The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev met with the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Kunio Mikuriya in Brussel
On September 28, 2021, during a meeting to Brussels the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ruslan Kazakbaev met with the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Kunio Mikuriya.
During the meeting, Minister R. Kazakbaev informed about the upcoming First EU-Central Asia Economic Forum, which will be held in Bishkek on November 5, 2021. The parties discussed the possibility of holding a separate side event on the part of the World Customs Organization within the framework of the Forum.
At the meeting, special attention was given to the activities of the Regional Training Center of the World Customs Organization, which makes its significant contribution to the improvement of the professional qualifications of customs officers in the region.
The parties also discussed the opening of the Center for Professional and Cynological Training in Bishkek, which will give the region’s customs dog handlers an opportunity to receive additional opportunities to improve their skills and abilities.
The year 2021 marks the 130th anniversary of the publication of Philippines’ national hero Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo. His second novel, in English known as The Reign of Greed, was banned as a result of portraying colonial abuse and corruption. First published in September 1891 in Ghent (Belgium), it had a profound effect on Philippine society especially on views of national identity.
For that reason, Philippines’ ambassador to The Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Jose Eduardo Malaya, recently visited the commemoration – organized by the Knights of Rizal – Ghent Chapter in cooperation with the City of Ghent. The first Dutch translation of El Filibusterismo by Mr. Gerard Arp in 2019 was presented to the Mayor of Ghent, Mr. Mathias de Clerq, by ambassador Malaya and Sir Anton Lutter, KCR, chapter commander of The Hague chapter.
Ambassador Eduardo de Vega, Ambassador Eduardo Malaya, Sir Anton Lutter, KCR, Mayor Mathias de Clercq.
Amongst the many prominent guests attending were the Philippines’ ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, H.E. Mr. Eduardo J. de Vega, the regional commander for Europe, Sir Albert Arevalo, KGOR, the area commander for Belgium, Sir Jim Rebong, KGOR and from The Hague chapter the former Utrecht provincial assemblyman, Sir Steef Klarenbeek, KOR.
The event consisted of a reception at Ghents historical city hall, exhibition of Rizal’s works and a grand dinner preceded by the chartering of the Knights of Rizal Gomburza chapter, earlier in the day there was a flower offering ceremony at the Jose Rizal marker at the building where El Filibusterismo was printed.
Ambassador Malaya addressing the attendants at the historic city hall of Ghent.
In his speech at the historic city hall of Ghent ambassador Malaya highlighted the importance of the literary masterpiece El Filibusterismo and spoke of how Jose Rizal was inspired by the Dutch book Max Havelaar written by Multatuli.
Monday, 25 October 2021, Munich, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp by the 7th Army of the US, Bavarian Premier Dr. Markus Söder awarded the Bavarian Premier’s Flag Ribbon to the US Army European Command stationed in Bavaria during a ceremony held at the Kaisersaal (Emperor’s Hall) of Munich Residenz, a former regal palace.
The award also recognized the contribution made over decades by the many thousands of US soldiers in Bavaria to securing peace and freedom. The event, which had to be postponed for a year due to Corona, was attended by US Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, the President of the Jewish Community Dr. Charlotte Knobloch as well as the Head of Bavarian State Chancellery, Dr. Florian Herrmann, Minister of State for Federal and Media Affairs, among others.
Tuesday, 26 October 2021, Cetinje, Republic of Montenegro: President Milo Đukanović received for her accreditation in the capacity as non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Manori Premila Unambuwe.
Ambassador Manori Unambuwe is resident in Berlin, Germany, where she was accredited on 20 August 2020. From Berlin, she covers bilateral relations to Switzerland, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Previous to her ambassadorship, Manori Unambuwe was Director of Information and Communication at the Technology Agency of Sri Lanka in Colombo.
She holds an MBA in Business Administration and Management from the Australian Institute of Business headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia.
ICC Prosecutor, Mr Karim A. A. Khan QC, concludes the preliminary examination of the Situation in Colombia with a Cooperation Agreement with the Government charting the next stage in support of domestic efforts to advance transitional justice
On 28 October 2021, in Bogota, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”), Mr Karim A.A. Khan QC, concluded a Cooperation Agreement with the Government of Colombia that renews the commitment of the Office to Colombia’s national accountability processes. This agreement reinforces and further defines the mutual roles the Office and the Government will undertake to ensure that the significant progress achieved by domestic prosecutorial and judicial entities, and in particular by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, is sustained and strengthened.
