Ukrainian tastes

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Ukrainian tastes

By Alexandra Paucescu

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine, also diplomatic spouse, sent me a link to a very interesting volunteer initiative. This is how I came across this project by Maria Yemelianova, wife of a Ukrainian diplomat now posted in Germany. Then I discovered the nice lady behind it and asked her to tell me her story.

Born in Zhytomyr, not far from Ukraine’s capital, she studied international relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She says: ‘there I met some true friends and most importantly, I met a handsome red-haired guy who later became my husband, my inspiration and my support.’

This is how most of our diplomatic stories begin… a girl meets a boy and then they start their diplomatic journey together.

Their first foreign assignment together started in 2019 in Berlin, the city that I have just left behind a year ago… Strangely and probably, because of the pandemic restrictions in Germany, we have never met while we were both living there, but reading her story reminded me of the city and my life in the German capital.

‘Berlin is a special city, not everyone likes it, but we fell in love with it at first sight’ she says.  ‘It’s not Kyiv, where our hearts and thoughts are, where our family is always waiting for us. However, if we could now choose from thousands of cities for the next posting, we would definitely come back to Berlin. This is the city that gives you the feeling of a real freedom. There seems to be no boundaries in thoughts, in expression of will, clothing, words and so on. Berlin is very green and it is great for a family with three children, like ours. By the way, Andriy, my youngest, was born in Berlin. Now, every time we are passing by the Charité Clinic, we recall those most pleasant moments of our life, from when he was born.’

Indeed, I always said that the cities where your children are born will forever be bound to your heart and will hold a special place in it. To me, it is Vienna, to her, it’s Berlin.

For Maria, 2022 meant the start of a terrible war in her beloved country. She confesses with emotion: ‘I was in despair, crying and constantly watching the news. My husband was always busy, so I experienced these great emotions all by myself. One day I realized that I should do something for my homeland, I should fight the enemy on my own way.’ Her touching words are an expression of her feelings for a country that is now under attack. I have seen this patriotism in many of her fellow Ukrainians over the last few months.

As cooking had been her hobby for the past 15 years and she had attended many courses and master classes, she decided to create a charity project out of it.

Maria Yemelianova

‘I was working on recipes and one day I also found a professional photographer who had nothing to do with cooking but was known in Ukraine for her photos. She agreed to help me as a volunteer and we filmed 8 recipes together. We then edited texts and translations (our cooking classes are now available in three languages ​​- Ukrainian, English and German). Almost two and a half months of productive and exhausting work paid off and now we have finally launched our charity project. All donations will go to support volunteer organizations in Ukraine, helping our army as well as civilians in the most affected areas of the country. So I’m asking everyone who reads this article not to stay indifferent and to help Ukraine in this very difficult time! You can get all information about the course on https://gurmanka.com.ua/’.

https://gurmanka.com.ua/

She tells me that her husband, Maksym is devoting all his time to work these days. ‘We all know that it is not the easiest time for us, Ukrainians, we all have to work hard to bring our victory closer’.

Maria tells me that, although busy, her husband was very supportive and helped her in everything he could, entertained the children, did translations, worked as a copywriter and so on. ‘I always feel his strong shoulder nearby. And not only is him, the whole diplomatic community are very supportive. Our friends from different countries try to donate, share information, help to solve many issues concerning Ukraine. And we are so grateful for their help.’

She is enthusiastic and involved, as much as time allows, having three small children. ‘I personally would like to do more and more every day, but for now, my options are limited. My children and husband are my main responsibility. I know that, as kids will grow up, my time for professional successes will surely come and I will also be able to do more for my country.’

Indeed, there is time, as she is young and determined to work on her own projects, besides her diplomatic duties.

‘For now, all my thoughts and prayers are with my homeland! I wish that everyone in the world knows how beautiful my Ukraine is, how rich its culture and traditions are, what a delicious cuisine it has and how much it deserves peace and prosperity!’

