The 18th of November marks the National Day Anniversary in Oman. The event comes around at a time when Omanis ponder about the achievements made so far and brace for further accomplishments, with firm resolve, under the astute leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik who pledged to hold high the banner of Renewed Renaissance, since he assumed power in the country on 11 January 2020.
The Basic Law: Oman Democracy
The Sultanate of Oman stands out for its exclusive practice of Shura-based democracy with its bicameral chambers: State Council and Shura Council. The Basic Law safeguards the country’s territorial unity and social texture. Protects its cultural foundations and consolidates public rights, liberties and duties. It lays down a stable mechanism of transfer of rule, and affirms independence of the judiciary.
Women empowerment and Education
Omani women’s affairs take centre stage in the Renewed Renaissance. On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, last March, Her Highness The Honourable Lady Assayida Ahd Abdullah Hamed Al Busaidi, Spouse of the Sultan of Oman, commended the great efforts exerted by women in Oman and the rest of the world.
Nations attain their prime only through education, and this has been a principle espoused by Omanis since the outset of their blessed renaissance 50 years ago. A motivating environment has been furnished for supporting the march of research and innovation.
Environment and Economy
Under its Renewed Renaissance, Oman continued to accord attention to environment protection, both at the local and global levels. The decline and fluctuation in oil prices and precautionary measures to address the impacts of Covid-19 affected the economies of many countries of the world. Oman took measures to address the situation, including the initiation of a medium-term Fiscal Balance Plan (2020-2023).
The 10th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), the first leg in the executive plan of Oman Vision 2040 seeks to achieve a number of goals, among them “activating the economy, upgrading the efficiency of management of public finance, realizing balance among measures for rationalization of public spending, disciplined financial expansion policies. The plan targets average annual growth of 3.2% in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through emphasis on promising economic sectors like converting industries of high technological content, agriculture, fisheries, fish farming, food and agriculture industrialization, transport, warehousing and logistics.
Investment
The government created an investment-encouraging environment through legislations, ports, free zones and logistics, coupled with a unique strategic location in the meeting point of global commercial markets, political stability and security. Investment incentives like tax exemptions extending to more than 30 years and foreigners’ 100% ownership of properties, among other incentives, add another fillip to the Oman’s position.
Foreign Policy
The Sultanate’s foreign policy stands on firm grounds. Oman advocates principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, positive contribution to safeguarding international security, promoting common public interest through dialogue and understanding among countries and nations. Oman’s persistent strive to serve global peace stem from its support for many initiatives and issues, like its supported the settlement of the Yemeni issue through comprehensive political settlement and peaceful handling of the Iranian nuclear file.
Corona Pandemic
To fight the coronavirus (Covid-19), the Sultanate formed a Supreme Committee which has been taking precautionary measures that ensure the safety of citizens and residents. Indicators registered great decline in mortality, infection and hospitalization rates, while recovery from the disease reached 98.5%.
The council will also be tasked to provide an incubating environment for artists by creating platforms, opportunities and facilitating access to technical tools and information, encouraging investment in the art sector, supporting the professionalisation of talents, supporting participation in local and international art fairs, as well as hosting international art events and exhibitions.
It will further cooperate with international bodies and institutions specialised in arts or art research to ensure the development of local arts.
His Excellency Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (b. 1952) is currently Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs at the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He is married to Her Highness Sheikha Lulwa bint Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, only daughter of the late Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, first prime minister of Bahrain. Together they are parents to six children, Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikha Noor (a fashion designer), Sheikha Hessa and Sheikha Aisha. As a government official he served likewise at the former Ministry of Culture in the capacity as Undersecretary for Tourism and Antiquities.
He is a grandson of Bahrain’s Hakim (Ruler), Sheikh Sir Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (reigned 1932-1942).
Rashid Al Khalifa and Austro-German artist Bertram Castell-Rüdenhausen in front of a ‘Spherical Compression in Grey’.
Sheikh Rashid serves as Honorary President for Bahrain Arts Society. He lives in Rifa’a just outside of Manama, Bahrain’s capital city. He began experimenting with art at an early age in Bahrain, and moved to professional instruction in the south of England (University of Hastings).
Friday, 12 November 2021, Munich, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: In the framework of the Danish State Visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II travelled from Berlin to Bavaria, wherein she was received upon her aerial arrival to ‘Franz Josef Strauß Munich International Airport’ by Bavaria’s Minister for European Affairs, Melanie Huml. Thereafter Queen Margrethe II was whisked aways by automobile to Munich’s Residenz Palace, wherein she was officially welcomed by Premier of Bavaria, Dr. Markus Söder and the latter’s spouse, Karin Baumüller-Soder.
