Apres Ski in Davos

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Apres Ski in Davos


By Steven van Hoogstraten

The annual gathering of business and political leaders in Davos was more than in other years a spectacle and not so easy to forget. The larger than life presence of the president of the USA explained this to a high degree. His territorial claim on the coasts and the minerals of Danish Groenland, vital for the US security infrastructure, provided a focus like never before. With that background, Davos was no longer the scene  of business leaders trying to contribute to a new and sustainable world order, but rather political leaders witnessing the world legal order – the rules-based society – on a downswing path.

From the various speeches some were more than a bit noteworthy in the context of the tense international relations in the Western Hemisphere. These government leaders depicted the situation of the moment in a colourful and urgent way. The French President Macron managed to get a lot of attention, with his stern words in defense of multilateralism and European cooperation – slow and predictable. Meanwhile, his plea for European economic sovereignty sounds familiar. He showed his deep concern for a world order based on the law of the strongest: “nous basculons vers un monde sans règles ou le droit international est piétiné et où la loi du plus fort tend a s’imposer”. Macron’s presence was underscored by his typical pilot style sunglasses, which he needed for some eye trouble and which were the talk of the town.

Most impressive was without a doubt the contribution by Canadian Prime minister Mark Carney who received a standing ovation after he finished his speech. Carney spoke about “a rupture, not a transition of the world order”, originating in the great powers that do not play to the rules based international society. That international legal order – in his view – no longer exists. “It is the end of a nice story and the beginning of a brutal reality where geopolitics among the great powers is not subject to any constraints”. We played along, Carney said, but we knew it was not true, and even partly false.  We are a middle power. The rules do no longer protect us. “The great powers do whatever they like” said the Canadian Prime Minister in a convincing matter-of-fact way.  He called for cooperation between the middle and smaller nations: ”Strategic autonomy for middle powers can be shared , starting from a value based sovereignty”. Great powers can go it alone , middle powers should reduce their vulnerability by working together. In this connection he stated that Canada is stable and reliable with a strong economy and internal governance.  “The old order is not coming back”, he emphasized, “we have to take back the sign out of the window, we simply do not believe it anymore”:  

“But I also submit to you that other countries particularly middle powers like Canada, are not powerless. They have the capacity to build a new order that embodies our values, like respect for human rights, sustainable development, solidarity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states”. It seems that every day we are reminded that we live in an era of great power rivalry. That the rules-based order is fading. Canada encourages small and middle powers to adapt as they face a rupture in global systems. Our new approach rests on what Alexander Stubb (prime minister of Finland) has termed “value-based realism”, or to put it in another way, we aim to be both principled and pragmatic. Principled is our commitment to fundamental values, the prohibition of the use of force except when consistent with the UN Charter and respect for human rights. “So stop invoking the rules based international order as though it still functions as advertised … Call it what it is: a system of intensifying great power rivalry where the most powerful pursue their interest using economic integration as a weapon of coercion”.

He continued: “We know the old order is not coming back, we should not mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy”. The powerful have their power, we have something too – the capacity to stop pretending, to name reality, to build our strength at home and to act together”.

Profiles in courage

When I made a trip in the USA during the period  I was still a civil servant for the Dutch government (mid-80’s) I came across a small booklet written by Senator John F. Kennedy, even before his presidency of the USA. This booklet is called Profiles in Courage (1956) and it is about different landmark speeches made by American leaders, speeches which somehow changed the prevailing perspective of the time. In it, for instance, the call by Senator Lucius Laman from Mississippi aimed at  the reconciliation of North and South, shortly after the end of the devastating Civil War in the US (1865). This speech of Mark Carney in Davos would have deserved a place in the book if it was written today, because it demands nothing less than personal courage and conviction to speak in this way about – inter alia –  your big and powerful neighbour to the south, without citing the name of that neighbour once.   

On the qualification of a rupture of the world order itself, I would like to remind us that the UN is depositary to some 560 international treaties, and that the UN may be going through a difficult time but it is still functioning in many respects.  So after all, “rupture” is a strong term, which maybe has more of a political than a juridical meaning. Yet it was a great and impressive speech which left more than a significant mark.

It rang a bell. 

Diplomatic Exchange: Legal Team and Rohingya Victim Delegation

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Diplomatic Exchange: Legal Team and Rohingya Victim Delegation

By Roy Lie Atjam

On January 27, 2026, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in The Hague proudly hosted an important diplomatic exchange titled “Interaction with the Legal Team of The Gambia and the Rohingya Victim Delegation.”

