Tuesday, 18 April 2022, Muscat-Berlin: The Sultanate in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula and the world’s leading tourism trade show announced official cooperation.
The Omani Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and ITB Berlin announce that the Sultanate of Oman will be the official Guest Country of the world’s leading travel trade show in 2024. “ITB Berlin is a strong platform to showcase the diversity of the many offerings Oman has to offer in the growing tourism industry,” said His Excellency Salim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman. “We are delighted that the Sultanate of Oman will be the host country in 2024 and are determined to provide the international travel industry with an immersive and sustainable experience that will appeal to all possible senses and meet all expectations,” the Minister added.
The Minister had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding at an informal ceremony at ITB Berlin 2023 to seal the cooperation at an early stage. This was followed by the official signing of the contract with David Ruetz, Senior Vice President, Messe Berlin.
“Oman has had a strong presence at ITB Berlin for many years and we are very impressed with the tourism offering and diversity of this destination,” David Ruetz emphasised. “We are delighted to have secured such an attractive partner for next year’s show in the Sultanate.”
The country in the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula delights with its over 5,000-year-old history and is known for its rich diversity. Travellers can expect a hospitable destination and a natural paradise rich in contrasts that attracts relaxation seekers and activity lovers alike. In addition to golden sand dunes and green oases, the sultanate impresses with high peaks and imposing caves as well as kilometres of sandy beaches and cliffs. Outdoor activities such as snorkelling, hiking and climbing round off the range of tourist attractions.
As the official guest country of ITB Berlin 2024, Oman will host the opening gala on 4 March 2024 in the CityCube Berlin. From 5 to 7 March the Sultanate will also be presenting a diverse programme of events to trade visitors.
First ‘1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda’ memorial unveiled in the Netherlands
History was made today, April 19th, 2023, as the first ‘1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda’ memorial site was unveiled in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Located in the northern part of the Beatrix Park in Amsterdam, the memorial site is a place for survivors and the larger Rwandan community in the Netherlands to remember their loved ones and to pay tribute to more than one million victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. It will also be a place that will give an opportunity to the Dutch population, especially young generations, to reflect on the genocide and learn lessons from this tragedy, which will help prevent future genocides.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands remained the only major country in Western Europe without any memorial for the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This is why the Embassy of Rwanda and Ibuka-Netherlands believed that a city like Amsterdam, with its history and as a city that received a number of genocide survivors from Rwanda, is an important location for a memorial site in honor of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda’ memorial in Amsterdam.
The official inauguration of the memorial was carried out by H.E.Mr. Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Mrs. Christine Safari, Chairperson of IBUKA-Netherlands.
The installment of this Memorial site is the fruit of close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Municipality of Amsterdam, and constitutes one the most important tools to help preserve the memory of the victims and educate present and future generations about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
It is crucial for genocide survivors living in the Netherlands to have a symbolic place to come together, to commemorate and to reflect on the life and rebirth of the nation after its dark history.
About the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda:
April 7th is the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly on April 20th, 2020. The date marks the beginning of the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi, which lasted a 100 days, and during which a million children, women and men were systematically killed.
About the Beatrixpark in Amsterdam:
The Beatrixpark is a small, quiet park in the southern part of Amsterdam, close to the RAI congress centre. It is named after former Queen Beatrix and was built in 1938 as a romantic, English style park with a small lake and open landscape.
Monday, 3 April 2023, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Germany: The First Mayor of Hamburg, Dr. Peter Tschentscher, President pro tempore of the German Federal Council (Bundesrat) received for a bilateral meeting the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Ahmed Alattar. The latter was accompanied by a delegation from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
Ambassador Ahmed Waheeb Maaz Ahmed Alattar was accredited to the Federal Republic of Germany on Monday, 24 October 2022 at Bellevue Palace. He holds an Executive degree in International Security from University College London as well as an MBA from the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) in France. The Ambassador speaks English, Arabic, Italian, Spanish and German.
In 2017 Alattar began working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) as an Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Subsquently he worked in the capacity as Deputy Director for European Affairs (2018-2020) and Chief of Staff to the Foreign Minister (2020-2022).
During his maiden trip to Hamburg, Ambassador Alattar and his accompanying delegation also encountered representatives from Hamburg Chamber of Commerce.
A manifestation of Bolivia and Latin American culture by the Embassy of Bolivia Cultural diversity and identity, oral histories, cultural heritage and migration.
