Tuesday, 30 August 2022, Paris, French Republic: Ambassador of France, Anne-Marie Descôtes, took office seconding French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna at the Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs in the capacity of the ministry’s secretary-general.
Descôtes thus becomes the first female to occupy the post since it was created back in 1915, and entrusted to then diplomat Jules Cambon. She succeeds her colleague François Delattre who had served in the position since 1 July 2019. The Secretary-General is the highest as a civil servant within Quai d’Orsay, and second in rank after the minister herself.
This function is a specificity of the French administration, and reflects the need for coordination and unity of action specific to the European and Foreign Affairs department. The position generally ensures the smooth running of the ministry, and replaces the minister in all her duties. She likewise sways a moral role as head of the corps of all diplomats, and it is she who most often receives foreign ambassadors accredited to the French Republic.
Before returning to Paris, Anne-Marie Descôtes (b. 5 December 1959 in Lyon) represented France in Germany since June 2017 and up to end of August 2022. Customarily her new capacity is accorded to an ‘Ambassadeur/Ambassadrice de France‘, a rank she attained on 25 November 2020 as per presidential decree.
Authorities in Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland have dismantled a criminal network involved in a large-scale VAT fraud concerning tobacco smuggling. The estimated damage caused by the tax evasion to the European Union budget amounts to over EUR 8 750 000.
In an action supported by Eurojust and Europol, one suspect was arrested. Over EUR 750 000, 7 high-value cars and 49 very high-value wristwatches were seized.
According to the investigation, an organised crime group (OCG) regularly and illegally delivered large quantities of cigarettes produced in the United Arab Emirates to Hungary.
In March 2021, the Hungarian Tax and Customs Administration seized nearly 23 million cigarettes in unsealed boxes that had arrived by plane from Dubai to the airport of Debrecen in Hungary. The Hungarian authorities intercepted the cargo when it was leaving the airport in trucks with Polish license plates. It is believed that there were two similar deliveries on 29 January and 26 February 2021.
The economic disadvantage caused by the illegal importation of cigarettes has been estimated at around EUR 8 750 000.
The case was opened at Eurojust by the Hungarian authorities in May 2021. The Agency actively facilitated cross-border judicial cooperation between the national authorities involved, including the execution of European Investigation Orders (EIOs) and the organization of a joint action day on 16 August.
Europol provided additional analytical support to the investigation, facilitated the exchange of information and supported the law enforcement authorities.
As a result of the cooperation, one suspect has been arrested. Over EUR 750 000 in several currencies, 7 high-value cars and 49 very high-value wristwatches were seized in Hungary. International and European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) have been issued against three more suspects still at large.
The following authorities took part in the operations:
• Hungary: Chief PPO of County Hajdú-Bihar; Hungarian Tax and Customs Administration
• Austria: CPPOCECC; PPO Innsbruck; Federal Ministry of Finance – Customs Office Innsbruck and Financial Criminal Authority
• Czech Republic: Municipal PPO in Prague; Police of the Czech Republic, Regional Headquarter for Prague, Economic Crime Unit
The Government of The Unitary Parliamentary Republic of Barbados has approved the establishment of the World’s First Metaverse Embassy. Establishing an embassy in the metaverse – a virtual world – is an innovative move and a world-first for a government.
The Government of Barbados will continue to establish and maintain physical embassies however will use the Metaverse Embassy as an opportunity to pioneer the evolution of global diplomacy beyond the physical world. Barbados is an active member of CARICOM.
Metaverse is a Virtual world !
Metaverse is a virtual-reality space where users can interact within a computer-generated environment with other users.
After speaking to the Barbados Government Special Envoy, H.E. Ambassador Gabriel Abed, he furnished me with the following information: “November 14, 2021 – On August 12 2021, the Government of Barbados’ Cabinet approved the establishment of the world’s first Metaverse Embassy.
Establishing an embassy in the metaverse – a virtual world – is an innovative move and a world-first for a government.
Barbados’ Metaverse Embassy will be at the centre of activities to advance the growth of stronger bilateral relationships with governments globally. It launches in the wake of Covid-19 disrupting traditional diplomatic channels, and at a time when Barbados is reimagining itself as a world hub for digital transformation and technology innovation.
