Viet Nam Arts and Crafts – Ceramics 

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Viet Nam Arts and Crafts – Ceramics 

By Mrs. Vo Thi Ngoc Diep, Trade Counsellor, Viet Nam Embassy in the Netherlands

Viet Nam, proud to be one of the world’s cradles of traditional handicrafts with 2,017 craft villages, has a long history of development. The names of many craft villages have become the pride of Vietnamese handicrafts in the global market; examples include Bat Trang pottery, Chu Dau pottery, Phu Vinh bamboo and rattan weaving, and Van Phuc silk.

Since thousands years ago, Vietnamese craftsmen have shown not only their ability to design and produce working tools but the creativity and skillfulness. Many well-known crafts villages such as Bat Trang Pottery Village, Chu Dau Pottery Village, Bau Truc Pottery Village are still well preserved despite all the ups and downs.

Chu Dau pottery is a type of Vietnamese traditional pottery in Hai Duong province that appeared in the 13th century. Chu Dau products are considered as a type of pottery which is “thin as paper, clear as jade, white as ivory, ringing like a bell”. Every aspect of them, including appearance, enamel, textures, decorative patterns can be described in one word “perfect”.

Along with Chu Dau village, Bat Trang village also has a long history, starting from 15th century. This village is located in Bat Trang commune, Gia Lam district, Ha Noi. Besides delivering high-quality products, Bat Trang village is known as the only one in Vietnam that still preserves many kinds of antique enamel. Bud color enamel is the most common one amongst them. Bat Trang village also has products made of blue, brown, white (ivory) enamel, celadon and reef enamel.

In the same period of the development of Bat Trang village, Phu Lang village was also created and flourished in Que Vo district, Bac Ninh province. The feature of Phu Lang Pottery is to use the method of embossed in the form of tapping (double tap) rather than using molds that create shapes on the wheel. The ceramic products of Phu Lang are fired using charcoal furnaces. Products are mainly ceramic appliances, chum, jar, mini-connoisseur from red clay.

BPQ phù dung chu đậu

Ceramics are among the fastest-growing industries in Vietnam. During the economic contraction of 2020 (as a consequence of the pandemic), ceramics grew 3.5% in the first three quarters compared to 2019. The main export market for Vietnamese ceramics is the US, followed by Japan and China. The best time to export ceramics is summer: nearly US$47 million worth of ceramics were exported in June 2020, an increase of 10% compared to June 2019. Vietnamese ceramics and pottery can be found in over 50 foreign markets.

According to statistics of the General Department of Customs, the export turnover of fine art ceramics in July, 2021 reached 19.55 million US dollars, up 0.6% than June and 43.7% over the same period in 2020. In the first seven months of 2021, the export value of fine art ceramics reached 143.22 million US dollars, up to 51.5% y-o-y.

Viet Nam is eager to foster the promotion of domestic enterprises and their products and as such, honours chosen applicants every two years, thereby encouraging the establishment of high-quality standards in product design and execution.

To promote local products in domestic and overseas markets, the government continues to pursue its goal of increasing the value of Vietnamese brands. While participating in this program, enterprises must comprehensively evaluate their activities, production and business results, and branding strategy with the help of the given criteria. The state aims to encourage enterprises to share and pursue the core values of the program, which focus on quality, innovation, and creativity. Two Ceramics Companies are included in the Vietnam Value’s Art & Crafts Companies are Minh Long I Co. Ltd and Chu Dau Ceramic JSC.

The story of Minh Long is a journey of a small speck of dust which was born out of the marriage between sky and earth, formed, embedded in glaze and baked in a holy fire of 1380oC, then decorated and finally brightened with the Vietnamese soul. The cultural beauties, images loaded with cultural traditions of Viet Nam and other nations are engraved in each of our products so that typical cultural features are reproduced in an up-to-date manner.

Chu Dau Ceramic Joint Stock Company, with the mission of reviving Chu Dau ancient ceramic line, is preserving and developing Chu Dau ceramic with all enthusiasm and love for the nation and help Chu Dau pottery to become a representative of Vietnam – an imbued country with national identity and always opening the door of international integration cooperation.

About the author:

Mrs. Vo Thi Ngoc Diep, Trade Counsellor, Viet Nam Embassy in the Netherlands.

Mrs. Vo Thi Ngoc Diep, is the Trade Counsellor, Head of Trade Office, Embassy of Viet Nam in the Netherlands. She has a Master of Business Administration, Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management, Belgium and Bachelor of Art, Foreign Trade, Da Nang University of Economics and Business Administration, Viet Nam. Previous diplomatic posting in Myanmar and Singapore.

Mrs. Vo Thi Ngoc Diep, hosted several positions in Ho Chi Minh City at the Foreign Trade Agency, Ministry of Industry and Trade. She is married with two children.

The long path and the lasting deliveries of the Italian G20 Presidency

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The long path and the lasting deliveries of the Italian G20 Presidency

By H.E. Mr. Armando Varricchio, Ambassador of Italy in Germany since June 2021. Previously he served as Ambassador the United States and G7/G20 Sherpa.

On 30 November 2021, the year of the Italian G20 Presidency came to an end. Twelve months marked by 175 events, 20 ministerial meetings, 2 G20 Leaders’ meeting on Health and Afghanistan, 62 Working Groups’ meeting and 9 Engagement Groups (formed by representatives of civil society) culminated in the Rome Summit of October 30-31.

The Declaration approved by the G20 Leaders during the final meeting is the outcome of an intense year of negotiations and events organized in the framework of the Italian G20 Presidency around three main topics: People, Planet and Prosperity.
The Italian Presidency of the G20 has been crucial to reaffirm the role of multilateralism and the importance of international cooperation to address together global challenges which require an international response, starting with climate change, health and sustainable transition.

The path to the Rome Summit has been marked by a long series of ministerial meetings, held in different cities to highlight the extraordinary beauty and variety of the Italian territory. A fascinating dive into the country’s history, architecture and art, offering our guests also a glance into our future-oriented perspective. Nuvola, the congress center designed by renowned architect Massimiliano Fuksas, which hosted the Rome Summit, combines an extraordinary artistic value with eco-compatible materials and building solutions.

Thanks to the constructive approach adopted by the membership – the G20 could reach important milestones in different fields. Ministers of Education agreed on the need to combat inequalities, making education systems inclusive and resilient. An important step has been the agreement reached on a Roadmap to go “beyond the Brisbane Goal”: concrete measures aiming at ensuring equal opportunities between women and men in the world of work.

The joint Foreign Affairs and Development Ministers Meeting, a first in the G20 history, sent a strong signal on food security with the Matera
Declaration, providing a common response to a critical humanitarian challenge made even worse by the pandemic.

