Friday, 1 October 2021, Conakry, Republic of Guinea: The 63rd anniversary of independence was held on Saturday 2 October in Kaloum, in the city centre of Conakry, in the presence of Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who has now been officially sworn in as head of state the day before by the Supreme Court President Mamadou Sylla at Mohammed VI Palace.
In his televised address, the new president pledged to appoint a prime minister in the coming days. He also announced measures on the fight against corruption and the upcoming elections.
Albeit no other head of state partook at the swearing in ceremony of President Doumbouya, Mali’s Malick Diaw, President of the National Transition Council attended.
The fall of Kabul to the Taliban, pre-negotiated with the US in Doha, Qatar, has launched yet another premeditated enterprise, as fruitless as the US effort to keep Afghanistan under its own control: so many IR scholars, pundits, and journalists, in all sorts of specialized and non-specialized publications in the US and Europe, are trying to prove that the 2021 version of the Taliban has not changed in comparison to the version of the Taliban which seized control of Afghanistan in 1996 and that they will again make Afghanistan a cradle for all kinds of terrorists.
If they use facts rather than phrases, they commonly seek a confirmation of this thesis in the names of the 2021 Taliban leaders appointed to the interim government, the names which are not particularly different from those of the Taliban who governed the country from 1996.
Yet, all these experts (save the notable intellectuals such as Djawed Sangdel) have somehow failed to notice that the times have changed, and so has the geopolitical environment in which the whole overturn took place. Indeed, how can the Taliban remain the same, if the entire world has changed so profoundly, comparing the year of 2001, when the Taliban were overthrown by the US forces, with the year of 2021, when the US forces withdrew before the Taliban’s advance? No matter how rigid they are in their faith as a religious movement, the Taliban as a political organization had no choice but to adapt to the tide of change, if they wanted to seize and exercise power in a changed geopolitical context.
There are many symbolic signs of this new context which are directly linked to the second arrival of the Taliban.
First, both the Taliban and the US sat down to negotiate the withdrawal of the US forces and transfer of power to the Taliban, which signals that the US is no longer the same hegemonic power that refuse to ‘negotiate with the terrorists’, as the Taliban were characterized by the US diplomacy for so many years.
Second, the Taliban have adopted a different political philosophy, which gives precedence to diplomatic – rather than military – means, whenever the former proves more efficient.
Third, the negotiations took place in Qatar, a country that used to be the most isolated among the Arab countries due to its alliance with Iran, which shows that the Americans have accepted not only Qataris, but also Iranians, as mediators and potential partners.
Fourth, despite their ambiguous relations and deep ideological differences, Iranians have also accepted the Taliban as a potential partner, which is also mirrored in the fact that their only Arab ally, Qatar, played the role of the mediator and host to the US-Taliban negotiations.
Fifth, China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan did not close their diplomatic missions in Kabul after its takeover by the Taliban, which demonstrates that two global and two regional powers intend to cooperate with the Taliban-led government; moreover, that these four powers asses that they can benefit from such cooperation and accept the Taliban as a relevant regional partner of potential strategic significance.
Therefore, at the very least, the Taliban are not going to be so isolated as they were during their first incarnation, which will certainly open them up, for the first time, to various foreign policy options.
However, there is one important question that is rarely posed by those who write and speak about the Taliban. This question is the most basic one: who are, in fact, the Taliban and who actually created them? In a recent interview, the former National Security Advisor to the US President Jimmy Carter, Zbigniew Brzezinski, proudly admitted that the US intelligence agencies inserted a number of Islamist fighters’ cells into Afghanistan by the end of the 1970s, with the task to penetrate the territory of the then Soviet Union and perform military actions, so as to provoke the Soviet regime to invade Afghanistan.
The idea was to turn Afghanistan into the Soviet Union’s Vietnam-like catastrophe and thus bring the communist empire to a collapse. As we all know, the Soviets had fallen into that trap and the rest is history: they were eventually defeated and expelled by the well-organized Islamist fighters, better prepared for a guerrilla war than the Soviet army. However, no matter how Brzezinski now prides himself for this idea, it is well-known that its execution and implementation were in more than 90% left to a non-American agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan, the country that was the most faithful British and American ally at the time. In an exceptional analysis Forever Friends? Pakistan and the Taliban Still Need Each Other, written by Zahid Shahab Ahmed and published in the National Interest, we can see it clearly:
After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Washington approached Islamabad to become its frontline ally in a proxy war against the Soviets. During the Afghan-Soviet War (1979-1989), thousands of mujahideen were recruited from around the world and trained in Pakistan, and then deployed into Afghanistan. In addition to receiving billions in economic and military assistance from the United States, Pakistan expanded its influence in Afghanistan through close relations with the Afghan mujahideen as they later united into the Taliban in the 1990s. In 1994, Mullah Mohammed Omar founded the Taliban with fifty students in Kandahar. By 1995, the group’s control increased to twelve provinces and its size to 25,000 fighters. Due to its quick territorial gains, the Taliban managed to seize control of most of the country and established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in 1996. To date, their first takeover of Kabul is attributed to Pakistan’s strong backing.
Therefore, the Taliban’s recruitment from among the Afghani and Pakistani Pashtuns and their military training for guerrilla warfare and religious indoctrination with the mixture of Pakistani Deobandi and Saudi Wahhabi Islam are to be treated as a special intelligence operation conducted by the ISI, and the same may be applied to their military victory. Of course, this operation would not have been viable without adequate coverage by the American CIA and British MI6, and assistance by Saudi Arabia’s GID (General Intelligence Directorate). Thus, the Taliban and their hybrid ideology were created for a particular purpose and their heavy-handed policies upon the seizure of power also served a particular geopolitical agenda. It would go beyond the scope of this article to analyse in detail what this agenda was or might have been. Let us only notice that the Taliban in those times prepared the ground, both ideologically and literally, to legitimize the future American ‘War on Terror’, which has brought 20 years of continuous instability to the central part of Eurasia.
In other words, there is no reason to look at the Taliban as a genuine occurrence – they had been created as a proxy and were left with no option but to remain a proxy. Whose proxy, that is the only question.
