The legendary Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar has passed on February 6th 2022, at the Breach Candy Hospital Trust in Mumbai, to which she’d been admitted, sick with Covid-19.
“The divine voice has gone quiet forever but her melodies will remain immortal, echoing in eternity “ (President of India)
Lata Mangeshkar, has been widely credited as India’s most respected singer, the Nightingale.
Lata Mangeshkar was born on September 28, 1929, to classical singer and theatre artist Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Her father started teaching her music at an early age. At the age of five, Lata participated as an actress in plays written by her father.
The central government decided that as a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, two-day state mourning was observed from February 6 to February 7,with the Tricolour at half-mast.
The Government of India has decided to issue a commemorative stamp (28 September) in the memory of Lata Mangeshkar.
Mangeshkar was honoured with several awards: the Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. In 2009 the government of France conferred on her its highest civilian award ‘Officier de la Legion d’Honneur’.
Tributes Pour in from heads of states-governments in South East Asia and further afield as Sri Lanka, Trinidad&Tobago, Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname.
Some believe that Lata Mangeshkar was the most recorded singer in history. Allegedly, she has recorded more songs than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones combined.
Lata Mangeshkar toured and performed in numerous countries, becoming the first Indian to perform at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London in 1974.
When Lata Mangeshkar visited Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana (1980), the day of her arrival was like a public holiday, the whole country seemed to have gathered in Georgetown, Guyana. Thousands of people lined the roads. They were people of all ethnicity.
Lata Mangeshkar’s influence can be felt in many songs of Soca and Chutney singers, and her voice has served as an umbilical cord between the Indian diaspora and the ancestral land of India.
High Commissioner Arun Kumar Sahu of India in Trinidad & \Tobago said Lata Mangeshkar’s career spanned over 75 years, during which she is reputed to have sung over 35,000 songs in more than 35 languages. Besides filmi songs, she has sung innumerable geet, ghazals, bhajans and patriotic songs.
New York City
The mourning of Lata Mangeshkar’s passing was not limited to India. People from around the world were grieving her demise.
A tribute to the Queen of Melody on Times Square featuring Mangeshkar smiling at new yorkers from the digital boarding as her songs played in the background.
“Lata Didi or Lata Ji” as she was fondly called, enjoyed listening to Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, the Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte and Nat King Cole. She also loved movies, cars, dogs, she adored Cricket. Captain Virat Kohli said her songs had “touched millions of people “.
Lata Mangeshkar’s passing left a never filing void in people’s heart, however her musical legacy is being safeguarded by the 3rd generation of singers in the Mangeshkar family. With their remarkable singing and music compositions, the Mangeshkar sisters Lata, Usha, Asha, Meena and their brother Hridaynath have set a benchmark in the music world.
Lata Mangeshkar was cremated with full State Honours in Mumbai in the presence of the Hon. PM. Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray along with his family. Furthermore, actors Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, and Sachin Tendulk a former cricketer, Shraddha Kapoor and others paid their last respects to the music icon at the Shivaji Park.
India’s immortal Nightingale Lata Mangeshkar Lata Ji has departed, but her music has and will continue to have that impact, to comfort, motivate and entertain millions!
The name Lata Mangeshkar will remain indelible in the hearts of many!
After necessary personnel training, the first 6 of 24 total state-of-the-art Rafale fighters will be gradually introduced into operational planning of the Greek Air Force from January 19. Six more are expected at the end of this year and the rest will be delivered in the beginning of 2023. The acquisition of the Rafale will be an excellent multiplier of capability for the Greek Armed Forces and will upset the balance of forces in Greece in favor of great strategic importance.
With advanced radar capabilities and air-to-air weapons, the aircraft has great advantages in aerial combat and even a small number of units are able to dominate within both short and long distances, effectively prohibiting rival air forces from operating in areas where they are not welcome.
Rafale Aircrafts flies over the Acropolis in the colors of the Greek flag
In the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, and beyond, the large operational radius of these planes will prove important. These Rafale-type planes also can carry EXOCET missiles for advanced operations against naval targets. This capability is also enabled by the advanced naval detection sensors, which allow for air-to-sea operations from long distances, making them important in protection of friendly shipping and a major asset against movement of enemy naval forces.
Possibly the most crucial aspect of these aircraft, though, is their Active Electronic Scanning Array (AESA) which gives an effective range of 200 km and the ability to target 40 individual entities simultaneously, and to target 8 at distances over 100 km distance. With capabilities for air-ground SCALP missiles, anti-ship EXOCET missiles, and air-to-air METEOR missiles (with an effective range of about 150 km) these planes will play a crucial role in the future of Greek Air Forces. Specifically, METEOR capabilities are important, providing a range advantage over the operations of Turkish aircraft, which would allow them to operate from beyond the range of such forces. The SPECTRA self-defense system is also a great asset as an ultra-modern unit that protects the aircraft while blinding enemy ground and air based radars.
Rafale at the military air base of Tatoi, in Greece.
They also carry the renowned Link16 system that allows for coordination with F-16s, ground-based radars and missile systems. With this system, all units connected are presented with a continuously updated visual display showing the exact locations of all aircraft, friendly and hostile, in the area of interest in real time.