This event coincided with the merits hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the case of genocide (The Gambia v. Myanmar), supported by 11 intervening states. 

“Interaction with the Legal Team of The Gambia and the Rohingya Victim Delegation.”

The diplomatic exchange, conducted by Mr. Md Hasan Abdullah Towhid, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, at the Embassy of Bangladesh, provided a dignified and interactive platform for dialogue on accountability, justice, reparations, and durable solutions for the Rohingya people, against the backdrop of the ongoing ICJ proceedings. It was convened as part of Bangladesh’s continued engagement in international efforts to address the grave atrocities committed against the Rohingya population in Myanmar. The venue was filled to capacity with ambassadors, diplomats, and esteemed guests. 

The program featured screening of the short documentary “From Atrocities to Survival: Justice Journey of Rohingya Victims”, followed by interactive discussions with Rohingya representatives and legal experts. Ms. Antonia Mulvey, Founder and Executive Director of Legal Action Worldwide, highlighted victims’ expectations from the Court and the significance of international legal processes in advancing justice for survivors of mass atrocities.

Legal experts from the Legal Team of The Gambia provided insights into the merits phase of the ICJ proceedings. Mr. M. Arsalan Suleman of Foley Hoag LLP outlined the structure and progress of the case, while Mr. Paul S. Reichler of 11 King’s Bench Walk Chambers elaborated on the arguments presented and the remedies sought before the Court under the Genocide Convention.

Mr. Md. Kamruzzaman, Director General (Myanmar Wing), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.

In his remarks, Mr. Md. Kamruzzaman, Director General (Myanmar Wing), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, reaffirmed Bangladesh’s unwavering commitment to addressing the Rohingya crisis. He emphasized Bangladesh’s continued humanitarian support to over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees and reiterated the country’s call for early and safe repatriation, alongside accountability for international crimes committed against the Rohingya.

H.E. Mr. Dawda Jallow, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Republic of The Gambia.

The evening concluded with closing remarks by H.E. Mr. Dawda Jallow, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Republic of The Gambia, who reaffirmed The Gambia’s resolve to pursue justice on behalf of the Rohingya people through international legal avenues and emphasized the importance of sustained international solidarity.

The diplomatic exchange underscored the collective commitment of Bangladesh, The Gambia, and the international community to upholding international law, supporting victims of atrocity crimes, and advancing accountability for genocide and related.

The Case of Mr. Daniël Wolf

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The Case of Mr. Daniël Wolf

By John Dunkelgrün

In observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Month, the Canadian Embassy hosted an expert lecture focusing on “Looted Art and Restitution: The Case of Daniël Wolf.”

Ambassador H.E. Mr. Hugh Adsett welcomed attendees at his remarkable residence in Wassenaar, offering insight into both the house’s historical significance and the story of Mr. Wolf. Known as Groot Haesebroek, the estate was originally built for the renowned Kröller-Müller family from Rotterdam and later became the home of Mr. and Mrs. Daniël Wolf. Mr. Wolf was a successful businessman and a prominent art collector whose extensive collection of art and valuable furniture was confiscated and auctioned in Germany. During the war, the house was occupied by the Commander of the Wehrmacht, General Friedrich Christiansen, and after the conflict, it transitioned to serve as the residence of the Canadian Ambassador.

The lecture featured presentations by Ms. Eelke Muller and Mr. Daniël Hendrikse, researchers at the Expert Centre of Restitution at NIOD. They explored national and international efforts to restore looted art, emphasizing the enduring importance of these issues more than eighty years after the events in question. The relevance of this dialogue can be summarized in three key aspects: the individuals involved, the remembrance of historical atrocities, and the pursuit of justice, or People, Memory and Justice

India Celebrates 77th Republic Day in The Hague

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India Celebrates 77th Republic Day in The Hague

India–Netherlands Relations Highlighted as a Growing Strategic Partnership

On the occasion of the 77th Republic Day of India, the Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Kumar Tuhin, and his spouse Mrs. Deepa Tuhin hosted a reception at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, The Hague, welcoming a distinguished audience of diplomatic, political, and institutional leaders.

The reception was honoured by the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. David van Weel, alongside heads of international organisations, ambassadors, senior officials, and prominent representatives from the Dutch political and business communities.

The Ambassador of India, H.E. Mr. Kumar Tuhin and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. David van Weel.