The Government of Barbados is very pleased to announce the launch of its Metaverse Embassy initiative, said Senator JeromeWalcott, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. This platform will be an important forum where Barbados will work with our traditional partners and new allies to deepen engagement in the diplomatic arena; the investment, business, tourism and cultural sectors; and people-to-people interaction. Barbados looks forward to welcoming the world in its Metaverse Embassy.
The Metaverse Embassy is being championed by Barbados’ Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, H.E. Gabriel Abed, who is also a world-renowned pioneer in the field of Central Bank Digital Currency and blockchain technology.
The Metaverse Embassy demonstrates Barbados’ leadership in pivoting diplomacy and international relations into the technology age. The Metaverse Embassy is the first phase of a multi-phased approach towards delivering digital solutions that evolve the way we interact with the world around us. This will be critical as Barbados fosters stronger relationships with technologically advanced nations, the Ambassador explained.
Although most details have not been revealed, the Ambassador did say that e-consular services will be a core feature alongside with a virtual teleporter which will be built in Barbados’ Metaverse Embassy connecting all meta-worlds as a gesture of diplomatic unification between technology platforms.
We believe it is critical to build teleporters as a common access point to all of the metaverses to foster meta-diplomacy, said Ambassador Abed.
We welcome the world’s diplomatic missions to join us in establishing their embassies in the metaverse. Barbados is proud to lend our technological assistance and knowhow to governments wanting to establish their own metaverse embassy, said Minister Walcott.” The Barbados Meta Embassy is officially still to be launched.
According to Mr Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO, the metaverse will be mainstream 5–10 years from now.
Barbados, fondly Known as Land of The Flying Fish, takes to the Metaverse!
August 29 is the National Day of Fight against Terrorism in Iran. On this day in 1981, the Mojahedin-e-Khalq Organization (AKA: MKO, MEK, PMOI) exploded the office of the Prime Minister of Iran, and martyred President Rajai and Primer Bahonar anseveral other officials.
This was another in a series of terrorist attacks perpetrated by this group against Iranian civilians and government officials. Just two months earlier on 28 June 1981, they assassinated over 70 high-ranking officials, including the Chief of Justice, three incumbent ministers, and 27 members of the Parliament.
In a decade, they killed over 17000 innocent individuals, just because they were even working for or supporting the government or having a beard or looking suspicious. During its years of terror rampage against Iranian people, the MKO enjoyed support from certain foreign countries, especially Saddam’s regime. In 1984, in the midst of Saddam’s war against Iran, the MKO elements fled to Iraq to set up a military camp, which was active even after Saddam’s time. They were mercenary tools in the hands of Saddam Hussain against Iran as well as the Iraqi dissent people.
The role that the MKO elements played in Saddam’s crackdown on Iraqi Kurds and Shiite community in the 1980s and 1990s is well-known and many of them are in judicial pursuit for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Surprisingly, in almost two decades that they openly turned their arms against Iranian and Iraqi peoples, the MKO leadership along with many of their fellow groupers were based in the West, enjoying free-hand to spread their cynical ideology of violence and raising funds in streets of European capitals to finance their terrorist activities.
After Saddam was overthrown in 2003, the MKO’s members residing in the Ashraf military camp on the outskirts of Baghdad moved to Europe to set up a similar camp in Albania. Ironically, they called the new camp “Liberty”! Their delisting from terrorist groups by the EU and the US, respectively in 2009 and 2012, has also further assisted them to enhance their presence in the West.
In the past years, certain US and European politicians, including Rudy Giuliani, John Bolton, and Mike Pompeo, made paid-appearance and paid-speeches in the MKO gatherings to cast its legitimacy. It is ironic that the MKO started its terrorist campaign by assassinating American servicemen in the 1970s. As observed by The 2 Guardian, the MKO buses refugees and young eastern Europeans to fill up its events 1, and give these hired politicians a tumultuous audience.
Free movement and free-hand of the MKO leaders and members in Western countries is nothing but a clear indication of the double standards of certain countries toward international terrorism. History shows that there is no such thing as a “good terrorist” or “bad terrorist.” Terrorists are blind and bite back even those who used to feed them. It is not strange that those who once created or supported Al-Qaeda fallen eventually victims to its terrorism. It is a matter of time to see when the MKO turns its arms against its masters.
The Hague, 4th August 2022. The Embassy of Pakistan in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Diplomat Magazine organized the 18th Annual Mango Festival. The festival attracted diplomats, importers and members of the Pakistani diaspora.
H.E. Mr. Suljuk Mustansar Tarar, Ambassador of Pakistan.