Rafale Fighter Aircraft
The military balance in the Eastern Mediterranean is changing significantly in favor of Greece and Cyprus, aided by a strengthening alliance with France. Highly developed weapons systems and platforms, in combination with enthusiastic political will and determination are driving ambitious adversaries to have new concerns about the military and political capabilities of Greece.
The Leonardo Royal Hotel Den Haag Promenade is represented by both new and more experienced employees working together with passion as one team, to deliver great service and to depict the hotel’s values. In these monthly written pieces, there is a focus on their values and their approach to our international clients. Who are the employees as an individual? Allow us to introduce you to introduce Fabio Gorel, employee of the year 2021.
Nationality: Dutch
Function: All-round Food & Beverage
Department: Food & Beverage
I started working here in September 2017.I guess my first impression was quite different from most employees here. My mother has been working at the hotel’s front desk for the past 34 years, so when I was younger, she would occasionally take me with her. I remember celebrating Sinterklaas (Saint Nicolas) when I was about 6 years old. I also may or may not remember knocking a very expensive painting off the wall on by accident. Back then, the atmosphere of the hotel felt very formal and exclusive, or at least to little me. It was a place for rich businessmen in suits, smoking cigars.
What makes the Promenade Hotel suitable for welcoming people from all around the world?
The staff. We have people working here from all over the world, all with their own life experiences and stories. These stories really reflect upon how we work here. We all have our own identity, opinions, and values. And we, as a team, try to use these values to make international guests feel as welcome as possible.
What do you value most in the organization of diplomatic events at the Promenade Hotel?
The way in which we can transform the hotel into a completely different place. When we have a big diplomatic event, 95% of the work is part of the behind the scenes and preparation. I really enjoy these events because that is when we really work as a team the most. It’s when we are at our best. I also like how flexible we can be in accommodating basically anyone.
What did you learn so far by working with diplomats? Some tips, rules or values to share?
That all of us are not so different as we may appear. I have met a lot of diplomats from all over the world since I started working here. What I have learned, is that deep down we all have similar emotions and needs, though one should remain be mindful of (potential) cultural differences and traditions. It is just the way in which we express these needs that differ. My tip would be quite obvious: Search for the things we can all relate to and identify with. That is the best way to make connections.
“Doing nothing is not a choice”
Which Food Festival has been your favorite so far or would you like to experience?
My favorite Food Festival so far was probably the Peruvian edition, because it was the first Food Festival I got to experience. The atmosphere was great, and it was the start of something bigger. I would love to experience a German Food Festival, because I am partially German.
What local food(s), from abroad, have you tried already?
One of the benefits of working in the Promenade Hotel is that you get taste a lot of different foods. It would probably be easier for me to list the areas from which I have not tasted any foods yet.
What is your favorite drink or dish at LEO’s International Flavors?
The Sticky Chicken!
The Sticky Chicken! I really like the new menu in general, but this one really stands out for me.
What sustainable development goal do you value most? Why this one?
No SDG is completely independent of the other ones, but the one I believe solves the most fundamental issues of our time is “No Poverty”. We, as humanity, cannot sustain any sort of meaningful change if we cannot sustain ourselves. In my opinion, lifting people out of extreme poverty will also help us achieve many other SDGs in the process. It gives the poorest people on earth a platform from which they can develop their skills, get educated, and to make meaningful change within their communities.
“No Poverty” – Lifting people out of extreme poverty will also help us achieve many other SDGs in the process.
Of course, this will increase the stress on our planet in the short term, but it also decreases child mortality, thereby indirectly combating overpopulation, whilst simultaneously creating the ability for brilliant new minds from these nations step forward, become innovators, and effective leaders. This, to me, is the only way we can achieve strong, worldwide partnerships, to tackle the problems of humanity.
What piece of good advice did you receive, and from whom, that you would like to forward?
“Doing nothing is not a choice.” From my parents. We have control over so much more than we often make ourselves believe.
Both China and America are courting Bangladesh because being next to the Bay of Bengal it can provide easy access to the Indian Ocean, which funnels much of the world trade. By controlling this sea lane, America can choke off China’s economy. Bangladesh can give China an alternative land route via Burma.
By B. Z. Khasru
The United States has stepped up pressure on Bangladesh to join its Indo-Pacific military pact to contain China, but it is using a false pretext that may rile up the Bengali nation that carries the bitter memory of America’s opposition to its birth.
Washington recently sanctioned Bangladesh’s elite police unit, the Rapid Action Battalion, citing “serious human rights abuses.” Six of its current and former officers have been accused of abductions, murders and torture. Benazir Ahmed, former RAB head who is now chief of Bangladesh Police, has also been barred from entering America.
Then came a new revelation that America wanted to know how Bangladesh has spent U.S. military aid. The hidden motive behind this is to potentially slap further sanctions if the funds have been improperly used.
This revelation deepens the suspicion that Washington is using the pretext of human rights abuses to push Bangladesh to become a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, an informal anti-China military pact comprising of the United States, Japan, Australia and India.
Bangladesh has faced U.S. pressure at least since October 2020 when Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun visited Dhaka and formally invited the South Asian nation to join the group. Dhaka has refused so far because of threats from China, a significant source of investment capital for Bangladesh.