About the author:

Alexandra Paucescu


Alexandra Paucescu- Author of “Just a Diplomatic Spouse” Romanian, management graduate with a Master in business, cultural diplomacy and international relations studies.

She speaks Romanian, English, French, German and Italian,  gives lectures on intercultural communication and is an active NGO volunteer.

The End of U.S. Dollar Dominance? Not So Fast

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The End of U.S. Dollar Dominance? Not So Fast

By He Jun

With the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Western countries have imposed all-rounded sanctions on Russia. This, in turn, has had an impact on the global economic, trade, and financial systems, raising concerns in the market and academic circles about the adjustment of the global financial system. One of the main issues being debated is the status of the U.S. dollar.

Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that financial sanctions against Russia by the West could gradually weaken the U.S. dollar’s role in the world, leading to further fragmentation of the international monetary system. Analysts such as Goldman Sachs economist Cristina Tessari said the actions of the United States and its allies to freeze Russia’s central bank’s foreign exchange reserves have sparked fears that countries may begin to ditch the dollar due to concerns about the power that the United States could muster thanks to the dominance of the currency.

Kenneth Rogoff, a Harvard University economics professor, said in an interview with Bloomberg that the dominance of the dollar could end within 20 years. The reason is that the U.S. and its allies have launched sanctions due to the Russia-Ukraine war, restricting Russia’s access to the dollar-dominated global financial system. This “weaponization of the dollar” will instead stimulate the acceleration of alternative solutions. Rogoff believes that the U.S. blockade or freezing of the foreign exchange reserves of the Russian central bank is undoubtedly a historic development. The preeminence of financial sanctions on Russia by the U.S.-led Western world could accelerate changes in the international financial system to compete with the U.S. dollar. While this certainly would not happen overnight, what could have taken 50 years may now only take 20 years to realize, said Rogoff.

This narrative appears to be supported by data changes in the dollar’s position in global markets. According to the IMF’s most recent Currency Composition of Official Foreign Exchange Reserves (COFER) data, the American currency’s global dollar-denominated foreign exchange reserves were USD 7,087 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021, with a market share of 59.15% in the third quarter, which had dropped to 58.81%. The dollar’s share of the global reserve currency was as high as 72% around the turn of the century. According to SWIFT’s worldwide payment data, the payment share of the U.S. dollar has declined to 38.85% in 2022.

Is the outlook for the dollar’s prospect as pessimistic as these academics and institutions predict?

ANBOUND’s founder Chan Kung holds the exact opposite view. He believes that if the global situation continues with the current development trend, the U.S. dollar will stand out in the world. If there are no exchange rate swings caused by inflation or emergency, the U.S. dollar will be in a unique position when compared to the world’s major currencies.

This begs the question, why would the future of the U.S. currency be diametrically opposed to what many feels is happening while a significant game-changing geopolitical event, especially the conflict in Ukraine, is ongoing?

The difference lies mainly in the variety of opinions on the impact of the geopolitical event of the war in Ukraine. Professor Rogoff believes that the dollar has been reduced in terms of market scale, and new currency substitutes will emerge, thereby weakening the dollar’s status. However, Chan Kung believes that the alternatives to the U.S. dollar cannot succeed, because the market of these alternatives is weak, while their social economy is turbulent, and some are even still in war zones. For these reasons, the U.S. dollar will remain strong, even becoming the sole stable international currency in circulation. All in all, geopolitical factors play an important role in global currencies, and the dollar will be supported by it.

Chan Kung noted in his article Bracing the Era of Economic Shortage, that during a period of economic uncertainty, the Anglo-American axis countries might be safer havens in the face of geopolitical turbulence. He believes that once the geopolitical war in Europe is resolved, the maritime countries and economy of the American continent would re-emerge. From the perspective of the world’s spatial pattern, conflicts and competitions are most intense in the continental region of the world, that is, the continental region where Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Central Asia, China and India are located. It would be difficult to establish buffer zones between them, hence there are direct collisions with each other. Conflicts and competitions are unavoidable and often have existed since time immemorial. The deep mutual hostility has long been recorded in the chapters of history, and the only thing lacking is often a reason for the actual friction to take place in reality.