The Naples Ministerial, which gathered the Ministers responsible for Environment, Climate Change and Energy, generated a positive momentum, for the path to the COP 26. A further innovative step was taken with the introduction of Culture in the G20 work stream.

The Finance track has also been very productive with a historical agreement on international taxation while our work on the DSSI and on Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) has also been key in paving the way for a global recovery and in resuming our path towards the SDGs.


Health is, and will remain, a key priority, and the Principles of the Rome Declaration are important steps in the right direction as well as the creation of a joint Finance-Health Task Force to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
These are in a nutshell the main deliveries of the Italian Presidency of the G20.
We are now looking forward to the upcoming Germany G7 Presidency to further enhance, in a spirit of continuity, our common agenda and address effectively global issues of critical importance, such as health, climate change, trade, economic recovery and growth. And first and foremost, protection and promotion of our common values.

Pictures 2 & 3 from the G8, portraying two symbolic venues of the G20: the Colosseo and Nuvola: ©Massimiliano De Giorgi, Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri

For further information 
Embassy of the Italian Republic in the Federal Republic of Germany https://ambberlino.esteri.it/ambasciata_berlino/it/ 

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Main picture of Ambassador Armando Varricchio ©Dario-Jacopo Laganà.

Let the New Year come!

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Let the New Year come!

By Alexandra Paucescu

Every New Year comes with high hopes for the better, with promises that things will maybe improve and with solemn resolutions to be fulfilled.

To me, new year’s eve was always a time of reflection, a time when I tried to remember all the important things that happened in the year I was about to leave behind and with plans and hopes for the new one to begin.

Depending on where we were posted at a time, my family and I kept our New Year traditions from back home but also embraced some of the local ones, which we partly took with us home and kept, as a reminder of our time spent there.

If you go across Europe, you will find old customs and funny traditions, things that people do on New Year’s Eve and make them feel special.

Although in many countries this day is not as important as Christmas, you will still find traditions long grounded and resumed, with religiosity, each year.

In many countries, the fireworks will catch your eye. The Dutch absolutely love them and every house has them at midnight. Then there are the traditional Oliebollen, delicious donuts, eaten in each house for good luck. I also remember that I witnessed once the New Year’s dive (‘Nieuwjaarsduik’), when, no matter how cold it is, lots of enthusiastic people plunge into the freezing waters of the Nordic Sea, on January 1st.

Germans wear lucky-charms like little pigs, mushrooms or clovers or buy edible ones made out of marzipan, for good luck. They love fireworks too and will watch ‘Dinner for one’ in the evening (Silvester). The British short movie, made in the 1920s, is now officially the most repeated TV Show of all times, being registered in the Guinness Book of Records.

In Austria, everybody will listen to the Pummerin bell, broadcasted on national television. This bell from the Stephansdom cathedral is the largest bell in Austria and the third largest swinging bell in Europe. The sound of the bell is then followed by the Blue Danube Waltz. Austrians also melt small pieces of lead (Bleigießen) or, more recently, wax because it is less dangerous, in which they try to guess their future. We also did that each year while we were posted in Vienna, and our children had such fun with it!

French people are more romantic and make sure to have a great home cooked meal with good champagne and a kiss under the mistletoe in the night between the years.

The Swiss eat Fondue Chinoise, raw meat and blanched vegetables, cooked in simmering broth and dipped into a variety of sauces afterwards.

In Romania, people like to party hard on New Year’s Eve. Big gatherings with friends, big open-air concerts and fireworks are normality. People buy lottery tickets and think that their luck will be predicted for the New Year ahead. You also have to have money in your pockets for prosperity and to wear red underwear for good luck at midnight.

In Moldova they will throw wheat for good luck, and in the countryside people dress up in traditional clothes and organize shows in the middle of their village, wearing masks on their faces.

In Poland people go kulig (sleigh rides), Hungarians traditionally celebrate with virsli (Viennese sausages) and lentil soup or korhelyleves, a meaty sauerkraut soup, said to cure hangovers.

Greeks cut a cake after midnight, specially cooked with a coin inside. Whoever gets the coin, will be lucky in the New Year.

In Turkey, New Year’s Eve is a big celebration. As they don’t celebrate Christmas, they decorate the New Year’s tree, the children receive gifts and they eat many delicious traditional foods.

Italians celebrate with lentils, for good luck. They throw away old things from the house and believe that the first person you see after midnight will determine the good luck for the New Year.

In Denmark people break plates on the doorsteps of their friends and family. The more shards  you will have in front of your house the next morning, the luckier you will be. Danes also stand on a chair at midnight, to ‘leap into the new year’.

British traditionally watch the Queen’s New Year speech and ask a dark haired man to come through the front door, carrying salt (for money), bread (for enough food) and coal (for a warm year). In Wales people try to pay off all their debts before the old year ends.

Spain has many New Year’s Eve traditions, from wearing yellow underwear for good luck, placing a gold coin into the champagne glass at midnight or eating twelve grapes, one for each month of the year, with every new clock ring at midnight.

No matter what you do and where you will celebrate the coming of 2022, be optimistic, confident and open to new adventures and possibilities.

Let the NEW YEAR come!

About the author:

Alexandra Paucescu

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

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

Le Tribunal Spécial pour le Liban, chronique d’un naufrage annoncé

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Le Tribunal Spécial pour le Liban, chronique d’un naufrage annoncé

Par M. François Roux, Avocat Honoraire au Barreau de Montpellier, Ancien Chef du Bureau de la défense au Tribunal Spécial pour le Liban (2009-2018)

Nous avons échoué.

Nous, les juristes de droit romano-germanique en poste au TSL, héritiers de ce droit né dans l’Antiquité à l’Ecole de Droit de Berytus et toujours en vigueur au Liban.

Sur le plan du Droit justement, tout avait pourtant bien commencé !

Dans son rapport du 15 novembre 2006 au Conseil de Sécurité le Secrétaire Général des Nations Unies préconisait que le Tribunal Spécial pour le Liban soit plutôt régi par les règles du droit romano-germanique que par le droit de la common law dominant devant les juridictions pénales internationales :

Extraits : « 8. Le Tribunal spécial pour le Liban diffère des autres tribunaux pénaux internationaux créés ou soutenus par l’ONU à deux égards : a) la conduite des procès se fonde davantage sur le droit civil que sur la common law, et b) l’enquête de la Commission d’enquête internationale indépendante (la « Commission ») constitue en fait le point de départ du Bureau du Procureur.

9. Dans les textes constitutifs de tous les tribunaux créés ou soutenus par l’ONU, à l’exception des Chambres extraordinaires des tribunaux cambodgiens, la conduite des procès comporte davantage d’éléments de common law. Le Tribunal spécial pour le Liban est le premier tribunal soutenu par l’ONU à combiner des éléments importants des deux systèmes juridiques. L’applicabilité du Code de procédure pénale libanais en tant que principe directeur aux côtés d’autres textes de référence répondant aux normes internationales de procédure pénale les plus élevées (art. 28), les pouvoirs élargis dont dispose le tribunal pour prendre des mesures visant à assurer un examen rapide des affaires et éviter toute action qui entraînerait un retard non justifié (art. 21) et l’institution du jugement par défaut (art. 22) sont les apports les plus notables du droit civil ».