Both China and America are courting Bangladesh because being next to the Bay of Bengal it can provide easy access to the Indian Ocean, which funnels much of the world trade. By controlling this sea lane, America can choke off China’s economy. Bangladesh can give China an alternative land route via Burma.
Largely devoid of natural resources and born extremely poor in 1971 with a meager income of $90 per person, Bangladesh in recent years has earned kudos worldwide as an economic success story. Each Bengali is now making more than $2,000 a year on average, scoring better than its larger and more resourceful neighbors. Hoping to further improve its fortunes, Bangladesh is working on big plans that will require huge foreign capital.
China signed a $21 billion aid deal with Dhaka five years ago, and has granted Bangladesh virtually tariff-free access to its markets. China is Bangladesh’s second largest arms supplier, and helping build a big military base near the Bay of Bengal.
Announcing the sanctions in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 10, Secretary of State Antony Blinken blamed the RAB for more than 600 abductions in the past 12 years and a similar number of murders. The force, founded in 2004 in response to public outcry to control rapidly rising crime, handles internal security as well as criminal and government-directed investigations. In recent years, the government allegedly used it to wipe out political opponents.
Nonetheless, Washington is guilty of double standards. When President Ziaur Rahman railroaded the trials of hundreds of rebel soldiers in 1977 and secretly hanged an undisclosed number of them, America did not publicly chastise him, let alone impose sanctions. Only Jane Coon, then deputy assistant secretary of state, blocked his visit to the White House, ignoring Ambassador Ed Masters’ push.
Washington’s sanctions strategies often carry hidden agendas. When America imposed sanctions on the Soviet Union after it invaded Kabul, they were billed as part of a mission to rescue Afghanistan, but they were actually intended to warn Moscow not to march into Iran.
Applying the same tactic, Americans are giving Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina two messages: (1 ) punish the named officers, and (2) join the Quad. Hasina’s failure to comply, especially with the second demand, is likely to subject Bangladesh to more sanctions.
The U.S. steps may embarrass Hasina on world stage, but sanctions in general rarely achieve their stated goals. Often they do just the opposite — make the recipients more rigid. Hasina will certainly not put her police chief on trial, because such a step will open up a Pandora’s box, putting her administration and her political future in jeopardy. Even a dumb person knows that the RAB did not act arbitrarily without approval from the top.
To concede the U.S. demands will make Hasina look weak to her followers as well as adversaries. A weak leader is despised in Asia—and perhaps in other parts of the world, too— especially if one fails to stand up to big bullies.
This leaves the United States with the only hope that its secret strategy to coerce Hasina into the Quad will succeed. The prime minister is less than likely to bend over backwards to please Washington, simply because of her fear to look weak, if nothing else. Can she afford to be on the wrong side of both India — which is playing second fiddle to America— and the United States at the same time? Her records indicate she can.
Furthermore, the region has a history of resisting America’s diktat. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, refused to join the U.S.-led military pacts in the 1950s. Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan snubbed U.S. request to send soldiers to fight in Vietnam. Even Ziaur Rahman, who was America’s poodle, barked when Washington pressed him to support sanctions on Iran in 1979.
With its latest steps, America runs the risk of being branded as a nation genetically predisposed to harming the homeland of 165 million Bengalis. Many of them still vividly remember how President Richard Nixon aided their enemy, Pakistan, to pursue his secret ping pong diplomacy via Islamabad. There is still a lingering suspicion that America really does not wish Bangladesh well. Hasina believes deep down that Washington’s hidden agenda is to banish her into political oblivion.
Bangladesh’s foreign office is bitter. But Hasina, not known for making rash decisions, has been rather mum on the sanctions, and is unlikely to open her mouth any time soon, especially because her long-time chief patron, India, is now reported to be a co-conspirator in America’s mischief. To bring Bangladesh in line, the United States needs India on its side.
India is no more on the same page with Hasina. Dhaka-Delhi relations soured after India botched several trade deals, threatened to push back an alleged 40 million illegal Bengali migrants, and, above all, Indians chided Bangladesh for cozying up to China. India won’t take any direct action against Bangladesh, but will secretly endorse Washington’s dirty tricks.
With its “friendship to all, malice toward none” foreign policy, Bangladesh is between a rock and a hard place. While the Biden administration is pulling Dhaka to its side, China has vowed fire and fury if Bangladesh embraces Uncle Sam.
Since the 1950s, Beijing has refrained from squeezing Delhi too hard lest India jump into the U.S. orbit. Both America and India may find the Chinese tactic instructive to deal with Bangladesh. Instead of bullying, honor Dhaka’s neutrality and insist that China not be given advantage over America and India. Push her to the edge, Hasina will draw from her experience in successfully fending off U.S. pressures and rally the Bengalis around her, citing America’s chronic hostility and malafide toward the Bengali nation.
About the author:
B. Z. Khasru
B. Z. Khasru, a U.S.-based journalist, is author of “Bangladesh Liberation War, How India, U.S., China and the USSR Shaped the Outcome” and “The Bangladesh Military Coup and the CIA Link.”