In contrast, the geographical location of the Anglo-American axis is in the middle of the ocean. The Atlantic and Pacific routes connect the American continent and a large number of island countries and regions of different sizes, and there are often oceanic divisions between them. Historically and relatively speaking lesser enmities exist between these parts of the world, and they are mutually dependent in trade relations. Therefore, while the continental regions are experiencing violent upheaval, the Anglo-American axis, the maritime states, and the Americas have more prominent opportunities for development and enjoy greater prosperity than before.

Previously published by Modern Diplomacy

About the author:

He Jun – Partner, Director of China Macro-Economic Research Team and Senior Researcher. His research field covers China’s macro-economy, energy industry and public policy.

Kosovo a new hub of prosperity in Europe

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Kosovo a new hub of prosperity in Europe

By H.E. Dr. Dren Doli, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Gradually, but surely, Kosovo, the youngest country in Europe, is becoming the most vibrant democracy in the region, and simultaneously transforming into a cultural and entrepreneurial hub.

Since democracy and a functioning market economy remains key to our prosperity, Kosovo in recent years showed that it can deliver on multiple fronts.

In terms of rule of law and good governance, compared to 2020, Kosovo ranked among the best reformers in the region and Europe. In the Rule of Law index, drawn up by the World Justice Project, Kosovo ranks better than all the other countries in the Western-Balkans. While freedom of press is shrinking in many parts of the world, unfortunately in some countries in Europe as well, in the 2021 World Press Freedom index, Kosovo ranks 17 places higher, better than most of the countries in the region and some EU member states. Kosovo’s progress to improve good governance mirrored in the 2021 Transparency International CPI, which rated Kosovo 17 places higher.

Kosovo shares the objectives and values of the Western and European world. Values such as democracy, freedom and equality are key to Kosovo leaders and its people who have taken upon themselves to transform Kosovo into the most prosperous and democratic country in the region.

To that aim, last week the Government of Kosovo deposited its official application to become part of the Council of Europe, showing its real commitment to human rights, rule of law and democracy. Membership in the Council of Europe reflects our determination not to shy away from challenges, but to continue to extend guarantees that make our democracy stronger, our future brighter, and our contribution to the peace and stability in the region more significant.

In terms of foreign policy priorities, Kosovo choices are clear. The membership in the European Union guides our ambition to accelerate reforms while accession to NATO, especially after the unjust war against Ukraine, has become an imperative for the security and stability of the region.

In light of the recent events in Ukraine, Kosovo joined the West and condemned in the strongest possible terms the horrible attack against Ukraine and its people, imposed sanctions to Russia and Belarus and gave its contribution in hosting Ukrainian refugees and journalists.

Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe, which is both highly qualified and ambitions to tackle the challenge of digital transformation. The country is experiencing one of the highest and the fastest growths in the region, especially in the fields related to the production of renewable energy, ICT sector and wood processing industry. Compared to 2020, Kosovo accomplished a 10.53% economic growth and created more than 25,000 new jobs. Its exports reached 83% increase while in Foreign Direct Investment increased 21% compared to 2020.

The recent inauguration of the 105 MV Selac wind farm, consisting of 27 wind turbines, a 186 million dollars project developed by the German companies and financed by a joint Israeli, German and Kosovo investors, shows the commitment of the government in finding effective ways of production of clean energy in order to leave to the future generations a liveable and healthy country. Investment in wind and solar energy allowed Kosovo to have more than 25% of the energy provided by renewable sources.

Being a young country, Kosovo is also the right place to develop innovative and creative start-up hubs. In recent years, the country experienced the birth of a growing number of start-ups. This strongly increased the opportunities of investments for EU companies in Kosovo, especially in the ICT sector. Living in a globalised world where technology and digitalisation are becoming fundamental for the welfare of people, as widely demonstrated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Kosovo has already started its process of digital transition, and slowly is becoming a hub for European companies.