Feu le regretté Antonio Cassese, premier Président de ce Tribunal, reprenait ces principes dans un mémorandum explicatif du règlement de procédure et de preuve en Novembre 2009 :

3. Pour réglementer la procédure pénale devant le Tribunal, deux modèles procéduraux doivent être pris en considération : le système libanais, de tradition civiliste, et le modèle adopté dans les tribunaux pénaux internationaux. Ces modèles ne sont pas inconciliables. Après tout, bien que fondée à l’origine presque exclusivement sur le système accusatoire, la procédure en vigueur au TPIY, au TPIR et au TSSL a intégré progressivement plusieurs éléments importants qui sont plus proches du modèle inquisitoire (par exemple, le Juge de la mise en état, la recevabilité des éléments de preuve écrits, la possibilité donnée à l’accusé de faire une déclaration pendant le procès, ou l’absence de distinction entre la procédure visant à établir la culpabilité ou l’innocence de l’accusé et celle qui vise à déterminer la peine pouvant être infligée).

Il s’agit là incontestablement d’une évolution positive car les spécificités et la vocation même de la justice pénale internationale appellent une approche plus inquisitoire (ou moins accusatoire) : en effet, la poursuite judiciaire et la sanction de crimes internationaux ne mettent pas simplement en jeu deux parties adverses ; elles relèvent de l’intérêt général pour la justice et engagent la communauté internationale tout entière (s’il en était autrement, pourquoi l’ONU devrait-elle intervenir et créer des tribunaux internationaux ou des tribunaux mixtes ?). En outre, tandis que le modèle accusatoire tend incontestablement à mieux protéger les droits des parties à la procédure, le modèle inquisitoire présente l’avantage notable d’une rapidité accrue pendant la phase du procès. La nécessité de procédures pénales internationales moins longues, moins lourdes et moins coûteuses se fait indéniablement de plus en plus pressante. Enfin, le droit à un procès rapide fait partie intégrante des droits de l’homme fondamentaux.

Malgré ces principes très clairs, le TSL, composé de très nombreux juristes provenant du système de common law et ayant, pour beaucoup, officiés au TPIY, a très vite renoué avec de mauvaises pratiques de common law  telles que nous les avons expérimentées dans les premiers tribunaux pénaux internationaux pour l’ex-Yougoslavie et le Rwanda mais aussi dans les débuts de la CPI : un Procureur tout puissant qui met des mois (18 mois au TSL) à communiquer « sa preuve » à la défense ( « disclosure ») afin de lui cacher sa « stratégie » le plus longtemps possible, des « examinations, et cross-examinations » (interrogatoire, contre-interrogatoire) de témoins qui s’éternisent sur des semaines voire des mois, et un Président d’audience qui refuse de connaître le dossier préparé par le Juge de la Mise en Etat, et ne dirige pas les débats mais les arbitre entre deux parties adverses, en principe égales, qui cherchent chacune à gagner son procès. On est loin de la « recherche de la vérité », au moins judiciaire, une caractéristique majeure du droit romano-germanique.

Mais en réalité une procédure de common law « dégradée » puisque un des avocats anglais que j’avais commis d’office m’a dit a plusieurs reprises qu’un procès tel que celui du TSL, tenu à Londres, n’aurait duré que quelques mois…

Le TSL comportait pourtant plusieurs nouveautés tellement importantes pour le droit pénal international de demain, qui introduisaient en effet des éléments majeurs de droit romano-germanique : un Juge de la Mise en Etat  indépendant chargé de constituer un dossier contradictoire, transmis ensuite à la juridiction de jugement afin d’accélérer le procès, un procès par défaut permettant de juger, même en leur absence, les personnes mises en accusation qui n’avaient pu être appréhendées, et des victimes enfin admises à la procédure.

Sans oublier un Bureau de la défense indépendant, à égalité avec le Bureau du Procureur, une nouveauté tant attendue, qui mettait fin à 25 années de négligence institutionnelle de la place de la Défense dans le procès pénal international.

Ainsi, pour la première fois en droit pénal international, le procès se tenait par défaut, ce qui, au Liban comme dans tous les pays de droit romano-germanique, ne nécessite que quelques jours d’audience puisqu’en cas de condamnation l’accusé peut à tout moment faire opposition et demander un nouveau procès.

En réalité le Procureur a présenté sa preuve pendant plus de 4 ans, la défense pendant 2 mois seulement s’agissant d’un procès par défaut, et le délibéré a duré 18 mois.

Rien ne peut donc justifier une procédure qui – en première instance – a duré 11 années au total (enquête du Procureur incluse), pour un coût de 5 millions d’euros par mois, soit près de 700 millions d’euros au total, plus le coût des 4 années de commission d’enquête. Le tout payé à 49% par le Liban.

Mais aucune des alertes, rapports, protestations, rappel au Règlement, effectués par des juristes de droit romano-germanique, dont le signataire, en interne comme en externe, n’a pu enrayer cette triste dérive.

Aujourd’hui le Liban, en état de faillite, n’est plus en mesure de payer sa part du budget du TSL et la communauté internationale ne veut plus assumer la sienne, et on le comprend. Malgré de nouvelles procédures dites « cas connexes », initiées fort tard par le Bureau du Procureur, le TSL a donc annoncé sa fermeture, faute de financements. Grâce à la ténacité de sa Présidente S.E. Ivana Hrdlickova  le TSL a pu, malgré ce contexte, tenir une audience début Octobre dernier, afin d’examiner l’appel du Procureur contre 2 des 3 acquittements prononcés par la Chambre de Première Instance en Août 2020. Il était temps : depuis 2009 les Juges d’Appel étaient dans l’attente de cette audience sur le fond… Malgré leurs hautes qualités professionnelles, le rôle des Juges d’Appel pendant toutes ces années, à l’exception de la Présidence et du Vice Président, de rares audiences de procédure et d’une audience en début de procédure sur le droit applicable sous la présidence de S.E. A. Cassese, aura été principalement de gérer quelques recours disciplinaires, des questions administratives, et  la révision annuelle du Règlement de Procédure et de Preuve.

Il est plus que temps de tirer les véritables leçons de ce naufrage afin notamment que les précieuses nouveautés qu’apportait le TSL, ne soient pas elles –mêmes englouties.

Des juristes de common-law et de droit romano germanique, ont établi ensemble à La Haye, en prenant le meilleur dans chacun des deux systèmes, les règles de procédure de la future Justice Pénale Internationale. C’est le projet dit « Solpérières ».

