The Rumi Trail

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The Rumi Trail

Following the footsteps of Mevlana Rumi in Uzbekistan

By Iris Bezuijen and Sedat Çakır

The Rumi Trail is a long-distance pilgrimage trail that honours ancient Khorasan traditions which travelled with Mevlana Rumi. It starts in the heart of central Asia, and follows the Silk Road, ancient pilgrimage and caravan routes to Mecca and Jerusalem as far as the city of Konya in Turkey. Rumi Trail is suitable for cyclists and hikers.  

The underlying philosophy of the Rumi Trail is that of Mevlānā Jalal ad-Din Muhammed Rumi, a thirteenth-century philosopher and poet of Islam, whose wisdom transcended national boundaries, seeking inclusion and peace for all (Mirdal, 2012).

The history of the new pilgrimage trail is part of the discussion, as we explore the traditions, languages and cultural heritage of the peoples along the way. Modern-day pilgrims can walk or cycle the entire route. They are issued with a Rumi Trail travel passport (credential) and receive stamps from locals, recording their progress. In the end, they will be issued with the Parendelik Certificate in Konya. A special Uzbek certificate will be issued in Termez after completing the Uzbek part of the Rumi trail.

Traces of past civilizations are evident along the route such as Uzbek including Timurid and Khorezm, Afghan, Persian, Arab, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. Some villagers are still familiar with the concept of pilgrimage, and they treat travellers with reverence as harbingers of good fortune.

Following the footsteps of Rumi in Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestina, Israel, Syria, Turkey. Future connections may include Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as well.

Mevlānā Jalal ad-Din Muhammed Rumi

In the early thirteenth century, the brutal Mongol conquest of Central Asia led to major disruptions, with many people fleeing west including the young Mevlānā Jalal ad-Din Muhammed Rumi (born in 1207, in Balgh), known to the world now simply as Rumi. The young Rumi travelled with his illustrious father, the Islamic scholar and jurist entitled Sultan al-Ulama (Sultan of Islamic Scholars), although his real name was Baha ud-Din Walad.

Rumi, his whole family including a group of their clan disciples, left their home in Balgh in Persia (but now part of Afghanistan) to travel to Baghdad, Mecca and then via Jordan and Syria to arrive in Konya in what is now Anatolia in central Turkey. As a boy, he was already acknowledged as a great talent. While on a stop-over in Nishabur (Iran) he met with a famous mystic poet from Persia, Attar, who presented young Rumi with a copy of his book Asrarnama, a treatise on the precarious position of the soul in the material world.

Once settled in Konya, he became a well-known scholar, visited by many of his peers and seekers of all descriptions. When he was in his mid-thirties, he had a second, even more significant meeting, now with Shams-e Tabrizi, a famous mystic on 15 November 1244, which changed his life completely. It unleashed his poetic talent, and he became the Sufi as we know him today, through two of his masterpieces, the Mathnawi (a poem written by Rumi) and the Ghazaliyat-e Shams-e Tabrizi (Poems written by Shams-e Tabrizi), his philosophy in the form of lyric love poetry.

The teachings of Rumi, in this pilgrimage context, shows its dynamic nature, allowing cultures and time to make their own interpretation:

‘Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field; I’ll meet you there.’

‘Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.’

‘You were born with wings. Why prefer to crawl through life?’

‘The wound is the place where the Light enters you.’.

Rumi is described in an UNESCO publication (2007) as an eminent philosopher and mystical poet of Islam who advocated tolerance, reason and access to knowledge through love. His mystical relationship to Islam produced masterpieces that well beyond the borders of Turkey have marked Islamic culture and devotion.

Furthermore, UNESCO regards Rumi as one of the greatest comprehensive thinkers and scholars of Islamic civilization and culture. He addressed humanity as a whole: ‘I do not distinguish between the relative and the stranger.’ That is also the extent of his thoughts and teaching. He connects directly to the divine, and through his honesty he knows no boundaries, connecting humankind. He embraces inclusivity, searching for the truth, love and unity, in order to strive to become a perfect human being. Rumi was buried side to side with his father in an elaborate shrine, in a historical garden, now part of a museum. His epitaph reads (in translation): ‘When we are dead, seek not our tomb in the earth, but find it in the hearts of men of knowledge.’ (UNESCO, 2007) Which are all winning arguments for any pilgrimage trail.

