Thursday, 11 May 2023, Berlin, Germany: At the Representation of Rhineland-Palatinate, the Plenipotentiary for Federal and European Affairs, State Secretary Heike Raab received the Slovenian ambassador Dr. Ana Polak Petrič, in office since 27 September 2022. Ambassador Polak Petrič was previously her homeland’s head of mission in Austria, and Japan.
One focus of the conversation was the enlargement of the European Union towards the Western Balkan, a region whereto Slovenia possesses a plethora of historical and political connections. Other topics included climate protection ambitions and cooperation in education and higher education. In particular, the new cooperation on teacher training planned for November 2023 was discussed, in which up to ten teachers from Rhineland-Palatinate will be able to observe at the Gimnzija Celje Center in Celje, Slovenia. Heike Raab and Ana Polak Petrič also exchanged views on the fact that in December 2022, with the lawyer and journalist Nataša Pirc Musar, first female head of state of Slovenia.
“Mutual trust characterises the very good relations with Slovenia, a reliable partner in the European Union and NATO. For other EU accession candidates, Slovenia, which has been a member of the Union since 2004, is a real role model” said State Secretary Raab as per statement linked below in its original German version.
iSpoof, a website that allowed criminals to impersonate trusted corporations, was taken down in November 2022 in an international joint action that led to 142 arrests. The main administrator of the website has now been sentenced to 13 years and 4 months of imprisonment by Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom. Eurojust supported the investigation and played a key role in facilitating judicial cross-border cooperation between all parties involved.
The website allowed those who sign up and pay for its services to anonymously make spoofed telephone calls, send recorded messages and intercept one-time passwords. Users could impersonate an infinite number of entities (such as banks, retail companies and government institutions) for financial gain, leading to substantial losses for victims of scams.
The investigation showed that iSpoof earned over EUR 3.7 million in 16 months. According to UK authorities, losses to victims currently stand at GBP 43 million (EUR 49 million) in the UK alone, with estimated worldwide losses of over GBP 100 million (EUR 115 million).
From August 2021 to August 2022, around 10 million fraudulent calls were made globally via iSpoof. At the point of closure, the website had 59,000 registered users.
In an international coordinated action led by the UK and supported by Eurojust and Europol, 142 users and administrators were arrested across the world. The website was taken offline and servers were seized by US and Ukrainian authorities on 8 November 2022.
The main administrator of the website was arrested two days before, on 6 November. He is believed to have received between GBP 1.7 million and GBP 1.9 million (over EUR 2 million) in profits from running iSpoof. On 18 May 2023, he was sentenced to 13 years and 4 months of imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court in London.
The case was opened at Eurojust in October 2021 at the request of UK authorities. National authorities from 10 countries, including European Union Member States and third countries, supported the investigation. The Agency played a key role in facilitating judicial cross-border cooperation between all parties involved. Two coordination meetings were hosted by Eurojust to coordinate the national investigations and prepare for the action.
Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) provided continuous intelligence development to national investigators through the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT). In the framework of its analytical work, Europol was able to identify additional users of the iSpoof service, a number of whom were already known for their involvement in other high-profile cybercrime investigations at the European level.
The fast-paced biodiversity loss is increasing business risk. Companies and investors in the Americas that are ready to embrace change by accepting their relation to biodiversity and nature in corporate strategy may turn the tide from risk to value. Plain good business.
The added prefix from the Greek “bio” to “diversity” gives meaning to variety of life on earth. The marvelous life fabric billions of years in the making that supports our very existence. People, air, water, soil, forest and more than 8.7 million species form a safety net on land and water. Biodiversity benefits people beyond wellbeing and livelihoods. It contributes to security, resiliency and enables social relations, health, freedom of choices and actions. Negotiators from 196 governments closed 2022 agreeing to halt the loss of biodiversity in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework- known as the GBF-The agreement could result in nature business and finance regulation but also in opportunities for companies and investors willing to step up in the Americas. Business must anticipate and partner in a shared vision. Corporate dialogue and strategies integrating biodiversity and nature risk are paramount.