There is no doubt that the second coming of the Taliban has been prepared and backed, again, by the ISI and Pakistan. On the operative level, the Taliban have clearly remained Pakistan’s proxy. However, in the meantime, Pakistan has totally changed its geopolitical orientation and switched loyalties. Initially created by the British Empire through religious partition of the post-colonial India and secession of a great piece of the Pashtun-populated part of Afghanistan, in order to enable continuous Anglo-American control of the heart of Eurasia, Pakistan found itself abandoned and cornered by its former sponsors and allies, when they invested their capital and geopolitical weight in the strengthening and rise of its archenemy, Hindu-controlled India. Of course, this was not the first time that the British-American axis supported India against Pakistan, just as they were supporting Pakistan against India. However, this time it happened in the context of the rise of the most extreme form of religious nationalism promoted by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, designed to eliminate Muslims as a constituent part of the Indian nation for good, which would force Pakistan to enter yet another conflict with India over a definite line of Muslim-Hindu separation. Ostensibly, it was a rational calculation by the British and Americans, to support instant economic rise of India and foster a redesign of Indian policy towards extreme, religiously based nationalism, so as to make India capable and willing to confront China, as India’s old and their new geopolitical adversary. However, such a tricky game has only pushed Pakistan to turn towards China as a potential ally and geopolitical patron. Thus the British and Americans have eventually pushed Pakistan away and lost their most faithful ally, and China has been delivered an entirely new leverage to fundamentally change the geopolitical balance in Eurasia.
With Pakistan under the US-UK patronage and Afghanistan under American control, China had a huge problem to secure its most important strategic project, the Belt and Road Initiative, in particular its China/Pakistan and China/Central Asia/West Asia Corridors. Also, the direct access of the Anglo-American intelligence agencies to the very borderland of China, through their stronghold in Afghanistan and the porous borders of the post-Soviet Central Asian republics, made it possible to instigate China’s own ‘Muslim problem’ in the form of the Islamist radicalization of Uighurs in Xinjiang. This, predictably, provoked the Chinese regime to respond in an extremely oppressive manner, which almost put in question its relations with the entire Islamic world, especially the countries of Central Asia, thereby undermining the prospects for their participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. As this problem proved to be too difficult to solve on the internal level, China’s imperative was to take Afghanistan out of the American control and reverse this trend that gravely threatened Chinese strategic interests. In these circumstances, Pakistan’s well-known proxy, the Taliban, appeared on the horizon as the best suited instrument for that purpose. In this context, it is not difficult to imagine why the Taliban were so quickly and efficiently restored by the ISI and why they suddenly became so politically pragmatic and militarily strong.
So, the Taliban’s 2021 takeover was also decisively supported by Pakistan, as it had been the one in 1996. However, this time it has all happened in a totally different geopolitical environment, with Pakistan under China’s geopolitical umbrella, which implies a totally different geopolitical orientation on Pakistan’s, as well as the Taliban’s, part. Instead of serving the goals of Halford Mackinder’s doctrine of permanent destabilization of Eurasia, so as to secure British-American control over the world’s sea-trade routes, now Pakistan and its proxies have become open to promoting the opposite geopolitical agenda, the Chinese doctrine of building Eurasian land-trade infrastructure as an alternative to the Anglo-American hegemony over sea-trade routes. Such a doctrine, embodied in the Belt and Road Initiative, requires a long-lasting stabilization of the Eurasian geopolitical space, and Afghanistan occupies a strategic place within this constellation.
Of course, most the Chinese officials could do in their public activities was to keep the embassy in Kabul open, recognize the Taliban, and send their Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, to meet the Taliban delegation in Tianjin. On their part, the Taliban described China as a ‘friendly country’ and invited it to participate in reconstruction and development of Afghanistan, guaranteeing the safety of Chinese investments. However, there is no need to make guesses about whether the new version of the Taliban will really prevent various Islamist militant groups to penetrate China’s territory, as well as the territory of the post-Soviet Central Asian republics: this time, the Taliban have been resurrected and installed as a watchdog, to serve no other purpose than this one, so as to eventually make Afghanistan a part of a potential strategic alliance of China, Pakistan, and Iran. All in accordance with the Chinese strategic vision to make the Eurasian land-mass stable for transcontinental development of infrastructure, trade, and industry, designed to lead to economic, and eventually political, unification of the Eurasian continent.
About the author:
Dr. Zlatko Hadžidedić is the founder and director of the Center for Nationalism Studies, in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina (www.nationalismstudies.org).
By International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES).
On 17 October 2021, Kosovo will hold its fourth local elections since its declaration of independence on 17 February 2008. In Kosovo, heads of municipalities and municipal concilors are elected at local elections.
The Kosovo Central Election Commission (CEC) verified participation of 90 political subjects. Specifically, 32 political parties, 34 civic initiatives, one coalition and 23 independent candidates. There are 1,885,448 voters eligible to vote at the local elections.
Out of 35 candidates for mayors in 10 predominantly Serb municipalities, 19 are Serbs, including three women. Out of 167 candidates for heads of 38 municipalities on Kosovo, only 13 are female candidates. The CEC has also approved a list of 15,577 viters who will vote by mail from abroad.
Kosovo Serbs will have an opportunity to elect from 18 lists their candidates in 21 municipalities. Specifically, the Serbs constitute a majority in 10 municipalities, and in 11 they do not. The Serb community from the north of Kosovo (municipalities Kosovska Mitrovica, Zvečan, Zubin Potok and Leposavić) will participate for the third time at local elections organized by Kosovo authorities. The election campaign officially begun on 16 September 2021.
Kosovo still has problems with the final electoral roll, which is unrevised and not credible, as it is illogical that Kosovo has more voters than citizens.
CSM on hold The Brussels agreement brokered between official Belgrade and Pristina in 2013, envisages establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM) on Kosovo. The Community of Serb Municipalities would be established by a statute, but guaranteed by Kosovo laws. Modification of Kosovo laws requires a two-thirds majority. Hence, the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM) can be dissolved only by decision of member-municipalities. Although it is established outside the legal framework of Kosovo, the CSM is an integral part of the constitutional and legal order of Kosovo, and not part of the Republic of Serbia. Kosovo authorities do not want to implement the establishment of CSM and, in this respect, refer to the decision of the Kosovo Constitutional Court, which had ruled that 24 provisions were not in line with, that constituted a violation of, the Kosovo Constitution.
Analysts believe that establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities would be a way to finalize the dialogue and sign a comprehensive legally binding agreement on normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.
Kosovo still without visa liberalization Kosovo still faces numerous problems and challenges regarding its judiciary, economic development, enormous unemployment rate, emigration, dysfunctional administration, crime and corruption.
The talks on the Stabilization and Accession Agreement (SAA) with the EU, the talks on liberalization of the visa regime and the dialogue with Serbia are the processes that Kosovo has still not finalized. On the political scene, there has been a halt in the dialogue, primarily because of the failure to implement the Brussels and Washington agreements achieved between official Pristina and Belgrade. The agreements have to be fully implemented and the parties cannot take only what suits them in the signed agreements.