Following a thorough assessment, the Prosecutor is satisfied that complementarity is working today in Colombia. The Government of Colombia, together with the ordinary courts, the Justice and Peace Law Tribunals, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, civil society and the people of Colombia are to be commended for their resilience and determination in demanding justice and accountability in their quest for peace. The progress made has led the Office to determine that the national authorities of Colombia are neither inactive, unwilling nor unable to genuinely investigate and prosecute Rome Statute crimes.
In the course of his engagement with stakeholders, the Prosecutor emphasised that an assessment of complementarity should not, and cannot, be postponed indefinitely pending the completion of all possible domestic proceedings. To the contrary, the Statute and the Court’s case law are clear that the admissibility assessment must be carried out on the basis of the facts as they exist.
In light of this, the Prosecutor has determined that the preliminary examination must be closed. The absence of a preliminary examination does not, however, mean an end to the Office’s engagement with Colombia or its support to the accountability processes underway. To the contrary, it marks the beginning of a new chapter of support and engagement – an example of positive complementarity in action.
The closure of the preliminary examination does not detract from the reality that significant work is still required and that the institutions established must continue to be given the space to perform their constitutional responsibilities. The Government of Colombia commits itself to such continued support in the Agreement concluded today.
The signature of this Agreement – the first of its kind concluded by the Office and a State Party – breaks new ground by entering into a series of mutual undertakings to ensure that domestic transitional justice processes in Colombia remain on track.
On the part of the Government of Colombia, these commitments include: 1) safeguarding the established constitutional and legislative framework; 2) preserving and supporting existing structures operating to ensure accountability; 3) continuing to properly fund these structures and safeguarding their budgets; 4) protecting their independence and preventing any interference with their functions; 5) ensuring the safety and security of judicial and prosecutorial personnel as well as participants appearing before the different accountability mechanisms; and 6) promoting full cooperation and coordination between the different State entities involved, including between the Attorney General’s Office and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. The Government of Colombia has also committed to informing the Prosecutor of the progress of domestic investigations and prosecutions. Colombia has also undertaken to facilitate access to relevant records and documentation in accordance with the Rome Statute and Colombian law.
For its part, the Office of the Prosecutor commits to support Colombia’s accountability efforts. Such efforts include continued dialogue and interaction with the Government of Colombia and State institutions, annual visits to Colombia, exchanging of lessons learned and best practices with national justice mechanisms.
Crucially, because the ICC is a permanent institution, the Agreement recalls that the Prosecutor may reconsider his assessment of complementarity in light of any significant change in circumstances. The Agreement is binding and of indefinite duration.
The signature of the Agreement and the consequent closing of the preliminary examination marks a new beginning, and also a paradigm shift, outside the preliminary examination, to allow Colombia and the Office of the Prosecutor to build upon a long lasting, sustainable relationship within the framework of the Agreement.
By H.E. Mr. Jian Tan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China
It was right on the Christmas day of 25th December last year that I arrived in the Netherlands. I believe, those of you residing in the Netherlands would not forget the heavy but beautiful snow of last winter. From time to time, I saw Dutch people, more often little children skating on the frozen canals and lakes, and I was quite impressed by their talents and skills of winter sports.
People often say that the Netherlands’ population size may be small, yet when it comes to speed skating, its strength is mighty. The Netherlands has a time-honored history of ice sports and has won numerous gold medals in the previous sessions of the Winter Olympic Games. As far as I know, many prominent Dutch athletes have already been qualified for the Beijing 2022 Games and started their training in Beijing. I would like to specially mention that in October, the “Experience Beijing” Speed Skating China Open kicked off at the “Ice Ribbon” in Beijing. It was the first testing competition and Dutch athlete ranked top among all the competitors.
A few days earlier, the lighting of the Olympic flame for the Beijing Winter Olympics in Olympia has signaled to the world that it is officially entering Winter Olympics time. And today, we are celebrating the 100th Day Countdown to the Beijing 2022 Games. From 4 to 20 February 2022, the 24th Winter Olympic Games will be held in Beijing, who will be the first city in history to host both the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. Guided by the principles of green, inclusive, open and clean, China has carried out all preparatory work with high standards and high quality. I would like to elaborate with three Ss to draw a clearer picture of Beijing 2022 Games.