We develop hiking and cycling trails with a deeper meaning for travellers to experience. The Rumi Trail starts in Nukus, the old land of Khorasan Saints. It’s these oases that still hold the stories we love to hear, the people we love to meet and the land we love to see. Rumi’s work, poems and life has travelled already over the complete globe, is beyond time and space and has touched countless hearts. To be able to go there by means of slow travel is the goal we set for developing the cycle road. To make a cycling route we first have a logistic and technical part where we cycle the route, from Nukus to the three UNESCO world heritage cities: Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand via Shahrisabz to Termez at the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan border. Length approx. : 1,500 km.

Uzbekistan has always been the heart of the Silk Road, important in all era’s and of course is the home of art and culture as we know today woven into our daily lives. We are developing hiking and cycling trails to get close to these traditions, people and nature that carry treasures for our own wisdom, health, fitness and on top of all this the mystical adventure being on the land of such great artists, scholars and the wise people helping us through life’s challenges.

Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan Republic, is the start point of the Rumi Trial in Uzbekistan. Nukus is home of the Savitsky Collection in the Karakalpakstan Museum of Art. With the world’s second-largest collection of Russian Avant-garde Art. It is also a good starting point for excursions to the Aral Sea and neighbouring Kunye-Urgench in Turkmenistan.

Since Rumi Trail is designed as green, inclusive and resilient tourism it will bring a lot of green type of industry and industrial activities to the region e.g. bike shops, bike factories, bike tourism related activities with little to none carbon footprint.

With local people, Rumi trail will participate in community based tourism projects such as homestays, small bike rentals, home made dishes for cyclists and hikers etc.

After Nukus, we pass alongside the Amu Darya river to continue to Khiva. First UNESCO city on the Rumi trail in the Khorezm Region.

The ancient caravan oasis holds many impressive sights like the Itchan Kala (castle) the

Central walled city of Khiva– is stuffed with mosques, madrasas and mausoleums e.g.

Alla Kouli Khan Madrasa (school), Pakhlavan Makhmoud Mausoleum, Islam Hoja Minaret, Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa and Kalta Minor. The whole town is an open air museum and every corner will bring you stories from an ancient past. In the region there is a trail of desert fortresses.

After Khiva, we pass the mausoleum of Sheikh Mukhtar Vali and leave the fertile delta of the Amu Darya and cycle five days in the desert before reaching Bukhara. In the desert you will feel the wide openness of the film scenes in deserted areas. The nights in the desert are spectacular and will show the stars in their full glory without the city lights interfering as in dense cities around the world. It’s great to see NASA’s Earth’s city lights as you can then see you are in the perfect region for stargazing. It’s often said the more hardship the bigger the satisfaction, this will most certainly apply for a desert ride. A long distance route and being in this case in the desert, seeing the stars this way certainly gives an incentive to be on this bicycle in the middle of nowhere. 

The second UNESCO Silk Road city on the Rumi Trial is Bukhara. The main highlights in Bukhara are:

Ensemble Lyabi Hauz (Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin);

Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques survived in Bukhara from the time before the Mongolian invasion;

Abdullakhan’s Tim with numerous handicraft shops of souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes, and carpets;

Caravanserai Sayfuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);

There are three trading domes or so-called covered bazaars Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century and these bazaars were centres of silk trade, selling jewellery and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs in a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets; Visit Ulughbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;

Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impresses the imagination of every visitor;

Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to 1. Century BC where anyone can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

Seven important Naqshbandi Sufi orders can be found in Bukhara city and surroundings, including the shrine of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari, founder of the order.