Queen Margrethe II was treated to a traditional red carpet welcome, supported by the Honorary Company of the Bavarian Mountain Rifles (Gebirgsschützen), the Tölz Boys’ Choir as well as a delegation of the Bavarian Traditional Costume Associations especially selected for the regal guest.
The Danish monarch signed the Golden Book of the Bavarian state government, and granted upon Premier Söder the Dannebrog Order (Dannebrogordenen), an order of chivalry instituted in 1671 by King Christian V, however, whose roots go back to an honorary ensign set up by King Valdemar II in 1219. In Danemark the order members are known as ‘white knights’. The order is named after the Danish flag, and is bestowed upon Danish citizens and foreign dignitaries for ‘meritorious civil or military service, for a particular contribution to the arts, sciences or business life, or for working for Danish interests’.
Reception at the Residenz Palace by Bavarian Premier Dr. Markus Söder; the latter’s spouse Karin Baumüller-Söder and Dr. Florian Herrmann, Minister for Federal and Media Affairs – Picture by Picture by Bavarian State Chancellery – Government of Bavaria
At the bilateral meeting which took place at the Porcelain Cabinet Room of the Residenz Palace, State Minister Dr. Florian Herrmann, Minister of Federal and Media Affairs, also partook.
The visit’s focus was the ‘Dano-German Year of Friendship 2020‘, which means to enhance cultural ties between the two countries. Hence Queen Margrethe II was taken to the Glyptothek, Munich’s oldest public museum, after her official welcome.
The Glyptothek was built by the Bavarian King Ludwig I to house his collection of Greek and Roman sculptures, and the museum includes works by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen commissioned by King Ludwig I.
During the visit, the museum’s director, Dr. Florian Knauß, showed The Queen around the exhibition. The visit to the Glyptothek follows the celebrations of Thorvaldsen’s 250th anniversary in 2020 and the recently concluded exhibition in Munich “Bertel Thorvaldsen und Ludwig 1”.
On Saturday, 13 November 2021, The Queen concluded her state visit with a visit to the Akademie der Bildenden Künste (Academy of Fine Arts) one of the world’s most renowned training centres for crafts and design. Upon her arrival, she was welcomed by Professor Karen Pontoppidan, among others.
In the Academy’s Gobelin Hall, Her Majesty attended a series of speeches as well as the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Academy and the Danish Arts Foundation on residencies at the Academy for Danish jewellery artists. Subsequently, The Queen visited the Academy’s jewellery workshops, where fellow Marie-Louise Kristensen presented her projects to the Danish head of state.
The Hague, 10 November 2021, the Philippines and the Netherlands celebrated the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries on the 9th an 10th of November 2021 utilizing a webinar.
Following is the inaugurating remarks by H.E. Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya.
It is with delight that I open and deliver welcome remarks at this webinar, the vision for which is both ambitious and grounded, forward-looking and retrospective, and deals with historical matters but more so, on current issues that are relevant to the Philippines and the Netherlands.
As Ambassador, I can perhaps be excused for being effusive and highly optimistic about the bilateral relations and its prospects, after all this year 2021 is its 70th year anniversary. There are indeed strong reasons for highlighting these relations. Just consider the following:
Netherlands has consistently been among the top five investor countries in the Philippines historically, thus Dutch businesses are crucial for the Philippine economy;
22,000 Filipino seafarers are onboard Dutch-flag vessels that ply the waters of the world, making Filipinos the biggest single nationality group in the vast Dutch merchant marine fleet
Both the Philippines and the Netherlands are maritime countries, and perhaps we can learn from the Dutch, most of whose land have been reclaimed from the sea. This knowledge is crucial in these times of rising sea levels and climate change
And going back to history, to the Spanish colonial times, while the Spaniards in Manila were apprehensive when seeing Dutch ships, similar vessels were much welcomed in Cotabato in the then Sultanate of Maguindanao as they were there for trade and commerce
But I would be getting ahead of myself and of this webinar, and it’s better to hear about all these from the impressive line-up of resource persons – from government, business, the academe and other sectors – in the course of today and tomorrow.
Suffice it for me to say that we are fortunate to have had the strong partnerships of a number of key entities in preparing for this webinar.
First, the Ateneo de Manila University, particularly its European Studies Program, the first entity we asked for support, which was equally enthusiastic. Thanks for ensuring that we have substance and academic rigor in this webinar;
Also, salamat po to Ambassador Saskia de Lang and her team at the Dutch Embassy in Manila for their whole-hearted support to this project. Tending to the bilateral relations is less challenging because of Ambassador Saskia’s helping hand at the Manila-end.