Last but not least, Kosovo has a vibrant community of artisans, artists, athletes, sportswomen and sportsmen, film producers and singers. These people are active both in the country and abroad, winning many awards worldwide. Only in 2021, our Kosovo Judo Federation was able to claim 2 gold medals in the Tokyo Olympics. Both Nora Gjakova and Distria Krasniqi were awarded gold in their respective categories.

Kosovo results in cinematography and film are becoming exemplary for other countries as well.  In 2021 the film Hive by Blerta Basholli was the first movie to win all three main awards at the Sundance Film Festival and Displaced by Samir Karahoda won the Nonfiction Short Film Jury award at the same festival.

Therefore, my objective as the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in the Kingdom of the Netherlands is to share our story with the people of the Netherlands, present available  investment opportunities that businesses have and link our people and economies in the broadest possible terms.

Joint action against doping in cycling team takes place in six countries  

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Joint action against doping in cycling team takes place in six countries  

Judicial and law enforcement authorities in France, Belgium, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Poland and Slovenia have carried out a coordinated action against the use of illegal drugs in cycling races. Furthermore, based on a request from French authorities, the Danish Police have carried out a search at one of the Tour de France hotels in Copenhagen. The action was supported by Eurojust and Europol. 

The case was opened at Eurojust on 11 May 2022 at the request of the French authorities. The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Marseille had started an investigation into suspected doping violations involving an international cycling team owned by an Italian company.

An urgent coordination meeting was hosted by Eurojust on 16 June to facilitate judicial cooperation, including the execution of seven European Investigation Orders (EIOs) in the countries involved, and the preparation of the joint action.

Europol provided analytical support, assisted with the exchange of information and deployed officers on the spot.

In a joint action carried out from 27 to 30 June, a total of 14 locations were searched in six countries. Three people were interrogated.

In Italy, several locations were searched and a range of electronic equipment (including laptops, smartphones, hard disks and pen drives), pharmaceutical substances and supplements were seized.

In Belgium, a computer, a mobile phone and capsules with undetermined content were seized in one house search.

In Poland, one house search was carried out. A series of electronic devices and pharmaceutical substances were seized.

In Slovenia, 412 capsules with undetermined brown content and 67 capsules with undetermined white content were found, and one mobile phone was seized in a house search.

In Spain, houses and premises were searched and electronic devices were seized.

Based on a letter rogatory (letter of request) from French authorities, the Danish Police carried out a search at a hotel in Brøndby, a suburb of Copenhagen.

The following authorities were involved in the operations:

  • France: PPO PSP (Health Crime Unit) of Marseille and OCLAESP (Central office combatting crimes against the environment and public health)
  • Belgium: Federal prosecutor’s office and the federal judicial police of Brussels
  • Denmark: Copenhagen Police
  • Spain: Investigative Court num. 8 in Alicante; International Cooperation Section of the Prosecutor’s Office in Alicante; Judicial Police Unit of Policía Nacional in Alicante
  • Croatia: County State Attorney’s Office in Rijeka
  • Italy: PPO Brescia and Carabinieri for the Protection of Public Health (NAS) Units of Brescia, Roma and Ragusa
  • Poland: The Circuit Prosecutor’s Office and City Police in Łódź
  • Slovenia: District Court and Slovenian Police

The International Criminal Court at 20

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The International Criminal Court at 20

The International Criminal Court will organise an online conference as part of the Court’s activities for the 20th anniversary. The conference “International Criminal Court at 20: Reflections on the Past, Present and Future”, will take place from 09:30 to 18:00 on Friday, 1 July 2022, and webcast live in English, French and Spanish on the ICC’s YouTube channel.

Join the discussion on the ICC’s Facebook Event and browse the exciting line-up of conference panel experts on the ICC’s 20th anniversary webpage.