Among the notable guests were H.E. Mr. Christian Rebergen, Secretary-General of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Fernando Arias, Director-General of the OPCW; Ambassador Marcin Czepelak, Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration; Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities; Mr. Philippe Gautier, Registrar of the International Court of Justice; Mr. Jean-Marc Thouvenin, Secretary-General of the Hague Academy of International Law; Ms. Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India; Ms. Dominique Küling, Director Asia & Oceania at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and many close colleagues and friends of the Ambassador.

The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Ms Sahar Ghanem, Ambassador of Yemen and the Ambassador of India, H.E. Mr. Kumar Tuhin.

India’s Journey and Transformation

In his address, Ambassador Tuhin reflected on India’s historical journey and remarkable transformation:“On 26 January, 76 years ago, the Constitution of India came into force. On 15 August, 79 years ago, India became independent. It is important to remember, however, that India’s existence as a nation stretches back several millennia. But speaking of our journey since 1947, India has indeed come a long way.”

Highlighting India’s economic and technological progress, the Ambassador noted that over the past decade India has risen from the 11th to the 4th largest economy globally in nominal terms, becoming the fastest-growing major economy in recent years, with GDP growth of 8.2% in Q2 of 2025–26.

Ambassador Fernando Arias, Director General of OPCW and the Ambassador of India, H.E. Kumar Tuhin and spouse Mrs Deepa Tuhin, followed by Mrs Patricia van Oordt, Ambassador’s Arias spouse.

He pointed to India’s position as the third-largest domestic aviation market, its leadership in digitalisation—with over 20 billion digital transactions per month, valued at approximately USD 300 billion—and the rapid expansion of connectivity, with 5G subscribers projected to reach 980 million by 2030.

Infrastructure and innovation were also highlighted, with India currently building approximately 30 kilometres of highways daily, and hosting more than 200,000 startups, including nearly 125 active unicorns.

Ambassador Tuhin underlined India’s commitment to sustainability: “All this is being achieved while fully keeping in mind our environmental obligations.” India’s solar capacity has increased thirty-two-fold over the past decade, making it the third-largest solar energy producer globally, and in 2025 more than 50% of India’s installed electricity capacity came from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of its Paris Agreement target. India remains committed to achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

“India is in a period of rapid transformation. While challenges remain, we are committed to reform, transform and perform—and to building collaborative partnerships with our international partners as a responsible global player,” the Ambassador concluded.

H.E. Mr. Shen Bo, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China and Ambassador Tuhin and spouse.

Strengthening India–Netherlands and EU Relations

Ambassador Tuhin noted the continued momentum in India–Netherlands relations, marked by high-level political engagement, including the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Dick Schoof in Johannesburg in November 2025, and Foreign Minister van Weel’s visit to India last month. Over the past year, the two countries have exchanged three foreign-minister-level visits and numerous ministerial and vice-ministerial engagements.

Expressing appreciation, he thanked the Government of the Netherlands and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their cooperation and support.

At the European level, India’s engagement with the European Union is also deepening. On the occasion of Republic Day, European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were in India as Chief Guests, alongside EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. Several agreements are expected to be concluded, including a EU–India Security and Defence Partnership.

Quoting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Ambassador recalled: “A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure.”

Dutch Foreign Minister: A Forward-Looking Partnership

In his remarks, Minister David van Weel congratulated India on its 77th Republic Day and thanked the Embassy for the invitation to participate in the celebrations.

Reflecting on the current global context, he observed: “We find ourselves in a world where long-standing certainties are being questioned and alliances are being tested. Yet history reminds us that moments of uncertainty are also moments of opportunity.”

He emphasised the growing alignment between India and the Netherlands: “I just had discussions with my counterpart, Minister Jaishankar, and we agreed that our strategic interests are more closely aligned today than ever before. As a result, our long-standing relationship is transforming into a broad and forward-looking strategic partnership, which we aim to formalise this year.”

Mrs. Matilde Simas Magalhães, H.E. Fernando Simas Magalhães, ambassador of Brazil, H.E. Mr. Kumar Tuhin, Ambassador of India to the Netherlands and Deepa Tuhin.

Minister van Weel underlined that this momentum is reinforced at the European level, including negotiations on an ambitious EU–India Free Trade Agreement, and stressed that the partnership rests on shared values: “Our countries are fundamentally united by values such as justice, liberty, equality and democracy—values powerfully captured in the Indian Constitution that we celebrate today.”