His new book, “One Eleven Minus Two, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s War on Yunus and America,” will be published shortly by Rupa & Co., New Delhi.
Employees are entitled to receive information about their employment conditions. Which information does this concern? When and how does the employee have to receive this information?
By Jan Dop and Priscilla de Leede
Law prescribes which basic information the employer has to give the employee about the employment contract and in which way this must be done. Please note: The obligation to provide information also applies to employment contracts with bogus self-employed persons. Thus, you may find that even in the case of a contract for services, this information must be provided to the contractor.
Required information
Most obligations have been included in Book 7, Article 655 (1) of the Dutch Civil Code. According to this list, the employer needs to provide at least the following information:
Name and address of employer and employee.
The place or places where the employee performs his/her work.
The position of the employee or a job description.
The date on which the employment contract commences.
In a fixed-term agreement: the duration of the agreement.
The number of holidays or the way in which they are calculated.
The notice period or the way in which it is calculated.
The remuneration and the period of payment. In case of a piece wage:
The quantity the employee has to offer per day or week,
The price per unit, and
The time that is reasonably necessary for the performance of a unit.
Whether the employee will take part in a pension scheme.
If the employee is to work abroad for more than one month:
The duration of the work,
The accommodation,
If the employee falls under the Dutch social security legislation or a specification of the bodies responsible to administer this legislation,
The currency in which the wages will be paid,
The allowances to which the employee is entitled, and
The arrangement of the employee’s return.
Whether the employment contract falls under a collective labour agreement or another scheme. In case the Waadi Act is applicable, this must also be stated.
Whether there is an agency work employment contract or a payroll contract.
Whether the employment contract is for an indefinite time.
In addition to this list, other information must be provided. For example, under the Pension Act, the employee is entitled to information about the content of the pension scheme. Starting from 1 August 2022, a new European regulation will further expand the obligations of the employer.
In writing or electronically
The employer can provide the information in writing or electronically. The electronical provision of information is only allowed if the employee agrees to it. If points a-j, n and o have been included in the employment contract or the pay slip, the employer does not have to provide them separately again. This also applies to points f-i if they have been included in the collective agreement referred to in the employment contract.
Deadline for providing information
The employer has to provide this information within one month of the commencement of the work. If the employment contract has been concluded for less than a month, the information must be provided before the termination of the employment. If the employee will be working in a foreign country, the information from part k must be provided before the departure. Changes have to be communicated to the employee within one month of becoming effective.
If housekeeping staff is involved who work for an individual for less than four days per week, the employer only has to provide this information upon request.
Penalty on breach of obligation to provide information
There is no penalty for violation of the obligation to provide information. However, the employer is liable for damage the employee suffers because the employer did not comply with the obligation to provide information, for example, by providing incomplete or incorrect information. Here, you can consider, for example, the loss of holidays or a contractual penalty the employee must pay because paid childcare turns out to be unnecessary after all. Arrangements that the employer does not need to comply with parts of the obligation to provide information are void.
By H.E. Mr. Askar Zhumagaliyev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
For 30 years of Independence, Kazakhstan has established itself as the leading and stable economic power in Central Asia with a market economy and centuries-old traditions. But, unfortunately, the one-stage and clearly planned attack of terrorist groups against government agencies and civilians to undermine the basic functions of the state was a real shock for the whole country, which was not prepared for such a large-scale aggression. These days for the first time in history of independence, we have faced a very difficult and turbulent period that now is called “Almaty tragedy”.
When protesters took to the streets in western Kazakhstan to voice their demands regarding gas prices, the government immediately engaged in a dialogue with the demonstrators. Following discussions, gas prices were reduced and measures to regulate the gas price were introduced. The demands of the protesters were met.
The problem started with the fact that peaceful protests, unfortunately were hijacked by perpetrators and terrorist groups both domestic and foreign that created a big problem for the country. When the rioters attacked military and administrative facilities and seized the Almaty airport, it became evident that the country was dealing with a well-organized terrorist assault. In fact, a well-organized criminals resorted to militant tactics in 11 regions, they conducted attacks on administrative buildings, TV stations, military bases, police precincts & civil facilities. They killed numerous law enforcement and civilians. The authorities reached the conclusion that Kazakhstan was facing a coup attempt. In this respect, a state of emergency was declared in the country.
Objectively assessing the situation and following the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approached the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). A small peacekeeping contingent with participation of all CSTO member-states from Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan has deployed in Almaty to protect strategic infrastructure. That permitted Kazakhstan law enforcement to concentrate on counterterrorism operation and fight against those perpetrators who were attacking. The CSTO peacekeeping contingent completed its mission and withdraw from Kazakhstan on January 19.
Unfortunately, there are human casualties, both among law enforcement officers and military personnel, as well as civilians. This is a huge tragedy for us, the relatives of the victims, and the entire Kazakh people.
At the same time, it should be underlined that Kazakhstan has not, did not and will not use armed force against peaceful protestors. Police and National Guard were protecting civilians and restoring the order confronting armed criminals and terrorists.