And certainly, dank u wel to our friends from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, notably Director Karin Mossenlechner and Strategic Policy Advisor Mark Versteden, who are here with us in person at the Philippine Embassy.
And also to the Foreign Service Institute and many others who lent valuable support.
A two-session webinar is certainly not enough to cover all the key aspects of the relations, but in my view we have a good mix of policy makers and subject matter experts who can share key information, ideas and insights about both countries and the relations, including people-to-people engagements, which we – including the students with us – will be delighted to know and can benefit from. And with deeper understanding of and focus on the relations, those of us in government and the private sector can be guided in hopefully framing a workable roadmap for the future of the relations.
My embassy team and I hope that the webinar will contribute to forging a stronger bilateral partnership, even as we look forward to the next 70 years of productively working together.
I wish everyone an insightful and engaging webinar.
Manila, the Philippines.
Ambassador J Eduardo Malaya ‘s welcome remarks on day two of the webinar.
In my opening remarks yesterday, I expressed optimistic about the bilateral relations and its future. The presentations and discussions that followed affirmed that view.
But to be candid, I am more excited about today’s session. As someone who occasionally dabbles in and find joy in writing on law, history and other subjects, I am excited to know more about the cultural dimensions of the relations, specially the early interactions between Filipinos and the Dutch. Today, more than even before, culture plays a vital role in international relations. Cultural engagements provide us the chance to appreciate points of commonality and, where there are differences, to understand the motivations and humanity that underlie them. As one will learn from today’s session, our two peoples share much in common despite belonging to different corners of the world.
The other reason for my excitement is that this morning we will launch a compendium of the agreements between our two countries.
The book Crossroads: A Compendium of Agreements between the Philippines and the Netherlands, 1951 to 2021 is a chronicle of the work that we have done together in the past years. It is important to document the past and present works because it is only by building upon them that we can achieve more. Proost! Mabuhay! Salamat po!
Foreign Affairs Secretary Mr Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr and Secretary-General Paul Huijts of The Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs also addressed the festive online gathering.
In his keynote address, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. stated that “the Philippines is committed to re-energizing its relationship with The Netherlands, with emphasis on economic cooperation, and special focus on the agri-food, water and infrastructure; the circular economy; and maritime and healthcare sectors “. Secretary Teodoro went on to say,
“The Netherlands’ renewed foreign policy interest in the Indo-Pacific region is a positive development, particularly its commitment to sustainable trade and investment relations, to reducing one-sided strategic dependencies, to establish more reliable value chains in the Indo-Pacific region and to provide active support for EU negotiations on free trade agreements with Indo-Pacific countries,” Secretary Locsin added. “We are hopeful that this will further expand business-to-business engagements between the private sectors of our countries.”
The Philippines recently assumed its role as country coordinator of the ASEAN-EU relations up to 2025, and it will give greater significance to bilateral initiatives.
For his part, Secretary General Paul Huijts of The Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs remarked :
“the strength of our countries’ economic ties are shown by the fact that the Netherlands is the second biggest EU trading partner of the Philippines and the biggest EU investor in the Philippines, and more recently, sustainability has become a key element for our bilateral cooperation.” He cited the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Masterplan as a result of the collaboration of Dutch and Filipino experts on sustainability and water management.
Secretary General Huijts also noted the contributions of some 150 Dutch companies operating in the Philippines, adding that “at the same time, the Netherlands have welcomed many Overseas Filipino workers, including some 22,000 Filipino seafarers who sail on Dutch flagged vessels and help keep the global economy moving.”
The Netherlands’ Indo Pacific guidelines and the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy “underscore the growing importance of the Indo Pacific region in which the Philippines is a strategic player,” Secretary General Huijts said. “As a seafaring nation, we take a particular interest in freedom of passage and other topical issues in the region.”
With the theme “Philippines-Netherlands Connections @ 70: Reconstructing History and Forging Ahead,” the first day of the two-day webinar drew a large and diverse audience in both countries, including government officials, business leaders, community members, and students.
Ambassador Karin Mossenlechner, Director for Asia and Pacific in the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs expounded on the Dutch Indo-Pacific Guidelines and the implications of this policy shift for the Philippines. “The Netherlands and the EU are aware that the geopolitical and geo-economic balance of power in the world is shifting. The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly becoming more strategically important for the EU. It is important that The Netherlands and the Philippines, and the countries in the Indo-Pacific, join hands and work together in bringing about a sustainable post-Covid-19 recovery with green growth.”