Il faut mettre en œuvre ces préconisations, présentées en 2016 dans la grande salle de Justice du Palais de la Paix à La Haye et en 2017 au Conseil Général du Pouvoir Judiciaire à Madrid, ainsi que celles de la Déclaration de Paris du 16 Octobre 2017 [1]signée par plusieurs Présidents et Juges des Juridictions pénales internationales[2].

Si comme le dit le grand poète libanais Gibran Khalil Gibran, « la vie ne va pas en arrière, ni ne s’arrête avec hier »,  rappelons nous qu’il faut que meure la fleur pour que naisse le fruit de l’arbre, et profitons donc de ce naufrage pour construire dés aujourd’hui et tous ensemble la Justice Pénale Internationale du XXII° siècle. Il y a urgence.

Auteur M. François Roux, Avocat Honoraire au Barreau de Montpellier, Ancien Chef du Bureau de la défense au Tribunal Spécial pour le Liban (2009-2018)Dernier ouvrage paru « Justice Internationale, la parole est à la défense. Indigène Editions 2016. Ed français, anglais, et Arab Scientific Publishers. Inc. Ed. Arabe, Français, Anglais

[1] https://ihej.org/programmes/justice-penale-internationale/une-justice-penale-internationale-plus-efficace-la-declaration-de-paris-du-16-octobre-2017/

[2] Diplomat magazine 11 Juin 2020.

Stanza a hidden gem in the centre

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Stanza a hidden gem in the centre

By Thuc Anh Nguyen

In an international city like The Hague where many diplomats, expatriates, and foreign students reside, there is without a doubt a high demand for books in various languages. While most stores here may have a small selection of English, if not exclusively Dutch, books, Stanza Bookshop is a hidden gem in the center offering titles in eight languages.

Situated near Noordeinde Palace, Stanza Bookshop is an independent store that prides itself on being an international bookseller providing works in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Russian, and Polish. These are in the genres of fiction, non-fiction, young adult, science fiction, poetry, and children’s books; therefore, readers of all ages can find a book for themselves here at Stanza.

In an interview with Diplomat Magazine, the owner Karina Romay shared the story behind her store. Ms. Romay originally came to the Netherlands to pursue a Ph.D. degree in International Law. While she studied, she volunteered at a 140-year old book store that she discovered, and the more time she spent there, the more she adored it. She always loved to read and she soon realized that she felt the most joy working at the store. It was during this time that she had second thoughts about her career path. There were many challenges that she faced as an international lawyer and she was no longer confident about pursuing her Ph.D.

“My heart was telling me to quit law”, said Ms. Romay.

After a couple of years of volunteering, the owner decided to close their physical store. Ms. Romay who was uncertain about her profession and was becoming more passionate about books, literature, and culture saw this as a new opportunity. “What do you think if I take over the shop?” she asked them. The owner agreed on the one condition that she continues with a different name. The name “Stanza” was the first thing that came to mind, and so it was settled that Ms. Romay would be given the store; Stanza Bookshop finally opened its doors on May 5th, 2018. She got her name inspiration from an English Literature course she was studying online, in which she was tasked to analyze a poem. A stanza is a unit of structure in a poem composed of several lines arranged together, which are separated by line breaks. This literary term seemed like a fitting name for her new bookshop.

Initially, Ms. Romay only planned to have English, French, and Spanish books but she quickly decided to expand the range of languages available. Her intention has always been to make a common place for locals and expatriates interested in these three languages. However, the readers coming in started making many requests for books in other languages, such as their mother tongues. Ms. Romay herself has an international background as she is from Brazil and had lived in Germany before the Netherlands, and she too speaks several languages.

Therefore, she understood everyone’s desire to have books in their first languages; and so, the expansion began. Bit by bit Stanza Bookshop built up a collection of German, Italian, and Russian books. As Portuguese is Ms. Romay’s mother tongue, this was also added to the collection later on. Stanza Bookshop mainly works with titles from Portugal, but they are slowly incorporating titles from Brazil as well; Brazilian Portuguese is Ms. Romay’s first language.  Most recently, the store also started offering Polish books. While Stanza Bookshop cannot cater to all languages, if there is a specific title that is not available in-store, it is possible to make a personal request and they will bring it to you.

This also applies to books outside of the genres available such as comics. Concerning the types of books offered by Stanza Bookshop, in addition to the common genres, the store has a niche of international law books as well. This, of course, stems from Ms. Romay’s background as an international lawyer. The collection covers general international law, arbitration, international criminal law, European law, chemical weapons, artificial intelligence, etc. It is certainly a store worth going to for students and practitioners of international law.

When asked about the book selection process at Stanza Bookshop, Ms. Romay revealed that there is quite a strict procedure. The general selection is based on several criteria: personal tastes, familiarity, and customer requests. It is expected that the store has some well-known titles and bestsellers, but the Stanza team makes an effort to showcase more “unknown authors” as well. As readers in Western Europe tend to read titles from the same region in addition to the United States or the United Kingdom, Stanza Bookshop wanted to shine a light on authors from other parts of the world, including Asia and northern Africa. For example, one of the four members of the Stanza team is very fond of Japanese literature translated into English, which is why the store has a selection of Japanese titles. However, behind every book on their shelves is a much more rigorous process. Every single work available has been read and explored in some way before being brought to the customers. Aside from reading the books themselves, the Stanza team personally goes through literary magazines and synopses to truly understand the works. This is especially the case when they work with languages they are not fluent in. For international law books specifically, Ms. Romay can read and analyze them to evaluate whether it is truly valuable for students, lawyers, and scholars.

“What we bring is something that we know about… We cannot read everything but we know what is here”, said Ms. Romay.

After over three years of operations, Stanza Bookshop has expanded into a team of four, including Ms. Romay, offering a wide variety of books in a range of different languages. It has become a beloved store in The Hague for many of its customers, with multiple five-star reviews being left online. When asked how this has been achieved, Ms. Romay said that “You need to be personal… Someone that comes inside our store is not a customer… that person is a reader, a book lover”. She explained that while this is a business and it is necessary to consider income, prioritizing passion first and seeing the people who come in as an equal will make a significant difference; then the business aspect will naturally follow.

When someone purchases at Stanza Bookshop, Ms. Romay believes they are one of her team, as part of a community of readers and story lovers. This is because it is much more than just a transaction at the end of the day. “Buying books is something extremely intimate”, said Ms. Romay. A lot of the time, the process of choosing a book is one of communication and connection between the buyer and the store. When they explain what they are looking for and for what reason they are buying it, it reveals something about that person. The reason for this is simply because the reader at that moment is feeling an emotion that is leading them to a specific book, regardless of whether it is happiness, sadness, anger, etc. Therefore, a natural bond tends to form between the buyers and Stanza. The team ends up knowing their readers’ names, tastes, stories, family, and more as if a new friendship has been formed.