It should be noted that protesters in a democratic society do not engage in this level of violence, with this level of massive destruction and killings of law enforcement. As the tragedy of Almaty and other cities in Kazakhstan showed, it is the lack of observance of laws, permissiveness, anarchy that leads to the violation of human rights. For this purpose, it is the right of every government to secure the country and its people, taking all legal and administrative measures in accordance with international standards of democracy and respect for human rights.
Kazakhstan remains committed to its international obligations and universal principles of human rights and the rule of law. We will never deviate from the trajectory of further political modernization and will continue to support the right of citizens to peacefully protest.
It is important to emphasize the unity of the people of Kazakhstan at this difficult time. Citizens support the measures taken by President Tokayev to restore peace and have established communal groups to protect social facilities. Together we were able to overcome such a challenge as a united country.
On 20 January 2022 the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in Kazakhstan. As it was stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan this resolution is not only biased but also based on prejudiced opinions and assumptions.
There is an ongoing investigation into the tragic events by the Special Governmental Commission and we find it unacceptable that a document of this nature has been adopted before the publication of its findings. Therefore, we urge our esteemed partners to examine the situation objectively and await the results of the official investigation that will be openly shared with the international community in due time.
Moreover, an independent public commission consisting of lawyers specialized in criminal cases was established in Kazakhstan to investigate the January events. At the same time, the Government of Kazakhstan took all measures to ensure the rights of detainees and arrested persons. Close cooperation with human rights organizations has been established to prevent violations of detainees’ constitutional rights.
Without a doubt, this tragedy requires radical steps to change the system of state administration and the social sphere and to narrow the gap between different segments of our society. On January 11, President Tokayev announced plans for the implementation of a set of post-crisis measures for the renewal of society and the economy aimed at forming a fundamentally new paradigm for the development of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan’s economy is recovering after the pandemic. We are expecting economic growth of 3.7 per cent this year. President Tokayev stressed that all our citizens should reap the benefits of this growth. Kazakhstan will ensure openness of the national economy, sanctity of contracts, respect for intellectual property rights and relentlessly combat corruption.
New reforms aim to become the basis of a new Kazakhstan. Fair competition, transparency and predictability of state policy, taxing honesty and social responsibility are set to become the principal elements of the new economic policy.
At the same time the Government is taking all necessary measures to restore the confidence of domestic and foreign investors and trading partners in the economy of Kazakhstan.
A new Concept of Investment Policy will be developed to increase the attractiveness of the country considering the increased environmental, social, and corporate governance requirements, as well as the global energy and technological transition.
We will continue to develop a close co-operation with all friends and partners, including the Netherlands and the EU. Kazakhstan will maintain favorable conditions for foreign investment.
Kazakhstan will recover and emerge out of this crisis even stronger and more united.
By H.E. Mr. M Riaz Hamidullah, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands with concurrent accreditation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
The Netherlands was one of the first OECD countries to recognize Bangladesh i.e. within two months’ of independence. This February, the two deltaic countries celebrate the golden jubilee of diplomatic ties that has evolved seamlessly.
While Bangladesh is a natural delta and the Netherlands is a regulated one, living and livelihood in both the densely populated lands significantly revolve around water. The two peoples celebrate a maritime heritage. In spite of diversity in the level of endowments and capacities, the two peoples champion resilience, adaptation and innovation in battling the limits of nature. Many Dutch having been to Bangladesh confide: it is the ceaseless endeavors of the Bangladeshis in converting the ‛challenges’ to ‛opportunities’ that attract them to Bangladesh. A Dutch soon associates him/herself with the ‛can do’ attitude, the uncanny aspiration-resilience-innovation of ordinary young women and men on the streets or villages in Bangladesh.
At the global stage, the two countries see eye-to-eye on many contemporary global issues e.g. SDGs, sustainability, responsible business, water, climate adaptation, women. Dhaka and Den Haag collaborate being driven by a shared understanding of ‛values’ in international domains e.g. peace and justice, crimes against humanity, humanitarianism. Bangladesh pro-actively engages with the Netherlands even on emerging discourses e.g. circular economy, net zero growth. These translate in an exceptional camaraderie between the Prime Ministers, Sheikh Hasina and Mark Rutte, on several platforms.
The Dutch engagements in Bangladesh actually commenced with robust development cooperation soon after independence in the 1970s. Beyond the Dutch governmental entities, over thirty Dutch NGOs and Foundations are active across a wider many of social and economic development. In the five decades since, the accent of the bilateral ties is largely on forging and deepening trade and economic partnerships. That is shepherded by growing number of Dutch and Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and enterprises shaping gainful partnerships, bilaterally or within global supply chains. Shifting from initial focus on building productive capacity in Bangladesh, today the collaboration spread over apparel manufacturing to FMCG, fintech, renewable energy, light engineering et al. With rapid urbanization and organized industrialization in Bangladesh, the Dutch business looks at newer many of collaboration to tap, for instance how to enhance water efficiency all across.
Ranked as the 43rd largest economy, Bangladesh economy is projected to emerge within leading 30, by year 2030. Consequently, demand for commodities, energy, services, technology and infrastructure in Bangladesh keeps rising. The Dutch entrepreneurs, innovators and SMEs consequently find opportunities to engage in mutually beneficial ways by employing ideas, innovation, knowledge and technology. Beyond conventional manufacturing landscape, newer areas and modes of collaboration are evident. Even ‘innovative finance’ is in attention where Dutch angel investors and impact investors are exploring opportunities in Bangladesh. 70+ Bangladeshi digital technology firms are now at work with their Dutch peers, for example.