Ambassador De Lang stated that “the future of The Netherlands and the Philippines is all about hope — as we are celebrating the 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are celebrating our joint future and we are renewing our bilateral vows.”
Other panelists of the first-day session included Professor Alvin Ang of the Ateneo de Manila University, Mr. Mitchel Smolders of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Philippine Consul General, a.h. in Rotterdam Albert Bos; Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc of the Philippine Seed Industry Association; and Mr. Richard van der Maden of AgriTerra.
The second-day session “Reconstructing Historical Ties” will be held on10 November, and will focus on the historical foundations of the relations.
The two-day webinar was hosted by the Embassy of the Philippines in The Hague, in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Manila, the Philippine Foreign Service and the Ateneo de Manila University.
Kudos to the organizers for hosting such an outstanding webinar, it has been a demonstration of the excellent ongoing cooperation between the Philippines and the Netherlands. Salamat po !
Thursday, 11 November 2021, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany: Premier Dr. Reiner Haseloff welcomed Nipponese Ambassador Yanagi Hidenao in the framework of his inaugural visit to Saxony-Anhalt.
The visit took place in an anniversary year: 2021 marks the 160th anniversary of German-Japanese relations.
The Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Japan, which was concluded in 2019, provided an opportunity to exchange views on strengthening economic cooperation in Saxony-Anhalt. Exports from Saxony-Anhalt to Japan amounted to 113 million euros in 2020, despite the pandemic-related slump, and goods worth 51.4 million euros were imported from Japan. There are currently five companies in Saxony-Anhalt with majority Japanese participation.
There is a lively exchange in the field of science. Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, the Harz and Magdeburg-Stendal Universities of Applied Sciences and Burg Giebichenstein University of Art maintain university partnerships with a total of 18 Japanese institutions.
There is also cooperation in the school sector: since 2008, the city of Inuyama has been sending the best pupils of the essay competition held in Inuyama on an annual trip to Halle. There is also a school exchange through the town twinning of the city of Zeitz with the Japanese city of Tosu.
Various institutions also maintain contacts in the arts. For example, the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation cooperates with the Kuwasawa Design School in Tokyo in the Bauhaus Open Stage Studios programme. Every year, students from Saxony-Anhalt and Japan carry out joint projects in which the educational and artistic-experimental perspective of the historical Bauhaus stage is re-examined.
Ambassador Yanagi was likewise received by the Speaker of the State Diet, Dr. Gunnar Schellenberger and members of the German business community.
Friday, 12 November, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany: Premier Dr. Reiner Haseloff received the Ambassador of Georgia in Germany, Professor Dr Levan Izoria, for his inaugural visit in Saxony-Anhalt since he took up the ambassadorship in June 2020.
Both sides exchanged views on current issues such as the challenges of the pandemic, and expressed the hope that bilateral contacts can be expanded. In 2020, goods worth almost 2.9 million euros were exported from Saxony-Anhalt to the South Caucasian country, whereas imports had a volume of around 200,000 euros.
There is close cooperation in the field of science, for example: Otto von Guericke University works together with Tbilisi Ivane Javakhisvili State University in the field of medicine on the basis of a university agreement. From 2017 to 2019, the Institute of Classical Studies at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and the Laboratory for Visual Anthropology and Local History at Ilia State University Tbilisi carried out excavations in the Nazarlebi rampart complex on the edge of the Shiraki Plain in Kakheti (eastern Georgia) in a research cooperation. In addition, MLU maintains further cooperation in the area of student and teacher exchanges with universities in Georgia.
Germany was the first country in the European Community to recognise Georgia under international law after its independence in 1991 and to establish diplomatic relations. At the European level, Georgia is part of the Eastern Partnership within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Euro-Atlantic integration has been an important issue for the country for many years. In 2017, for example, the Georgian constitution enshrined the goal of membership in the EU and NATO. Since 2016, Georgia has been linked to the EU by an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. In 2017, the visa-free regime for Georgian citizens travelling to the EU also came into force, allowing them to stay in the Schengen area for up to three months.
Following the meeting with Premier Dr. Haseloff, the Ambassador paid a call upon the Speaker of the State Assembly (Landtag), Dr. Gunnar Schellenberger, and to State Secretary, Dr. Jürgen Ude, at the Ministry of Economics, Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry of Saxony-Anhalt.
Poland’s Independence Day or Narodowe Święto Niepodległości is celebrated on the 11th of November. This day commemorates the anniversary of Poland regaining its sovereignty from the German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires in 1918.