He also highlighted the significant contribution of the Indian diaspora to key sectors of the Dutch economy and to bilateral ties. “Together, we are not only responding to today’s challenges, but also shaping tomorrow’s opportunities,” he concluded.

77th Republic Day in The Hague.

The evening concluded with a colourful cultural programme, featuring Indian dance performances, and a rich selection of Indian cuisine, offering guests an immersive celebration of India’s heritage.

The reception closed with a traditional toast:

“To the health, prosperity and happiness of the people of India and the Netherlands, and to the special friendship between the Republic of India and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.”

Malta Stands with Victims of International Crimes

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Malta Stands with Victims of International Crimes

The Republic of Malta, a State Party to the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2002, has made a voluntary contribution of EUR 20,000 to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV), reaffirming its principled commitment to international justice and to the rights and dignity of victims of crimes under the Rome Statute.

Welcoming the contribution, H.E. Kevin Kelly, Member of the Board of Directors of the TFV, stated: “I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Malta for its continued generosity. Malta has provided consistent support since 2021, and this dedication strengthens our collective efforts to deliver meaningful relief and restore dignity to victims of Rome Statute crimes.”

H.E. Jeffrey Curmi, Ambassador of Malta to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, underlined Malta’s strong political commitment to victim-centred justice, stating: “I wish to reiterate Malta’s unwavering support for the International Criminal Court. As the only permanent and independent international criminal court, the ICC serves as a beacon of hope and justice for victims worldwide. Malta fully recognises the enduring importance of placing victims at the heart of international criminal justice. Our support for the Trust Fund for Victims is therefore not merely a financial contribution, but a reaffirmation of our principled commitment to stand with survivors and to support the Court’s efforts to deliver reparative justice that restores dignity and hope to those who have suffered the most serious violations of international law.”

Malta has provided voluntary contributions to the ICC Trust Fund for Victims every year since 2021, demonstrating a consistent and values-driven commitment to supporting victims and strengthening the impact of the ICC’s reparative mandate.

The army that Europe was talked out of

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The army that Europe was talked out of

By Thanos Kalamidas

The idea of a pan-European army has always hovered over the continent like a half-remembered dream, something glimpsed between wars and summits and then politely forgotten. It was there in the early blueprints of European integration when the project was still called the European Economic Community and optimism was fresh enough to be naïve. Europe, bruised by history, considered the radical thought that peace might be defended not by foreign guardians but by a shared shield of its own making. And then slowly, that thought was folded away like an embarrassing sketch from youth.

The official story is familiar, NATO worked, the Cold War demanded unity, duplication was wasteful, sovereignty was delicate. The unofficial story is blunter. Washington did not want a European army, the US weapon and airplane industry did not want a European army and Europe learned to live without wanting one either.

From Clinton’s polished reassurances to Bush’s blunt certainties to Obama’s velvet-gloved diplomacy the message barely changed, relax, America has this. Your skies are our skies. Your borders are our business. Build bridges, not battalions. Europeans were told that strategic dependence was not dependence at all but partnership, like sharing an umbrella where only one person owns the handle.

This was comforting, especially in countries where the memory of tanks in city streets still smelled of smoke. Why spend political capital arguing for a European army when the United States promised repeatedly and theatrically to be Europe’s bodyguard? Why provoke voters with talk of militarization when American aircraft carriers floated offshore like benevolent steel islands?

Yet comfort has a way of aging badly. What Europe quietly surrendered was not merely the ambition to command its own defence but the habit of thinking about it seriously. Strategy became something outsourced. Military industry became something to apologize for. The continent that once exported the very idea of modern warfare gradually trained itself to speak of weapons only in embarrassed footnotes.

Meanwhile American pressure, sometimes diplomatic, sometimes economic, sometimes merely implied, nudged European states toward American hardware, American standards, American dependency chains. Fighter jets were bought like loyalty tokens. Tanks were purchased like political insurance policies. European defence companies learned that excellence was not enough; acceptance mattered more.

And yet, excellence stubbornly persisted. The Swedish Gripen, designed to operate from short, frozen highways and be serviced by conscripts with gloves on remains a marvel of pragmatic engineering. It is cheaper, more flexible and arguably better suited to Europe’s geography than the glamorous American F-series jets that dominate airshows and defence brochures like celebrity actors playing soldiers. German armour shaped by a national obsession with mechanical precision and lessons written in steel has repeatedly outperformed expectations, including the venerable Abrams, whose reputation benefits from Hollywood as much as from metallurgy.

Europe did not lack competence. It lacked permission, psychological, political and strategic, to trust itself.