The conference will be an occasion to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the International Criminal Court as one of the permanent pillars of the international legal system. The entry into force, on 1 July 2002, of the ICC’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute, enabled the commencement of the Court’s operations under its mandate aimed at ensuring accountability for the gravest crimes under international law, contributing to their prevention, and providing justice to victims.

The conference will start with a keynote speech by the Chair of Rome Conference and first ICC President, H.E. Mr. Philippe Kirsch, followed by three substantive panels on various aspects on the Court’s work. Speakers will include the President, Prosecutor and Registrar of the ICC, the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the ICC’s Trust Fund for Victims, the President of the International Criminal Court Bar Association, as well leading academics, civil society experts and practitioners.

The conference will allow for in-depth discussions on the different aspects of the Court’s concrete operations, from the earliest reports of alleged crimes to final judgments and the reparation of victims. It will also be an occasion for reflections on how well the ICC has met expectations, as well as what main trends can be discerned for the further development of the international criminal justice system going forward.

Eurojust supports action against use of illegal emission devices in South Korean cars

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Eurojust supports action against use of illegal emission devices in South Korean cars

Supported by Eurojust, authorities in Germany and Luxembourg have carried out a coordinated action against the use of illegal emission devices in cars produced by two South Korean companies. During an action day, eight searches were carried out and communication data, software and planning documents were seized.

Today’s coordinated action follows the General Public Prosecutor’s Office in Frankfurt am Main’s investigation of suspected fraud and air pollution, as well as the aiding and abetting of those responsible for the automobile companies and automotive supplier group.

By 2020, the manufacturing companies had brought onto the market more than 210 000 diesel vehicles, which were allegedly equipped with illegal emission tools – so-called ‘defeat devices’. These devices were responsible for interfering with or disabling exhaust gas cleaning mechanisms, causing the vehicles to emit significantly more nitrogen oxides while in operation than legally permitted.

Customers who bought the vehicles were deceived, having not been informed that the vehicles failed to meet the emissions requirements. All car models with 1.1 l, 1.4 l, 1.6 l, 1.7 l, 2.0 l and 2.2 l diesel engines were affected.

In an action day coordinated by Eurojust on 28 June, business premises in eight properties across Germany and Luxembourg were searched. The searches were carried out by approximately 180 investigators from the Hessian Police and the General Public Prosecutor’s Office in Frankfurt am Main, and 14 members of the Service de Police Judiciaire, Section Entraide Judiciaire Internationale and Section Nouvelles Technologies, in Luxembourg.

One focus of the measures was in the Rhine-Main area. Various pieces of evidence, including communication data, software and planning documents, have been seized.

The German authorities initiated the investigation in June 2019, and the case was opened at Eurojust in 2022. Eurojust enabled the cooperation of the various authorities involved during the action day.

The following authorities took part in the operations:

Germany: General Public Prosecutor’s Office Frankfurt am Main, Hesse State Police

Luxembourg: Service de Police Judiciaire, Section Entraide Judiciaire Internationale and Section Nouvelles Technologies 

Ceremony of Merit for Departing Ambassador Irene Mkwawa Kasyanju

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Ceremony of Merit for Departing Ambassador Irene Mkwawa Kasyanju

A Ceremony of Merit to honour the Ambassador of Tanzania in the Netherlands and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps H.E. Ms Irene Florence Mkwawa Kasyanju.

The ceremony was held at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in The Hague on 21 June 2022. Diplomat Magazine presented a Certificate of Merit to H.E. Irene Florence kwawa Kasyanju, Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania in recognition of her outstanding contribution to strengthening Tanzania’s bilateral ties with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and for promoting strategic diplomatic engagement.

Further, for her significant involvement with international organizations, for her exceptional performance during her stint as Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, for supporting  the Dutch-Tanzanian community and in gratitude for her support to the diplomatic community at large and the Media.

H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem, Ambassador of Yemen during her touching and personal speech honouring her friendship and solid ties with Ambassador Kasyanju.
H.E. Ms Odette Melono, Deputy Secretary General OPCW.