Over half the world’s GDP – is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services. Unfortunately, this is not common knowledge or reflected in corporate strategies. 40% of the world’s largest public companies have net zero targets yet less than 20% of S&P 500 companies have made biodiversity commitments. Meanwhile, nature, people and the economy are at high stakes risk. Biodiversity is a frontrunner in the most severe world risk list, the ninth contender over the next two years, moving up to fourth in the next decade. Climate goals, including corporate targets, depend on nature and biodiversity in decline as their contributions are in many parts of the Americas.
For decades five drivers of nature loss have been globally know. Land and sea use, fragmenting, transforming habitats and contributing to the second culprit – the climate crisis. The remaining three are direct use and exploitation of natural resources, pollution, and invasive alien species. This model contributes to the climate crisis while simultaneously, a large percentage of climate impacts in Americas are experienced in transformed land and sea ecosystems. A vicious cycle. Nature loss creates risk for businesses that depend on nature; have impacts on elements of nature and whose stakeholder needs are affected with social disruptions. Disruptions in supply, asset exposure to extreme events, resource and scarcity based social conflicts or legal action are examples.
Countries committed to updating their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans and showing progress on 4 global goals and 23 targets by 2050. Commitments hint forthcoming regulatory action on business and finance nature-related disclosure & data, due diligence obligations and supervision, biodiversity risk management guidance and nature-based sustainable finance policy. This could mean hurdles but also represent opportunities. The Americas is highly biologically, culturally and socioeconomically diverse. It is home to 7 out of the 17 most biodiverse countries and some of the most extensive wilderness areas on the planet. The economic value of terrestrial nature’s contributions to people in the region is estimated at least $24.3 trillion per year, equivalent to the region’s gross domestic product.
Agricultural production, fisheries and aquaculture continue to increase food provision for the region and the planet. Nature-based sourced energy, including biofuels and hydropower at the local level is increasing and so is dependence on infrastructure. Latin America is the largest global exporter of food and one of the largest traders in bioenergy. Critical minerals and metals for energy transition are concentrated in regions and countries of the Americas.
The region’s natural and water capital can widen financing and investment options, increasing capital flows and reducing debt. Businesses within key sectors (blue economy, agribusiness, energy and infrastructure, minerals and metals and financing) have been operating with transnational regulatory implications for decades. This shows that the business nature nexus can be an asset rather than a liability.
Corporate strategies integrating and addressing risk, sorting competing social, economic, and ecological interests are paramount. Environmental and social governance of nature risks becomes value added and a safeguard for investors. To partner with governments in building back biodiversity from agreement to action, the first step for businesses is acknowledging their relationship with nature. Their dependence and material impacts along with environmental and social governance needs. Identifying risk throughout supply chains, key performance indicators and monitoring to address financial and stakeholder needs through sustainability, transparency, and accountability. In turn Governments must place incentives adequately. Businesses should get ready and embrace change. Integrating biodiversity is just plain good business.
About the author:
Dr. Claudia S. de Windt is an International lawyer and academic. Expert in political science, justice, socio-environmental governance (ESG) and diplomacy for sustainability. She is Executive Director of the Inter-American Institute of Justice and Sustainability (IIJS: www.ii-js.org)
The International Criminal Court is aware and profoundly concerned about unwarranted and unjustified coercive measures reportedly taken against ICC officials, notably the Prosecutor of the Court and the judges of Pre-Trial Chamber II by the authorities of the Russian Federation.
The ICC finds these measures unacceptable. The Court will remain undeterred in the conduct of its lawful mandate to ensure accountability for the gravest crimes of concern to the international community as a whole.
The ICC stands firmly by its personnel and officials and, in line with the statement issued by the Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties earlier today, calls on all its States Parties and Rome Statute stakeholders to enhance their efforts to protect the Court, its officials and its personnel, and ensure it is capable to continue to deliver on its independent mandate.
We remember September 21 in the Province of Drenthe as one of the most surprising and stimulating day of 2022, after visiting the town of Frederiksoord and the museum of Drenthe that reveals part of the Netherlands’ history, unknown for many of us.