For decades European leaders learned to confuse gratitude with adulthood. They thanked America for protection and then quietly adjusted their budgets to prove they were not taking advantage quietly adjusted again to buy American equipment to prove they were loyal. It was a choreography of dependency dressed up as alliance.

The tragedy is not that Europe relied on the United States. Alliances are sensible; isolation is romantic nonsense. The tragedy is that reliance became identity. Europe stopped imagining itself as a strategic actor and settled into the role of a well-behaved neighborhood under someone else’s watchful porch light.

Now the lights flicker. Suddenly American elections feel like foreign weather systems capable of flooding European cities. A vote in Florida can rearrange defence doctrines in Warsaw. A campaign rally in Arizona can echo through ministries in Paris. Europe, wealthy, educated, technologically advanced finds itself anxiously interpreting the moods of another democracy to determine whether its own borders are still fashionable or financially worth to defend.

This is not partnership. This is adolescence with wrinkles. A true European army would not be a gesture of defiance toward the United States nor a theatrical break-up letter to NATO. It would be something far less dramatic and far more threatening to the status quo, a declaration of adulthood. It would say that Europe intends to remain allied but not infantilized; cooperative but not structurally helpless.

Critics will insist it is impossible, too many languages, too many flags, too many historical grudges. But Europe already coordinates currencies, laws, borders and air traffic across dozens of cultures. Apparently complexity is manageable when the subject is money or cheese standards. It becomes “impossible” only when the topic is power.

Perhaps the real fear is not inefficiency but responsibility. An independent European defence would force Europe to confront decisions that cannot be outsourced like, when to intervene, when to hesitate, when to fight, when to refuse. It would end the comfortable habit of moral commentary delivered from behind American armour.

And perhaps that is why the idea was discouraged so vigorously, so consistently, and for so long. Empires prefer allies who are grateful, not equal. Markets prefer customers to competitors. And superpowers, like gods, enjoy being indispensable. But indispensability is a fragile foundation for safety.

It is time for Europe to stop relying on the USA and remember how to stand on its own two feet. After all, Donald Trump has repeatedly shown Europe that America wants our money, our resources and compliance, not our partnership.

About the author:

Thanos Kalamidas, is a retired journalist and columnist for various print and digital news-agencies and magazines.

Terrorist Arson Network Operating in Europe Brought to Justice

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Terrorist Arson Network Operating in Europe Brought to Justice


Terrorist Arson Network Operating in Europe Brought to Justice

A terrorist group suspected of carrying out coordinated arson attacks across the European Union on behalf of a foreign intelligence service has been brought before national courts following a joint investigation coordinated by Eurojust. The group targeted commercial, transport and industrial facilities in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland and Romania.

The joint investigation team, initiated by Romania and supported by Eurojust, established links between attempted and completed attacks in the four countries. Two suspects have already been convicted following trials in Romania and the Czech Republic, while proceedings against six suspects in Lithuania are expected to begin later this year.

Investigations revealed a common modus operandi and shared organisers. In Romania, a suspect was arrested in July 2024 while conducting reconnaissance of potential arson targets. In the Czech Republic, a suspect set fire to buses in Prague and scouted additional locations for further attacks. In Lithuania, suspects targeted a factory supplying materials to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with one attempted attack aborted and a second causing no damage due to insufficient flammable materials.

Polish investigations uncovered related subversive activities by a Colombian national who carried out arson attacks on construction depots in Warsaw and Radom before committing similar acts in the Czech Republic. Footage of these incidents was later disseminated by Russian-language online media as disinformation, falsely portraying the attacks as sabotage against NATO infrastructure. Proceedings in Poland remain ongoing.

Coordination meetings at Eurojust enabled the exchange of evidence, aligned prosecutions and prevented breaches of the ne bis in idem principle, while Europol provided operational support.

Sentences already imposed include six years’ imprisonment in Romania for sabotage and eight years’ imprisonment in the Czech Republic, along with expulsion and compensation orders. In Lithuania, a criminal case against six suspects for participation in a terrorist organisation has been referred to the Šiauliai Regional Court.

Andorra Reaffirms Its Commitment to Victims of International Crimes

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Andorra Reaffirms Its Commitment to Victims of International Crimes

Andorra Supports Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes in the Central African Republic with a New Contribution to the Trust Fund for Victims

The Principality of Andorra, a State Party to the International Criminal Court (ICC), has made a voluntary contribution of EUR 10,000 to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) in 2025, reaffirming its commitment to international justice and the rights of victims of crimes under the Rome Statute. Andorra’s contribution is earmarked for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the Central African Republic, strengthening the TFV programme that provides integrated services, including medical care, trauma counselling, education, and socio-economic support.

