été progressivement spécialisée entre les divers départements, juridique, linguistique et chargé de l’information, qui furent créés en 1997, et les services techniques. Par ailleurs, les Membres de la Cour ne disposèrent pas, pendant longtemps, de « référendaires » — ils s’y sont d’ailleurs longtemps refusés—, et l’assistance apportée aux juges en matière judiciaire était principalement répartie entre les fonctionnaires du Département des affaires juridiques.
H.E. Philippe Couvreur avec la Reine Beatrix photo prise pendant le 50 eme anniversaire de la Cour (18-04-1996).
Les cinq premiers postes de juristes référendaires ne furent obtenus de l’Assemblée générale et créés qu’en 2002, à l’issue de difficiles négociations que je me souviens avoir menées avec beaucoup de plaisir et d’intérêt ; le nombre de ces postes s’est progressivement accru, pour s’élever à quinze aujourd’hui. Les divers développements qui ont marqué le monde au cours des dernières décennies n’ont pas manqué de soulever pour la Cour de nouveaux défis. Comme c’est le cas pour toute institution, elle n’a pu les relever en faisant table rase des enseignements de son histoire ni, à l’inverse, en ne saisissant pas toutes les opportunités offertes par le temps présent. A ces différents égards, la Cour est certainement parvenue, au fil des ans, à assurer un équilibre, toujours délicat, entre changements et continuité. La continuité de la Cour est bien sûr inscrite dans son Statut, qui fait partie intégrante de la Charte des Nations Unies, et reflétée dans ses méthodes judiciaires, qui ont été très largement élaborées par sa devancière, la Cour permanente de Justice internationale, et héritées d’elle. Cette continuité historique était particulièrement présente lorsque j’ai rejoint le Greffe. Ainsi, en manière d’anecdote, divers hauts fonctionnaires alors en poste avaient eux-mêmes côtoyé, au début de leur carrière, d’anciens fonctionnaires de la Cour permanente. Tous nourrissaient à l’égard de cette dernière le plus grand respect. Il régnait d’ailleurs dans les couloirs du Palais de la Paix une atmosphère feutrée et délicieusement surannée, évocatrice de la défunte Société des Nations. Je me souviens en avoir encore utilisé maintes fournitures de bureau ! La continuité jurisprudentielle et procédurale entre les deux Cours constitue pour les Etats une garantie importante de sécurité et de prévisibilité juridiques. Cette continuité, juridique et historique, de même que l’expérience accumulée en plus de quatre-vingt-dix ans d’exercice de la fonction judiciaire, sont pour la Cour un facteur crucial de légitimité.
H.E. Philippe Couvreur vec le Roi Willem-Alexander photo prise pendant le 70 eme anniversaire de la Cour (20-04-2016).
En même temps, la Cour a eu, à l’évidence, à s’adapter aux changements du monde réel dans lequel elle opère, comme aux nécessités et opportunités nouvelles de chaque époque traversée. L’une des transformations notoires auxquelles j’ai assisté fut l’ouverture croissante de la Cour sur l’extérieur : longtemps à l’écart, à dessein, des organes politiques des Nations Unies, la Cour a souhaité se faire plus et mieux entendre de ces organes et des Etats membres. Elle a ainsi rompu avec ce qui était parfois perçu comme un « splendide isolement » au sein des Nations Unies, même si elle défend toujours jalousement son autonomie. La Cour doit en outre désormais également tenir compte des nombreuses autres juridictions, internationales ou régionales, qui ont été créées ces dernières années, et veiller, autant que possible, à assurer l’harmonie du « concert judiciaire » que permet ce foisonnement de cours et tribunaux sur la scène internationale. Davantage ouverte sur la communauté internationale et ses réalités, la Cour s’est montrée de plus en plus attentive, non seulement à sa place dans l’Organisation des Nations Unies, mais aussi à la poursuite des objectifs de celle-ci et à sa mission propre au service du règlement pacifique des différends internationaux. Des différends de plus en plus complexes, tant juridiquement que factuellement, en même temps que politiquement plus denses, lui ont été soumis. En révisant constamment, selon que de besoin, ses méthodes de travail, elle a su les résoudre rapidement et efficacement, à un coût particulièrement modeste pour la communauté internationale, tout en assurant le développement du droit. Enfin, pour conclure sur une note plus prosaïque, mais qui est loin d’être négligeable, je ne peux taire la chance que j’ai eue de connaître l’extraordinaire développement de la ville de La Haye au cours des 35 dernières années. Celle-ci offre aujourd’hui à la Cour, comme aux nombreuses institutions internationales qui s’y sont installées à sa suite, une qualité de vie et un cadre de travail uniques, qui sont très loin de ressembler à ce que j’ai trouvé en y arrivant. A l’image de l’imposante stature du Palais de la Paix où elle siège, symbole mondialement connu de la justice internationale, la Cour est une institution solidement établie. En dépit des périodes de doute ou de désaffection qu’elle a traversées par le passé, son rôle est unanimement salué au sein de la communauté internationale et le recours à ses services par les Etats n’a jamais été aussi soutenu. 35 ans après, je continue de mesurer chaque jour le privilège qui est le mien de servir au mieux de mes capacités l’organe judiciaire principal des Nations Unies. —– Les photos dans l’article sont une courtoisie de la Cour International de Justice.