On the program, rendition of Tanzania National Anthem Mungu ibariki Afrika, followed by the  Netherlands’ National Anthem, Wilhelmus. Eulogiums were delivered by Her Excellency, Sahar Ghanem, Ambassador of Yemen and by Her Excellency, Odette Melono, Deputy Director General of the OPCW. Both ladies lauded the wonderful and altruistic personality of Ambassador Irene Mkwawa Kasyanju and how pleasurable it has been to work with her.

Part of the attendees to the Ceremony of Merit for Ambassador of Tanzania.

Dr Mayelinne De Lara, Publisher of Diplomat Magazine presented the Certificate of Merits along with a flower bouquet to the departing Ambassador.

In her acceptance speech Ambassador Irene kwawa Kasyanju, noted, time flies fast. “In October 2015 I set foot in this beautiful country to serve as Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania in the Netherlands. Less did I know that I would stay for 6 years and 8 months! My successful discharges would not have been possible without the unwavering support I received from the Diplomatic Corps, the Dutch government and the business community.”  

Dr Mayelinne De Lara, Publisher of Diplomat Magazine presented the Certificate of Merits along with a flower bouquet to the departing Ambassador.

“I am indebted to many individuals, companies, and organizations for supporting me during my time here in the Netherlands. I am equally grateful to my colleagues from the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Kingdom of the Netherlands as well as several media channels such as Diplomat Magazine for their support.”

“I wish to end my remarks with a note that I came here as a stranger, but I am leaving as a friend and family. Bidding farewells to friends and family is never easy, but life has its destiny too. I will always treasure our friendship and those good memories of this splendid country.”  

The Ambassador of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Hatem Abdelkader, H.E. Mrs. Rawan Suliaman, Head of Palestine Mission and the Ambassador of Tunisia H.E. Mr. Slim Ghariani during the ceremony.
listening to the speeches, Ceremony of Merit Ambassador of Tanzania.

Dozens of Ambassador Mkwawa Kasyanju’s colleagues and friends came by to say goodbye and offered her gifts and flower bouquets. Among the attendees’ Ambassadors and diplomats from Palestine, Yemen, Morocco, Tunisia, Cuba, Burundi, South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, OPCW, diplomats from Nigeria and Vietnam, families and staffers of the embassy of Tanzania.  

Diplomat Magazine thanked  Leonardo Royal Hotel for their valuable and constant support in making this event possible and for their continuous collaboration in Diplomat Magazine’s events.    The ceremony concluded with a reception and savouring a stylish cake in the Tanzanian national colours made by Marta Orban, from Sweet & Spice.                                       

H.E. Irene Florence Mkwawa Kasyanju, Ambassador of Tanzania and H.E Mr. Gamaliel Nkurunziza, Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi.
H.E. Ms. Irene Florence Mkwawa Kasyanju, Ambassador of Tanzania, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps with her husband and daughter.

Certificate of Merit – Ceremony of Merit- Farewell ceremony

Malta’s Election to the United Nation Security Council Vernissage 

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Malta’s Election to the United Nation Security Council Vernissage 

By Roy Lie Atjam

On the occasion of Malta’s election to the United Nations Security Council H.E. Mr. Mark Anthony Pace, Ambassador of Malta in the Netherlands, organized the launching of the exhibition of paintings by the multitalented artist Lida Sherafatmand, on 20 June 2022. The venue was the new premises of the Chancellery of Malta.

After cordially welcoming his guests, Ambassador Pace delivered his remarks. Pace was elated that Malta once again has been elected to the UN Security Council. It is the second time that Malta was elected as a member of the Security Council, having been on the council between 1983 and 1984. This year on 9 June, Malta was elected again to join the UN Security Council as of 1 January 2023.