The Kosovo government has to invest additional efforts to achieve a visa-free regime for Kosovo citizens, because Kosovo is the most isolated area in Europe. Some of the challenges that the new Kosovo authorities will have to address include: enormously high unemployment rate, the situation regarding the respect of human rights, attracting foreign investments, relations with neighbors, stopping the emigration of citizens, fight against regional and international crime and corruption, etc. Therefore, the current Kosovo government has to ensure liberalization of the visa regime for Kosovo citizens and provide to the European Union convincing evidence regarding its fight against crime and corruption, which is one of the prerequisites for liberalization of the visa regime.
Decriminalization of Kosovo The practice shows that political-criminal structures have never developed strong state institutions, but did just the opposite. The permanent political crisis on Kosovo was a political concept and method the current political structures pursued to remain in power. With the arrival of Albin Kurti (LVV) to power and after the political changes in Montenegro, primarily because of the uncompromising fight against crime and corruption led by the Vice-president of the Montenegrin Government Dritan Abazović (URA), the criminal structures have sought refuge elsewhere in the region.
So far, whenever a new government came to power in Kosovo it announced speedy development and promised to build strong institutions that would be a factor of internal stability and peace in Kosovo, which would contribute to stability and peace in the region. However, as the promises were never fulfilled, the citizens of Kosovo became deeply disappointed with the ruling political structures and are the only ones in the region without a visa-free regime. It is important that a visa-free regime is firstly established between Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina-if the intent is to implement the “Open Balkan” initiative.
The roots of the crime in Kosovo date back to the period of the government in exile. The nucleus of the criminal structures include commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK-OVK) and (para)intelligence service (ShIK), who act in cooperation with the political structures. The ShIK was to be dissolved back in 2008, because in 2009 the official Kosovo Intelligence Agency (AKI-KIA) was established.
It is important for Kosovo Albanians, just as it is for other peoples in the region, to properly face the past, because otherwise it is rather unlikely that they will be able to secure a better future.
Militarization of Kosovo Despite the announcements on establishment of “reciprocity” regarding Serbian registration plates, the Kosovo government did not inform its citizens about when will that happen or what procedures will be in force. On Monday, 20 September 2021, it introduced “reciprocity” for registration plates issued in Serbia and at the north of Kosovo, started to charge fees for issuing of Kosovo temporary plates for passenger and cargo vehicles, which had registration plates issued in Serbia, and deployed heavily armed forces of Special Units of the Kosovo Police Force (ROSU). As a response to such measures of the Kosovo government, Kosovo Serbs erected barricades at border/administrative crossings Jarinje and Brnjak.
Freedom of movement was the first agreement brokered between Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels. This has been the most frequently discussed agreement and some of its provisions have even been revised. The relations between the two parties have evidently been degraded to such an extent that they can no longer agree even on the issue of “reciprocity”, which practically affects the daily life of the population.
The crux of the problem are the registration plates issued by the Republic of Serbia for municipalities on Kosovo, which were valid until 14 September 2021. The agreement specified that upon expiration of the deadline both parties would reconsider, under EU mediation, this issue. However, Kosovo authorities unilaterally introduced temporary plates for vehicles from Serbia under the pretext of “reciprocity.”
Temporary plates were introduced by the 2011 Agreement, which gives Kosovo the right to, just like Serbia, issue temporary registration plates, as well as to issue the so-called “entry/exit documents”. Although so far Kosovo did not apply the respective provisions of the Agreement, it now issues only the temporary plates, and not the entry/exit documents.
The multiyear application of such a practice on cars from Kosovo is the reason why in Kosovo the latest move was interpreted as “justified”. The problem is that this decision will not affect Serbia, but Serbs on Kosovo, as well as further complicate the lives of Albanians from Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa, whose livelihood is linked to Kosovo.
Gabriel Escobar, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and the new envoy of the State Department for West Balkans stated “I think both sides should refrain from militarizing this issue and should not send special units to a place where there is KFOR and where there is no need for that. As far as the issue of license plates is concerned, we would like to see some progress in Brussels in the next seven days.[2]”
All until the establishment of second Kurti’s government, for over a decade Kosovo had been illegally collecting fees for car insurance for vehicles from third countries, which according to some assessments generated more than 100 million Euros in unlawful revenues from car insurance charged at border crossings on vehicles entering Kosovo. Car insurance tariffs were charged as follows: 15 Euros per vehicles for a period of 15 days and 30 Euros per vehicle for a period of 30 days. Collection of unlawful revenues is attributed to the closest members of Hashim Thaçi‘s family. Kurti’s government abolished this unlawful collection of revenues, which was dubbed as “the Thaçi’s tax.”
According to analysts, the current situation is a result of the wrong moves the international community has made in Kosovo and is a sort of a defeat of the international community, particularly the EU. Poor mediation of the dialogue by the EU, the failed EULEX mission and unnecessary deployment of special units of ROSU, whose composition does not reflect the demographic structure at the north of Kosovo, bearing in mind that KFOR units have the mandate to guarantee security on the whole territory of Kosovo. Unilateral moves undermine the already fragile peace and latent stability, and the reciprocity measures would make substantial sense only after the signing of a comprehensive and binding agreement on normalization of relations between official Belgrade and Pristina. It is evident that the dialogue between official Belgrade and Pristina has to be continued and become a priority. So far, the EU had spent more than two billion Euros of EU taxpayers’ money in Kosovo- mainly in vain. Most importantly at this time, Belgrade and Pristina have managed to achieve under EU mediation a provisional agreement for the next six months, which will provide for unimpeded movement of cars without removal of registration plates. Actually, this agreement has prevented further escalation of the conflict.
De- Thaçization of Kosovo Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutors’ Office (KSC-SPO), was envisaged as the response by Kosovo to the assertions from the Report of Special Rapporteur of the Council of Europe (CoE) Dick Marty on trafficking of human organs and, simultaneously. It was also an additional impetus to embark on de- Thaçization of Kosovo, that is dismantling of Thaçi’s regime, which should pave the way to internal consolidation of the country. Therefore, it is important that the KSP-SCO has taken root, as it will enable achievement of justice, which would provide satisfaction for the victims and their families, but also relax the relations in Kosovo and provide for a better and more certain future.
Marty’s report specifies that in the period from 1998 to 2000 members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (OVK- UÇK) had committed crimes. The Specialist Chambers has jurisdiction over crimes committed on Kosovo in the period from 1January 1998 and 31 December 2000. Although it is a Kosovo court, it is funded by the EU and includes international staff. Four leaders of the former Kosovo Liberation Army (OVK/UCK), Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi i Rexhep Selimi, are tried on the basis of indictments for a number of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murders, enforced disappearance of persons, persecution and torture. Thaçi and Veseli were even involved in obstruction of justice, while one witness in this case was assassinated.