The Embassy in The Hague is promoting mango the “King of Fruits”, one of the most popular and best-loved fruits worldwide, with hundreds of varieties cultivated for exportation.
“The Chargé d’ Affaires, Mr. Muhammad Wasif, welcomed the guests. While highlighting the peculiarities of Pakistani mangoes, he said that mango is considered the King of Fruits.
Around 90 tropical and sub-tropical countries, including Pakistan grow mangoes. The provinces of Punjab and Sindh in Pakistan are growing 200 varieties of mango. Each variety comes on the market at a different time, the mango season runs from May to September.
With a two million ton yield annually, Pakistan is the 5th largest producer and the 7th largest exporter of mangoes.
The exotic Pakistani mangoes are known to connoisseurs for their particular taste, colour, delicious flavour and aroma. Over 222,000 tons are exported to Europe, the Americas, Asia and the middle east. Pakistan earns around 165 million US.$ from mango export.
The most famous varieties extensively grown in Pakistan are Chaunsa, Anwar Ratol, Sindhri, Fajri etc.
In conclusion, guests were served Chaunsa mangoes and other mango delicacies.”
Pakistan Independence Day Flag Hoisting Ceremony
Charge d ‘ Affaires Mr Muhammad Wasif raises the national flag.
The month of August has been an eventful one. Apart from the Mango Festival, the Embassy also observed a flag hoisting ceremony in connection with its 75th Anniversary of Independence, it’s diamond jubilee of Independence. the ceremony took place at Pakistan House on 14th August 2022.
Charge d’Affair Ambassador and members of their family.
Hundreds of Pakistani and friends flock to Pakistan House for the flag hoisting ceremony and to catch a glimpse of “The Boys in Green” which is the Pakistan National Cricket Team.
Independence Day celebrations in Pakistan: the State Bank of Pakistan has released a commemorative banknote of Rs75 to mark the 75th anniversary of Pakistan.
The Independence Day celebrations began early Sunday morning with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in all provincial capitals. The main feature of the celebrations was the flag-hoisting ceremony at the president’s house in Islamabad.
Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi was set to confer civil awards on Pakistani citizens and foreign nationals for showing excellence and courage in their respective fields.
The Boys in Green Pakistan National Cricket Team
The Pakistan National Cricket Team toured the Netherlands to play three One Day International (ODI) matches 17 – 19 August 2022. Venue, the grounds of V.O.C., Rotterdam. The Pakistan Embassy in the Netherlands was delighted to welcome the Pakistan squad for 3 ODI’s.
The Pakistan team showed its magic, Pakistan won the 3-match series 3–0
It has been a great honour for the Embassy to host the Pakistan National Cricket Team on the momentous occasion of Pakistan @ 75.
We are proud to be Pakistani! One Nation One Passion One Pride !
The Hague, 16th August 2022. Ms Jacqueline Meier, Director of the Atrium City Hall, welcomed one and all to the Atrium, next, Mr Jan Van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague, expressed his gratitude for having such an exceptional exhibition in The Hague, the city of peace and justice.
Mr Jan Van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague.
The next speaker at the opening was Mr Jan Paul Buijs, Representative of the Picaflores Foundation. The time was now for H.E. Ms Marisol Flavia Aguero Colunga, Ambassador of Peru, to inaugurate the exhibition, Touched by Nature by the Amazonian School of Arts. The exhibition is in cooperation with Picaflores Foundation and Atrium City Hall in The Hague.
Ambassador Marisol Flavia Guero Colunga delivered the following speech.
“It is an honor for the Embassy of Peru, in association with Picaflores Foundation and the Atrium City Hall, to welcome you to this unique exhibition of 18 painters of the Neo-Amazonian School of Art from the city of Pucallpa, Peru, exhibition organized to raise awareness of the little known and fragile ecosystem of the Cerrado Savanah, located in the Brazilian highlands, as well as of the Amazonian forest, which are interdependent.
I would like to thank Mister Jan van Zanen, for his kind words – I know that you keep precious memories from Peru in your heart-, as well as Miss Jacqueline Meir, for hosting this exhibition in the Atrium City Hall, an important forum of Cultural and Social Activities in The Hague. I also want to express my gratitude to Mister Jan Paul Buijs, Representative of Picaflores Foundation, for the organization of this wonderful exhibition, and to Mister Luc Vankrunkelsven, a prominent researcher on agricultural issues and author of several books on the Cerrado ecosystem, for joining us today.