Suspected bank robbers arrested in Belgium

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Suspected bank robbers arrested in Belgium

Eurojust coordinated the collaboration between French and Belgian authorities that led to the arrest of 12 gang members on 26 February. The criminals are suspected of attempting to rob cash transports for banks.  Due to the swift cooperation between the authorities, the criminals were stopped before committing a robbery.

Two  High Value Targets specialised in armed robbery were part of the criminal group. One of the suspects is known as the ‘escape king’ due to him escaping from prison multiple times. In the course of their investigation, the French authorities noticed the two High Value Targets travelling regularly to Belgium. They suspected the targets were planning to commit a crime. After their investigations showed that the members had links with Belgian suspects, cooperation with the Belgian authorities was quickly set up through Eurojust.

A joint investigation team was set up at Eurojust to allow the Belgian and French authorities to work together swiftly and efficiently, exchanging information and evidence in real time. To stop the criminals, a joint operation was planned at Eurojust.

In the late hours of 26 February, the Belgian authorities arrested 12 suspects. The authorities know several of the people arrested. Following the arrests, several searches were carried out in France and Belgium. Investigations into the robbers are ongoing.

The following authorities carried out the operations:

• France: JIRS PARIS inter regional specialised jurisdiction; OCCLO National Police Organised Crime unit

• Belgium: PPO Brussels; Investigative Judge Brussels; Judicial Police Brussels (PJF Bruxelles); Special Units Belgian Federal Police (DSU)

Estonian National Day Celebrated in Copenhagen

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Estonian National Day Celebrated in Copenhagen

Copenhagen, February 24 – The Estonian Ambassador to Denmark, H.E. Andre Pung, marked Estonia’s National Day with a grand celebration in the Danish capital. The occasion commemorated the anniversary of the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia, published in 1918, which proclaimed Estonia as an independent and democratic republic.

Ambassador Pung, who presented his Letters of Credence to His Majesty King Frederik X of Denmark on September 19, 2024, hosted the event, highlighting the strong diplomatic ties between Estonia and Denmark.

The Ambassadors of Bulgaria , Sweden, Søren Gade, Estonia, Albania, Serbia, Greece, Chile, Croatia (Dean). Photo Hasse Ferrold

A historic visit, Strengthening International Relations between Netherlands and Cyprus

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A historic visit, Strengthening International Relations between Netherlands and Cyprus

Interview with H.E. Ambassador Spyros Attas

Interviewing H.E. Ambassador Spyros Attas regarding the upcoming state visit of HM the King and Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Cyprus. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will visit Cyprus on March 4th and 5th, 2025, at the invitation of President Nikos Christodoulides. Caspar Veldkamp, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs will accompany the Royal Couple.

The visit will focus on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in security cooperation, education, culture, and sustainable economic development. There will be meetings with local leaders, discussions on regional security, and visits to cultural or educational institutions. Both countries have been closely linked within the European Union for over 20 years.

The upcoming state visit to Cyprus is highly significant, marking the first-ever visit by a Dutch head of state. “It is a very important visit, both diplomatically and symbolically. The level of relationship between Cyprus and the Netherlands is very good. Of course, there is always room for improvement The most important element in this relationship is that both countries share the same values and principles; both being democratic nations members of the European Union. It will be an excellent opportunity to advance both our bilateral relations and our common goal of promoting peace in Europe and the wider region Ambassador” said Ambassador Spyros Attas.

“Cyprus plays a crucial role as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East. We have always enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, excellent relations with our neighbors—Arab countries and Israel—built on mutual respect. Cyprus actively promotes a regional cooperation agenda through institutionalized dialogues with Greece, Egypt, Israel, Jordan and others” Attas concluded.

Humanitarian Aid Delivery via Maritime Route

Cyprus is committed to humanitarian assistance, particularly in times of crisis. One notable initiative was the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza via a maritime route. “Providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza through the Mediterranean was a critical Operation” the ambassador stated. “I would like to publicly thank the Netherlands for its support and participation in this project. At the time, there was no other way to get aid to the Gaza population. This operation underscored Cyprus strategic importance in regional humanitarian and security efforts.”

Cyprus has also played a key role in evacuating foreign nationals from crisis zones. “The Netherlands sees Cyprus as a trustworthy partner and a friend” the ambassador emphasized. “They have cooperated with us in the evacuation of Dutch citizens from Sudan, as they did during similar operations in Lebanon in 2006 and more recently last year.”

“His Majesty’s visit intends to highlight our friendship and collaboration,” Ambassador Attas noted. “There is always the possibility for the Netherlands to continue to collaborate with Cyprus in these efforts. Cyprus contribution to regional stability, humanitarian missions, and evacuation operations remain key pillars of its foreign policy.”

Cypriot Ambassador Spyros Attas.

Cyprus-Netherlands Cooperation in Innovative Agriculture

The King’s visit will also concentrate on sustainable economic and environmental development, the use of natural resources, and the very good cooperation that exists between Cyprus and the Netherlands in innovative agriculture methods. “Cyprus cultivates 32 different potato varieties, and interestingly, many of the seeds come from the Netherlands. We import special varieties of potato seeds from the Netherlands, and the produce is then exported to European countries and the United Kingdom”; he explained.

Cultural and Archaeological Cooperation

Another significant area of cooperation is culture and archaeology and the Netherlands, particularly Leiden University, plays a key role in archaeological expeditions in Cyprus. Since 2015, Leiden University has collaborated with the University of Cyprus on excavations at two very important archeological sites from the prehistoric era: the Chalcolithic site of Chlorakas-Palloures near Paphos and the Choiroketia site.