Under the concept of preserving and transmitting Cultural Identity after Migration, Lyla Carrillo Quan – van der Kaaden (101 Studio), author of Mujeres Latinas de Almere, with the support of the Embassy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia promote intergenerational knowledge of Latin American culture with an afternoon full of interactive activities.
On the program:
Reception and exhibition of “Latin Women of Almere”, “The Bolivian Condor”, and “Dances of the Carnival of Oruro”.
Storytelling: The Carnival of Oruro and four of its dances: La Diablada, La Morenada, Pujllay, and Tink’u.
Storytelling: “La Piñata”. Explanation of the origins of the Piñata in Latin American culture based on the story “La Piñata”.
Socio-cultural educational workshop:
● “Make your own piñata” inspired by a character from the Oruro carnival. ● Make your own Oruro mask ● Dress up or paint characters from the Oruro Carnival dances and some typical Latin American costumes.
● Break the piñata full of sweets.
Information and registration: +31-641769390 lyla@101studio.nl; info@rserendipity.com Individual Contribution to the 101 Studio: 12 euros per child that includes material, and making breaking of a piñata
“We had a great Wiener Ball’s 54th edition this year at the Grand Huis ter Duin hotel, in Noordwijk”, declared the President of the Wiener Ball ‘s commission. The traditional ball hosted 350 guests and everyone enjoyed the evening. Among them is Mr Peter Potman, who will be the next Dutch ambassador in Vienna.
The president, Antoinette Nikkels van der Veen-Hermans, the vice president Colonel John Wertenbroek and the organizational committee announced that the 55th edition will take place at Grand Huis ter Duin on the 3rd of February 2024. Diplomat Magazine will support once again the traditional event in 2024 and will invite diplomats and heads of missions to enjoy the experience.
On 17 April 2023, HE Mr Gitanas Nausėda , President of Lithuania, visited the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he was received by ICC President Judge Piotr Hofmański and ICC Registrar Mr Osvaldo Zavala Giler.
Thanking President Nausėda for his visit, President Hofmański stated: “Lithuania’s strong and longstanding commitment to the ICC is very highly appreciated and of particular importance as the Court faces an exceptionally high workload, operating in 17 situations on four continents. It is more important than ever that the States Parties provide their full cooperation to the ICC and remain firm in their support of its independent and impartial mandate, as a court of law.”
Lithuanian President HE Mr Gitanas Nausėda stated: “As this year marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, I congratulate the Court for its remarkable contribution to the global efforts to end impunity and to hold accountable those responsible for serious crimes anytime, anywhere. With our joint support, the capacity of the Court is visibly increasing”.
The visit of President Nausėda to the ICC highlights Lithuania’s commitment to the Court and the joint efforts deployed in the fight against the impunity of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes that affect the international community as a whole. Lithuania signed the Rome Statute on 10 December 1998 and deposited its instrument of ratification on 12 May 2003.
Friday, 14 April 2023, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: A round table was held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan on the topic “New formats of cooperation in the international information environment”. The event was attended by representatives of international and national media, private media, relevant ministries and state agencies of Turkmenistan, press attachés of diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan, experts and specialists in the field of information and communication policy, as well as teachers and students of the Faculty of International Journalism of the Institute of International Relations.
In frames of an extensive agenda, various aspects and directions of international information activities were discussed.
Opening the round table, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Myahri Byashimova noted the important role played by the outlet in the modern media space. In this context, she stressed that the current format of interaction is a platform for discussing the importance of the mass-media in establishing links in the international information field, aimed to bridge positions.
It was stated that the Government of Turkmenistan sets priority tasks for the domestic media sphere. Today, there is a need for more active promotion in the global digital space of up-to-date and reliable information about Turkmenistan, news reports on the transformations and achievements taking place in the country, studying the best world experience, the emergence of new formats and standards of broadcasting, print, and electronic press. Along with this, the expediency of further improvement and activation of the activities of private media in Turkmenistan was noted.
Particular attention was drawn to the initiatives of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov regarding regional cooperation in the media space, announced at the 4th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia.
In particular, was told about the illegal use of information technology, the implantation from the outside of ideas and attitudes that run counter to the historical traditions of the peoples of Central Asia, the basic values and centuries-old foundations of their life.
In this regard, a proposal of the head of the state to make joint efforts so that Central Asia remains a zone of stability and trust, not subject to risks for peace and development, was commented
In this context, the idea of holding a Central Asian media forum dedicated to security issues with the participation of state news agencies, print media, and electronic media has been put forward.