The organisation of the trip was meticulous. Every minute spent among the people of Drenthe was valuable. It was part of the memorable commemoration of the 31st Anniversary of Armenia’s independence day organized by H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, who chose Drenthe to bring over 40 colleagues ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and journalists to an outstanding day out to enjoy, under sunny day, all the beauty of the village of Frederiksoord and the Museum De Proefkolonie, visiting the cities of Westerveld and Assen.
Ambassadorial trip to Drenthe Province by Armenia.
“We learned everything about the colonies of Benevolence and what makes these colonies so special. After visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site, we got acquainted with the ancient treasures of Armenia, its culinary delights and sublime music that Tigran Balayan, ambassador of Armenia, brought us.” Said one guest ambassador.
Welcome to Drenthe! Ms. Jetta Klijnsma, King’s Commissioner in the province of Drenthe and H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, Ambassador of Armenia.
The cultural day began with a visit to Frederiksoord village where we had the honour to meet Ms. Jetta Klijnsma, the King’s Commissioner in the province of Drenthe. She addressed the invitees with great enthusiasm offering a general overview of the history, the cultural and business live of the region.
Ambassadors at Colony of Benevolence – Frederiksoord village.
After the Governor’s speech, the guests visited a museum dedicated to the Colonies of Benevolence which were recently awarded the status of UNESCO Heritage Site showing the history of Johannes van den Bosch and his Society of Benevolence of 1818 who wanted to offer to paupers in the Netherlands a chance for a better existence.
The Society founded the Colonies of Benevolence, calling it Colony Frederiksoord.
The event continued in Assen, where the ambassador of Armenia hosted a guided visit of the exhibition Under the Spell of Ararat. The treasures of Ancient Armenia from the Museum of Yerevan includes a unique relic from Noah’s Ark at the Drents Museum.
This remarkable exhibition was planned for years and was on hold during two more years due to the pandemic before landing in Drents Museum. Almost all the artefacts and pieces have never travelled out of Armenia. There were great expectations to see the relic coming from Noah’s Ark.
The wooden reliquary containing a piece of wood from Noah’s Ark is decorated with silver mounts and semiprecious stones. Etchmiadzin Cathedral has three pieces of the wood from the Biblical Ark. Tradition has it that the wood was found by Bishop Jacob of Nisibis (now Nusaybin in eastern Turkey) in the early fourth century AD. The bishop is depicted on the back of the reliquary holding a fragment of wood from the Ark in his left hand.
Under the Spell of Ararat. The treasures of Ancient Armenia from the Museum of Yerevan at Drents Museum.
A reception was dedicated to the National Day of Armenia. During the welcome speech, Ambassador Tigran Balayan thanked the Governor for her warmth hospitality and support during the organization of the visit. “I would like to express our utmost gratitude to Ms. Klijnsma for the reception extended to us and for the opportunity to gather together in the beautiful province of Drenthe.
Thanks to this province, Armenia came to the Netherlands and this is the continuation of Armenia’s presence in the Netherlands. According to the records, the last time such a group of Ambassadors visited Drenthe was in 2009”.
Relic from Noah’s Ark
He also referred to the difficult situation in which Armenia is celebrating its independence day as follows, “This year we celebrate the 31th Anniversary of our Independence in the gravest circumstances, when our nation is facing a military aggression in blatant violation of international law and order. Today, as we stand on the threshold of our next decade, the territorial integrity of our country is under an imminent threat. Today, as we stand against aggression and indifference we pay tribute to our friends. We are grateful to everyone that supported Armenia in this difficult situation.”
Drents Museum – Ambassadorial visit by Armenia.
The ambassador also referred to the developments in the bilateral relations between Armenia and the Netherlands, highlighting the visit of the Prime Minister of Armenia to the Netherlands and the implementation of the agreements reached during the visit. “Despite all the difficulties, the year 2022 is also a remarkable one in terms of our bilateral relations with the Netherlands. This year we are celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. We took stock of the existing level of partnership and outlined the architecture of our future cooperation”, concluded Ambassador Balayan.
Ambassador Balayan with musicians interpreting ancient Armenian music. Armenian dinne at Drents Museum.