The ambassador also expressed personal enthusiasm for engaging with students. “I always accept invitations to speak and meet with students. Cyprus is not a large country, so every citizen’s perspective matters. That is what we are here for.”

Cyprus Students in the Netherlands

Education is another growing link between the two countries. “There are around 1,000 Cypriot students in the Netherlands, studying in Maastricht, Amsterdam, Utrecht, and the Royal Conservatory, among others.” the ambassador shared. “Traditionally, Cypriot students studied abroad mainly in Greece and the UK, but after Brexit, Netherlands became a popular educational destination among our students due to its high level international programs of studies.”

However, the ambassador acknowledged the challenges Cypriot students face, particularly regarding housing. “The housing problem is significant, and I hope the Dutch government will try to address it. Education is a key sector where a country can project its global footprint, and finding solutions for student housing is important. Students often become lifelong ambassadors for the country they study in.

His Majesty will also meet with Cyprus-Dutch alumni, further strengthening the People to people ties between the two nations.” The division of Cyprus due to foreign occupation – The political prospects for the solution with the Cyprus issue question “Cyprus, is a divided the country due to foreign aggression and occupation. Our efforts aim to reunite the island and its people, based on UN Security Council resolutions and international law. The future of all the people off Cyprus, Greek or Turkish Cypriots can be bright with Cyprus being a member of the European Union. The current foreign occupation that results in the division and violation of the human rights of all Cypriots is a manifest anachronism and needs to be terminated.”

“We rely in that regard on the support of our friends, including the Netherlands, for a principled solution and lasting peace in Cyprus. I need to emphasize, in that regard, that Cyprus follows a very principled and consistent position when it comes to international law violations, irrespective of who is the wrongdoer. We expect others and particularly our partners in the European Union to apply the same principles on Cyprus that they adopt in similar cases elsewhere.”

Tourism increased

Tourism from the Netherlands is around 5,000 per year, consistently growing. It’s an important number when you have a population of less than a 1 million. We have something like 3,2 million tourists visiting Cyprus every year.  I am pleased to note that four airline companies operate direct flights from the Netherlands to Cyprus: KLM, Ryanair, Transavia, Touring, Easy Jet.

The good weather, the beautiful scenery, the rich history and culture, the beaches and obviously the food can be a very good incentive to visit Cyprus. The local cuisine is typically Mediterranean. Halloumi is the famous Cyprus cheese, a very distinct product that you can find very easily in every major supermarket in the Netherlands. Cyprus is a very safe and hospitable country ideal for families, particularly during school holidays. The island features scenic mountains with snow cover, offering a contrast to the beaches. “ The Cyprus Tourism office in Amsterdam is doing a very good job and also covers the rest of the Benelux countries like our embassy in The Hague.”

Roy Lie Atjam and Dr. Mayelinne De Lara, editor and publisher of Diplomat Magazine, with Ambassador Spyros Attas during the interview.

NB- Cyprus will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026.The presidency is currently, as of January 2025, held by Poland. Three successive presidencies are known as presidency trios. The current trio is made up of Poland (January–June 2025), Denmark (July–December 2025), and Cyprus (January–June 2026).

Uzbekistan–Kuwait: A Course towards expanding cooperation

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Uzbekistan–Kuwait: A Course towards expanding cooperation

On 17-18 February 2025, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid his first official visit to the State of Kuwait.

As part of the program of stay in the city of Al Kuwait, the Leader of Uzbekistan held historic talks with Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Sabah, and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah, as well as fruitful meetings with key members of the Government and heads of leading companies and financial institutions of this country.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Sabah have adopted a Joint statement on the development of Uzbek-Kuwaiti relations of comprehensive partnership.

The summit also resulted in signing a solid package of agreements in various areas of cooperation, including in the economic sphere for the amount of $4.9 billion.

In particular, the following documents were signed:

  • – Agreement on cooperation in the field of industry;
  • – Protocol to the Agreement on Air Services;
  • – Agreement on cooperation in the labor sphere;
  • – Agreement on cooperation in the field of creation of “smart” cities;
  • – Agreement on Cooperation in the field of art and culture;
  • – Agreement on cooperation in the field of health care;
  • – Program of activities in the field of tourism for 2025-2027;
  • – Cooperation Agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.

As part of the cultural program, the leader of our country toured the expositions of the Al-Salam Palace Museum, reflecting the culture and history of the Kuwaiti people.

Kuwait formally recognized the independence of Uzbekistan on December 30, 1991, and in July 1994, two nations established diplomatic relations, affirming a shared commitment to fostering mutually beneficial and constructive partnership grounded in equality and respect for each other’s interests. The Embassy of Kuwait has been operating in Uzbekistan since 2001, while Uzbekistan established its diplomatic mission in Kuwait in 2004.

In recent years, there has been a marked intensification of bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including economics, trade, investment, education, and culture. Both nations are committed to strengthening their partnership, building on mutually beneficial interests and traditionally amicable relations, as well as spiritual ties rooted in shared religion, values, and traditions.

Kuwait is a significant partner for Uzbekistan within the framework of international relations. Kuwaiti expertise in areas such as economics, finance, banking, investment, innovation, education, and infrastructure development is of particular value. Collaboration with Kuwait offers ample opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and best practices, thereby bilateral relations and jointly advancing on the path of sustainable development.

Trade, economic, and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kuwait has gained significant momentum in recent years. There is no doubt that the two countries possess sufficient potential to significantly increase trade turnover, and they are actively working towards this goal.