In this short speech I would like to refer to the Peruvian Amazonian Forest and to the Peruvian painters participating in this exhibition.
62% of the Peruvian territory is covered by the Amazonian Forest, one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. Although there are still many zoological and botanical species to be discovered and scientifically classified, so far we know that we have there 15 thousand animal species and more than 20 thousand botanical species, including medicinal plants.
In order to properly preserve this natural wealth, the Peruvian government has established more than 50 protected natural areas in the Amazonian Forest, which amounts to 10% of the Peruvian territory.
Concerning the population, it is interesting to note that, despite having the lowest population density in Peru, which is only 8%, the Peruvian Amazonian forest is the home of 64 tribes that speak 44 languages appertaining to 19 different linguistic families.
It is within that rich context, that we found a marvelous group of artists from the Usko Ayar School of Art in the city of Pucallpa, founded by the shaman and visionary artist Pablo Amaringo. I refer to the painters of the Neo-Amazonian style. And I welcome the presence of Mrs. Mita Lozano, one outstanding representative of them. Through their art, whose origins date back to the Amazonian cave paintings, they introduce us to a universe where people live in harmony with animals, plants and rivers. Their paintings show their knowledge and traditions, and, even more importantly, they transmit a philosophy of respect to nature and the environment, raising awareness of the need to preserve the ecosystems of the Amazonian Forest and those related to them, such as the Cerrado Savannah.
For all this, I should express my warmest congratulations to the talented painters of Pucallpa that today share with us their beautiful art and wise philosophy.
Finally, I have to say that at the end of these presentations, we will be delighted to share with you Pisco Sour, the traditional Peruvian drink, as well as some Peruvian canapés.”
There was an undeniable festive atmosphere at the reception with a free flow of excellent Peruvian goodies. Members of the diplomatic community came out in strength, among them Ambassadors of Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Malta, Panama, Costa Rica and diplomats from Argentina, El Salvador, Chile, Poland, just to mention a few. Further friends of Picaflores came from Brussels and Gent in Belgium, all attracted by the surpassing exhibition.
Major winter exhibition at the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities
On 14 October 2022, the major exhibition ‘Byblos. The World’s Most Ancient Port’ will open at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden (RMO; the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities).
The rich history of Byblos, a town situated on the coast of present-day Lebanon, began around 6500 BC with a simple fishing village that would grow into a prosperous city. Around 3000 BC, Byblos played an extraordinary role in the Mediterranean and Middle East as the world’s first international seaport, thanks to the trade in cedar wood.
Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans left their mark on the city. The exhibition will present around 500 highlights from museums including the National Museum of Beirut, the Louvre and the British Museum, bearing witness to this archaeological and cultural richness. From simple fish hooks, anchors and clay tablets to golden weapons, colourful gemstone jewellery, a Roman mosaic and a bronze statue of Heracles.
A key role is played by the kings, mythological heroes, merchants and fortune-seekers who visited and lived in Byblos. Particularly important were the city’s special ties with Egypt and the goddess known as the ‘Lady of Byblos’.
The exhibition will run until 12 March 2023. Information and ticket reservations are available at www.rmo.nl/byblos.
Millennia of world history and culture
For millennia, Byblos was the chief purveyor to the pharaohs and the most important trade hub in the Mediterranean. Byblos’ wealth arose 5,000 years ago through trade with Egypt, among others, in products of the cedar tree from the mountains behind the city. These trees were famous for their straight trunks, which could reach 40 metres in height.
The cedar wood and other precious materials from the Middle East, such as silver, wine, and oil found their way to Egypt from Byblos. Byblos received precious stones, gold, linen and elephant ivory in return from Egypt and subsequently traded them with cities in Mesopotamia.
Good administration was indispensable for trade on such a large scale. It thus comes as no surprise that the precursor of our alphabet was developed in Byblos.
The exhibition is bringing together the most beautiful artefacts from Byblos. The display includes finds from the royal tombs and the temples of Byblos, figurines of gods and goddesses, richly decorated weapons and jewellery. The distinctive bronze figurines of warriors, gods and animals, of which some 1,700 have been found in Byblos, are especially striking. The exhibition is presented as a storybook, in which famous stories from Antiquity are set in the port, palaces and cedar forests of Byblos. For example, the Mesopotamian king Gilgamesh went to the Lebanese mountains to cut down cedar trees and the Egyptian goddess Isis brought her deceased lover Osiris back to life in Byblos.