The head of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat, Ambassador John MacGregor, during his speech noted that media development issues are high on the agenda of the Organization. At the same time, this “round table” is a vivid example of constructive cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the OSCE Center in Ashgabat in the field of media development. The initiative to hold the current forum in Ashgabat testifies to the growing role of Turkmenistan in promoting commitments within the OSCE and, thus, shows the desire to take an active position in the international media space.
The work of the “round table” continued in the framework of two sessions devoted to the issues of information sustainability in the 21st century and information policy in the context of the widespread development of social networks. During the sessions, with the active participation of OSCE international experts Marek Bekerman and Yakub Parusinski, an exchange of views took place on such topical issues of our time as the role of the state in creating a sustainable information space, aspects of media literacy in society, the development of information awareness among youth, issues of tackling misinformation and fake news, as well as the importance of education and continuous professional development of journalists in countering the above-mentioned challenges and problems in the media field.
Participants noted the important role of social networks and PR technologies in the modern digital information space, as well as issues of interaction between the state and media communities. In this context, aspects of the effective use of social networks as an important tool for communication and cultural exchange were discussed.
At the end of the sessions, interactive communication was held in the “question-answer” format, during which a thorough and constructive exchange of views took place on issues and topics on the agenda of the forum. Great interest was shown in the educational process and creative work of the future generation of journalists studying at the Institute of International Relations.
The participants of the “round table” noted the role and constructive activities of Turkmenistan in matters of close cooperation with all stakeholders in the region and beyond in the information and communication sphere.
The parties also viewed the exhibition of specialized foreign policy publications, deployed on the sidelines of the “round table”.
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Images courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan
At the invitation of His Majesty King Willem Alexander, the President of the Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron, paid a state visit to the Netherlands on 11 and 12 April 2023. His wife, Brigitte Macron, accompanied him.
The French President’s visit to the Netherlands will reaffirm the excellent ties between the two countries. The state visit will help to further deepen their cooperation, including joint efforts by France and the Netherlands to make Europe stronger, greener and safer.
While in The Hague, at the invitation of the Nexus Institute, President Macron delivered a discourse on “European sovereignty”. His discourse attracted Ministers, MPs, former ministers, diplomats, students and many others.
The keyword of the entire state visit was European sovereignty
President Macron shapes the contour of his vision for European sovereignty during his lecture. Macron envisages a Europe built on the basis of competitiveness, industrial policy, protectionism, cooperation and reciprocity. The lecture was essentially about Macron’s importance to a stronger, more economically independent Europe. A Europe that does not move at the whim of power blocs China and the US.
President Macron said the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine helped drive the need for an independent European strategy.
Indeed the pandemic was a wake-up call, making Europe realize how dependent it was on other nations.
Macron went on to say defending our sovereignty doesn’t mean shying away from allies. It means we are capable of choosing our partners and stipulating our destiny rather than being a mere witnesses of the dramatic evolution of this world.
The President spoke of his vision for a new era of European sovereignty. We must strive to be rule-makers rather than rule-takers.
European sovereignty might have once sounded like just a French idea, Macron said, or even wishful thinking, but pointed to the danger of a Europe that is too dependent on other world powers, saying it places Europe in the position of not being able to decide for itself.
According to President Macron, Europe would maintain robust relationships with its allies. We want to be open, he said. We want allies, we want good friends, we want partners. But we always want to be in a situation to choose them. Not to be one hundred per cent dependent on them. We can do this in keeping with our spirit of openness and partnership.
Disrupted by demonstrators. President Macron had only just begun his speech on the future of Europe when demonstrators disrupted his speech. They shouted at him from the balcony while holding banners.
Macron was portrayed as a president of violence and hypocrisy. The protesters were alluding to the ongoing protests in France, increasing the retirement age from 62 to 64. Where has French democracy gone?
The President listened to them and tried to respond, but the protesters shouted him down. I can answer your question if you give me the time Macron retorted.
Reference was made to The Congress of Europe 75 years ago in The Hague from 7–11 May 1948 with 750 delegates participating from around Europe. The objective was to determine the political, economic, social and cultural frameworks for the establishment of a united Europe.
Kudos to the Nexus Institute, particularly to the founder-director Rob Riemen, who was the moderator of the proceedings. Thank you for organizing such a dignified and impressive lecture.
A Q&A session concluded the sublime lecture by the President of the Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron.