The ‛Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100’ provides a key entry point for future collaboration. As much as it is to make Bangladesh delta resilient and climate-proof with Dutch expertise and experience in water works, a key focus is also to embark or transformation of Bangladesh agriculture. That is vindicated by several ‛Market Scans’ conducted recently by RVO on Bangladesh agriculture e.g. horticulture, aquaculture, dairy.
The ‛frontiers of possibilities’ is best illustrated by the 70,000 tulips that blossomed on Bangladesh soil this winter, thanks to a small farmer in vicinity of Dhaka. His tulips in ten colors flutter in open field, for the third year in a row. Delwar, the young farmer, left his Dutch tulip-bulb suppliers to disbelief. On a wider note: Delwar stands out to celebrate an uncanny friendship between the peoples of Bangladesh and the Netherlands. He also quietly underlines a unique story of cooperation and collaboration that continue to shape between the two delta.
Delwar should tell many that so many ‛improbable’ can be turned around. As millions of young Bangladeshi women and men aspire and strive to uplift their lives, the next decades promise so much of economic potential to be translated between Bangladesh and the Netherlands.
By H.E. Mr. Ruslanbek Davletov, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Freedom of speech is essential for expressing the opinion of citizens, highlighting by media important public events, political and social problems, as well as fighting for the rights and freedoms of citizens.
Since 2016, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has pursued an active position to transform Uzbekistan’s policy almost in all spheres including the economy, civil society, state-building, foreign policy, and other spheres. In addition, there have been also positive changes in the freedom of speech, due to reforms carried out by the government in recent years. For example, the simplification of accreditation mechanism for foreign media, accreditation of the BBC, Voice of America, Fergana Agency and other information agencies, creation of press service systems in state bodies, to ensure transparency of their activities, unblocking certain “forbidden” web sites, creation of Agency of Information and Mass Communications under the Administration of the President and Public Foundation for Support and Development of National Mass Media and other reforms.
In the country, various, including political, events are actively covered by many media outlets (kun.uz, gazeta.uz, qalampir.uz, nuz.uz, etc.) and bloggers (Khushnudbek Khudoiberdiev, Umid Gafurov, Nikita Makarenko, Kirill Altman, etc.). Mass media and their right for speech is also actively supported by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Thus, on September 30, 2020 speaking at the International Congress Center, Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that Uzbekistan is open today, and it is no longer possible to close the country as before. He also thanked the media and said that leaders who do not contact them have no future.
On February 2021, during a visit to Fergana region, the President held a dialogue with media representatives. Referring to the media, he said that they are his comrades-in-arms, and he relies on their help, seeing in them a force that fairly tells people about our achievements and shortcomings.
On June 2021, Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulating media representatives said, that “the important tasks for us are improving the legal framework of the sphere and protecting the professional activities of journalists, strengthening the dialogue between the state and society, and establishing real public control”.
At the same time, it should be noted that in the age of informatization, the state pays special attention to the safety of the population, establishing a framework of responsibility for those who are in the information field.
For example, the media, users of telecommunications networks and the Internet will be obliged to prevent the use of their websites and pages to call for violence against citizens, riots, disobeying the eligible demands of government officials, as well as non-compliance or violation of the requirements of legislative acts. Such measures are preventive and will help to avoid threats to the safety of citizens, unauthorized riots, as well as cases of legal nihilism.
Due to pursuing a balanced democratic policy concerning freedom of expression in the last years, Uzbekistan improved its position in the Press Freedom Index by 9 points, having risen from 166 in 2015 to 157 in 2021. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan took low position compared to other post-soviet countries (for example, in 2021, Georgia took 60th place in the ranking, Armenia – 63th, Kyrgyzstan 79th, Ukraine 97th), and the situation with freedom of speech is described in the rating as “bad”.
One of the main reasons for this, as noted in the latest Report “Index of press freedom”, is the arrest of some bloggers and journalists.
In most cases, the state, imposing restrictions on freedom of speech, tries to protect citizens from information that causes harm to society and rights of citizens. For example, the dissemination of information containing calls for violence, extremism, and fundamentalism, slander and insult, creating panic among the population and others.
However, sometimes, despite the calls of the Head of State for dialogue between state organizations and representatives of the media, there are often cases when freedom of speech is unlawfully restrained by the authorities when media try to highlight their illegal actions or ensure transparency of their activities.
To avoid unfair restriction of freedom of speech, competitive state authorities and courts must take into account that restrictions on the right to freedom of speech must meet the conditions of the so-called “three-part test” arising from article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
According to the test, restrictions should:
be provided by law, which means, that the government must follow a written law that is clear and not ambiguous. Otherwise, people won’t know when and how they might be accused of doing something wrong.
be in pursuit of a legitimate aim, listed exhaustively as: respect of the rights or reputations of others, the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health or morals;
be necessary and proportionate in a democratic society, i.e. if a less intrusive measure is capable of achieving the same purpose as a more restrictive one, the least restrictive measure must be applied.