The first S stands for simple, we have made full use of the existing conditions and resources, simplify the scale, and highlight the features of green and clean. The Beijing Organizing Committee has carried out the Sustainability Plan with the top priority on ecological preservation, resources conservation and environment protection. Beijing 2022 Games will be the first Games in history at which all venues are powered by green and renewable energy. Moreover, for the purpose of sustainability and frugality, all venues will be converted to sports centers that can be used by all citizens. In addition, China will combat corruption and uphold integrity in hosting the Olympic Games, tighten oversight of the preparations and adopt zero tolerance for doping so that the Beijing Winter Olympic Games will be “as clean and pure as ice and snow”.
The second S stands for safe, we have made great efforts to deliver a safe game and promote the spirit of positive health in the very time of Covid-19 pandemic. We will keep track of the evolving COVID-19 situation at home and abroad and learn from the prevention and control practices of Tokyo 2020, continuously improve the control measures so as to insure the safety of every athlete and spectator. In the broader picture, sport has long been recognized as a major contributor to positive health and well-being for participants. By upholding the spirit of Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together, it inspires people to tap into and show the best of themselves. We hope that Beijing 2022 Games could encourage more people to participate in winter sports, thus improve physical well-being of the public and inject strong impetus in the combat against Covid-19.
The third S stands for splendid, the Beijing 2022 Games will be a grand gathering for countries and a fair stage for athletes from all over the world to compete. The goal of the Olympic movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. And this very goal echoes with the mission of openness and inclusiveness of the Beijing 2022 Games. Athletes from all countries will feel welcome here in China, where they can show the splendor of winter sports on ice and snow. China is well-prepared and fully confident to bring another pleasant surprise to the whole world.
Sport is a universal language. At its best it can bring people together, regardless of their origin, background, religious beliefs or economic status. In particular, when the whole world is suffering from COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and terrorism, it comes as the “Noah’s Ark” that carries the common aspirations for a better and more harmonious world. To host Winter Olympic Games at this very moment is a vivid manifestation of building a community of shared future for mankind. China is ready to work with the rest of the international community to oppose the politicization of sports, demonstrate the new Olympic spirit of being “together”, render each other help and assistance in times of need. With joint efforts and support from the international society, we will overcome all difficulties and deliver a simple, safe and splendid Games.
China and the Netherlands have good cooperation in the field of sports, and frequent exchanges have been carried out in recent years. The year 2022 will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. I sincerely hope we can further expand and deepen cooperation in all areas, and in particular, sports. I believe Beijing 2022 Games will provide a great opportunity in this regard. In the Tokyo Olympics that ended this summer, the Netherlands won 36 medals in total, placed seventh in the overall ranking and topped EU countries, a really remarkable achievements. I’m looking forward to the excellent performance by the Dutch athletes in Beijing Winter Olympics and sincerely wish them get good records in advance. Marching towards 2022, together let’s go for a shared future.
Thursday, 14 October 2021, Dresden, Free State of Saxony: Premier Michael Kretschmer received the Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland in the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr Nicholas O’Brien, for the latter’s inaugural visit to Saxony.
Kretschmer and O’Brien discussed the further development of economic and cultural relations between Saxony and Ireland. Particularly against the backdrop of Brexit, the discussion focused on the further potential of the Saxon-Irish relationship. Ireland is an economic partner in the foreign trade relations of the Free State of Saxony. The most important export sectors include pharmaceuticals, the chemical industry as well as automotive and electrical engineering.
In addition, Saxon institutions cooperate with Ireland in a total of 104 research projects in the fields of materials research and application technology, among others.
Already a hub for regional development, Uzbekistan is becoming the driving force of strong regional reforms. Agreements in abolishing chemical weapons, as well as other agreements reached in water, energy and border issues are on top of the regional political agenda.
Adding to Uzbekistan’s political agenda, the situation in Afghanistan has become a key element of the International Media Meeting today in Tashkent.
Leveraging its crucial geographical position, Uzbekistan has turned into a regional leader and a driving force of changes in Central Asia. The new regional and international political approach of the country entails an open borders policy, pragmatic economic cooperation, efforts to become a centre of transport and communication, as well as the creation of a new spirit of regional cooperation based on several agreements concerning water, energy and border management. Moreover, further agreements are in the pipeline.
Fully integrated Afghanistan into Central Asia’s economy is a top priority for Uzbekistan’s Government and a must for the region.
