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.
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)
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
The ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh (Arabic for ISIS) took place on May 11 in Marrakesh, Morocco, with representatives from more than 80 countries and international organizations.
The meeting was organized at the joint invitation of the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Foreigners, Nasser Burita, and the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken. This first meeting of the Global Coalition against ISIS in Africa is another step in the framework of international commitment and coordination in the fight against the Islamic State (IS), with particular emphasis on the African continent, as well as the evolving terrorist threat in the Middle East and other areas.
Participants expressed concern about the proliferation of separatist movements in Africa, which are destabilizing and making African states more vulnerable, creating favorable conditions for ISIS and other terrorist and violent extremist organizations, the statement said. of this international conference.
They also noted the existence of a link between separatist and terrorist movements acting in collusion, exploiting existing weaknesses in a way that multiplies their destabilizing impact.
The hosting of this international meeting from Morocco reflects the confidence enjoyed by the special approach taken by the Kingdom under the leadership of King Mohammed VI in the fight against terrorism.
The meeting reaffirms Morocco ‘s full commitment to ensuring close coordination with its partners to eliminate the threat posed by IK and aimed at regional security and stability, thus combating terrorism and extremism on the African continent at its source.
The meeting of the international coalition against the Islamic State in numbers: • Participating countries: 79 • African participating countries: 19 • Participating Asian countries: 8 • Participating Arab countries: 9 • Participating international organizations: European Union, Arab League, International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Sahara Community. • Number of participating ministers: 47 (of which 38 foreign ministers) • Total number of participants: 400
Lorenzo Livio Maria Ravano is well-acquainted to Germany, and speaks the German language in addition to his native French. In the same measure he masters the Italian, English and Spanish languages, and served previously in the capacity as Minister-Counsellor-Deputy Head of Mission of the Princely Monégasque Embassy to Germany, Poland and Austria as well as Deputy Permanent Representative of the Principality of Monaco to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and International Organizations based in Vienna from 2017, and up to his first ambassadorship.
Before arriving in Berlin, Ambassador Ravano served in the capacity as Counsellor, subsequently First Counsellor (from 2016) and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Monaco in the United States of America and Canada, Deputy Permanent Observer of the Principality of Monaco to the Organization of American States (from 2011). Serving in Washington D.C. from 2008 through 2017.
The Ambassador holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from the International University of Monaco, summa cum laude. Moreover, a Postgraduate European Education and Diploma in International Marketing issued by the Academy of Brussels
Supported by Eurojust and Europol, judicial and law enforcement authorities in France, Spain and Portugal have dismantled a criminal network involved in sexual exploitation and human trafficking. During an action day, ten suspects were arrested and twelve locations searched in the three countries involved. Seizures include EUR 20 000 in cash, two vehicles and electronic equipment.
Beginning in France in 2021, the investigations revealed that a series of prostitution activities that took place in several towns in France were handled by a structure based in Spain. The services of the victims, who were of Latin American origin, were announced on a dedicated website and through telephone lines managed from Spain.
It is believed that the profits generated by the prostitution activities in France were also sent to Spain.
The case was opened at Eurojust in 2021 at the request of the French investigative judge from JIRS Nancy. Three coordination meetings were hosted by the Agency to facilitate judicial cooperation, including the execution of six European Investigation Orders (EIOs) in Spain and two in Portugal, and the preparation of the joint action day.
Europol provided analytical support, assisted with the exchange of information and deployed officers on the spot during the action day.
During a joint action day on 20 June, four suspects were arrested in Spain in three house searches. In France, two suspects were arrested. A total of seven house searches were carried out. In Portugal, four suspects were arrested and two house searches carried out.
Seizures include EUR 20 000 in cash, as well as two vehicles, electronic equipment, two hard drives, more than thirty mobile phones, SIM cards, bank cards, notebooks, diaries and handwritten accounts of prostitution activities.
The following authorities took part in this investigation:
France: Interregional Specialised Jurisdiction of Nancy (JIRS); Law enforcement: BMRZ of Metz (Border Police)
Spain: Investigative Court number 3 in Algeciras and International Cooperation Section of PPO Cádiz; Group on CyberTHB, UCRIF Central, National Police
Portugal: UNCT (Unidade Nacional Contraterrorismo) from the Polícia Judiciária; Public Prosecutor from the DCIAP ( Central Department of Penal Investigation) in Lisbon
Supported by Eurojust, authorities in Lithuania,Hungary, Slovakia and Latvia have undertaken a successful operation against large-scale VAT fraud involving the sale of used cars from the United States. The managers of five companies who allegedly acted together may have avoided paying at least EUR 4 million in taxes to the Lithuanian authorities.