Following this test will help government organizations to avoid unjustified and illegal arrests of persons covering various events and opinions.
To sum up, Uzbekistan is focused today on the building of the open and democratic society. The media, often referred as “watchdogs”, guards the rights of citizens, democracy, as well as play important role in the prevention of corruption and abuse of power by civil servants. Therefore, cooperation with media representatives, as well as ensuring freedom of speech should be one of the priority tasks of open government.
By StateMinister Katja Meier, Saxon State Minister of Justice, Democracy, European Affairs and Gender Equality
The European Union’s eastern enlargement in 2004 also signalled a paradigm shift for the Free State of Saxony. Saxony is now located in the middle of the European Union, which puts us in a position where we can serve as a bridge between the West and the East of Europe.
Therefore, we try to promote trans-European, cross-border and interregional cooperation wherever we can. As part of the Conference on the Future of Europe, we hosted an event together with five other European regions (Baden-Württemberg, Lower Silesia, Grand Est, Karlovy Vary, and Ústi), inviting people living in Europe’s border regions to discuss the future of the European Union. The participants drew on their own experiences to come up with various practical suggestions, including the foundation of a trinational broadcasting station and a European recycling system.
Copyright Daniel Meißner SMJusDEG
Dignitaries: State Minister Katja Meier and Mathias Weilandt, State Secretary for Justice and Europe, Saxon State Ministry of Justice, Democracy, European Affairs and Gender
Equality at the Conference of State Ministers in charge of European Affairs of the German Federal States (Konferenz der Europaministerinnen und -minister, -senatorinnen und –
senatoren der deutschen Länder- EMK) in Chemnitz, Germany, September 2021
Clearly, the border regions are vivid centres of European integration. The people there enjoy all the benefits of the EU citizenship on a daily basis. If we were to develop this further into a fully-blown European state citizenship, this could lead to more political and economic alliances within the EU, as the border regions and their inhabitants would grow closer together. To form long-term alliances of this kind, we must involve the people themselves in this process, and the Conference on the Future of Europe provides plenty of opportunities to do that.
As far as transnational cooperation is concerned, I am always amazed how far we have come in the last few years. Saxony, Poland, and the Czech Republic share strong economic and cultural ties. As we remain committed to strengthening these ties, Saxony has been running liaison offices in Wrocław and Prague for ten years. The cross-border cooperation is not yet on the same level as in West-Germany; French-German relations having developed over a much longer period of time. Nevertheless, we are catching up. Not only are we working on a concept that will deepen our relations with the Czech Republic, we also managed to reach a unanimous vote regarding German-Czech cooperation in the Conference of the Ministers for European Affairs of the Länder (EMK).
Copyright Agata Władyczka
Dignitaries: State Minister Katja Meier und Olga Tokarczuk (writer and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate) after a debate on Gender Equality and Feminism in Poland, July 2021.
As current Chair of this Conference, as Minister of Justice, Democracy, Europe and Gender Equality, and as a former citizen of the GDR who grew up in a repressive system, I am committed to the ideas of cosmopolitanism, democracy, and of close neighbourly ties. To me, this entails not just a deeply-felt respect for the individual member states of the EU, all of whom have their own and very distinct political history. It also means that we must defend the foundations of the European Union.
The European Union is seen primarily as an economic alliance, but ultimately, it is a community based on shared laws and values. These are the very foundations of the European integration, and if individual member states deviate from this shared basis, the foundation itself becomes fragile. Individual member states and various European institutions have recognised that it was a major oversight not to protect the EU’s core principles better against violations in the past. All over the world, the foundations of democracy, such as an independent justice system, freedom of the press, and the fight against corruption have come under attack.
Copyright Daniel Meißner SMJusDEG
Dignitaries: State Minister Katja Meier und Clément Beaune, Secretary of State for European Affairs of the French Foreign Ministry with their delegations in Paris, October 2021
As State Minister for Democracy and European Affairs but above all as a convinced European, I am committed to protecting and deepening the fundamental values of the European Union. Democracy, the rule of law, and friendly relations between the people are integral when it comes to shaping Europe’s future.
Created in 2009 at the instigation of the European Union (EU), the Eastern Partnership (EaP) has continued to evolve and change since then. This is a joint initiative that is part of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) currently involving 16 neighbors of the European Union: those of the Mediterranean basin, and those located to the East (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine). This constant dialogue between the EU and these countries is mostly of an economic and political nature.
The motto of the EaP is #StrongerTogether. In this article, we will analyze the diplomatic dimension of this hashtag.
Picture by European Parliament.
First, it is very important to note that many of the EaP countries aspire to join the European Union. The creation of this partnership allows them to comply step by step with the expected set of values to perhaps one day join it. Moreover, setting up this initiative aims at achieving prosperity, security and stability in the region in question. To accomplish this, global policy objectives such as the SDGs of the United Nations and the Paris Agreement serve as a channel for dialogue between these different actors. Furthermore, the overall trade between all these EaP actors has grown by 22% in 10 years and four of the EaP countries have the EU as first trade partner! The European Union has also granted numerous financial packages to its Eastern partners in order to increase the quality of life and to support a fair and democratic society.