The year 2024, in particular, demonstrated an unprecedented activity in economic interaction, with over 50 visits by representatives of large and medium-sized Kuwaiti companies and financial institutions to Uzbekistan. These included delegations from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, “Gulf General Trading Co.”, “Petroleum Dynamics”, “Al-Tijaria Group”, “The Commercial Real Estate Сo.”, “Rawasi Kuwait Holding Co.”, “Kuwait Investment Co.” (KIC), “AlJaber Group Holding”, “Biomedix Medical Group Co.”, “Advanced Medical German Co.”, “KAMCO Investment Co.”, “Alkandari General Trading Co.”, “Unique Goods”, “Zenith Business Solution”, “Golden Carpet”, “AlMawashi”, and other companies.

A key development in bilateral trade in 2024 was Uzbekistan’s first-ever export of over 20 metric tons of fresh fruits and vegetables to Kuwait, marking an initial step toward expanding commercial ties.

Undoubtedly, the official visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Kuwait will give an additional impetus to deepening bilateral interaction, expanding economic and humanitarian ties, and will contribute to further advancing the partnership to a new level.

The priority areas of practical cooperation have been identified as: ‘green’ energy, industrial cooperation, agriculture, transport and logistics, infrastructure, urban development, healthcare, and tourism.

In order to promote joint projects, it was agreed to establish such mechanisms as the Investment Platform and the Business Council, as well as to open a trading house in the city of El Kuwait.

Special attention was paid to building up a portfolio of projects with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development under the new Partnership Programme.

In addition, the sides agreed to hold cross cultural and tourism weeks in Uzbekistan and Kuwait and actively promote the participation of representatives of the two countries in cultural and humanitarian events in the fields of art, music, cinema, education and sports.

Hungary to ban pro-democracy groups and media outlets receiving US aid

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Hungary to ban pro-democracy groups and media outlets receiving US aid

Aljazeera  – Hungary is leading a crackdown on NGOs and media outlets operating in the country that receive funding from the US and other international sources.

An ally of US President Donald Trump, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban said his government was going “line by line” through organisations that have received financial assistance from the US.

Under Orban, Hungary has for years enacted crackdowns on NGOs and the country’s independent media, passing laws that critics argue seek to stigmatise and hinder groups that provide protection for women and minorities, offer legal and human rights assistance, and expose official corruption.

“Now is the moment when these international networks have to be taken down, they have to be swept away,” Orban said. “It is necessary to make their existence legally impossible.”

Trump’s decision to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the agency charged with delivering humanitarian assistance overseas, has only emboldened the Hungarian president. He has praised Trump’s slash of funding, claiming such aid had been used to fund organisations that sought to “topple” his government.

Orban said people who work for organisations that received USAID funding could be considered “agents”.

“All money coming from America should be made public, and those who receive it should have sanctions enacted against them,” Orban said.

In 2023, Orban’s right-wing government launched the Sovereignty Protection Office, an authority tasked with investigating organisations and media outlets it deems to be exerting foreign influence.

Under Orban, Hungary has been accused by numerous local and foreign bodies of grave democratic backsliding, with the EU withholding billions in funding to the country as a result.

Source: News Agencies

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Syria – A Larger Lebanon or Even More, a Signal for Major Geopolitical Changes in 2025, Including a “Green Light” for Border Modifications Worldwide?

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Syria – A Larger Lebanon or Even More, a Signal for Major Geopolitical Changes in 2025, Including a “Green Light” for Border Modifications Worldwide?

“When politicians play with the pencil on the map, the drums of war begin to beat.”

Otto von Bismarck

By Corneliu Pivariu

I Brief History

Syria, under French mandate after World War I, gained independence in 1945, subsequently experiencing a highly turbulent political and social period marked by numerous military coups until 1970, when General Hafez Al-Assad seized power through a coup. A referendum in the spring of 1971 legitimized his leadership, establishing an autocratic rule based on the military and secret services, widely supported by his Alawite coreligionists (a minority), who held the most important positions in the power structures.

The natural passing of Hafez Al-Assad in 2000, one of the longest-serving heads of state in the Middle East, was linked by many analysts to the beginning of Syria’s decline in regional influence. His successor, his son Bashar, assumed power instead of his elder brother Basel, who had been groomed for leadership but died in a tragic car accident in Lebanon. Retaining his father’s loyal supporters, Bashar managed to stay in power for nearly 24 years, until December 8, 2024, when he fled to Moscow.

Ultimately, the London-trained ophthalmologist failed to effectively manage the external and internal challenges he faced, exacerbated by severe mistakes made by his close circle and the shifting geopolitical landscape. The phrase popular in Damascus in the 2010s—”The West needs Bashar al-Assad more than Bashar needs the West”—gradually lost its validity due to the regime’s serious errors and changing international attitudes toward Damascus.

II. Syria and the Arab Spring

In Syria, the Arab Spring (or rather, the Arab Winter) emerged later than in North Africa, where protests and political upheavals began in 2010. The onset of Syrian unrest, which gradually escalated into a long and bloody civil war[1], is traced to March 15, 2011, following earlier protests in Dara, a southern Syrian city near the Jordanian border. The Assad regime mishandled these protests, employing heavy-handed repression, particularly through the Republican Guard led by Bashar’s brother, Maher Al-Assad. Popular discontent was further fueled by the presence of several hundred infiltrators from abroad, carrying passports from a neighboring country, between January and March 2011. This signaled an external decision to remove Assad, reinforced by substantial financial and material support from Arab states such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Despite the regime’s powerful secret services, which recruited followers from an early age, protests became violent across nearly the entire country. Armed intervention against demonstrators led to the radicalization of the movement. Due to Syria’s unique social situation and the government’s intelligence operations, opposition groups fragmented into various factions, including armed groups like the Free Syrian Army, which failed to unify into a single force. Extremist organizations such as Daesh (ISIS) exploited the ensuing chaos to seize control of different regions.