Ms. Romay in particular has a special skill of remembering most of her buyers and their preferences. Even if a year has passed, she would still remember the person’s name and their book choice. It is something that bewilders even her colleague, who could only say “She has a special antenna, she sort of keeps it all in her small library”. When inquired about how she can remember all these details, she reveals that she does not make an effort to keep track of them. Ms. Romay shared that “I have an extremely good memory [and] I like to not listen, but hear each person”. As a result, she understands her buyers’ tastes extremely well. For instance, one of Stanza Bookshop’s frequent visitors once came by to ask about a new book by one of her favorite writers. Without any prior notice, Ms. Romay already had a copy reserved for her, as she knew the reader would be here searching for it. “I knew you would have it!” said the delighted buyer.

However, while Stanza Bookshop wants to connect with their buyers, they understand the importance of treating them with respect and of giving them the space they need. For the team, all buyers are to be treated with courtesy, and this means being recognizing the customs and conventions of different cultures to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone. Ms. Romay shared that her international background has been very helpful with this. Simultaneously, however, operating the store has been a learning experience as she gets to know more about other heritages through the readers. More importantly, the Stanza team knows the line that must be drawn between them and the visitors.

“We are just the in-between of the reader and the books, our job is to know where the reader needs to go”, expressed Ms. Romay.

What she desires most from each interaction with a buyer is for them to leave the store while being at peace with themselves and the books they take. Stanza does not wish to impose choices on anyone, especially if it is a work that the person dislikes or is not prepared to read. While Stanza is ready to give recommendations, the title that leaves the store is ultimately in the hands of the reader. This is because “that book will change that person in little ways, even though unexpected”, said Ms. Romay. She only wishes for these books to change the readers for the better.

When questioned about where she sees Stanza Bookshop going forward, Ms. Romay revealed they will not expand into new languages anytime soon as once again, they want to ensure the quality and legitimacy of their products. Nevertheless, they are considering expanding their store online. At the moment, the only online books available to their buyers are academic books. They are given access to these books and they can download them in their reader. For other genres, however, buying e-books is not yet a possibility. The Stanza team has been fully focused on the physical store these past few years but their next step is to hopefully have an online platform for buying paper books and e-books very soon. Stanza Bookshop already has a website on which you can order books through email and they will be hand-delivered or mailed to you, but the store is aiming to develop and refine it even more.

The physical store itself is an extremely cozy space that is tastefully decorated with a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. Aside from their wide selection of books, Stanza Bookshop also offers other merchandise including bookmarks, postcards, stationery, and tote bags. Additionally, they host literary events from time to time, including book presentations and special readings for children. It is definitely a place worth visiting for book lovers of all ages and backgrounds, including those with an interest in international law.

Stanza Bookshop is located on Noordeinde 98, 2514 GM The Hague. For more information, they can be found on Facebook and Instagram, as well as their website www.stanzabookshop.com. 

Innovative financing mechanisms pivotal to climate change adaptation, water-related Sustainable Development Goals

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Innovative financing mechanisms pivotal to climate change adaptation, water-related Sustainable Development Goals

By Ewoud Kok

Accessing capital is a key challenge for efforts to increase climate change resilience and to fulfil Sustainable Development Goals, including No. Six, which calls for ensuring availability of water and sanitation for all. Business as usual has proven insufficient to mobilize financing of water investments: there is an urgent need to enhance the knowledge and capacity of both the water and finance sectors. A course for water and financing professionals at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, established in close cooperation with private and public financial institution, is among initiatives aiming to meet the need.  

Securing water for an expanding population is a growing challenge compounded by the effects of climate change and rapidly deteriorating ecosystems.

Several locations around the world face severe water stress due to overexploitation, pollution and climate change.  According to UN data from 2020, 2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water and 3.6 billion people lack safely managed sanitation. Climate change leads to floods and droughts that gradually exacerbate the situation. Most of the world’s wastewater – 80 percent flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused, and 70 percent of the world’s natural wetlands have been lost, including significant loss of freshwater species.

Scientists predict that by approximately 2050, the world will transition from a predominantly water-abundant place to a predominantly water-scarce one – a serious challenge as water is central to sustainable development and our very survival.

Capital to finance an expanding water agenda

Finding capital to finance the water investments needed is a tough challenge. The public budgets that constitute the main contributor to water finance are increasingly constrained, says Dr Guy Alaerts, an Emeritus Professor at IHE Delft and former World Bank Program Leader who helped develop IHE Delft’s new four-day course designed to help fill a knowledge and capacity gap that hinders water financing.

“Emerging markets and developing economies need twice to four times as much capital as currently available if they are to meet the SDGs. Climate adaptation will add to this, so we face a gap of tens of billions of dollars per year. Commercial finance will need to fill the financing gap, but concerns about the high-risk profiles of many water investments are an obstacle,” he said. “Deals are considered too small or too risky, and the creditworthiness of water agencies and municipalities is weak.”

Blended finance – which combines public and private investments – and better use of intermediary institutions such as the Netherlands Water Boards Bank and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can offer solutions, Alaerts said.

The water sector is fragmented and organised in sub-sectors such as drinking water supply, wastewater collection and treatment, irrigation and drainage, and flood protection. Related infrastructure falls under different administrative authorities and government departments, leading to a variety of policies. This, in turn, requires different approaches for cost recovery, funding and financing and a high level of understanding of the mechanisms, requirements and rigour in the financial markets – something water professionals often lack.

On the other hand, the financial sector is diverse, comprising public and private banks, pension funds, insurers, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, private wealth and charities, each with various interests, investment strategies, and each falling under different regulations and mandates.

Through equities, loans, bonds and other instruments, investors can channel capital to finance agency budgets or specific projects. New, innovative products or mechanisms such as “green bonds” and cheaper “climate finance” target water and climate adaptation investments. Arrangements such as public-private partnerships, local development associations and Special Purpose Vehicles can pool finance, mobilize specialist knowledge, de-risk investments, and help negotiate mutually beneficial deals.

Still, the water financing needs by emerging and developing economies are far from met. Water professionals need more skills to better address water finance challenges.

Capacity development

IHE Delft’s new course, offered for the first time in July 2021, helps water professionals broaden their understanding of the many facets of water investment financing, said course coordinator Dr Yong Jiang, an IHE Delft water and environmental economist.  

“This is an area that has not been addressed by existing water-related education and training programs across the globe. This course covers key concepts, theory, and practical knowledge as well as exercises related to water investment financing to help participants develop skills to fill the gap,” he said. 