Showdown with Vučić through Kosovo Local elections in Kosovo are once again an opportunity for a showdown between a part of Serb opposition and Albanian political parties, on one side, and the Serb List (SL), which is supported by the Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić (SNS) on the other. In fact, as the Serb List (SL) is a favorite to win the local elections in the Serb communities in Kosovo, they will try to use that for a showdown with Serbian President Vučić and in such a way influence the results of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Serbia. As the day of the local elections in Kosovo approaches, the tensions aimed against the Serb List, including threats and violence are increasing. Therefore, it is of exceptional importance to finalize the Brussels dialogue between official Belgrade and Pristina with the signing of a legally binding agreement on normalization of relations, as well as to abolish borders and eliminate barriers in the region through the “Open Balkan” initiative.
Merkel recognizes Vučić’s central role in the region During her recent visit to Serbia, the outgoing German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) stated that Serbian President Vučić was a person who “does not make false promises, but strives to implement in practice everything that he promises.[3]”
Analysts believe that thanks to President Aleksandar Vučić Serbia has become the center of developments in the region and is of key importance for preservation of peace and stability. Economic development and establishment of “Open Balkan” are the priorities in regional cooperation, because due to the economy of scale principle small countries cannot attract global investors and therefore have more difficulties ensuring sustainable growth and development. Elimination of internal borders and administrative barriers, as well as custom fees, would definitely be more efficient for West Balkan countries if they would have a harmonized infrastructure policy and work together on economic recovery of the region.
During his recent visit to Serbia, the Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz[4] noted the excellent economic development and added that while the pandemic had caused an economic setback in many countries, Serbia did not record almost any decrease in its economic growth. He reminded that Serbia’s forecasted growth was at a level between 6 and 7%, which, as he said, was a very positive development that will have a positive effect on the Austrian economy as well, because of the close ties between the economies of the two countries. Serbia managed the corona crisis well, which is good for Austria as one of the major investors in the country. We profit from positive development of Serbia, Kurz underscored.
While Vučić is fully rebranding Serbia, Kosovo has so far constantly regressed because of the irresponsible political elites, who held public offices and responsible positions but were always focused on their parochial interests and unlawful acquisition of wealth, not the interests of Kosovo.
Local elections– chance for groundbreaking changes After the recent parliamentary elections, one of the key players on the political scene in Kosovo is the Self-Determination Movement (LVV), which has prevailing primacy over other political subjects and enjoys major public support. So far, the central authorities at Kosovo impeded development of individual local communities and the local elections are an opportunity to end that practice.
The voters are not inclined to support a coalition of LVV with other parties, because many voters believe that the political-mafia structure had unconstitutionally and illegally removed the first government of Prime Minister Albin Kurti. This applies primarily on the younger people who perceives the LVV and its leader Kurti as a breath of fresh air on the political scene.
Victory of the LVV at local elections would further stabilize the political situation at the local level and allow for groundbreaking changes in local communities in Kosovo. However, in this context, it is important that the LVV demonstrates political sensibility towards minorities and particularly the Serb community.
The citizens want positive changes. Every second citizen of Kosovo is under the age of 30 and their future is still uncertain and sealed.
Ljubljana/Washington/Brussels/Pristina, 8 October 2021
Behind the logo of the Vitruvian man, multiple employees ensure that the Leonardo Royal Hotel Den Haag Promenade provides excellent, customized, hospitality services to all.
Name: Sido de Brabander
Nationality: Dutch
Function: Head chef
Department: Kitchen
When did you start working at the Promenade Hotel?
First of February 2012
Have you always worked in the same department?
Yes, the kitchen is my second home
What was the most remarkable diplomatic event you experienced?
The Food festival of Indonesia with chef Agus
Why was this so remarkable?
Because I love Indonesia, I love the kitchen and that festival I had the opportunity to cook with a very good Indonesian chef. This gave me the opportunity for another look and feel about the authentic Indonesian kitchen.
What international habit, tradition or event that you have observed, appeals to you?
Because of all the traveiling I did around the world plus my interest in the different kitchens all around the world, I learned a lot about having respect for food, and the way you treat it. I believe that we have a lot to learn in the Netherlands about respect for (good) food. For example, in Italy they say: “You live to eat, you don’t eat to live.”
What do you consider interesting about the international guests and events organized at the hotel?
Every event, I get new energy from the guests and, I hope to pick up something new. There is so much more to explore in the world!
What is an international habit that you find interesting?
Like I explained, the respect for food and the importance of it.
Often in our diplomatic life we find ourselves in places and situations that we have never experienced nor expected before. We try to find ways to express our own personality and nurture further on our passions.
Sandra van Vaerenbergh, a Belgian with a master in Political Sciences, worked as a civil servant for the Belgian Ministry of Internal Affairs for years. She acted for three years as deputy manager of a closed center for illegal immigrants, offering her immense satisfaction and professional recognition. She married a diplomat and then started her nomadic life abroad, in exotic countries like Syria or Thailand and also closer to home, in the Netherlands.
Continuity in our diplomatic life is something that, I guess, we all wish for and it is something not always easy to achieve. She tells me: ’home is more of a feeling rather than a place, more specifically, feeling comfortable in a house as a family, surrounded by our own things that move with us from one country to another. Creating a feeling of home is of course also important for the children during the process of settling down in a new country. During our latest relocation to Bangkok, the girls (8 and 9 year old back then) were so excited to have their own stuff back after 8 weeks apart.’
Children need stability, so do we. If it’s about the home we live in or the job we do, the everyday life is something we design ourselves after our own habits, opportunities and desires. ‘There are ones who need a job to feel satisfied, for others it is already satisfying to be home and take care of the children, which is also not something to neglect. During our postings I stayed home, raised my girls and also learned new skills. We did not have the morning rush, like many of my friends in Belgium had, and it was a good balance. I realized the importance of the life-work balance when I returned back to work during our stay in Belgium after two postings. I worked full time for one year but I have to admit that I did not want that rush and decided to work on a 4/5 days schedule. It was the best decision for me at that moment, no matter what others would think.’
Taking time for herself and having the luxury to explore the new countries of residence is also important to her. She says: ‘take your time to settle in and make your home a place where you feel good and comfortable.’ She also confesses that, from all the postings, Syria is still closest to her heart. Why? ‘It was our first posting as a young couple and both our girls were born in Damascus. Furthermore, I will never forget the warm people, the delicious food and the beautiful cities in Syria. I still have a lucky charm, received from a Syrian when we had to leave Damascus, due to the circumstances, and I always carry it with me wherever we go. Syria will have this special place in my heart forever.’