The third UNESCO Silk Road city on the Rumi Trail is Samarkand. Maybe the most image appealing city of the Silk Road is Samarkand. Who doesn’t have this on their bucket list? It’s indeed the “pearl of the silk road” as said in the lovely composed book Uzbekistan, pearl of the Silk road by Burhanettin Carlak.

Sightseeing starts in Registan Square. Being in the presentence of so many important scholars is indescribable, it’s an experience to have. We just tip the list of names as you will need at least an extra day to even see all these important world heritage sites .

Bibi Hanim Mosque, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Hazrat Hyzr Mosque, Khodja Akhrar Ensemble, Madrasah Tilla-Kori, Mausoleum Ishratkhana, Mausoleum of Imam al-Moturidi, Mausoleum of Khoja Abdi Darunee, Mausoleum of St. Daniel, Observatory of Ulugbek, Rukhabad Mausoleum, Settlement of Afrasiab, Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, Sher-Dor Madrasah, Siab Bazaar. Then off course there is more: museums, parks, landmarks and factories reminding you of the silk road activity and bygone ages. Just cycling or hiking through the great ones of earth will give us a wind of good fortune and most likely a privileged feeling of having been there in your lifetime.

The mausoleum of Imam al-Bukhari is one of the main pilgrimage sites in Uzbekistan. The visiting of three shrines in Samarkand – the mausoleums of al-Bukhari, Shakhi-Zinda and Rukhabad – within one day, is called “small Hajj”.

These two cities are the most significant sights of Uzbekistan & the whole world knows Uzbekistan pretty much because of them. Sky-blue Samarkand & sandy holy Bukhara are more ancient than anything in Uzbekistan, they’ve seen many historical events, with great people participating in.   

Shahrisabz is being the birth city of Timur Lenk of course including in the Rumi Trail. We now cycle through more mountainous areas and will intensively look for small little shops in this area. This is the part where cyclists will stock up for their journey. There are many dustroads and one highway leading to the border with Afghanistan. For the Rumi Trail we will try to combine the two and possibly make an alternative route for people who like to take it slow or take the highway.

Bakhshi Festival April 2019, Termez, Uzbekistan Photography by Beckhzod Abdudjabbarov

The Rumi Trail in Uzbekistan ends in Termez. It holds a lot of sightseeing pearls like the bridge of friendship and the Kirk-Kiz fortress. It’s known to be very hot and being the only river crossing bridge it’s always been a hot place in many ways. The name Termez (tara-crossing; maiθa-place) can be translated in old Iranian to “a place of transition” with the rich history that you will find here it’s on a high note or hot spot were we end the Uzbekistan Rumi part and invitation to explore more at the same time.

During the development of the Rumi cycling trail we make pictures, record videos and most importantly collect stories from people who still are like treasure maps. Every human is like a source or library, we often say. The collection of information in one single human is like a treasure map. Being on a slow pass means you have time to find these old stories, record and bundle them in books, movies and off course pictures. There are countless examples of how one person, picture, book and film can be life changing.

We however keep it simple and just cycle, record our findings, make the maps for cyclists so many people can enjoy these mystical adventures in the land of 1001 nights and the stories we love so much. Together with a group of mapmakers we use OpenStreetMap to record our detailed findings and also enhance the maps. As it’s open source it’s a powerful tool to immediately map your cycle and also hiking routes. In the guidebooks we use these maps that have all the valuable information for hikers and cyclists that are mostly only available after they are added to the map.

The goal is to get as many enthusiastic eco-tourists to enjoy these hiking and cycling trails. The cycling theme following Rumi’s way gives you more depth of the land and cultural heritage. Cyclists need small things like shelter for the night, food and a fairly nice route but a well kept and marked route can bring a big impact on the region or country. We know the success stories of Camino the Santiago that now hosts thousands of pilgrims every year.

The simple way of traveling makes you receptive to the knowledge and wisdom that comes your way.

The inspiration for the Rumi Trail is credited to Mohammed El-Fers, who wrote a mini-biography of Mevlana Rumi. His journey in 1978 was retracing the route of Mevlana Rumi. The Rumi Trail map is also by his design.