Nenad Pantic, a Hydraulic Engineer from Serbia with over 15 years of experience in the water sector in Serbia and the Middle East, took part in the first course.  He said his experiences affirm the capacity gap: “We can find engineers who are good at their job, and very experienced people in the financial area, but it is not easy to find a link between these two sectors,” he said, adding that this leads to problems.  “We always come to the main question of who funds it and how it will be funded. And this is the point where everything is clogged.”

The course focuses on four themes: water investment needs and challenges, economics of water finance, financial resources and bankability, financial instruments and innovations, and practices for engaging business and investors.

Course participant Frank Tibben, Senior Asset Manager for Waternet, a water cycle company in the greater Amsterdam region, and Program Manager for its international non-profit organization, World Waternet, joined the course to gain a better understanding of innovative financing mechanisms so that he can create more impact.

“Focus areas in my work, like climate adaptation, circular economy, digitalization, energy transition and the overarching Sustainable Development Goals, ask for a strong multi-disciplinary approach where public and private organizations are brought together and innovate in the way they finance their investments,” he said. “For public water organizations, it is essential to connect these disciplines and work towards overall financial sustainable impact on the long term.”

The course combines lectures with a demanding group assignment, in which participants develop a financial plan for a water project of their choice. Participants define and characterize investment needs, identify finance, build a financial plan, and discuss strategies to engage businesses for implementation. The participants in the July course, held online, chose to work on projects ranging from drinking water supply to flood risk management.

Mr Tibben said the variety of practical examples shared by course lecturers from knowledge institutes as well as public, private and non-governmental organizations benefitted participants. “They offered an in-depth insight in the important field of financing investments. It became clear that bridging the financial gap in the water sector is crucial to reach the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.  “The water sector is still seen as high-risk for investors, compared to, for example, the energy sector. The course is supportive in making this quite abstract topic more practical for professionals like myself.”

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For information about upcoming courses – – if Covid-19 restrictions permit, to be held  the IHE Delft campus in the Netherlands, please see: https://www.un-ihe.org/financing-water-investments-water-professionals

About the author:

Guy Alaerts, IHE Delft

Guy Alaerts has been Professor at IHE-Delft International Institute for Water Education since 1986, first in Water Engineering and thereafter (part-time) in Knowledge and Capacity Development.

He was also Program Leader at the World Bank 1996-2015 for policy and financial analyses and for investments in irrigation, water supply, flood management and (international) river basin management across the world.

He has published extensively and advised numerous UN initiatives, governments and financing institutions.

Yji Jiang, IHE Delft

Dr. Yong Jiang is a staff water and environmental economist at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands. He previously also worked as researcher, assistant professor, and consultant across academia, government agencies, and international organizations including VU University Amsterdam, Michigan State University, the National Science Foundation of the U.S., and the World Bank. 

Trained as an applied economist also with background in planning and engineering, Dr. Jiang has expertise and rich experience in integrated, quantitative approach to studying environmental and natural resource issues within a multidisciplinary setting. At IHE Delft, Dr. Jiang coordinates and teaches water economics and finance, contributes economics lectures to other courses across Master of Science programs, and mentors student research on water, climate change, and environment related issues in developing countries. He has delivered many capacity building workshops abroad mainly in eastern African countries on economic valuation of ecosystems. His recent work and interests are focused on policy and management innovations for promoting water and sustainable finance in developing countries.

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Ewoud Kok, IHE Delft

IHE Delft Marketing Officer Ewoud Kok, who oversees the Institute’s  marketing campaigns and plays a key part in communicating the organisation’s marketing messages.

He graduated from the Delft University of Technology in 2003 and since then regularly updated his skills at various workshops and courses, including a short MBA at Nyenrode Business University. Ewoud is part of the IHE Delft’s Communications Office since 2003.

Meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbours in Tehran: Together for peace and development

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Meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbours in Tehran: Together for peace and development

By Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran

The presence of U.S. troops and their allied forces in Afghanistan, as well as their embarrassing, catastrophic departure, has left in its wake an overwhelmingly disorganized country and an agitated and anguished nation, causing an ambiguous future for a country which suffered military invasion in a modern fashion under the clichéd slogan of democratic development. 

In 2002, when U.S. warmongers were recklessly invading our region in their unilateral practice to achieve the so-called globalization under the guise of “war on terror”, there were voices which praised the insanity and envisioned a brighter future for the invaded countries. West Asia underwent developments at the time, but the developments were characterized by instability, war, and, indeed, lessons to learn. The state of affairs which has persisted to this day and has permeated the entire region has further fuelled terrorism and extremism, creating an insecure environment prone to tensions and conflict. 

This tragic period teaches a lesson to all of us in West Asia, not least to those who continue to pin their hopes on foreign powers. The lesson is the fact that outsourcing security and relying upon domineering powers is a pipe dream and an instable mirage. 

Tehran Meeting October 27, 2021 in Tehran.

This tragic history of Afghanistan’s past is reminiscent of the authentic principle that the countries in the region must join forces and respond collectively to their people’s questions and expectations and strive to create a more prosperous, secure, and stable environment. This valuable endeavor shall be materialized based not upon an imposed or hackneyed model but upon an indigenous, all-inclusive framework for regional cooperation.

Iran’s hand of friendship and brotherhood is always extended towards all countries in the region, neighbours in particular. Working in this spirit, Dr. Raisi, the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has started his great undertaking by placing on his agenda the formulation of a balanced, dynamic and smart foreign policy. On this new agenda, relations which neighbours and Asian countries is prioritized and the improvement of political and economic relations in the region by relying on historical, cultural, religious and geographical bonds will serve as the basis for new mobility and connectivity.  This framework demonstrates the profound belief that our commonalities in this region are much greater and stronger than our short-lived differences and grievances. 

Today, the countries in the region have learned by experience that the objectives of sustainable security, welfare, and development are achievable only through regional synergy and cooperation among neighbors. Regional cooperation is aimed at reviving the opportunities and reducing the threats caused by geographical adjacency by relying upon the moral components of neighborliness. The new round of our joint efforts on Afghanistan serves as an important test for Afghanistan’s neighbors by factoring in their extensive and diverse potentials in this regard.

The second meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbours in Tehran is a new step in diplomacy taken by the new government of Iran to improve convergence and regional bonds without the interference of foreign powers and based upon neighborliness and to lay the foundation for the participants to adopt real and practical decisions in order to assist the people of Afghanistan in resolving the current crisis in their country, including by countering insecurity and multi-dimensional threats and reducing poverty.

Today, after four decades of insecurity in the country, Afghanistan’s neighbors consider the improvement of people’s security and livelihood as the cornerstone for stability and development and the formation of an “inclusive government.”

Iran and Afghanistan are two friendly and brotherly neighbors with historical relations and abundant bonds, ranging from a shared comprehensive historical-civilizational area to religious, cultural connectivity, and the Persian language which has bonded the two countries together. 