Regarding the advices she would give to other spouses, she says:’ try not to compare yourself to others; each one has her/his own vision on being a partner of a diplomat. Try to reinvent yourself, learn new skills and dare to jump into something new. It was not easy for me, as I like my ‘safe place’, but after all, these years while the kids are growing up, are the perfect time for me to start something else.’
And she did!
Sandra van Vaerenbergh
‘During our first posting in Syria, with a newborn and a one year old at home, I started to read Belgian sewing blogs (yes, in between taking care of the little ones, I found the time!). As a mum of two girls, I always dreamed of making swirling skirts and dresses with beautiful fabrics for them. So, upon our arrival in The Hague, I bought a sewing machine and some other tools, as I wanted to finish up ‘perfectly’ the garments I made. I am an autodidact, bought some sewing books and monthly sewing magazines, followed online tutorials and became part of the Belgian sewing community online. I also took some sewing lessons for two years. That was really ‘me-time’ and I loved it. Over the years I became a real fabric addict. I love fabric shopping, touching, feeling the fabrics and looking for the right ones for each specific garment. I must admit that I often buy fabric without a purpose, which leaves me now with a huge fabric stash. But I must also say that I feel very happy to live in Bangkok. I love wandering around Chinatown, looking for fabric shops. It is a true Walhalla for me. I often feel like a child in a candy store. The choices are amazing here and that in combination with good prices… I think you know what that means!
Following her passion, she started a professional course now. ‘As my motto is ‘live now and do what you like to do’, I recently started studying ‘pattern design’. With my sewing experience and the new skills I will learn now, I plan to start working on a concept of workshops, to offer in the near future. Turning my hobby into my work, that’s a dream come true! And not to forget, there’s a job that I would carry on, no matter where we are on this globe. Let’s say it’s a ‘win-win’. Furthermore, I also followed a photography training here in Bangkok, which I can perfectly combine with my sewing passion: now I know how to make the good looking photos of the clothes I make.’
She tells things with passion, she follows her dreams, carefully sewing her diplomatic life with sharp needles and colored threads, proudly presenting her work to the world.
By H.E. Mr. Dauren Karipov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Germany
Located in the heart of Eurasia on the border between the Asian and European continents, Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth-largest country.
On 16 December, Kazakhstan will celebrate its 30th anniversary of Independence. Today Kazakhstan is a member of the world’s largest political, financial and economic institutions, and is a recognized driving force behind regional integration.
The country is now Central Asia’s largest and strongest market with one of the fastest-growing economies. Economic growth is expected to reach 4% in 2021 (GDP per capita will be valued at about $9828).
The positive economic development is also based on the country’s resource potential. Kazakhstan occupies the premier global position in terms of proven reserves of zinc, tungsten and barite, second place for silver, lead and chromites, third place for copper, manganese and fluorites, and fourth place for molybdenum. The gold deposits are among the tenth largest in the world.
Kazakhstan
The country has eight percent of all iron ore, and it stores up to a quarter of the world’s uranium deposits. The raw materials for all high technologies of the future can be found in this country. It has more than 5,000 natural resources, valued at $ 10 trillion. Kazakhstan ranks 6th in the world in terms of natural resources and 10th in terms of total mineral production (excluding oil and gas). This year a digital information platform for investors with all geological information will be created.
Kazakhstan’s favorable geographical location and sensible foreign trade policy offer easy access to markets in neighboring countries, representing 500 million people, including in western China, Russia and Central Asia. This makes Kazakhstan an important transportation hub between the East and West. More than 70% of all transcontinental routes run through Kazakhstan. Over the past 10 years, Kazakhstan has invested $30 billion in transportation infrastructure, and an additional $40 billion is planned to be invested over the next 6 years. To this end, an important role is played by the “Nurly Zhol” Kazakh state program.
Despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy, Kazakhstan had the largest increase in foreign net direct investment (FDI) among 17 countries with transition economies and 34 landlocked countries, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s latest World Investment Report. Kazakhstan received 34.9% more net FDI than a year earlier, against the backdrop of a global decline.
Grain fields, Kazakhstan
The country’s consistently high positions in international rankings as well as statistics on the attraction of FDI confirm the high investment attractiveness of Kazakhstan even in times of crisis.
There are opportunities for joint investment through the Kazakhstan Direct Investment Fund (with a capital of 900 million euros), Samruk Kazyna Invest and Baiterek Holding, which invest in equity capital and have agreements with the German export insurance agency Euler Hermes. In his latest State of the Nation address from 1 September 2021, Kazakhstan‘s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the creation of a new instrument to attract direct investments – the Strategic Investment Agreement.
Kazakhstan has a stable financial and banking system.
Despite the global economic crisis, Kazakhstan is one of just 5 countries whose creditworthiness has been upgraded by the international agency Moody’s (from Baa3 to Baa2, forecast “stable”).
In the World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business” Ranking for 2020, Kazakhstan took 25th place, ahead of countries like Austria, Japan, Spain.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are of strategic importance for Kazakhstan’s economy. During the independence years, a legal framework was developed in Kazakhstan that encourages entrepreneurship development, including state support for SMEs.
Germany and Kazakhstan are stable, predictable partners. International legal frameworks, various mechanisms of bilateral relations that function effectively have been created.
Kazakhstan is Germany’s most important economic partner in Central Asia (53rd place among Germany’s trading partners). For several years now, Kazakhstan has consistently accounted for more than 80% of Germany’s foreign trade with the five Central Asian countries.
For its part, Kazakhstan accounts for ¾ of all German exports to the region, and is also the country’s fourth-largest oil supplier. Trade between Kazakhstan and Germany in the months of January-June 2021 amounted to 2.3 billion euros.
In the past 13 years, direct investments amounting to more than $8.6 billion have flowed from Germany to Kazakhstan. Around 90% of German investments in Kazakhstan are directed into the “non-raw materials sector”, that is, into the manufacturing industry.
There are more than 600 joint ventures with German capital in Kazakhstan. These include large companies such as SAP, Metro, Knauf, BASF, Linde, CLAAS and others.
This mutually-beneficial cooperation became possible owing to the 2012 partnership agreement between Kazakhstan and Germany that provides for an exchange of raw materials for technology, as well as exclusive preferences for German investors in Kazakhstan, including exemptions from corporate and property taxes, as well as 25-year tax exemptions in special economic zones.
Today Kazakhstan is particularly interested in attracting investors who want to make their investments as efficiently as possible and who are ready to view our country as a platform for the production of goods and services with high added value for further exports.
Under the leadership of the Vice Prime Minister there is a special government group for working with German investors. This mechanism provides quick and definitive solutions to all problematic issues that arise when carrying out investment projects.