The exhibition and reception were very well attended, among the attendees were the Ambassadors from Germany, UK, Australia, North Macedonia, Cameron, Costa Rica, Croatia, Georgia, Rwanda, Cyprus, Latvia, Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Palestine, among many others, also diplomats from Nigeria, Romania, Ecuador and others. Harvard University Prof. Hauwa Ibrahim a long-time friend of Lida Sherafatmand, grace the exhibition with her presence.

Nigerian Human rights lawyer, Hauwa Ibrahim, Lida Sherafatmand, H.E. Liguemoh Ondoua Madeleine, Ambassador of Cameroon and Milko Nestoroski.

Here is an extract from the Ambassador’s remarks.

“Thank you for joining us as we mark Malta’s election to the UN Security Council for 2023-2024. The last time Malta served on the Security Council was in 1983-1984, you will appreciate that this is a landmark moment for Maltese diplomacy.

We are honored and at the same time conscious of the responsibility that comes along with this election particularly as we witness the outbreak of war on our continent.

To commemorate Malta’s election tonight we are launching an exhibition by a Maltese painter.  Earlier this year Lida’s paintings were exhibited at the Flower Art Museum in Aalsmeer-NL.”

 “The more I hear violent news, the more I paint gentle flowers.” (Lida)

Lida’s quest to see people live happily in peace and harmony and her passion for beauty led her to the style of painting she has now adopted.

Flowers are the main physical object of Lida Sherafatmand’s paintings, they are delightful. Some of Lida’s original works on display at the Embassy of Malta were: Gentiana Lutea and Flower of wild strawberry. Further, Primula vulgaris, Spirit of dandelion, Viola gracilis, (these latter five pieces are on loan from the Natural History Museum Dr Nikola Nezlobinski in Struga, North Macedonia) Reason & Cause and Iran’s soul.

The three political science books by Cambridge University Press which feature Lida’s art on the cover were also on display. The authors include Richard Ned Lebow, Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, and Shirin Saeidi.

Lida Sherafatmand has developed a concept named Florescensism. 

Florescencism is the philosophy of flowering based on human nature, with a floral language demonstrated via painting. Florescensism is derived from the Latin “flor” (flower) and carries two interrelated meanings:

1) The flowers themselves, which are the main physical object of the paintings;

2) Flowering as a metaphor used in many cultures and languages ​​and symbolizing the flowering of an individual or an entire civilization.

The florescensism concept has since further developed into the “Manifesto of Florescencism” and is co-authored by Lida and Milko Nestoroski. This artistic manifesto aims to confront a crisis by going beyond the national into the realm of natural earth and the environment.

Malta‘s Election to the United Nation Security Council Vernissage.

The artist Milko Nestoroski was also present at the launching of the exhibition  Mr Nestoroski held an expose on his two dolls,  “Muses of Reflection, Ambassadors of the Otherworld”.

According to Nestoroski, these two dolls express the privilege of aesthetics of water, as we require water for our bodies and water aesthetics for our spirit. We find that they match the theme of water security, being on the missions of the UN Security Council,  of which Malta is now a member.

Incontestably, meeting the artist Lida Sherafatmand and admiring the works of her hands has been a tremendous delight. What is more, taking in the odour of her bouquet of flowers-her paintings takes away one’s breath.

Large-scale operation in Germany and Romania against organised abuse of social benefits

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<strong>Large-scale operation in Germany and Romania against organised abuse of social benefits</strong>

Authorities in Germany and Romania have dismantled a criminal network suspected of defrauding the German state of up to EUR 2 million in child benefits. During an action day supported by Eurojust, one suspect was arrested and 44 places were searched in both countries.

Between 2014 and 2017, the organised crime group (OGC) allegedly recruited vulnerable families in unstable financial situations in Romania and brought them to Germany through deception or coercion. When the families arrived in Germany, the suspects provided them with accommodation, opened bank accounts, and applied for child benefit and other social benefits.

As soon as the benefits were paid, the suspects sent the families back to Romania and collected the benefits for themselves. Since a place of residence or habitual residence in Germany is a prerequisite for receiving child benefit, the withdrawal was unjustified.