Alia Bilgrami participates in the 8th edition of the Kunstenaars in het Statenkwartier, a circuit of 32 artists’ open studios on 15th/16th April 2023, supported by the Kunstmuseum, Den Haag
During the event, Bilgrami will present over 30 new works, including miniature paintings created in a wide range of media: egg tempera and pure pigment on gesso panels, watercolours on paper and cyanotypes. Miniature painting remains a popular art form in South Asia, stemming from its deep cultural connection to Mughal, Indian and Persian historical paintings.
The techniques and style have been reinvented by a new generation of artists from Pakistan like Shahzia Sikander and Imran Qureshi, who have used its essence to create modern paintings and installations while retaining the aesthetic.
Sun Dance
by Alia Bilgrami
Egg tempera, pure pigments and shell gold on gesso panel
20 x 25 cm/ 2021
Most of Bilgrami’s works are no bigger than an A4 sheet with the same detail as Stormy Tulips, a triptych given to Mayor, Mr. Jan van Zanen of The Hague, NL, as a gift in 2020 (read article).
There are 8 larger, almost poster sized works. Originally produced during the pandemic, the landscapes on view are derived from the artist’s memories of home. Nostalgic and reflective, they evoke feelings of loss and isolation that were common during the lockdown and have lingered on.
Wolf Moon
by Alia Bilgrami
Egg tempera, pure pigments and shell gold on gesso panel
20 x 25 cm
2021
Alia Bilgrami is a Pakistani/Canadian artist based in Den Haag since 2020. She completed an MA from Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, London (2010), where she won the Cecil Collins Memorial Award for Drawing. Bilgrami has shown work in many international exhibitions.
Solo presentations include Tulipmania at Rohtas Gallery, Islamabad and Out of the Forest at Koel Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan. Her painting, Diorama Desire, won the Sovereign Asian Art Public Vote Prize, Hong Kong (2015). In the Hague, she is a member of Stroom and has exhibited at Pulchri Studio in their Autumn Salon (2021).
Follow Bilgrami on IG: @aliabilgrami.art and her website: www.abilgrami.com
Further action against fraudulent online investment platform: five arrests of high-value targetssupported by Eurojust & Europol
The Hague, 13 April 2023
Eurojust and Europol have supported a new coordinated action against a fraudulent online investment platform, which has so far cost at least 33 000 victims an estimated EUR 89 million. At the request of the German authorities, two action days took place in March, during which five suspects were arrested. Further, 15 locations were searched in Bulgaria, Romania and Israel, including five illegal call centres. The operation is a follow-up to actions against the same online scam in 2021.
These coordinated actions in 2021 led to a wealth of new information and evidence, which enabled the operations of March 2023. Previously, the financial damage caused by the scam was estimated at least EUR 15 million. However, based on the new information, the criminal network behind the fraudulent scheme has caused much more financial damage and created many more victims.
Eurojust supported the actions by setting up a joint investigation team (JIT) into the online fraud scheme in January 2023 and organising two dedicated coordination meetings to prepare for the new actions. The Agency furthermore assisted with the execution of European Arrest Warrants, European Investigation Orders and requests for Mutual Legal Assistance.
During the action days, 33 German police officers and investigators participated in the actions on the ground in Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia and Israel, supported by Europol specialists.
To support the investigation, Europol set up a dedicated Operational Task Force through which it facilitated the information exchange and provided analytical support. During the most recent action days, Europol deployed experts to Israel and – remotely – to the coordination centre at Eurojust.
During the actions, a range of high-value assets were seized, including luxury watches, electronic equipment, cash, bitcoins, bank cards and numerous documents and data carriers.
The criminal network behind the fraud attracted investors with professional-looking banners on websites and publicity via social media, using call centres in various European countries. The scammers encouraged their victims to initially make small investments of between EUR 200 and 250, showing high profits via fake graphics and software.
The victims were then contacted by so-called personal financial advisors, who promised even higher profits on bigger investments. These higher investments were subsequently lost, and the illegal profits were paid into the perpetrators’ bank accounts. The fraud scheme allegedly ran between 2019 and 2021, with the suspects of the operations in 2021 or their associates recently setting up call centres in Bulgaria and Romania.
Due to low interest rates during this period, investors were attracted to investing in high-risk financial instruments, such as binary options. These are often susceptible to fraud and are therefore used in online scams. Such options are, in most cases, fixed amounts of money, serving as a guarantee for risky financial transactions or theoretical asset pricing.
The operation was carried out on the ground by:
Germany: Public Prosecutor’s Office Göttingen; Central Criminal Investigation Department Braunschweig
Bulgaria: Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office, General Directorate National Police to the Ministry of Interior
Romania: Directorate Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism; General Inspectorate Romanian Police