Je devais quitter Libreville en été 1979, mais le département du personnel ne me trouvait pas de remplaçant. Cela a trainé jusqu’au mois de décembre. Finalement la date du départ est fixée. On devait passer quelques jours à Brazzaville en attendant le vol sur Moscou. On y arriverait le 30 décembre, à la veille de la St. Sylvestre. […]
Nous ne sommes pas trois, mais quatre. En dehors de notre propre enfant nous devons ramener à Moscou la fille du cuisinier. Elle va rester avec sa famille, le temps est venu pour elle d’aller à l’école. Elle a huit ans, son caractère est plutôt flegmatique, mais elle est assez grande pour son âge. Un peu enveloppée, comme son papa. Quand on voyage avec un enfant qui n’est pas le vôtre, on se fait toujours des soucis, même quand ce voyage est parfaitement légitime.
Nous avons demandé à l’ambassade à Brazzaville de venir nous chercher en microbus, en expliquant très clairement que nous avons beaucoup de bagages. Ayant atterri à Brazzaville, on se retrouve à l’aéroport où règne la plus grande effervescence. On s’attend de nouveau à une attaque des mercenaires de l’autre côté de la rivière, l’aéroport est encore plein de gens, armés ou sans armes, qui se déplacent dans le chaos. Toutefois, grâce à notre sang-froid, on arrive assez vite à la sortie.
Sur le parking de l’aéroport au lieu de microbus nous trouvons un Moskvitch-412, une voiture assez petite et étroite. À son volant dort paisiblement le nouveau secrétaire de la section consulaire, Dimitri, ou Dima tout court qui remplace Alexey le Rouquin. Si ce dernier buvait, Dima dort.
Quand Alexey était sobre, il était très diligent. L’état d’agrégation de Dima est toujours le même – à moitié endormi, vaseux. Je le réveille et on fait entrer de force ce qui ne se prête pas à entrer – on met les bagages dans la voiture. Les valises et les boîtes sont dans le coffre qui ne ferme pas, encore des boîtes sur le siège arrière, les enfants sont coincés entre elles. Ma femme s’assoit sur mes genoux sur le siège avant. Si un policier routier ou un gendarme voyait ces jardins de Sémiramis, il aurait une crise cardiaque et nous une solide amende. Heureusement pour nous, la police routière n’existe pas à Brazzaville. Nous partons à destination de l’hôtel.
L’hystérie à cause d’une attaque éventuelle était cette fois plus sérieuse que jamais. À chaque kilomètre il y avait une patrouille armée qui exigeait que l’on s’arrête et montre nos papiers. En voyant les plaques diplomatiques et la carte de Dima, les patrouilles se calmaient et nous souhaitaient même bon voyage. Les contrôles deviennent une routine, rien ne promet de surprises. À ce moment-là Dima se relaxe et reprend son état habituel. Arrivé à la hauteur de la patrouille suivante, il décide, Dieu sait pourquoi, qu’on lui fait signe par gestes de passer sans s’arrêter. Il passe, on entend immédiatement derrière des cris à tue-tête ; je crois même entendre des claquements de culasses. Les patrouilleurs, ou plutôt des patrouilleuses, car ce sont des femmes de la milice populaire, accourent vers la voiture et nous visent avec leurs kalashnikovs. L’une d’elles tient sa mitraillette à un demi-mètre de mon ventre, le doigt sur la gâchette. Elles crient toutes en même temps, mais de ces cris on peut comprendre qu’elles exigent les papiers. Au lieu d’obéir, Dima, complètement ahuri, se met à balbutier :
« Madame! Je n’ai rien fait!
Monsieur! Vos papiers! Pourquoi vous ne vous arrêtez pas?
Mais madame, je croyais que vous m’aviez fait signe de passer…
Vos papiers!
Montre ta carte, espèce d’abruti! » – dois-je gueuler à mon tour.
Enfin Dima montre sa carte et on nous laisse continuer notre chemin, mais d’abord elles nous disent ce qu’elles pensent à notre sujet, avec des expressions bien senties; elles nous conseillent instamment de ne plus faire d’erreurs pareilles, car cela peut se terminer mal. Le reste du voyage se passe sans entraves, nous arrivons à l’hôtel et allons immédiatement au lit. Il est presque trois heures du matin.
By Ambassador Nicolas Bideau, Head of Presence Switzerland
Postponed by a year to allow all participants to navigate the impact of Covid-19, the next world expo will be the first international major event happening with an audience. Around 25 million visits are expected at the Expo 2020 Expo from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.
The Swiss pavilion will take centre stage at Expo 2020, promoting Switzerland’s traditional image as well as its innovative strengths. In these difficult times, our pavilion is a symbol and a driving force for the recovery we all need.
World Expos provide a unique platform through which participating countries can provide an emotional experience for the visitors and present themselves in surprising ways. Again, World expos enjoy a high profile in the media and among the public, both internationally and locally. In terms of nation branding, they are effective in reaching a wide audience, both directly and indirectly, via new and traditional media channels.
Swiss Pavilion, Theater – Picture by Presence Switzerland.
The national pavilion will provide the Swiss government with an attractive platform to showcase its priority themes in international communication: business, science, education, the environment and culture. It is a long-term investment by different actors in different fields, such as exports, tourism, education and politics. It will cast the country as innovative, competitive and responsible, while at the same time highlighting its deep-rooted traditions.
In order to maximise a country’s pull factor, nation branding experts capitalise on the perceptions of their country and its symbols to promote the brand image. Switzerland’s most important brand identity drivers are the products it exports. The ‘Swiss made’ label is viewed by many consumers to be a guarantee of quality, whether in the machine industry, the agri-food sector or the luxury goods sector.
The challenge for communicators is how best to use this perception to get the message across. Chocolate, for example, is one thing people spontaneously associate with Switzerland and can be used as a communication lever to explain how without Swiss innovation chocolate would not even exist.
Switzerland enjoys a positive and stable image abroad and is regarded as an important player in the global economy. However, this positive image cannot last forever without constant attention: we have to maintain the high quality of the offer and invest in presenting it in a positive light. Using communication to best leverage your assets is a challenge for all countries. That is the secret of nation branding – capitalising on your country’s known strengths to generate positivity towards it.
These communication dynamics are at the forefront of world expos. Each country presents itself through a national pavilion, and while general perceptions of a country play a crucial role in drawing the crowds, once inside the pavilion, visitors expect a memorable experience. Providing that experience is the only way to ensure a long-term impact on the perception of visitors.
Swiss Pavilion, Innovation exhibition – Picture by Presence Switzerland.
As a founding member of the Bureau International des Expositions, Switzerland has taken part in most world expos. Over the years, the Swiss pavilion has gradually established itself as an attractive brand, often drawing some of the biggest crowds and gaining much media coverage. Regular surveys among visitors confirm that the pavilions leave a positive impression of Switzerland.