International Media Meeting, Tashkent.
“Uzbekistan is creating a strong civil society with open borders policy” said Sidikov Furkat Akhmedovic, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, talking about one of the country’s priorities. “This is time for a new cooperation in Central Asia, through a goodwill political priority approach. A lot of achievements have been reached and a lot is still to be done. Our position in Central Asia is of crucial importance now.”
Among the government’s priority are the following:
Create a new model of economic cooperation, a new treaty to remove obstacles in the creation of new business ventures.
Increase the role of the Silk Road, with the construction of new roads, improving access to the Caspian Sea ports.
Termez, will be a turning point to develop new projects with Afghanistan, which now is representing a five millions market but that will increase to 100 millions in the years to come.
“The Afghanistan factor is actually a security and economy issue for the word. At the same time, political stability in the country is of high importance for the region. Uzbekistan. has a good neighbour approach and we are actually cooperating during this difficult time with Afghanistan.”
“Afghanistan will not be left behind or alone, at the moment we are fostering cooperation and supporting humanitarian projects to help Afghanistan in the water, energy and food sectors. This is a mayor priority for Uzbekistan.”
“Afghanistan is the bridge to reach the Indian Sea and the ports. Termez is becoming the logistic centre where we are working together with UN in refugees’ assistance. Now there is there a high-level delegation working in Termez to restore Afghanistan’s airports.”
“50% of the population in the area are women which it is important to acknowledge. We also started a people diplomacy program reaching out to the population to integrate both men and women into the economic system. We are also working strongly with the new generation and we are actually preparing the Central Asia Young Forum, which integrate the youngest populations into the development process of Central Asia with a new vision.”
“Increasing agricultural production in one of our priorities focuses. We are expanding cooperation, organizing and monitoring producing, transportation and quality controls in Uzbekistan and in the region.”
“Treaties on ecological issues and green economy regional treaties are also being reached.” stated Mr. Akhmedovic.
As the days count down to November 30, Barbados is taking further steps towards their transition from a Commonwealth, under the domain of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, to a Republic with a local president of head of state. This process has been ongoing for months now and final steps are being taken to ensure that the process is as smooth as possible.
Recently, on September 28, the country’s parliament unanimously gave the go-ahead to bring the Republic into force by the end of November. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley met with Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley to confirm that Dame Sandra Mason, current Governor-General of the island nation, will be the one to take the role as first President of Barbados.
Adopting a republican constitution has been a longstanding goal of Bajan politics, meaning that this process is not only smooth, but also resting on a matter of common consensus. Even though they will be formally separating fully from the UK, Foreign Minister Dr. Jerome Walcott has expressed his country’s great interest in continuing close bilateral ties with their former colonial suzerain. Walcott expressed an interest in continuing collaboration in the region, specifically in the sectors of climate change, energy, and security, a sentiment mirrored by British officials.
In addition to the constitutional and political changes alongside adopting a republic, Barbados is also undergoing a long series of smaller changes as well as society transitions. This includes things as simple as the renaming of the Royal Barbados Police Force to the Barbados Police Service, amongst a multitude of visible removals of references to royalty and monarchs as the country aims to fulfill the vision of Father of Independence Errol Walton Barrow.
September has been an eventful month for the island nation of São Tomé and Principe. Firstly, 5 September marked the second round of their presidential election, with a runoff between Guilherme Posser da Costa of the previous ruling party, MLSTP-PSD, and eventual winner Carlos Vila Nova of the ADI.
With observers noting a “peaceful and calm environment” the campaign centered on response to the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns of its spread on the island as well as a uniform disparagement of corruption on the island and practices of vote buying. With gatherings banned and mandatory social distancing, the campaign and election had a notably muted atmosphere about it with generally good conduct throughout the process and no issues to note.
Carlos Vila Nova announced his victory as soon as it was apparent, which was accepted by his opponent and the wider community. Prime Minister Jorge Bom Jesus as well as the presidents of Angola and Portugal congratulated him on his victory. A former Minister of Infrastructure, Natural Resources and the Environment, Vila Nova was inaugurated on 2 October 2021.
In addition to the presidential election, September marked another important milestone for São Toméans as, by the end of the month, it was announced that 10% of the country had been vaccinated against COVID-19, a first step hailed by the UN and the WHO as a huge achievement, making it one of only 16 African nations that have met this target.