The official part of the event ended with an awarding ceremony. The Governor of Drenthe, Ms. Jetta Klijnsma, was awarded with the Medal of Honor of the Embassy of Armenia. The Director of the Museum, Mr. Harry Tupan, was awarded with the Gold Medal of the Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, and Mr. Nikolay Romashuk-Hayrapetyan was awarded with the Medal of Honor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia for his contribution to the organization of the exhibition and for the promotion of Armenian Culture in the Netherlands.
H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, Ambassador of Armenia together with the Governor of Drenthe, Ms. Jetta Klijnsma and the Direcgtor of Drents Museum, Mr. Harry Tupan.
The Embassy of Armenia has decided to celebrate Armenia’s National Day in different provinces each year. In 2021 it was celebrated in Eindhoven with the Dutch business community. In 2022, the celebration took place in Drenthe with the diplomatic community, with international organizations, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the medias. We are now waiting for Armenia to announce the 2023 National Day’s venue that is expected to be an interesting one.
In Tashkent, the Hilton Tashkent City Hotel hosted the II International Forum on the topic: “Implementing of best practices in poverty reduction“, organized by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) jointly with the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan(Ministry of Employment), with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Uzbekistan and the United Nations Children’s Fund in Uzbekistan (UNICEF).
Alfred Nobel Prize Laureate, co-founder of the global initiative to combat poverty J-PAL — Abhijit Banerjee addressed the Forum participants with a greeting.
The expert noted that governments around the world are strengthening their social protection programs in response to the coronavirus pandemic, in particular, about 3,856 programs have been planned or implemented to date.
“Speaking, for example, about Uzbekistan, the tools that are used to create social programs, how do you determine the right target audience, what they need, how do you support them, how do you support entrepreneurship, how do you separate the poorest and those who need start-up support. The fact that you understand that different target audiences need different solutions to problems, and how effective the various programs adopted are, how the education system works — all this is quite difficult work, but I am glad that your country shows example to other countries how to fight poverty. Standing here today, I feel the spirit of in this country and I am proud that I can say “let’s do it,” the expert said.
In his presentation, Abhijit Banerjee noted that when expanding access to programs and benefits, many countries relied on existing programm platforms, demonstrating how important investments in social protection systems and institutions are. J-PAL researchers evaluated social protection programs in India, Bangladesh and Ghana, as well as in other countries. According to Abhijit Banerjee, well-designed randomized assessments can test specific hypotheses and identify their cause-and-effect relationships. They give a deep insight into the mechanisms that can change the situation, and their results can surprise all of us.
Speaking about the social programs accepted in the world, Abhijit Banerjee said that very little is known about which programs really work and which do not. At the same time, decisions on the implementation of such programs are made intuitively rather than on the basis of actual data. The expert noted that India has the largest number of people in the world living in multidimensional poverty (25% of the country’s population).
Abhijit Banerjee noted that economic theory is only a starting point in the development of effective policy.
“Economic theory is based on assumptions, it does not give a complete picture of the real situation, and assumptions are often unverifiable and unstable. At the same time, economic models warn us very well about various possible mechanisms, but they do not tell us which of these mechanisms actually work and which do not. However, there are various effective solutions taking into account economic efficiency,” the expert noted.
Speaking about proven mechanisms in the field of education, the expert noted three promising approaches: 1 – support for students with low academic performance through a remedial training program; 2 – providing additional training materials using machine learning; 3 – focusing on a specific skill using the “Read-a-thon” program to improve reading skills.
The expert also touched upon the impact of ecology on the level of household well-being. He noted that indoor air pollution poses a serious threat to health worldwide. For example, about a third of households in the world use fossil fuels, including coal. Women and young children are disproportionately affected by the resulting indoor air pollution.
What possible solutions come to mind? Installation of improved kitchen stoves and hoods in households, as well as the use of more environmentally friendly fuel. However, will improved stoves be able to have a positive effect on health? Will they consume less fuel and will there be less emissions into the atmosphere? Do people agree to use them? The results of a randomized study in India showed that improved kitchen stoves did not improve health indicators due to low consumption. One of the reasons is that households did not use the improved stoves regularly andior properly.