At Expo 2020 in Dubai, Switzerland aims to present itself as a country of innovation which remains true to its traditions. The pavilion has therefore been modelled on a journey, travelling through Switzerland the hub of innovation and Switzerland the land of bucolic splendour.
Along the way, visitors will discover Switzerland’s values, its strengths in terms of education, research, innovation and business, but also the qualities and savoir-faire specific to Switzerland that give it the ability to provide answers to the challenges of the future. Expo 2020 is an important communication opportunity in the region.
By Ambassador Ramin Hasanov, Head of Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Federal Republic of Germany
Azerbaijan is a country which sits in the Caucasus as the gateway linking West and East. Over centuries the country was in the middle of the crossroad of different civilizations which formed its unique multiethnic and multi-faith cultural diversity. Azerbaijan is a place where representatives of different religions, ethnic groups have lived, created, communicated for many centuries. Today, there are 37 non-Islamic religious communities registered in Azerbaijan, 26 of which are Christian and 8 are Jewish. The World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue regularly held in Azerbaijan since 2011, has transformed into a global platform to address one of the most important issues of today’s agenda, issues of cultural dialogue.
Emerged as an independent republic in 1918, Azerbaijan was the first democratic republic in the Muslim East, 23 months between May 1918 and April 1920, but within a short period of time became one of the world’s most progressive countries by providing universal suffrage to all of its citizens. The National Council (Parliament) of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, composed of the representatives of all the layers of population and minorities, operated for just 17 months, but was able to adopt around 230 legislative acts, including the law granting women the right to vote and to participate in the political life of the country. Azerbaijan regained its independence on October 18, 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and declared itself the political and legal successor of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan.
The challenges which emerged across the space of the former Soviet Union in the early 90’s did not pass by Azerbaijan at the early period of its independence. As a result of territorial claims and the following military aggression by Armenia, 20 % of the territories of Azerbaijan were occupied, about one million Azerbaijanis became IDPs and refugees.
However, it was the properly shaped and balanced policy under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, which helped the country become the region’s most successful country. Azerbaijan, in order to fund the development and promote the regional stability and growth, has opened its oil and gas industry to foreign participation which brought international investors and guaranteed the development of the county’s economy.
Just like its culture, Azerbaijan’s foreign policy is very diverse. Azerbaijan maintains close ties both with Muslim countries, Christian West as well as with Israel at the same time. Azerbaijan has proved itself as a reliable partner of the West while maintaining good, friendly relations with Russia and Iran, keeping the flow of energy and trade between Asia and Europe.
Today, Azerbaijan plays a crucial role in providing Europe’s energy security by helping to diversify its oil and gas supply resources. Azerbaijan, which accounts for more than 70 percent of the economy of the South Caucasus, is the main initiator of important political and economic cooperation platforms in the region. Energy, infrastructure and other projects implemented with the active participation of my country play an important role in the development of the region as a whole.
Thus, through its State Oil Fund founded in 1999 with a purpose to maintain macroeconomic stability and to direct oil revenues to the development of other priority areas, the Republic of Azerbaijan has managed to implement local and major regional projects. The country made major investments on its energy infrastructure and as a result, electricity importing country became electricity exporter.
Besides energy sector, Azerbaijan heavily invested in its transport infrastructure and as a result became a major regional transport hub: the country links the East to the West with highways, as well as Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which was constructed in 2017 and considered an important part of the Silk Road. The country also hosts the North–South corridor which links the Northern Europe, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran and India.
Despite Azerbaijan had tremendous success in every aspect of statehood, the conflict with neighboring Armenia remained unsolved until the fall of 2020. The Minsk Group of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe co-chaired by the USA, Russia and France, was tasked to deal with the conflict. However, over the years Minsk group’s work didn’t produce any positive result. Instead, impunity only increased the Armenia’s aggression and militaristic polices under the slogan of “new war for new territories” which led to the full-scale war on September 27, 2020.
Within 44 days, Azerbaijan liberated its territories from Armenian occupation, thus ensuring the restoration of its territorial integrity in conformity with the four UN Security Council resolutions adopted in 1993, which demanded immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from all the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Now the conflict is buried in the archives of the history, which established a good opportunity to work on a peace agreement with Armenia and to think of the future, as repeatedly stated by President Ilham Aliyev. Now, there are new opportunities for regional development, regional cooperation, connectivity in the environment of good faith among all the neighboring nations in that region, and Azerbaijan is ready for that.
The end of the summer and the return of the diplomats to town was celebrated in style by Diplomat Magazine in collaboration with Leonardo Royal Hotel and the participation of the embassies of Argentina and Uzbekistan.
The Diplomats Welcome After Summer reception has once again proven to be a successful occasion to assemble international dignitaries of stature: ambassadors, diplomats, Dutch politicians, business executives, judges from international tribunals, and heads of international NGO’s.
Lexus latest models
Dr. Mayelinne De Lara, Diplomat Magazine’s Publisher, flanked by Mr Patrick Aarsman, General Manager of Leonardo Royal Hotel, cordially welcomed the guests. She stated, We like to continue celebrating the return of the diplomatic corps to The Hague, even if many have not been able to return home for over a year.Diplomat Magazine, the first diplomatic magazine in the Netherlands’ history, proudly facilitates countries, without distinction, to promote their political, cultural, and economic visions. Diplomat magazine pridefully contributes to the international dialogue among nations.
H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, OPCW Director General and Patricia van Oordt.
Dr De Lara was followed by H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan and H.E. Mr. Mario Oyarzábal, Ambassador of Argentina.
The program featured a plentitude of items, music, dance, exotic food & beverages as well as a fashion show. Argentina showcased her world-famous wines and a sensational Tango dance performance by the professionals Ezequiel Paludi & Geraldine Rojas. The group Antimufa delighted the guests playing Tango and Argentinian folk music with a refreshing moderm twist.
Ezequiel Paludi & Geraldine Rojas.
The Brussels-based Uzbek designer Dila Izamova presented her label Merossi, a fusion of millennial Uzbek silk and 21st century modernity, producing unique creations in limited editions.
Other Uzbek designers present at the event included: Umida Muminova, Fashion Home Muresak and Dilnoza Erkinova. The entire fashion show was under the oversight of the nestor of Uzbek fashion, Madam Xalida Kamilova, president of the Association of Uzbek Fashion Designers: “Osiyo Ramzi”.
NATO, Brigadier General Margarit Mihaylov presented a recognition plate to H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov. Also in the picture Dr De Lara and colonel Anvarjon Akbarov, Liasion offier of the Mission of Uzbekistan to NATO.