Welcoming the contribution, Mr Andres Parmas, Chair of the Board of Directors of the TFV, stated: “I wish to express my appreciation to Andorra for its remarkably consistent support and voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund for Victims at the ICC. This support strengthens our ability to respond to the harms suffered by survivors of sexual and gender-based violence under the Rome Statute. It is a clear reflection of Andorra’s sustained commitment to international justice, and we encourage other States to follow Andorra’s lead in bringing hope to affected communities.”

H.E. Mr Vicenç Mateu Zamora, Ambassador of the Principality of Andorra to the European Union, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, added: “For more than a decade, Andorra has demonstrated its firm commitment to the International Criminal Court through sustained voluntary contributions, including in support of the Trust Fund for Victims. We highly value the TFV’s work in addressing the consequences of crimes under the Rome Statute and in providing meaningful support to survivors, particularly those affected by sexual and gender-based violence. Through this continued engagement, Andorra reaffirms its solidarity with victims and its support for the Trust Fund for Victims’ programmes, including in priority contexts for Andorra’s development cooperation.”

The Principality of Andorra has consistently supported programmes implemented by the Trust Fund for Victims for the benefit of victims through sustained voluntary contributions since 2008, underscoring its long-standing commitment to victim-centred justice.

Switzerland Reaffirms Its Support for Victims of International Crimes

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Switzerland Reaffirms Its Support for Victims of International Crimes

The Swiss Confederation, a State Party to the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2001, has made a voluntary contribution of EUR 106,000 to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV), reaffirming its strong commitment to international justice and the rights of victims of crimes under the Rome Statute. Switzerland’s contribution is unrestricted and will be used to help redress the harm suffered by victims through reparation awards ordered by the ICC, as well as other programmes implemented for their benefit.

Welcoming the contribution, H.E. Kevin Kelly, Member of the Board of Directors of the TFV, stated: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Switzerland for its voluntary contribution. Switzerland made its first donation 20 years ago, and its steadfast support for the Trust Fund for Victims ever since has had a considerable impact on our work in providing reparative justice to victims of crimes under the Rome Statute.”

H.E. Corinne Cicéron Bühler, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, added: “Justice is only fully realized once it reaches those who have suffered the most. Switzerland’s voluntary contribution to the Trust Fund for Victims reflects our longstanding commitment to a victim-centred approach to justice and to the values enshrined in the Rome Statute. The Trust Fund plays a vital role in restoring dignity to victims of mass atrocities by enabling reparations, rehabilitation and assistance. Switzerland is proud to support this essential pillar of the ICC.”

Switzerland has been providing regular voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund for Victims since 2005 and has contributed more than EUR 800,000 to date, underscoring its long-standing and consistent support for victims of international crimes.

Abazović and Norov Appointed Vice-Chairmen of the IFIMES Advisory Board

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Abazović and Norov Appointed Vice-Chairmen of the IFIMES Advisory Board

LJUBLJANA, 28 January 2026 – The International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES)[1] today appointed Dr. Dritan Abazović, former Prime Minister of Montenegro and President of the URA Civic Movement, and H.E. Vladimir Norov, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and former Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), as Vice-Chairmen of its Advisory Board.

IFIMES Director Dr. Zijad Bećirović highlighted that the Institute’s credibility has been built through the long-standing engagement of distinguished scholars, diplomats, and former senior officials. “At a time of profound geopolitical change, IFIMES has a special responsibility to provide serious analysis and foster dialogue. The appointment of Dr. Abazović and Vladimir Norov significantly strengthens our Advisory Board and its global mission,” he said.

Dr. Abazović expressed his appreciation for the appointment, stressing the growing importance of independent think tanks in promoting dialogue, stability, and cooperation, particularly in regions facing complex political and social transitions.

Mr. Norov, addressing the ceremony via video message, emphasised IFIMES’ role as a bridge between Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Central Asia, and affirmed his commitment to advancing dialogue, security, and sustainable development across the wider Eurasian region.

Concluding the event, Bakhatyar Aljaf, Director of IFIMES, thanked partners and guests, noting that the Institute’s strength lies in its international network and expertise, and expressing confidence that both appointees will make a valuable contribution to IFIMES’ future work.

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