“It is important to understand how new technologies fit into the lives of people in poor households. For example, kitchen stoves could not be taken outside, which could explain why people refused them. A randomized trial was the right method to find answers to these questions, as they allow us to test a specific hypothesis, measure causal effects, and understand the mechanisms of interaction. It is encouraging to see that over the past two decades there has been a significant increase in the volume of thorough assessments in the measurement of multidimensional poverty and significant progress in the use of evidence for public policy decisions. So, our 20-year work on evidence-based research and policies has affected the lives of 600 million people around the world,” the expert noted.
Abhijit Banerjee spoke about possible areas for conducting evidence-based research in Uzbekistan:
What design elements can make social protection programmes more effective? As Uzbekistan increases its investments in social protection, it is useful to evaluate the targeting of these measures and other design features to ensure they are reaching the right people and producing the desired impacts.
What sorts of entrepreneurship support are most effective? Can we find ways to identify high-potential entrepreneurs who could benefit from additional support? How do new entrepreneurs respond to different tax incentives? What measures may be particularly effective for supporting female entrepreneurs?
What forms of vocational training are effective in helping successfully match workers to jobs? What formats are most cost-effective for supporting successful employment outcomes? What other support may workers need beyond training?
How can the quality of schooling and educational performance be improved? What kinds of pedagogical interventions could be useful in improving primary and secondary educational outcomes? As access to pre-school increases, what other measures may be needed to encourage enrollment and improve quality?
The Embassy of Guatemala in The Hague, in collaboration with Diplomat Magazine and Casa del Habano, organized an event on April 21 to share great cigars and rum with diplomats. Attendees joined from many embassies and international organizations to enjoy the friendly and relaxed atmosphere. This was the second installment of this event, in what is hoped will be an ongoing collaboration.
To open the evening, Mr. Lesther Ortega Lemus, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Guatemala thanked everybody for their attendance. Then, Mr. Raymond van Hoorssen, owner of the Casa del Habano, gave a brief speech, for any newcomers, explaining the different types of tobacco that make up a cigar, as well as how to properly light one. He then introduced the two different cigars that were available that night.
H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, Ambassador of Armenia, H.E. Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez Otero, Ambassador of Uruguay and H.E. Mr. Arnoldo Brenes Castro, Ambassador of Costa Rica.
The first was a Nicaragua “My Father le Bijou,” a full-bodied smoke with notes of black coffee, wood, sweet nutmeg, and cherries. Also available was the Ecuadorian with Nicaragua filler “West Tampa White,” a medium bodied offering with creamy, earthy, and peppery flavors.
As for the accompanying drinks, a variety of Guatemalan rums were provided by the Embassy, including Ron Botran no. 15 Reserva, Ron Botran Cobre Spiced, Ron Botran no. 18 Reserva de la Familia, and Ron Zacapa 12.
These all proved popular choices, and those who partook enjoyed themselves, as a conversation amongst friends over a glass of rum and with a fine cigar, is all the more sweet on a Friday evening like that. It was a lively and relaxing way to send out the week.
Zacapa Rum from Guatemala
Rum and cigars are important industries for export in Guatemala, and across the region, so this was a fine way to showcase some of the many high-quality offerings that they have.
Rum production in Guatemala goes back to the late 16th century, so there is centuries of expertise behind what is produced there today. And Central America is widely considered the finest cigar and tobacco producing region in the world, with history going back to its use by local indigenous peoples. Needless to say, they know what they’re doing and hopefully we can expect more opportunities to enjoy these fine offerings in the future.
The Embassy of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh celebrated its 52nd anniversary of Independence. The actual date is 26 March, however, festive activities have been moved to April 28. Scores of friends of Bangladesh, the diaspora, diplomats and others came by to felicitate H.E. Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah, and participated in the celebratory evening.
Among the Ambassadors attending were: Algeria, Morocco, Palestine, Ireland, Costa Rica, India, Papal Nuncius, Ghana, Rwanda, Lebanon and others.
Brigitta Tazelaar, Deputy Director General International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
Ambassador Riaz Hmidullah delivered a welcome speech. Mrs Brigitta Tazelaar, Deputy Director General International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, also delivered an address.
Welcome Remarks by Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah.