In an action day, authorities carried out over twenty simultaneous searchesin the four countries. Witnesses were interviewed and documents of significant value for the investigation, as well as EUR 50 000 in cash, were seized.
According to the pre-trial investigations, five companies in the Lithuanian city of Klaipėda were engaged in the trade of used cars with the objective of avoiding paying taxes. The companies’ managers allegedly used a margin scheme that is well known to officials. VAT margin schemes are methods of accounting that allow businesses to calculate VAT on the value added to the goods they sell, rather than on the full selling price.
The suspects may have used non-operating companies registered in Slovakia and Hungary. The owners and directors of these companies, Latvian citizens, allegedly forged documents about cars purchased from these companies with an already adapted margin.
It is estimated that in three and a half years, the companies were able to sell 2 300 vehicles for at least EUR 19 million, and the potentially unpaid VAT amounts to at least EUR 4 million.
The case was opened at Eurojust on 4 May 2022 by the Lithuanian authorities. The Agency contributed to the coordination of urgent and simultaneous investigative actions in the countries involved and provided support in preparation for the action day that took place on 25 May.
More than 20 simultaneous searches took place in Lithuania, Hungary, Slovakia and Latvia. Authorities interviewed witnesses and seized documents of significant value for the investigation, as well as EUR 50 000 in cash. During the searches at the companies’ places of business, 46 used vehicles from the US were found.
The properties of the suspects and companies were subject to a temporary restriction of rights, including the restricted ownership of 840 vehicles, plots of land, houses and cash. The total value of the frozen assets is more than EUR 4.7 million.
Allegations of fraudulent accounting and concealment of millions in taxes by providing incorrect data on income were made against the managers of the five companies.
The following authorities took part in the operations:
Lithuania: Klaipėda Financial Intelligence Unit; Klaipėda Public Prosecutor’s Office
Hungary: National Tax and Customs Administration Central Hungarian Criminal Directorate; Metropolitan Chief Prosecution Office, Department for Economic Crimes
Slovakia: Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office Bratislava, District Police Headquarter Bratislava I
Latvia: Tax and Customs Police Board of the State Revenue Service of Latvia
The main purpose of the body is to promote Kazakh-Hellenic cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, tourism, culture and other spheres by establishing appropriate contacts, as well as advising interested organizations on the specifics of the Kazakh and Greek economies.
Greece is Kazakhstan’s fifth largest trading partner among the European Union member states. The annual trade turnover between the countries amounts to about 1.5 US bln dollars. In Greece, there are about 100 thousand natives of Kazakhstan – ethnic Greeks – who have returned to their historic homeland. Since June 2 this year, there have been direct flights between the countries.
On the Kazakh side, the Council has been headed by the well-known economist Zhaksybek Kulekeyev, while on the Greek side by the entrepreneur and authoritative expert in the field of energy law, Thomas Lamnidis.
During the ceremony an opening remark was made by Konstantinos Fragkogiannis, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece in charge of economic diplomacy. The diplomat stressed that Kazakhstan is one of the key partners of Greece in the Eurasian region, with which Athens intends to develop trade, economic and investment cooperation. A representative of the Hellenic government expressed his confidence that the platform could effectively serve the purpose of enhancing bilateral business relations.
In his turn, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan H.E. Mr. Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev, confirming the mutual commitment to the comprehensive strengthening of Kazakh-Greek relations, noted the importance of intensifying contacts between business circles of the two countries in light of the ongoing reforms in Kazakhstan on building a “New Kazakhstan” under the leadership of President Tokayev. The Ambassador stressed that Kazakhstan’s focus on creating favourable conditions for doing business and attracting investment to the country’s economy will provide a solid foundation for building up new and expanding existing business ties.
Noting the timeliness of establishing such a platform to bring the business communities of both countries closer together, Co-Chairman of the Kazakhstan’s part of the Council Mr. Kulekeyev informed the guests of the event about the current situation in the economy of Kazakhstan and outlined mutually beneficial priority areas for expanding cooperation.