The exhibition is presented as a succession of pop-ups with ships, cedar trees and mythological creatures, striking images in silhouette, and sets of drawings of famous stories. The ancient port city takes shape in large projected 3D reconstructions and drone shots of the excavated ruins, supplemented with historical photos of the first excavations in the early twentieth century. These days, the ancient city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Archaeological research is still ongoing. Finds from an elite burial complex recently excavated by the Lebanese Ministry of Culture/Directorate General of Antiquities and the Louvre will be on display in Leiden, with spectacular images of the excavation site.
‘Byblos’ is the fourth exhibition in the RMO-series on key cities of Antiquity, following Leiden’s crowd-pullers Petra (2013-2014), Carthage (2014-2015) and Nineveh (2017-2018).
Partnerships and acknowledgements
The exhibition was developed in partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Culture/Directorate General of Antiquities. Through this partnership, the RMO is supporting the construction of a new archaeological museum and cultural centre at the historical site of Byblos.
This museum will open to the public in the spring of 2023. The exhibition was developed with the support of the Blockbusterfonds and the VriendenLoterij, with thanks to the Lebanese Embassy (The Hague), the Dutch Embassy (Beirut) and Labrys Reizen.
Extra
The exhibition is accompanied by a book for the general public (in Dutch, ISBN 978-94-6426-137-0, 145 pages, €24.95), a scholarly publication with articles by more than thirty international specialists (in English, ISBN 9789464261349, 280 pages, €50; €40 in RMO Museumshop), and an RMO Magazine (in Dutch, €3.50). There are also free audio tours for adults and children (Dutch/English), and a programme including guided tours, talks, extra (children’s) activities during the school holidays and an academic conference (to be held on 9 December 2022).
2022 commemorates the 127th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence, to celebrate this happy occasion H.E. Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya treated the more than hundred guests to a piano recital at the first public event in the embassy after it had undergone extensive renovation. Under the guidance and leadership of the ambassador the embassy has been restored to its original 19th century esplendor.
Ambassador Malaya noted that “Filipinos are a most musically inclined people. We have in particular a strong choir tradition, perhaps on account of much singing in churches.
Highly notable Filipino musicians include Freddie Aguilar whose song “Anak” has been translated to many languages, including Dutch; Leah Salongaof Broadway; and the hyphenated ones among us, like Bruno Mars, the singer known as H.E.R. and the sensation in the recent Grammy Awards Night, the 19-year-old Olivia Rodrigo who stole everyone’s heart with her song “Driver’s License.”
Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya and Ms Mary Ann Morales.
The distinguished Filipino pianist, Dr. Victor Asuncion played six variations on ‘Mein Junges Leben hat ein End’ by the Dutch composer Jan Pietersz Sweelinck, pieces from Chopin and modern music. More importantly Asuncion treated the public to Filipino music, which in many aspects reflects the various traditions that have enriched Southeast Asian culture, notably Muslim, Spanish and American.
Before the recital Ambassador Malaya gave the attendees a rendering of the Filipino anthem but hugely impressed everyone by faultlessly playing the Wilhelmus van Nassouwe behind the grand piano.
Sir Anton Lutter,
Chapter commander of the Order of Knights of Rizal in The Hague, Sir Anton Lutter, KCR noted that “The Filippino-Dutch relations are as old as the United East India Company (VOC), thus since the early sixteen hundreds when the ships Mauritius and the Eendracht anchored at the Bay of Albay in October 1600. More then 250 years later Philippines’ national hero Jose Rizal read the Max Havelaar written by Multatuli in 1860”.
In relation to The Philippines embassy becoming chair of the ASEAN Committee in The Hague, Lutter mentioned that “Jose Rizal’s influence is also considered part of ASEAN tradition up until now. Many of ASEAN independency leaders have mentioned being influenced by his writings. This is not surprising since the central theme of Dr. Rizal’s books is his aspiration for the freedom of the person and his concern for human dignity. His message is a universal message which still rings true in the 21st century”.
Among the many guests were representatives from the diplomatic corps, Dutch government officials and Filipino-Dutch community leaders. Amongst them Saskia de Lang who until recently was Ambassadors Malaya counterpart in Manila, as the Netherlands Ambassador to The Philippines and her successor Marielle Geraedts, Director General Fernando Arias of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and Secretary-General Marcin Czepelak of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
All photos courtesy Embassy of Th Philippines in The Hague.