The situation was further complicated by the involvement of international actors such as Russia (from 2015), Iran (from the beginning, both militarily and through Hezbollah), Turkey, and the U.S.-led coalition, each pursuing distinct geopolitical interests.

Mass desertions weakened the Syrian army, which, except for its elite commando units and the Republican Guard, was generally poorly trained. Alongside foreign military presences—Russia and Iran being crucial in securing strategic areas—the regime also established local paramilitary formations such as the Shabiha (“ghosts”), primarily composed of Alawite minorities who maintained control, especially along the coast, where their population was significant.

To survive, the regime employed all available means, from airstrikes using fragmentation bombs to chemical weapons. Prisons became overcrowded with opposition members detained for the slightest act of defiance.

From a demographic perspective, the war was catastrophic, causing over 500,000 deaths, more than 6 million external refugees, and around 4 million internally displaced persons. Material destruction is difficult to estimate, with figures reaching approximately $300 billion.

Between 2011 and 2023, the Syrian economy shrank by 85%. The regime survived largely due to Iranian support, estimated at $2-6 billion annually. Another financial lifeline was the production of Captagon, an illicit drug known as the “jihad drug,” generating over $10 billion for the Assad regime.

In late November 2024, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham[2] (HTS) – Organization for the Liberation of the Levant, which controlled Syria’s northwestern Idlib region, launched an offensive against key strategic points, capturing Aleppo within days, followed by Hama, Homs, and finally Damascus.

The Syrian Civil War formally ended on December 7, 2024, following a meeting in Doha involving Arab foreign ministers and the Astana Process for Syria. They signed a Joint Declaration[3] endorsing a ceasefire based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

On December 8, 2024, Bashar al-Assad fled from Damascus to Latakia and was evacuated to Moscow from Russia’s Hmeimim military airbase.

III. The Fall of the Assad Regime, Current Developments, and Perspectives

The fall of the Assad regime was driven by a combination of internal and external factors that reached a critical point towards the end of 2024. Nevertheless, the regime demonstrated remarkable resilience, though the worsening economic and social crisis heightened the risks of regime change. Key external factors included Israel’s desire to capitalize on developments in Gaza and Lebanon to minimize Iran’s influence in Syria, as well as the situation of the Russian Federation, which, being engaged in the conflict in Ukraine, was unwilling to intensify its military support for Bashar al-Assad, thereby accepting his departure within a broader geopolitical context.

The Assad family was not entirely caught off guard[4], having taken precautions from the early years of the civil war to secure a comfortable life in Russia. Bashar shared his plans to flee Syria with almost no one, misleading his advisors, officials, and even relatives about his real intentions. His brother, Maher—commander of the Republican Guard—departed by helicopter to Iraq and then flew to Moscow.

On December 8, the armed opposition announced the fall of the regime, and the acting Prime Minister, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, declared his willingness to hand over power to a transitional government.

On December 10, Ahmed al-Sharaa[5], the emir of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), who became the de facto head of state, appointed Mohammed al-Bashir as Prime Minister of the Salvation Government. Initially consisting of 12 members from the previously established government in Idlib, the cabinet was expanded by six members on December 21, and the first female minister was appointed a day later. On December 30, Maysaa Sabreen was appointed as the first female governor of the Central Bank of Syria, having previously served as the first deputy governor of the bank during the latter part of the Assad regime.

On January 29, 2025, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) held the “Victory Conference” in Damascus, officially naming Ahmed al-Sharaa as interim president. He was tasked with forming an interim legislative council to draft a new constitution.

In a five-minute speech, Sharaa outlined his five priorities: resolving the power vacuum; maintaining civil peace and preventing acts of revenge[6]; rebuilding state institutions, particularly the military, security, and police forces, to ensure public safety; revitalizing the economy by rebuilding human resources, agriculture, industry, and the service sector; and regaining Syria’s regional position by establishing foreign relations based on sovereignty, respect, and mutual interests. Aware of the difficulties ahead, al-Sharaa remarked, “The first moment of victory can be the first moment of defeat.”

In defense, initial steps were taken as 18 larger and around 50 smaller armed factions agreed to dissolve and integrate into the new army. However, two armed factions in the south, from Suwayda and Daraa, as well as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which control a significant area in northeastern Syria, have not yet accepted integration. The SDF, of Kurdish origin and allied with the U.S., maintains ties with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, which seeks to eliminate it.

Economic reconstruction is estimated to take at least ten years for Syria’s GDP to return to its 2010 level ($80 billion), compared to just $10 billion in 2023. In 2019, reconstruction costs were estimated at approximately $400 billion, likely exceeding $500-600 billion today.

The new Minister of Economy has promised a transition to a free, competitive economy, abandoning the centralized control model.

Although the U.S. and the EU are expected to lift most, if not all, economic sanctions, massive investments will be required for reconstruction, making it a fundamentally political issue. Countries financing reconstruction will play a crucial political role in Syria’s future.