The head of the Greek part of the Business Council, T. Lamnidis, addressed the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, expressing the great interest of the business communities of the two countries in signing the Convention on Avoidance of Double Taxation between the governments of Kazakhstan and Greece as soon as possible. The entrepreneur noted that this instrument would greatly contribute to the expansion of business contacts.
Konstantinos Petridis, the President of the DKG Development company, who was elected as the CEO of the Hellenic-Kazakh Business Council, noted that the interest in developing trade and economic cooperation with partners from Kazakhstan stems from the country’s policy of building transparent, pragmatic and reliable relations with the business community.
A Cigars, Rum, Coffee, Bolero Night in The Hague. It all started with a passion for cigars, rum, coffee and bolero.
Consequently, Diplomat Magazine, Leonardo Royal Hotel and Casa del Habano hosted a cigar rum and coffee tasing event along with a bolero presentation that brought together diplomats, Dutch civil servants, producers of cigars, rum, coffee, connoisseurs, neophytes and bolero enthusiasts.
Pablo Grimaldi from cigars La Margot, Torres Garcia and Linga cigars with Gerbrand Nijman, Global Telecom.
Cigars & Boleros 2022
The rum lovers were spotted swirling, sipping and savouring rum and cigars offered by exhibitors from the producing countries.
An eventful afternoon kicked off with an exclusive tasting at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in The Hague on the sunny Friday afternoon of 17 June 2022.
Ambassadors of the participating countries briefly introduce their products.
Guatemala by H.E. the Ambassador of Guatemala, Jorge Skinner-Klée Arenales. Cigars & Boleros 2022.
Guatemala by H.E. the Ambassador of Guatemala, Jorge Skinner-Klée Arenales
I hope the tasting experience will result in a better understanding of the wealth that Guatemala and Latin America have to offer. So please delight your senses with a taste of our region. Guatemala is the heart of Mesoamerica. One of the world’s 17 Megadiverse countries, both as a tourist destination and as the perfect environment for rum production.
It is precisely Guatemala´s ecological diversity that gives its Rum a distinct and intense flavour. Guatemala´s rich volcanic soil, varied landscape and climate are perfect conditions for growing sugar cane and creating ageing Rum.
Guatemala rum Botran. Cigars and Boleros 2022. From the Embassy of Guatemala: Carol Simonetti and Alondra Ochoa Morelos, Administrative staff with William Edward Turton Furlan, Commercial Counsellor.
Thank you, Diplomat Magazine, La Casa del Habano and Leonardo Royal Hotel for hosting this magical night. I also want to make a special mention to our main sponsor, Botran – Ron de Guatemalafor its commitment to bringing the best of Guatemala abroad, a success story. Quote: Our land makes it, our climate shapes it, our methods transform it, and our Rum is one of a Guatemalan kind.
Panama by H.E. the Ambassador of Panama, Ms. Elizabeth Ward Neiman. Cigars & Boleros 2022.Panama chocolate at Cigars & Boleros 2022.Panama National Dress, the Pollera.Rum Abuelo from Panama. Cigars & Boleros 2022.
Panamaby H.E. the Ambassador of Panama, Ms. Elizabeth Ward Neiman
Panama has more to offer than straw hats.There is the canal of course. However, the Ambassador promulgated the high quality of her country’s rum El Abuelo, cigar, tourism, ground provisions, services and much more.
H.E. Mr. Juan Bautista Duran, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic.
Dominican Republic by H.E. Ambassador Juan Bautista Duran.
The Dominican Republic is currently one of the world’s leading producers of quality cigars due to the careful management of its crops and the innovative attitude of producers, which has made Dominican cigars receive numerous awards and prizes from tobacco lovers and experts around the world. Dominican tobacco is Culture, Art and Tradition but also the economic and social growth of the country, providing more than 110 thousand direct and indirect jobs.
In 2021, cigar exports accounted for 85% of total exports and reached an all-time high of over one billion pesos.
Besides Rum and cigars, the Dominican Republic had a marketing gimmick that attracted attention. The Ambassador gave renditions of various popular tunes, which went down well with the crowd, they kept asking for more.
Dr. Mayelinne De Lara, Diplomat Magazine’s Publisher.
Huge thanks to Diplomat Magazine, in the person of director Dr Mayelinne De Lara, and Leonardo Royal Hotel for this beautiful initiative and the excellent organization of the event.
H.E. Mr. Juan Bautista Duran, the ambassador of Dominican Republic with Dominican diplomats and members of the diaspora.