The Hague, 10 November 2021. The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland H.E. Mr. Marcin Czepelak and Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attaché Colonel Dariusz Poczekalewicz, hosted a concert and reception on the occasion of the Polish Independence Dayin commemoration of the 103rd anniversary of Poland regaining its sovereignty after over a century of partition.
Polish artists, pianist Ms Paulina Bukowicz and flautist Ms Maja Jasinska.
Ambassador Marcin Czepelak opened the evening by very warmly welcoming his guests. He proudly presented the talented pianist Ms Paulina Bukowicz and flautist Ms Maja Jasinska, both delighted the audience.
A breakdown of the programme:
F.Chopin – Grande Valse Brillante Op. 34No.2 in A minor
H.Wieniaski – Chanson Polonaise
F.Chopin – Waltz in C sharp minor, Op. 64 No.2
F.Chopin – Fantasie-Impromtu Op.66
A. Caplet – Petite Valse
Independence of Poland commemoration at the Embassy of Poland in The Hague 2021.
The applause was long and enthusiastic, after the concert audience members waited to share their excitement with the two performers.
A Polish buffet concluded the melodious soiree commemorating the 2021 Polish Independence Day.
Monday, 15 November 2021, Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Germany: The Italian Ambassador Armando Varricchio paid his inaugural visit to Bremen City-State. He was welcomed to the City Hall by Mayor Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte and Senator for Science and Ports, Dr. Claudia Schilling.
The ambassador signed the city’s Golden Book. His visit to Bremen is also connected with the “Space Tech Expo 2021”, which begins 16 November at the exhibition centre, and wherein the ambassador is partaking alongside the Italian Consul General based in Hamburg, David Michelut, as well as Honorary Consul Marco Fuchs, who is based in Bremen.
Mayor Bovenschulte emphasised that there is a long and close relationship between Bremen and Italy. And the latter, he expressly emphasised, was also thanks to the good work of the Honorary Consul, who has maintains lively contacts with Italy and the Italian Embassy since he took office in mid-2008.
Space research activities are important for the relationship between Italy and Bremen, as is evident from Varricchio’s visit to the “Space Tech Expo”. In addition, Senator Dr. Schilling exchanged views with the ambassador on the possibilities of Bremen becoming a member of the “ICARNet” (International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics Network) based in Pescara, Italy. This is an international research network in which various astrophysical phenomena are investigated.
On the image f.l.t.r.: Marco Fuchs, OHB Chairman & Honorary Consul of Italy; Ambassador Armando Varricchio; Governing Mayor Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte and Dr. Claudia Schilling, Senator for Science and Ports – Picture by Bremer Senatspressestelle
Thursday, 11 November 2021, Munich, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: For his inagural visit to Bavaria since taking over the Kyrgyz ambassadorship in Germany on 16 September 2021, Ambassador Erlan Abdyldaev was received at Prince Carl Palace by the Bavarian Minister for European Affairs, Melanie Huml. The visit takes place in the framework of 30 years of statehood for the Kyrgyz Republic.
Abdyldayev was born on 21 June 21 1966 in Alma-Ata, today Almaty, in Kazakhstan. In 1989 he graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. He is married, and has a son and a daughter. Ambassador Abdyldaev is a career diplomat who speaks fluent Kyrgyz, Russian, Mandarin and English. He served in the capacity as Kyrgyz foreign minister from 2012 to 2018.
Kyrgyzstan’s Embassy in Germany maintains an office in Bonn. Besides the embassy’s accreditation to Germany, the mission is concurrently accredited to Denmark, the Holy See, Poland, Norway and Sweden.
Monday, 15 November 2021, Munich, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: Minister of State Dr. Florian Herrmann, Minister of Federal and Media Affairs received the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the US Embassy in Germany, Woodward ‘Clark‘ Price, for bilateral talks at the State Chancellery. Chargé d’affaires Price was accompanied by Consul General Timothy Liston.
Incumbent Chargé d’affaires a.i. Clark Price arrived in Berlin in June 2021, however, he had already served at the diplomatic mission in the capacity of Minister Counselor in charge of Economic Affairs in Berlin from 2016 to 2019. He had been sent back to Washington D.C. wherein he was the Director of European Union and Regional Affairs within the State Department. Clark is fluent in English, German, Greek and has a working knowledge of Armenian and Hebrew.
From his side, Consul General Timothy Liston is the United States’ Consul General in Munich since the end of July 2021. He joined the Foreign Service Officer in 2002. Consul General Liston most recently completed a year at the National War College, where he earned a Master of Science in National Security Strategy. Previously he served as Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Viêt Nam, from 2016 to 2020.