“ I welcome you all to the celebration of the 52nd Anniversary of independence of Bangladesh. We were actually to congregate on 26th March – on our National Day – but could not due to unavoidable circumstances.
Past one year has seen steady advancement in our engagements. While I must not bore you with the details, yet let me say that all underline the ways the people in the two deltas – Netherlands with 17 million, Bangladesh with 170 million – understand each other in respect of shared values and turning challenges into opportunities.
This shared appreciation connects Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Her Majesty Queen Maxima as well as Prime Minister Mark Rutte – in conversations on global justice, peace, women and girls or climate change.
As I often interact with visiting University students, I explain how the Dutch and Bangladeshis connect irrespective of our diversity in endowments or capacities. Our two peoples champion resilience, adaptation and innovation in battling the limits of nature. On a lighter note, the two far-away people connect for their ‛can do’ attitude. Even though when the Netherlands is the 16th largest economy while Bangladesh the 35th largest, globally.
Among the audience, H.E. Mr. Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, Ambassador of Rwanda, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Basri Ambassador of Morocco and H.E. Dr. Francis Danti Kotia, Ambassador of Ghana.
Last August, Deputy Director-General, Birgitta Tazelaar, was in Dhaka to finalize the bilateral Cooperation Strategy with Bangladesh. As she returned, I was pretty scared to ask of her impressions. I was certain that terrible road traffic in Dhaka would top her accounts. Her first word however surprised me, “it was all about vibes.” Much relieved I was!
Dutch – Bangladesh collaboration commenced with water sector. Even pre-dating our independence. To bring up the stories as also the potential, last year, we wrapped up a unique Water Photo Contest with Deltares last year. That stirred many Dutch as well. We would shortly present few of the 1,600 images that emerged out of that Contest.
As Bangladesh moves beyond a shirt-to-ship story or, beyond one and half billion dollars bilateral trade, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and conglomerates are increasingly keen to tie up with Dutch peers, drawing on Dutch knowledge – technology – innovation. Newer modes of collaboration are emerging, in areas ranging from agriculture to culture. Last year, together with several Dutch entities, entrepreneurs and manufacturers from Bangladesh converged in Den Haag and Eindhoven to stitch collaborations.
Bangladesh National Day
For instance, around 100 Bangladeshi digital companies are engaged with their Dutch peers; Brainport in Eindhoven is exploring Bangladesh, especially on design-thinking; RVO has so far carried out 8 Market Scans. This June, a Dutch Trade Mission will be in Bangladesh; Bangladesh Government is engaged with Wageningen University on shaping three interventions, on the pathway for Transformation of Bangladesh Agriculture.
This February, Bangladesh Delta Plan moved to the next ten years’ Phase; Dutch impact investing community is showing growing interest; Dutch Orange Corners inaugurated its first Hub in Asia, in Dhaka, this February.
And, we now look forward to the Fifth Foreign Office Consultations, on 21st May, as Secretary-General Paul Huijts leads the Dutch side to Dhaka.
In order to present the sights – sounds – finer aspects from Bangladesh, the Embassy would be having you all at the Best of Bangladesh event in Westerpark Amsterdam, on 4th and 5th September.
At the global level, Bangladesh and the Netherlands engage, driven by a vision of shared prosperity – not just for the two peoples. As much as it is on securing justice and accountability for the Rohingyas, it is also in building global convergence on sustainable development – water – climate change – responsible business.
Frontiers in Art and Culture also beckon prospects. Growing number of younger Bangladeshi filmmakers are bringing their films to IDFA and other Dutch Film festivals. That is why, outside this Ballroom, we present select 12 art works from the Embassy’s collection!
These are to illustrate many ‛improbable’ that can be unpacked or turned around, as we celebrate Bangladesh, over music and food, this evening.
In presence of all Dutch friends in the audience, let me pay tribute to all women and men – entrepreneurs – NGOs – Foundations from the Netherlands who contributed to our widening canvass of friendship and engagements. And, continue to do so. They battled sun and rain in a humid delta with their Bangladeshi peers and friends. Together, Bangladesh wishes to advance the ties with the Netherlands to the next levels.