Cuba by The Ambassador of Cuba, H.E. Ms Anet Pino Rivero
Cuba with Cuban Cigars (Cuban tobacco) and Rum. We will also have the opportunity to enjoy Cuban music, dance with the Cubans Mr. Jorge Martínez Galán and Rafael Cala.
I thank Diplomat Magazine and La Casa del Habano for organizing this wonderful event.
Further, Cuban Rums Perla del Norte and Cubay, in cooperation with Casa Ron. I thank Guillermo for being with us tonight.
H.E. Ms Anet Pino Rivero, Ambassador of Cuba.
Ron Perla del Norte. Applies a unique technology of spirits and aged bases, exposed to different stages of mixing and ageing in white oak, some components have reached up to 7 years of ageing.
Ron Cubay. This award-winning rum house was founded in 1964 in Villa Clara, primarily intended for domestic consumption. Now worldwide available in 5 different flavours. Cubay rum elevates the typical expression of the sweet taste of the Centre island, which preserves the tradition of the Cuban light rum.
Cuban dance teacher, Rafael Cala.
Cuban cigars. In 1492 the Spanish expedition commanded by Christopher Columbus saw tobacco for the first time in the New World. The Taino Indians rolled and burnt some mysterious leaves called “Cohiba”.
From that starting point five hundred years ago, tobacco has been traded and planted throughout the world.
Tabaco Negro Cubano or Cuban Black Tobacco has been considered one of the best in the world because of the unique growing conditions in some areas of the Island. This distinction remains incontestably valid after more than five centuries.
All Habanos are experienced in using methods that were pioneered in Havana two centuries ago and remain virtually unchanged to this day.
I invite you to enjoy the Cuban flavour through its tobaccos, Rums, and cultural performances.
Diplomat magazine, Leonardo, Habanero have embarked on an ambitious project to shine light on the Latin America-Caribe region’s historic acclaimed artisan products of cigar and rum. Well, let me tell you, shining it did!
H.E. Ms. Salima Abdelhak, Ambassador of Algeria, Beatriz Piza and spouse H.E. Mr. Arnoldo Brenes Castro, Ambassador of Costa Rica, H.E. Mr. Jorge Skinner-Klee Arenales, Ambassador of Guatemala, H.E. Ms. Eizabeth Ward Neiman, Ambassador of Panama and H.E. Mr. Andrei Yeudachenka, Ambassador of Belarus. Mr. Wilhen Diaz Lara, Charge D’affaires of Venezuela. Cigars & Boleros 2022.
Venezuela by Mr. Wilhen Diaz Lara, Charge D’affaires
We are here not only to meet our friends, but also to taste some products from the exportable supply of our countries. From the Embassy of Venezuela, we are very happy to present you on this beautiful afternoon a Caribbean experience from Venezuela, offering a taste of at least two of our national items of production whose exportable quality maintains remarkable value, regardless of the coercive unilateral measures applied to Venezuela.
The export of these products is one of many example of how we work hard hand in hand with our best asset, our people. We have rum the export and transformation of national cocoa, a particularity that comes from the passion that is instilled in each step of the production process, able to appreciate throughout the process as a very important aspect that represents our nation, such as responsibility, integrity and preservation of the environment.
Venezuela Rum Diplomatico. Venezuela at Cigars & Boleros 2022.
Diplomático Rum, a recognized brand, winner of multiple awards and international recognitions that demonstrate family values. Here is a company that recycles 100% of its solid and liquid waste, using the latter as organic fertilizer for the sugar cane fields.
With a special touch, these Venezuelan rum have a special aging process that can vary between 4, 8 and 12 years of maturation, unique in its style and in different types of barrels, predominantly ex-bourbon and ex-malt whisky. A selection of Spanish sherry butts is used to refine the finish of the Single Vintage and Ambassador rums.
Also, Ada Romero joins us today, a Venezuelan Master chocolatier and quantum therapist.
Mildred Wiersma, Latin Show. Cigars & Boleros 2022.
in the same spirit that you enjoy this beautiful sunny afternoon, I hope you will also enjoy the Boleros. I have the pleasure to introducing you to a Venezuelan singer who merges music and culture of Venezuela and the Netherlands. Creator and founder of Mildred Wiersma, Latin Show and with her years of experience in Venezuela she decided to bring her music to the Netherlands.