Lawmakers voted 50-1 to oust the government of Prime Minister Dritan Abazović just weeks after he signed an agreement regulating the position of the church in Montenegro.
The issue is sensitive for many in the small Balkan nation of 620,000 people that split from its much bigger neighbour Serbia in 2006. The Serbian Orthodox Church, or SOC, enjoys the biggest following in Montenegro, but the nation is divided over the church’s dominant role and the country’s ties to Serbia.
Critics have argued there was no need for a special deal with the SOC separate from other religious communities. Pro-Western groups in Montenegro also have described the agreement as a tool for Serbia and Russia to increase their influence in Montenegro amid the war in Ukraine.
Abazović has defended the agreement as the way to put behind the long-standing church dispute over its property and other rights in Montenegro and focus on other important issues.
It was not immediately clear whether the fall of the government would lead to snap parliamentary elections or if the parties would try to form a new governing coalition.
Political bickering in Montenegro has blocked progress toward integration into the European Union. In 2017, Montenegro defied Russia, with whom the country had strong economic ties in past decades, to become a member of NATO.
Religious issues, which are very sensitive in the small Adriatic country that became independent from Serbia in 2006, are one of the main reasons for the fall of the last two governments.
A third of the 620,000 inhabitants identify themselves as Serbs, and some nationalists deny Montenegrins a separate identity.
The SOC is the dominant religious institution — along with a minority Montenegrin Orthodox Church not recognised by the Orthodox world — but its opponents accuse it of serving Belgrade’s interests.
The Hague August 15 2022. H.E. Mr. Riaz Hamidullah, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in the Netherlands observed a solemn National Day of Mourning.
This year is the 47th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whom stood for secularism, pluralism, murdered at the age of 55 years. It is, therefore, appropriate to solemnly pay deep respect. On the program was also the screening of “Hasina- A Daughters Tale” a documentary movie.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinacautions her people of possible repetition of 1975 carnage. In a newspaper interview with The Economic Times on 21 Aug.2022, Hasina stated, “More attacks may come. The August 15, 1975 attack was carried out when Bangabandhu started the country’s development. Today, Bangladesh became a developing nation and is heading towards becoming a developed one – those who don’t like this, will not sit idle, they will attack – so be alert about this,” Sheikh Hasina said.”
The National Memorial was attended by Ambassadors, among them Costa Rica, Philippines, diplomats from Belarus and others.
Drs. Jan Pronk, delivering keynote speech.
Drs. Jan Pronk, former Dutch Minister of Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade (1973-77, 1989-98), delivered the keynote address. A media release by the Bangladesh Mission stated the following.
Veteran Dutch politician Jan Pronk shed light on Bangladesh’s development, independence struggle and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s outstanding leadership in the 70s in the commemorative event by the Bangladesh Embassy to the Netherlands organised at The Humanity Hub in The Hague.
Bangladesh National Day of Mouring – The Hague 2022.
He also recalled his spirited interaction with Bangabandhu in Dhaka in 1973; and lauded leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Pronk was Dutch Minister of Development Cooperation & Foreign Trade for two terms (1973-77, 1989-98). He played a key role in augmenting development cooperation to Bangladesh from the Netherlands and Europe as a whole (EEE) immediately following Bangladesh’s independence.
In the event, he released e-version of the Dutch edition of Bangabandhu’s Unfinished Memoirs on 150 e-book sites and online markets. From today, Dutch-speaking people worldwide can buy the Dutch version for just €4.95.
Ambassador and spouse, Sazia Ahmed placing a flower bouquet near images of the Father of the Nation.
After translating and printing the Dutch version (hard copy) in March 2021, Bangladesh Embassy took steps this innovative initiative and realised in one year. This will now be the only digital version of any edition of Bangabandhu’s book, globally.
At the launch of the e-version of the Dutch edition, 4 Podcasts out of the Dutch edition were also made available which can be accessed at the Embassy’s website.
Afterwards, “Hasina- A Daughters Tale” was screened for the Ambassadors, diplomats and Dutch dignitaries present. Copies of the Dutch edition were presented to the guests as well.
15 August 2022 has been a day full of activities, the National Day of Mourning, the screening of a documentary film and the launching of a book.