Despite expressing interest, Iran and Russia are unlikely to play a dominant role due to their internal and geopolitical circumstances. Given Syria’s new power dynamics, Turkey is in the most advantageous position. Turkish exports to Damascus were worth $2 billion in 2023, and given Ankara’s support for HTS, Turkey is likely to become the primary investor in reconstruction. The Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to Damascus on December 22, 2024, signaled not only political-military but also economic intentions. By late January 2025, President Erdogan stated that Turkey alone could eradicate terrorist groups in Syria, implying its desire for a leading role in the country.

In this context, the revival of the Turkey-Qatar gas pipeline project, first proposed in 2009 and abandoned due to political difficulties, including the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, is worth noting.

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s visit to Damascus on January 30, 2025—the first by an Arab head of state since Assad’s fall—further underscores Qatar’s interest in Syria’s future. Apart from general discussions on post-war collaboration, Qatar provided 200 MW of electricity, with plans for gradual expansion.

Another crucial issue is securing Syria’s oil supply, which was 90% dependent on Iran before deliveries ceased following Assad’s fall. Additionally, Hezbollah’s oil trafficking routes from Lebanon were bombed by Israel, forcing Syria to seek alternative sources. Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and even Iraq are being considered for this purpose.

Iran evacuated its personnel from Syria shortly before the regime’s fall but remains open to cooperation with the new authorities. Iran still has significant influence through its supporters in Syria, which it can leverage to advance its interests.

Although initially stating its intention to maintain good relations with Moscow, the new Syrian government has annulled Russia’s 49-year lease of the Tartus naval base. A visit by Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister to Damascus in late January failed to resolve the issue, and Russian military equipment has begun to be evacuated by sea. However, Syria will need to maintain some level of normal relations with Russia, considering their historical ties and future dependencies. Syria’s external debt to Russia exceeds $15 billion, primarily for military procurement, and its armed forces rely on Russian technology, making a shift to alternative suppliers a long-term process. Moreover, Russia’s long-standing advisory presence in Syria’s security and defense sectors remains a strategic advantage for Moscow.

The U.S. has shown interest in Syria’s developments, evidenced by a State Department delegation’s visit to Damascus shortly after Assad’s fall. The U.S. maintains around 2,000 troops in northeastern Syria, supporting the SDF, a stance opposed by Turkey. After December 8, 2024, the U.S. reportedly expanded Ain al-Assad airbase in western Iraq to serve as a logistics hub for American bases in the region. Additionally, it allegedly secured agreements for three new bases in Damascus, Daraa, and Quneitra, while expanding the Hasakah base.

I personally believe that the regime change in Syria was linked to the changes underway in the Washington Administration, in order to align with the new intentions of the Trump administration in the Middle East, with Syria potentially playing an important role in the security architecture envisioned by the new American administration for the region.

Israel was an active participant in the evolution of the situation in Syria and took advantage of the circumstances that emerged after December 8, 2024, to carry out over 400 air strikes against Iranian targets, Hezbollah, and the Syrian military—destroying missile and ammunition depots, striking the most important points of Syria’s anti-aircraft defenses and radar installations, and sinking a large part of the Syrian military fleet. Israel justified its actions as preventive, to ensure that the respective weaponry and military equipment would not be captured by terrorists. Furthermore, immediately after December 8, it proceeded to completely occupy the heights of the Golan as well as Mount Hermon (2,814 m), the highest in the area, overlooking Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. “It is extremely important from a strategic point of view. There is no substitute for mountains,” explained Efraim Inbar, Director of the Institute for Strategy and Security in Jerusalem (JISS). Although Israel officially declared that it would not retain these territories, I doubt that it will not, in the not-too-distant future, proclaim the annexation of the entire Golan plateau and maintain control over Mount Hermon, where it could install specialized equipment for military electronic reconnaissance (if such equipment has not already begun to be installed).

At present, I do not believe that Israel has established a long-term policy towards the new regime in Syria, given the multiple possible political scenarios regarding the developments in that country. Potentially, a normalization of relations between Syria and Israel could open new economic prospects, particularly in the energy sector for Israel.

Ahmad al-Sharaa and the interim government established in Damascus face particularly heavy and complex challenges both domestically and internationally. The transition period is estimated to last around three years, after which a new constitution must be approved by referendum, followed by elections in the fourth year. The issues that the new government will confront are very different from the administration of a region such as Idlib, where errors were also made.

Regarding the medium- and long-term evolution of the situation in Syria, I believe it can be grouped into two main scenarios, each with several variants: either Syria remains within its current territory—with some modifications in the Golan area that will be entirely annexed by Israel—or Syria is partially or completely divided (the latter being the least likely variant), depending on the evolution of the internal situation and the negotiations between various regional powers and global actors.

In the event of a division, Turkey is best positioned, as it would like to bring under its control the area in the north, from immediately north of Latakia, through Aleppo and along the Euphrates to the border with Iraq. The coastal area, where the Alawite minority is predominant, could declare independence and come under the umbrella of Moscow, thereby saving its maritime bases in the Mediterranean. Jordan, as a maximalist plan, might lay claim to expand its territory even as far as Damascus, taking into account the historical traditions of the Hashemite dynasty, or only as far as Daraa and Suwayda. This, too, will depend on developments in Gaza.