A walk-around the tasting kiosks on the lawns of the Leonardo Royal Hotel showed guests chatting with the producers trying to understand the flavor , aroma and showing keen interest in the aging process technics of the various textures of rum.
The afternoon was vivified by Latino-Caribe music, song, dance demonstrations, buffet, and beautiful finger food and topped off with a surpassingly joyous ambience.
Ambassadors and diplomats from all continents, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cameroon, South Africa, Belarus, Nicaragua. Further representatives of the ex-pat, international and Dutch community.
The Cigars, Rum, Coffee and Bolero Extravaganza is just a sparkle there are further activations planned to put Latino-Caribe Rum and Cigars on the map in the Netherlands and beyond.
All left the Leonardo Hotel in high spirit!
The Ambassador of Guatemala, H.E. Jorge Skinner-Klée Arenales and the Ambassador of Viet Nam, H.E. Mr. Pham Viet Ahn.
A complete defeat of Russia in Ukraine war is a utopian dream in this high-tech century. However, Ukraine and its western allies can defeat Russian only in conventional war.
But, in the history, Moscow is always far away to reach and the history repeats itself. The possible USA led NATO invasion of Moscow in 2022 needs to involve of unthinkable lives and resources. The daily overall cost of the invasion towards Moscow will be several hundred times higher than the daily cost of Ukraine war.
According to Newsweek report, SOFREP, a media outlet said the invasion requires approximately $900 million a day. However, Ukraine has lost up to $600 billion, with $92 billion of damage to its infrastructure, according to a study released by the Kyiv School of Economics on 6 May.
The monotonous and prolonged war can exist for several years. Russian relentless bombardment in eastern Ukraine has settled into a rhythm which resembles World War One trench warfare. The war not will only impact on Russian lives and resources, but it will damage all kind of exiting economic system all over the world and pollute the soil, air, water, seas and oceans. The greenery earth could be disappeared for several centuries. The fate of winner and looser, Moscow and Washington will be same. Millions dead-bodies of war victims could be buried or burned in the battle fields, but , end of war, millions impeded men, women and children will walk on the streets of Moscow, London, Paris, Washington or elsewhere.
In long run, Ukraine and its Western allies have to do lot of ground work to win the war. First of all, they will prevent Putin from using nuclear weapons and destruct Russian abilities to switch on the nuclear weaponries. They shall deploy infantry three times higher than Russian infantry. All out measure is needed to push back Putin and his nominated inheritor from Kremlin before reaching Moscow. In this objective the Westerner must pouring fuel into Russian internal conflict to decentralize Moscow’s power-centre and ruin the Russian economy. Then they find a western loyalist Tsar instead of Putin. New Tsar will be a peace campaigner and could step back from war. The Tsar could sign western architected peace agreement. The clauses of this agreement can be copied from the clause of Versailles treaty, was drafted at the Paris Peace Conference in the spring of 1919 and ended World War I.
Since the Russian invasion, every day and every hour Ukraine has lost its land, resources and blood. Influx of Ukrainian refugees have become higher and higher in different European countries.
Every day Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has cried for more western weapons and for imposing extensive sanction on Russia. Since the invasion, the USA led NATO allies has given him endless sophisticated arms and ammunitions, but reality is often disappointing as yet, he did not got any breakthrough to stop Russian offensive. Russia already occupied eastern Ukraine and continuing indiscriminate missile strikes on different Ukrainian cities including Kiev. Russia has blocked Ukrainian grain to export. It seems that Ukraine is unable to win the war against Russia without USA led NATO’s full-fledged involvement.
Former U.S. secretary of state Henry A. Kissinger said recently at a conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland that Ukraine should cede territory to Russia to help end the invasion as a vast majority of Ukrainians are against the war.
He also urged the United States and the West to not seek an embarrassing defeat for Russia in Ukraine, warning it could worsen Europe’s long-term stability.
If USA led NOTO allies avoid direct war against Russian,
Volodymyr Zelensky has two options. First, He may continue the war against Russia with the support of arms-ammunitions from western allies. Another option is to move for peace negotiation instead of seeking western military aides. He will win a great achievement from peace table if Russia retreats from the eastern Ukraine. But the Russian point of view, this would be absurd concession. So, Volodymyr Zelensky may set his mind to grant full autonomy for Russian spoken population in eastern Ukraine. Zelensky will be winner in this peace battle if he up to keep the Ukrainian sovereignty.