In all sensitive and decisive stages of Afghanistan’s history, including the time of struggle and resistance against occupation, the Islamic Republic of Iran has stood with the Muslim and neighboring nation of Afghanistan. The new government of the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches great significance to this long-standing history in its foreign policy.

And it is a source of delight that today there is a greater-than-ever consensus over the importance of neighborhood policy in Iran. There is no limitation on the expansion and deepening of relations with neighbors, most notably with Afghanistan which has a special position in the Iranian foreign policy.  

Fortunately, all the neighbors of Afghanistan have this consensus that the country must be purged of insecurity and instability, that it should become a center for constructive and productive activities, and that the Afghan soil should not be used to launch threats against neighboring countries. As a pivotal country in the battle against ISIS and terrorism, and as a nation which has suffered the loss of its great general, Martyr Qassem Soleimani, as well as other martyrs in this path, the Islamic Republic of Iran together with other neighbors emphasizes counterterrorism. In this regard, establishment of an inclusive government which serves as the sole cause of unity and cohesion among Afghanistan’s people will pave the way for a bright future for Afghanistan and is an important theme for discussion at the Tehran meeting. 

The neighboring countries want a stable, secure, and economically prosperous Afghanistan, emphasizing the fact that the issue of displaced people and the livelihood of Afghanistan’s people required intense attention in the short-term. Now, with the termination of Afghanistan’s occupation, with the help of international organizations and the countries in the region, necessary arrangements should be made to aid the vulnerable people of Afghanistan in their current ordeal.

At the Tehran Meeting, we will strive wholeheartedly to explore avenues to resolve this chronic problem, proving that engagement and cooperation of the neighbours and the assistance of all the members is a vast and constructive potential which can put an eternal end to foreign domination and reliance upon extra-regional forces. 

Economic blockade as a weapon against peoples

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Economic blockade as a weapon against peoples

By H.E. Mr. Félix Plasencia González, Foreign Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

The world’s peace and stability face today new and serious threats. It is a sophisticated war, but no less cruel and merciless because of it, where military armament and siege are accompanied, and in some cases replaced, by economic harassment, financial persecution, commercial attacks and plunder of assets from sovereign States. The application of Unilateral Coercive Measures (UCM) is more than an illegal action; it is a crime against humanity. It therefore demands the joint action of the international community.

Venezuela is one of the more than 30 countries that are currently fighting to overcome the consequences of the economic, financial and commercial blockade resulting from the imposition of UCM, which in bad faith are presented to the world as ‘sanctions’ in an attempt to justify the harm caused to the people, a harm described as ‘devastating’ by Alena Douhan, UN special rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights.

The devastation caused by the blockade, which has been imposed since 2014 and aggravated during the COVID-19 pandemic, is evidenced in figures such as the loss of up to 99% of the country’s foreign exchange incomes, impacting the import of food, medicines, supplies for the health sector, spare parts and goods, and thus affecting the productive apparatus and the economy, particularly the provision of basic services such as water, electricity and domestic gas.

State-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the country’s most important company and main revenue generator, has lost over US$ 100 billion due to a production fall caused by the direct ‘sanctions’ imposed by the United States Government that have also reached different economic-productive sectors and third countries.

The seizure of Venezuelan companies located abroad such as CITGO constitutes  property damage amounting to more than US$ 30 billion. Also, the blockade and diversion of resources from this PDVSA subsidiary in the U.S. have resulted in another unquantifiable loss: the death of at least 14 Venezuelan children that were waiting for liver, kidney or bone marrow transplants, and the risk for hundreds of patients assisted with CITGO resources through the Simón Bolívar Foundation, whose health program was brought to a standstill in 2017.

The UCM against Venezuela represent an unprecedented aggression in our history. On average, the country went on to lose US$ 30 billion annually for 6 years; US$ 6 billion were frozen in foreign banks, and 31 tons of gold have been held at the Bank of England. The U.S. and European Union’s countries have issued direct measures against at least 192 people, 150 companies (140 of them private), 69 ships, 58 airplanes and 30 tankers. Venezuela is the fifth most sanctioned country in the world.

U.S. Government’s spokespeople from the last three administrations of Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden have openly stated that the goal of these ‘sanctions’ is to inflict the greatest possible pain on the Venezuelan people in order to cause reactions leading to a ‘regime change’ in the country. This policy constitutes a crime against humanity, and it has been denounced as such by Venezuela before the International Criminal Court.

This brutal and systematic attack reaches all sectors of the country and affects all the spheres of the country’s life. Faced with this reality, the Venezuelan Government and people, with the support and solidarity of their allies and friends in the world, are working every day to overcome the serious consequences of this attack. Thus, we have succeeded in maintaining peace and stability, and we have managed to move forward towards the recovery of the welfare state achieved by the Bolivarian Revolution, which, before the imperial attacks, placed the country among the first in the region regarding inclusion, equality and social security levels.

            Today, out of respect for international law and the principles of humanity, sovereignty and independence that should guide the relations among peoples and governments, it is imperative to put an end to the application of Unilateral Coercive Measures, which are rejected by the United Nations as practices amounting to ‘threats or the use of force.’

In her recent report at the UN Human Rights Council, the special rapporteur has urged ‘to lift sectoral sanctions, which were mostly imposed in the name of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as they undermine these very principles, values and norms.’ This is also our demand and call to all the peoples and governments so that, in each scenario and opportunity, they join the task of making the respect for self-determination and multilateralism govern international relations.

The barbaric action of applying UCM, and the consequent economic, financial and commercial blockade, is a policy which, under confession, expresses that their executors aim to cause pain and suffering to an entire people and meddle in the States’ domestic affairs to provoke political changes.

Therefore, it does not only deserve the rejection of the international community but also demands decisive and firm collective actions to stop these practices in the name of the noblest values of humanity and peaceful coexistence of the world’s nations.

The Art of Lockdown

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The Art of Lockdown

By Alexandra Paucescu

The last two years brought a new reality to most of us, no matter which part of the world we live in. We all had to learn to adapt to the new kind of life and living conditions, we realized how happy and free we were before and we maybe promised ourselves to appreciate more our freedom and keep dear people close to us.

Lockdown meant social distancing, which was not always easy to cope with. But it also meant a source of inspiration, inventiveness and increased creativity to many.

That is the reason why I was extremely curious when I found out about an art project, initiatedby Olena Kulinych, an Ukrainian diplomatic spouse posted in Australia and, even more excited, when she agreed to give me an interview.

Olena told me: ‘because of the quarantine measures in COVID times, people were separated and at risk of loneliness, anxiety and isolation. It has been crucially important to unite people, to help them come out of this calamity. Art and crafts are a well-known therapy for such situations, bringing joy and tranquillity to people, relieving stress and giving satisfaction.