Of course, Israel will take the entire Golan as well as Mount Hermon.
Will Ahmad al-Sharaa, at the age of 43, be able to successfully lead Syria through the transition period and subsequent reconstruction? Determination alone is not enough; the way in which internal and external factors will interweave, as well as how he will seize emerging opportunities, will determine the final outcome of Syria’s evolution in the first half of the 21st century.

IV. Brief Conclusions

The fall of the Assad regime in less than a month after nearly 14 years of civil war is a clear indication that regional and global geopolitical shifts in the second quarter of the 21st century will be more significant than before. The possibility of border modifications worldwide is no longer far-fetched.

In the Middle East, Israel and Turkey emerge as the main winners, though each faces internal and external challenges.

Syria’s situation remains highly complex and open to various possibilities. The new government must tackle a deepening economic and social crisis while preventing a descent into factional conflict, reminiscent of Lebanon’s historical turmoil.

Syria’s developments will shape new regional and global power balances, potentially becoming the new litmus test for Middle Eastern and even global geopolitics.

Brașov, Romania, February 3, 2025

[1] For details on the evolution of the Syrian civil war, see also Corneliu Pivariu – Current Geopolitics, Unveiled in 200 Episodes, pp. 259-267; Current Geopolitics. Significant Episodes 2011-2014, pp. 236-253; Major Moves on the Geopolitical Chessboard 2014-2017, pp. 355-390; Geopolitics Before and After Covid-19, pp. 243-246.

[2] Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a Sunni Islamist politico-military organization that emerged in January 2017 through the merger of several Syrian Sunni opposition military factions. Previously, in 2011, HTS was known as Jabhat al-Nusra and was affiliated with Al-Qaeda. It also had ties with the Islamic State, but these affiliations were severed with the formation of HTS. The organization has been designated a terrorist group by the UN, the US, Turkey, the EU, and other states. HTS controlled the northwestern region of Syria, known as the Idlib region, as well as parts of the Aleppo area, including the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey. It established a Salvation Government composed of 10 ministers. The organization has received increased support from Turkey over the past year, including drones, military instructors, and weaponry. Additionally, it benefits from support from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, other Arab and non-Arab countries, and wealthy opponents of the Assad regime who have taken refuge abroad.

[3] The foreign ministers of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey, as well as the Russian representative, participated in the Astana Process.

[4] According to the Financial Times, as early as 2019, the extended Assad family purchased 19 apartments in Moscow’s modern commercial center, valued at $40 million. The US State Department estimated in 2022 that the Assad family’s wealth was approximately $2 billion, spread across numerous accounts, shell companies, real estate portfolios, and tax havens. A Syrian intelligence officer told a Turkish publication that, before his departure from Syria, Bashar al-Assad had transferred $135 billion out of the country. His eldest son, Hafez, now 22 years old, is currently preparing for his doctorate in Moscow

[5] Ahmed al-Sharaa, known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani (born October 29, 1982), was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to a Syrian Sunni family from the Golan region. At the age of six, he returned with his family to Damascus. Shortly before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, he joined Al-Qaeda in Iraq, where he fought for three years before being captured by American forces and imprisoned in various locations from 2006 to 2011. His release coincided with the start of the Syrian civil war, during which he established the Al-Nusra Front to support Al-Qaeda’s fight against Bashar al-Assad’s Ba’athist regime. In 2013, he was placed on the US State Department’s terrorist list, and four years later, a $10 million reward was set for information leading to his capture. In December 2024, the reward was canceled following his meeting with a US State Department delegation visiting Damascus.

On July 28, 2016, al-Sharaa announced that Al-Nusra was severing ties with Al-Qaeda and renamed the organization Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (JFS). In January 2017, he formed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) by merging with other groups. He prioritized combating Al-Qaeda and Daesh to improve relations with the West, particularly with Turkey, and succeeded in controlling most of the Idlib region, which he governs through the Syrian Salvation Government.

[6] Reports have already surfaced of summary executions of approximately 35 people in central Homs and another 10 people in the Alawite area, from which the Assad family originates.

Tourism Malaysia

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Tourism Malaysia

By Roy Lie Atjam

Utrecht, 8 January 2025—Tourism Malaysia showcased the country at the 54th Vakantiebeurs holiday fair, a key event for promoting Malaysia to the Dutch market. Held from 8 to 12 January 2025 at Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, this is the largest travel fair in the Benelux region.

Tourism Malaysia collaborated with the Sarawak Tourism Board and local operators like Pangea Travel and Miki Travels to position Malaysia as a top holiday destination.

H.E. Dato’ Roseli Abdul, Ambassador of Malaysia together with team Tourism Malaysia The Hague and co-exhibitors.

Representatives from Mulu National Park and Mike Bikes highlighted thrilling activities available in the country. With over 70,000 visitors last year, Vakantiebeurs provides excellent networking opportunities for the travel industry.

The event’s consumer days inspire the public with valuable holiday planning information. The Tourism Malaysia Pavilion featured engaging activities, including cooking demonstrations and cultural performances. Daily presentations offered insights into Malaysia, while a Malaysia-themed quiz allowed attendees to win exciting prizes.

Welcome Remarks H.E. Dato’ Roseli Abdul, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

On the trade day, Tourism Malaysia’s booth was proudly inaugurated by H.E. Dato’ Roseli Abdul, the Ambassador of Malaysia in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This year, the fair is set to host over 60 industry partners for a remarkable soft launch, including airlines, tour operators, travel agents, and travel media representatives. Tourism Malaysia confidently showcased a diverse range of destinations and products from across the country, with a special emphasis on Kuala Kubu Bharu—a hidden gem renowned for its adventure and heritage.