In his address H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov Ambassador of Uzbekistan welcomed the many guests. The Ambassador went on to mention: “This year Uzbekistan is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of its Independence. The years of independence saw an extensive work aimed at building a new state and society. Our ancient history, national identity, rich cultural heritage and spiritual values have been revived.
Today, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev we are building on those accomplishments and continuing large-scale democratic reforms at a dynamic pace, which are aimed at strengthening the political and legal foundations of our state and society, modernizing the country, strengthening the role of parliament and political parties, and public control.
Uzbek fashion show, Designers’ Association of Uzbekistan.
The large-scale reforms which are underway in the country today mark the beginning of a new stage in our development – the era of New Uzbekistan, the New Renaissance. And today we have every reason to say that over a historically short period, a completely new atmosphere has been created in the country in the political, legal, socio-economic, scientific, spiritual and cultural terms.
In this regard, I am also pleased to say that our ties with the Netherlands are developing at a rapid pace. Netherlands for Uzbekistan has traditionally been a source of advanced technologies, knowledge, investment, and innovation in the economy, as well as an important partner in the formation and strengthening of democratic institutions, development of parliamentarism and civil society, the principles of a market economy, key sectors of public life, health, education, and many other areas.
H.E. Mr. Riaz Hamidullah, Ambassador of Bangladesh and H.E. Mr Pradeep Kumar Rawat, Ambassador of India.
We do appreciate the fact that European partners look at the new, changing Uzbekistan, perceive the country with a completely different view, and we can say that they are rediscovering it for themselves.
In this regard, I am pleased to inform you that a number of large investment projects are currently being implemented in Uzbekistan with European partners, of which the largest ever investments came to Uzbekistan from the Netherlands, namely the Dutch company Stone City Energy which is implementing a 1 billion euro project to build a thermal power plant in Surkhandarya regionof Uzbekistan.
H.E. Mr. Jorge Skinner-Klée Arenales, the Ambassador of Guatemala with Jan Dop, Director of Diplomatic Desk at from Russell Avocaten.
This and a number of other large projects give us the confidence that that Uzbekistan is emerging from the most difficult period of the global crisis.
The upcoming presidential elections on October 24th 2021.
Over the past five years, major changes have taken place in the electoral legislation of our country which raised our electoral system to a new level of quality. For the first time in the history of Uzbekistan, the next presidential elections will be held on the basis of the Electoral Code, adopted in June, 2019.
These elections are an extremely important political event that will be monitored by observers from nearly 50 countries of the world, as well as dozens of international organizations, including the full mission of OSCE ODIHR.
H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan will do its best to ensure that upcoming elections are held on the basis of high democratic standards, growing political consciousness, and awareness of the citizens of the new Uzbekistan.
Before proceeding to the next stage of the evening, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to my dear friend Mayelinne De Lara for initiating this event and being so enthusiastic and supportive.
In conclusion, with great pride and honour I present to you this evening the best works of famous Uzbek fashion designers of national and modern dresses. With the great assistance of the “Symbol of Asia” Designers’ Association of Uzbekistan and personally its chairwoman Xalida Kamilova, we have received the works of best Uzbek couture that we happily showcase this evening” End quote.
The Diplomats’ Welcome After Summer Event certainly is a great occasion for networking and promotion.
Clingendael Director, Drs.Ron S. Ton, Netherlands Institue of International Relations and H.E. Mr. Jose Eduardo Malaya, Ambassador of the Philippines.
Attendees availed themselves of the opportunity to explore authentic Uzbek cuisine. Chef Mr. Sayfidi Mirzaev prepared a variety of dishes, including the world-famous and exquisite Uzbek Plov, Pilav or Osh. This classical dish proved to be a delight among our international friends.
Further on the program was a special motorcar show; Lexus presented their latest development to the Diplomatic Corps, the upcoming 2022 luxury collection.
H.E. Mr. Mario Oyarzábal, Ambassador of Argentina.
The second part of the program was dedicated to the co-founder of the Welcome After Summer Event in 2013; the Embassy of
Argentina, who is back at the event showcasing their Malbec and Torrontes wine, tango dancers, Argentinian musicians, a video featuring a diversity of attractions in every province including the great Buenos Aires along with an exhibition of pictures, brochures, crafts and wines.
H.E. Mr. Mario Oyarzábal, Ambassador of Argentina delivered his welcome remarks. In part, this is what he said “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, dear Ambassador of Uzbekistan, with whom we are sharing this event today, together with Diplomat Magazine. It is a great pleasure to be here this evening.
I´d like to start by thanking Mrs. De Lara and her team for hosting once again this VIII edition of Diplomats Welcome After Summer.
As many of you know, the Argentine embassy has regularly participated in this annual event, since its first edition 8 years ago. For us it´s a real pleasure to be part of this activity where the diplomatic community of The Hague meets again at the end of the summer.
H.E. Mr. Marc-Anthony Pace, Ambassador of Malta, H.E. Mr Tigran Balayan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia and H.E. Mr. Philippe Couvreur, Judge ad hoc, International Court of Justice.
For tonight we have prepared a tango show that will be performed by the Argentine dancers, Ezequiel and Geraldina, and a music show by Antimufa, a group of Argentinean musicians who are building on the musical tradition of the Río de la Plata, bringing back its spirit and flavor with a distinctive instrumentation. They play tango and Argentinean folk music.
This year, we are also delighted to invite you to visit the wonderful tourist destinations in Argentina, through videos and photographs.
Argentina has many particularities that have traveled the world in the mouths of its visitors. The easy-going personality of its people, friendly, fun and effusive; the typical gastronomy that goes from asado to mate, including regional dishes and sweet milk snacks; the traditional dances such as tango or other folklore expressions, with the different choreographic forms that it adopts in each region; the passion for Football and our main clubs and players, the fans, which fill stadiums and provoke proliferating demonstrations of support on every match; the typical games such as Truco, a card game in which luck and the ability to lie or deceive the opponent prevail, or the horse games in the outskirts of the city that reveal the strong influence of Spanish culture and the persistence of popular traditions; and, of course, the personality that each particular region has been able to maintain and strengthen over the years.
Argentinian wines.
We truly hope that in the near future you will be able to visit our country and enjoy its hospitality and natural beauties, as well as its gastronomy and wines.
We are truly proud to say that Argentina is a wine country that can be discovered and enjoyed from north to south. It offers a stunning diversity of terroirs and unparalleled natural beauty which along with the warmth of its people make it ideal to enjoy a unique experience. Hopefully tonight, through music and wine, you will all have a taste of our country!” End Quote
The VIII Diplomats’ Magazine Welcome After Summer reception was a memorable and festive occasion to connect with partners and colleagues after a long time. All left the Leonardo Royal Hotel in high spirit.