In order to support people in these tough times and help them  feel connected with the community, the initiative group of Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations in Melbourne has launched a Facebook platform called “The Art of lockdown: Virtual visual exhibition”. The number of participants grew quickly and soon this project became international, as friends from other continents started to share their stories and feelings, via their beautiful art.’

Ukrainian embroidery

She tells me that she was confident in the success of the project from its very beginning, but the results have exceeded every expectation. ‘During the extremely difficult period of quarantine, we were able to stay united, despite the difficult conditions. Paradoxically, it was during isolation that I communicated more with both old friends and with those I met online, thanks to this project. Personally, this open communication and the bright creativity of the participants inspired me to complete some of my own projects, as well as to create and implement a new one. It was also a great chance not only to present my skill but to make new friends and see how gifted they are.’

The book “Art of Lockdown” was published in 2021 and it presents the creative works of more than 120 professional and amateur artists and artisans, each one also inspiring others from Australia, Belgium, Canada and the United States to embrace the artistic idea.

Olena says proudly: ’we are reaching new creative levels. New interesting, bright, inspiring projects will successfully develop on the platform, we even plan to open up an online “art school”, where everybody can try a hand at photography, embroidery, drawing, Easter egg painting or cooking.’

An Economist by education, Olena Kulinych worked in the fashion industry and TV broadcasting in Ukraine, before following her husband on his diplomatic journey abroad.

During almost thirty years of travelling and living in Japan, Republic of Korea and Australia, she widely explored the traditions and different cultures that she encountered, having the chance to discover and learn new skills.

‘In Seoul, I participated in a kimchi-making contest, in Australia I discovered the art of bobbin-lace making, in Japan I studied the art of calligraphy from the outstanding master Ozawa sensei.’

She has always been active and full of artistic initiatives. After returning from Tokyo, her book about this country, which is, as she confesses, definitely closest to her heart, was published in Ukraine.

Bay of Fires, Tasmania 1- Winner of the Photo contest.

Now, in Australia, besides the ‘Art in lockdown’ project, she also initiated a diplomatic photo competition (soon to become yearly), called ‘My wonderful Australia’, where tens of amazing shots from many corners of Australia were submitted and the winner of the competition was determined by collective vote.

Art is always part of her life and, with each new idea, she aims to share it with others, she wants to discover the world and to show the beauty and cultural heritage of her homeland as well.

 After all, this is the essence of diplomatic life, regardless of the situation, time, realities and lockdowns.

Art unites people.

About the author:

Alexandra Paucescu

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

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

Philippine-Netherlands relations @70

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Philippine-Netherlands relations @70

The Business of Maintaining Effective Cooperation

By H.E. Mr. Jose Eduardo Malaya, Ambassador of the Philippines

In a world where relationships are increasingly seen as cursory and fleeting, there is something to be celebrated when a partnership reaches 70 years. This year, 2021, the Philippines and the Netherlands commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations.

Of course, actual people-to-people interactions began more than 400 years ago, when Olivier van Noort of Rotterdam led Dutch ships to the Philippine islands in search of spices, and some say, colonial conquest. Yet, like all relationships that reach the platinum milestone, it is a fine time to undertake an assessment of this relationship.

Diplomatic relations require constant tending and unceasing determination by the partner countries for it to remain productive. This is particularly true at this time of intense competition for resources and of complex geopolitical, economic and environmental challenges.

Last November 2020, the Netherlands published its Indo-Pacific Guidelines for strengthening Dutch and EU cooperation with partners in Asia. This pivot towards Asia highlighted a reinvigorated cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including the Philippines, and identified priority areas of practical cooperation. Both the Dutch and EU policy papers vis-à-vis the Indo-Pacific—the latter published in September this year—emphasized the importance of ensuring the growth and development, peace, security, rules-based international order, and stability of the region. This is borne of the realization that the Indo-Pacific region has become the world’s strategic and economic center of gravity, as EC Vice President Joseph Borrel noted.

The Philippines has a big role in this region-to-region interface as coincidentally it recently assumed the role of country coordinator of the ASEAN-EU relations up to 2025. It is in the interest of the Philippines and the Netherlands and EU to maintain open economies and societies that allow for relatively free movement of goods, services and peoples.

Notwithstanding the 10,581 km distance between the two countries, the Netherlands has historically been one of the top economic partners of the Philippines. The Netherlands has been among the five top investor countries in the Philippines, and at USD 245 million in 2020, was the number one among the 28 EU member states. In 2019, Netherlands was the country’s 9th export market, with exports valued at US$1.9 billion and growing. As countries with significant maritime interests, cooperation in the area of maritime sphere is robust, with some 22,000 Filipino seafarers onboard Dutch-flagged vessels that ply the waters of the world. Some 41,313 Dutch tourists visited pre-pandemic and enjoyed our pristine beaches and shopping centers, and we would like to see them back once leisure travels normalize.

Dutch businesses abound in the Philippines. These include the ING Bank, Shell, East West Seed, Vroon (shipping), Regus (serviced office spaces), and Alaska Milk, a Philippine brand acquired in 2018 by FrieslandCampina based in Amersfoort for US$ 400 million. Even at this time of pandemic, dredger vessels from the Royal Boskalis Westminster NV, one of the world’s leading dredging and heavy lift companies, are busy in the Manila Bay undertaking land reclamation and development for the new Manila international airport being developed by the San Miguel Aerocity Inc. The project, which is worth EUR 1.5 billion, is the biggest in Boskalis’ history. 

Meanwhile, priority sectors where Dutch businesses could invest in include agribusiness/agriculture, energy efficiency technologies and renewable energy, infrastructure/public-private partnership projects, information technology and business process management, manufacturing, oil and gas, aerospace, processed and specialty food, and retail.

The coronavirus pandemic underscored the vulnerability of states to trans-border challenges, as well as the reality that effective solutions are increasingly multilateral in nature and best approached through shared undertakings and commitments. It has also shown that effective bilateral and multilateral cooperation is one that adopts a perspective that benefits everyone. It is no longer enough that there be no permanent friends and only permanent national interests, but that—given  challenges such as the pandemic and climate change — global interests should be pursued as assiduously as one’s own national interests.

In this 70th year milestone, it could not be clearer that the role of the Philippine Embassy is to help shepherd initiatives in maintaining the momentum for cooperation at various levels and by various government agencies, business sectors and other stakeholders. It is reassuring that in these 70 years, the ties that bind the two countries have been tried and tested by diverse issues, and found resilient.

In 2020, after 69 years, the Philippines and the Netherlands conducted its first bilateral consultations, which was followed by the second meeting in June 2021. The consultations affirmed the commitment by both sides to work towards strengthening cooperation in the political, economic and socio-cultural areas, and produced a joint work program with emphasis on trade and investments, water management, maritime matters, agriculture, and science and technology. 

There is momentum for enhanced, mutually beneficial partnership, and we should sustain it.

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