The Sarawak Tourism Board, in partnership with Mulu National Park, effectively highlighted the park’s extraordinary offerings, including its prestigious status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ms. Sharifah Hafsya, Director of Tourism Malaysia The Hague during the product briefing.

Pangea Travel, a local co-exhibitor, proudly launched the Pangea Foundation, a non-profit initiative aimed at supporting impactful projects. During the event, attendees were introduced to KOPEL, a Malaysian-based project dedicated to preserving the natural environment around the Lower Kinabatangan and improving the livelihoods of local communities in the region.

According to preliminary statistics, Malaysia welcomed 77,117 Dutch tourists between January and November 2024, marking a 22.4% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. The Netherlands continues to be a key market for Malaysia, with an average length of stay of 9.9 nights in 2023, reflecting the potential for further growth.

The Tarik Demo- Malaysia’s beloved pulled Milk Tea.

With the recent launch of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, Malaysia aims to boost international tourist arrivals, projecting 35.6 million arrivals and RM147.1 billion in tourism receipts by 2026.

Celebrating the Inspiring Power of Women’s Literature

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Celebrating the Inspiring Power of Women’s Literature

By Francesco  Cortese

Celebrating The Truly Inspiring Power of Women’s Literature to emphasize the accomplishments of an exceptionally vibrant 2024, the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo, in partnership with Carabela Books and the Dutch-Albanian Foundation, successfully hosted a poetry night last December at its premises in The Hague. This remarkable event, titled “Voices of Her Own: Albanian Women’s Literature Across Borders,” celebrated the significant contributions of Albanian women poets as they assert their presence in national and European cultural arenas.

The evening commenced with a powerful opening speech from H.E. Mr Dren Doli, Ambassador of Kosovo in the Netherlands. Moderated by the esteemed Albana Shala and Mirza Adami—two influential figures within the Kosovo-Albanian diaspora in the Netherlands—the event highlighted a compelling lineup of authors and their impactful works.

Albanian women authors from Kosovo, Albania, and the diaspora—Blerina Rogova Gaxha, Olimbi Velaj, Erenestina Gjergji, Vlera Kastrati, and Ervina Halili.

Five distinguished Albanian women authors from Kosovo, Albania, and the diaspora—Blerina Rogova Gaxha, Olimbi Velaj, Erenestina Gjergji, Vlera Kastrati, and Ervina Halili—showcased their vital contributions to contemporary literature, honoring a rich heritage and diverse perspectives.

The first segment of the event was highly engaging, with poets delivering powerful readings of their works alongside other artistic expressions, such as music production and cinematography. The poetry readings in both Albanian and English not only captured the original musicality of the pieces but also ensured the international audience grasped their meanings and messages clearly.

Following the readings, a robust panel discussion unfolded, diving into the deeper aspects of the poets’ work. The dialogue examined their motivations for writing, the profound influence of Albanian heritage on their artistry, and the obstacles faced by women writers navigating the regional literary landscape.

What a lovely evening it was for the Kosovar diaspora in the Netherlands and their international friends! It created such a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone to come together. As the evening  went on, the vibe got even more relaxed and cheerful, allowing everyone to connect and enjoy this special moment.

To top it all off, the gathering wrapped up with a reception, featuring a delightful wine-tasting experience and traditional dishes from the Kosovar cuisine. It was the perfect way to celebrate the amazing contributions of Albanian women to literature!

USA and Cuba reach historic agreement

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USA and Cuba reach historic agreement

President Biden has announced that the U.S. will remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. This decision is part of an agreement, facilitated by the Catholic Church, where Cuba agreed to release 553 political prisoners, but their nationalities have not been specified in the reports.

While the deal has been widely regarded as a diplomatic breakthrough, it has sparked criticism from Republican lawmakers, who argue that the move could be easily reversed by a future administration. The agreement marks an important moment in U.S.-Cuba relations, with potential implications for regional diplomacy and human rights though its long-term impact remains to be seen amid political tensions in both countries.

Lebanon’s Political Shift

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Lebanon’s Political Shift

New Leadership Emerges Amid Challenges

Today, January 15, 2025, Lebanon has undergone a significant political change with the election of President Joseph Oun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. This new leadership team faces an uphill battle to address Lebanon’s multifaceted crises. Key priorities include post-war reconstruction, maintaining the fragile ceasefire, and implementing overdue economic reforms to stabilize the country’s faltering economy. The appointments of Oun and Salam also mark a symbolic reduction in Hezbollah’s dominance, offering hope for renewed political balance and progress.

President Joseph Aoun is a Maronite Christian with a nonpartisan stance. The Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, is a Lebanse politician, academic, jurist and a diplomat, he served in The Hague as a judge for nine years at the International Court of Justice. In 2024 he was elected the 27th ICJ president becoming the first Lebanese judge to hold this position. PM Salam was from 2007 to 2017 ambassador of Lebanon to the UN during this time he held the position of President of the UN Security Council and Vice Presdiente of the General Assembly, before been appointed as Lebanon’s new Prime Minister. His nomination was confirmed by President Joseph Aoun after securing the support of 84 out of 128 lawmakers. This marks a significant shift in Lebanon’s political landscape, especially following recent conflicts involving Hezbollah.

Salam is considered a reformist and impartial candidate, tasked with leading the country out of its prolonged political and economic crises. His appointment comes after President Joseph Aoun’s election.

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