Let me conclude wishing good life and well-being to His Majesty King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima and the People of the Netherlands. Joy Bangla. “
The most devastating war in the history of mankind – the Second World War, moved to the territory of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, and was named the Great Patriotic War. This war brought unprecedented economic, military and human losses to the countries of the former Soviet Union, in particular to a number of countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Belarus. Millions of Soviet soldiers were captured and sent to various concentration camps established in Europe in the first months as a result of the Wehrmacht’s lightning-fast war operations.
Between the cities of Leusden and Amersfoort in the Netherlands, a concentration camp, now called the Place of Sorrow, was established. The name of the concentration camp was due to the fact that the prisoners were kept in deplorable conditions, treated with extreme brutality and eventually executed.
The fate of the Central Asian prisoners of war, especially the one hundred and one prisoners from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, is a cause of great interest not only among Turkic peoples, but also among Europeans. In particular, journalist-researcher Remko Reyding is studying the history of the appearance of 101 POWs so far from the front line.
According to this information, a third of the Central Asian prisoners did not survive the winter of 1941-1942. Some of them were victims of medical experiments. The remaining 77 prisoners were shot in the forest of Amersfoort on the morning of April 9, 1942, because the “propaganda” of fascism was not carried out, and their bodies were destroyed using special chemical means to hide the traces of the crime. At this place, where Uzbek, Kazakh and Turkmen soldiers were executed, the Monument Koedriest has been erected. On the eve of the liberation of Holland, the Nazis also destroyed prisoners of war and their personal documents, making it difficult to carry out effective investigations.
Currently, regular events are held to remember the victims of war. In particular, a conference dedicated to the memory of the victims buried in Amersfoort was organized on April 29 of this year. It was attended by 25 representatives of Uzbek, Kazakh, Azerbaijani and other Turkic-speaking nationalities living in the Netherlands, including official representatives of the embassies of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
During the event, the places where the victims were buried were visited and the Koran was read for their souls. Then an excursion was organized in the memorial complex “Soviet Field of Glory” and the museum part of the former concentration camp of the city of Amersfoort.
In addition, in the activists’ hall of the Eemland library of Amersfoort city, a lecture was given by R. Reiding about 101 Turkish victims, the processes and difficulties of clarifying their identity, and by journalist and translator Sharifjon Ahmad on the topic “Uzbekistan during the Second World War”. Mr. Ahmad noted in his speech about the contribution of Uzbekistan to the victory during the war years, the bravery of the Uzbeks, the military and food products that the Uzbek people sent to the war fronts.
Once again, the Tunisian embassy presents the best of its gastronomy in a continuation of the successful program that every year manages to enchant the public with the flavors and colors of Tunisia. The Ambassador of Tunisia, His Excellency Slim Ghariani, has taken care of every detail to make this event a major brand of presentation of its gastronomy.
The Embassy of Tunisia in the Hague is co-organizing with the Tunisian National Tourist Office (ONTT), the 2023 edition of the ‘’Tunisian Gastronomic Days’’.
The Event will take place on 12 and 13 May 2023, at Leonardo Royal Hotel Amsterdam, starting from 06.30PM.
“The Tunisian Gastronomic Days will take you on a journey to savor the rich culinary art of Tunisia and to discover the Tunisian classic music. It aims to promote Tunisia as an important tourist and cultural destination. It will be attended by Dutch officials, Head of Diplomatic Missions, Businessman, Tour Operators, bloggers, journalists as well as the large public” explained Ambassador Ghariani.
“During the event, internationally renowned Tunisian Chefs Wafik Belaid, Haykel Ben Zayda, and Mohamed Ali Ben Abouda, will prepare a special menu full of authentic flavors arraying from savory specialties to delicacies as well as terroir products.” said the ambassador.
The three Chefs are members of the Tunisian Association of Culinary Arts Professionals. They have participated in several international culinary competitions. They also run famous cooking TV shows in Tunisia.
Four artists from the musical troupe “TARAB” will perform classic pieces from the Tunisian heritage. Their orchestra is well known for its traditional and contemporary music and has performed shows in Europe on several occasions.
In addition, a Tombola will be held, where people participating can win valuable prizes.