According to the status of the investigation in Germany, the damage caused is up to EUR 2 million.

The case was opened at Eurojust at the request of the German authorities. Four coordination meetings were hosted by Eurojust to facilitate judicial cooperation and provide support for the coordinated investigative efforts.

During a joint action day on 28 June, one suspect was arrested in Romania, based on a European Arrest Warrant issued by Germany. A total of 44 house searches were carried out, including 29 in Germany and 15 in Romania. A significant number of documents, including identity documents, confirming the criminal activity of the OCG were seized.

In Romania, 92 people were summoned for interview. At the Romanian Police headquarters, 45 people were interrogated as suspects, including 30 in Vaslui County, 8 in Bacău County, 4 in Galați County and 1 in Vrancea, Iași and Neamț counties. More people are expected to be interrogated in the near future.

The operation on the Romanian territory was carried out with the participation of 293 policemen, 23 from DIC County and 270 from IPJ Vaslui County, including criminologists and members of the special action teams of the Romanian Police and other county police inspectorates. In Vaslui County, two prosecutors from Germany, accompanied by the liaison officer from the Bundeskriminalamt stationed in Bucharest and the Romanian prosecutor from the Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) – Central Structure, also participated in the operation.

The following authorities took part in the operations:

Germany: Public Prosecutor’s Office in Bochum; Dortmund Police Headquarters
Romania: Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT)

Over EUR 4 million seized from Italian organised crime

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Over EUR 4 million seized from Italian organised crime

Supported by Eurojust, authorities in Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Switzerland carried out a coordinated action against a group suspected of carrying out money laundering activities for the Italian ‘Ndrangheta mafia. In an action day, the main suspect was arrested and assets worth over EUR 4 million were seized.

According to the investigations led by the Antimafia Public Prosecutor’s Office of Bologna, the main suspect, an Italian businessman closely connected to the ‘Ndrangheta mafia, fictitiously transferred assets worth millions of euros to proxies to avoid their preventive confiscation.

It is believed that, in 2018, through a complex set of financial operations involving companies registered in several countries, the suspect acquired the beneficial ownership of two electric power plants in Romania worth around EUR 2 million.

Italian authorities also identified other assets allegedly held by the suspect, such as numerous financial relationships with Swiss banks, the ownership of valuable real estate in Bulgaria and investments in US securities subsequently transferred between foreign companies worth EUR 15 million.

The suspect was already arrested in 2018 and convicted to nine years of imprisonment in 2020 in Italy for acting as an intermediary of the ‘Ndrangheta to invest their illicit assets in lucrative businesses, especially abroad. The suspect’s assets were targeted by an antimafia preventive freezing order in 2018.

The main suspect’s accomplices are his financial consultant, an expert in devising international financial operations to hide the real beneficial owner of the investments, and other businessmen acting as proxies.

The case was opened at Eurojust in April 2022 by the Italian authorities. The Agency supported the operation by assisting with the execution of European Investigation Orders and freezing orders against the suspect’s assets in Romania and Bulgaria.

The Antimafia Public Prosecutor’s Office of Bologna requested assistance from Switzerland through mutual legal assistance.

Eurojust enabled the cooperation of the various authorities involved during the action day that took place on 27 June. As a result, the main suspect was arrested. The share capital and corporate assets of an Italian company, the balance of two foreign accounts (Romanian and Swiss), the company shares of two Romanian companies, three current accounts and two real estate properties located in Sofia (Bulgaria) were seized.

The following authorities took part in the operations:

Italy: Procura della Repubblica di Bologna – Direzione Distrettuale Antimafia e Antiterrorismo e Guardia di Finanza, Gruppo Investigativo Criminalità Organizzata di Bologna.

Romania: Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism, Timisoara Territorial Office; Timisoara Brigade for Combating Organized Crime, Romanian Police.

Bulgaria: Special Prosecutors Office and General Police Directorate for Combating Organized Crime; Sofia District Court

Switzerland: Office of the Attorney General

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