You understood it correctly: we can therefore compare this partnership to a large-scale diplomatic weapon allowing all the actors to dialogue peacefully and to take a stand on sensitive issues on our continent. One concrete example is the mutual recognition of COVID-19 digital certificates. Besides, it is on June 28, 2021 that Belarus decided to withdraw from this initiative after the recent political clashes. This shows the importance of the diplomatic stakes around this partnership that pushed Lukashenko to step back from his European neighbors. Even if the EU states it is ready to continue the dialogue with this country, this act removes any hope of Belarus becoming a member of the European Union any time soon.
During the Eastern Partnership Summit which took place in December 2021, the EU has made a public announcement on this subject: « The EU regrets the decision of the Belarusian authorities to suspend their participation in the EaP and looks forward to resuming cooperation as soon as the necessary conditions for a peaceful democratic transition are in place to build on a joint agenda based on common values and shared interests.
In the meantime, the EU continues to engage with and support Belarusian citizens, civil society and independent media, including through a comprehensive plan of economic support for a democratic Belarus of up to €3 billion.» 1
Eastern Partnership Summit, 15 December 2021.
Aside from that, a new agenda for the next five years was set up in 2020. The top ten targets are supporting 500,000 SMEs which are considered as competitive and innovative, promoting the rule of law and inviting officials to declare their financial possessions, encouraging smart and sustainable connectivity, setting up mobility programs for 70,000 young intellectuals (such as researchers, students, etc.), improving cyber security and tackling cyber-crime, finding alternatives to reduce climate impact by saving energy for 250,000 households, providing people with safe water services and monitoring air quality in several cities, vaccinating 850,000 health workers and improving medical equipment, achieving a more inclusive society where gender equality prevails by supporting more than thousand members of the civil society and independent media, and finally enabling 80% of households of the Eastern Partnership Region to have access to a good internet connection. 2
Source: European Commission.
However, the EU identifies significant challenges in the EaP that must be resolved before it can have full confidence in these countries, and before becoming even more closely associated with them.
The first concerns the independence of the judiciary. The other ones are the lack of gender equality as well as the independence of journalists and civil society.
In conclusion, creating a mechanism for governments to collaborate with civil society, journalists, and youth to achieve common goals while trading with this strategic region at the gateway to Asia allows the European Union to secure its back.
It is thus a question of a formidable diplomatic weapon both for the EU and for these six countries based on the idea of being #StrongerTogether.
While many of whose citizens aspire to join the EU one day, this partnership allows these countries to have a foot in the EU while remaining fully sovereign in all their competences.
About the author
Nicolas Vande Kerckhove completed his Bachelor’s degree in Literature, Culture, Linguistics and History of Germanic languages at the Université Saint-Louis, Brussels, and a Master’s degree in Comparative Indo-European Linguistics at the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich. In June 2021, he obtained his Master’s degree from the College of Europe in Natolin (Poland), where he studied European Interdisciplinary Studies. During his studies, he taught ancient and modern languages. As a Young European Ambassador (YEA), he is currently collaborating with other YEAs on projects in order to develop long-lasting cooperation and to build strong ties between young people from the European Union and from the Eastern Partnership countries.
• European Commission, EaP, 20 Deliverables for 2020: Bringing tangible results for citizens, November 2 0 2 1 , h t t p s : / / e c . e u r o p a . e u / n e i g h b o u r h o o d – e n l a r g e m e n t / s y s t e m / f i l e s / 2021-11/112021_eap_deliverables_factsheet_2021_eng.pdf (accessed on January 20, 2022).
• European Commission, Eastern Partnership Summit launches new and ambitious agenda, December 2021, https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/news/eastern-partnership-summit-launches-new-and- ambitious-agenda-2021-12-16_en (accessed on January 20, 2022).
• European Commission, Empowering young people in the Eastern Partner Countries, December 2021, https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/system/files/2021-12/Youth-factsheet.pdf (accessed on January 20, 2022).
• European Commission, European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Eastern Partnership, https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/european-neighbourhood-policy/eastern- partnership_en (accessed on January 20, 2022).
• European Commission, New EU-funded Eastern Partnership Trade Helpdesk launched, December 2021, https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/news/new-eu-funded-eastern-partnership-trade-helpdesk- launched-2021-12-16_en (accessed on January 20, 2022).
• European Commission, Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel following the Eastern Partnership Summit, December 2021, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/ presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_21_6917 (accessed on January 20, 2022).
• European Council, Eastern Partnership, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eastern-partnership/ (accessed on January 25, 2022).
• European Council, Eastern Partnership Summit, 15 December 2021, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/ meetings/international-summit/2021/12/15/ (accessed on January 24, 2022).
• European Council, Remarks by President Charles Michel at the press conference after the 6th Eastern Partnership Summit, 15 December 2021, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/ 2021/12/15/intervention-du-president-charles-michel-lors-de-la-conference-de-presse-a-l-issue-du-sommet- du-partenariat-oriental/ (accessed on January 24, 2022).
• European Parliament, The Eastern Partnership, 2013, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/euronest/en/eastern- partnership/policy (accessed on January 24, 2022).