Conclusion for the Rumi Trail cycling route is that it aims to develop a sustainable cycling route enhancing the connection between the major UNESCO silk road cities and the little villages, even including a small cabin in the desert as one united trail with all the environmentally friendly aspects. Long distance hiking and cycling trails spread the economic improvement of all connected to the trail rather than the concentration of one city or object. It improves community based tourism and creates resilient communities with better future prospects.      

For more information please visit www.rumitrail.com

References:

Budhwani and McLean 2019: 209

Oezbekistan – Parel van de zijde route
9789492953049 Burhanettin Carlak e.a.

Mevlânâ

9789492953940 Mohamed El-Fers        

The new European Chief Prosecutor: “I know that there are no clean countries”

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The new European Chief Prosecutor: “I know that there are no clean countries”

Laura Codruța Kövesi, is the European Chief Prosecutor, head of the newly established Luxembourg-based European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which started operations on 1 June 2021.

The EPPO have the capacity to conduct cross-border investigations as an independent body set up to prosecute and bring to justice offences affecting the financial interests of the European Union, such as certain forms of subsidy fraud, corruption and cross-border VAT fraud.

Sven Lilienström, founder of the Faces of Democracy initiative, spoke with Laura Codruța Kövesi about democracy, the newly established European Public Prosecutor’s Office and her fight against corruption, bribery and money laundering in the EU member states.

Ms. Kövesi, you are the head of the newly established European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO). Our first question is: How significant are democracy and democratic values to you personally?

I grew up in a communist regime and I have still very vivid memories of what life was like. And then I was lucky enough to be part of the long transformation process of Romania into a democratic society, of which the accession to the European Union was one of the culminating points.

This is why for me democracy is not an abstract definition that I could have learned in school, together with a set of values upon which it is founded. It is a praxis, an engagement. I have a personal experience with how fragile and precious this way of organizing human society is, how hard we need to work to preserve it. So, to answer your question: to me, democracy is fundamental, just as the air I breathe.

The EPPO is the first supranational public prosecutor’s office in the world. When you took office, you spoke of a “historic moment”. Why does Europe need its own public prosecutor’s office and how will its citizens benefit from it?

For the first time, a European Union body will investigate, prosecute and bring to trial criminal offences. There is no precedent for this. No one but the EPPO can prosecute fraud against the EU budget committed after 1 June 2021 in the 22 participating Member States.

The establishment of the EPPO has many wide-ranging implications. For instance, I have no doubt that it will trigger further harmonization in the field of criminal law, which is at the core of national sovereignty.

From a citizen’s perspective, the EPPO is a concrete answer to an old grievance: by opening the borders, we have not only allowed people and companies to thrive, we have unfortunately also allowed criminal organizations to develop their operations and grow. The EPPO is the first adjustment we need to do in this respect.

We want to make the EPPO a center of excellence for the confiscation of criminal assets. I am convinced that the EPPO will be a game changer in the fight against cross-border VAT fraud.

Beyond its contribution to increasing the general feeling of security, the EPPO is the first really sharp tool to defend the rule of law in the EU. By applying the very simple principle of equality before the law, the EPPO will play a crucial role in making the trust of the European citizens in the Union stronger than ever.

Until 2018, you were the head of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) in Romania. How exactly do you intend to fight corruption, bribery and money laundering in the EU member states?

First, it needs to be well understood that the competence of the EPPO is limited to corruption, bribery and money laundering in the participating Member States when affecting the financial interests of the European Union only! Furthermore, we have a complex structure and have to operate as a single office in 22 different judicial systems, according to 22 different criminal laws and criminal procedural laws. This to say that we have huge challenges ahead of us.

My experience as a prosecutor can be boiled down to a few simple principles: work hard, never give up, and always abide by the law. Only by working professionally, being consequent and by respecting the law all the time, you can gain and keep the trust of the citizens. I will follow these principles in my role as European Chief Prosecutor. The good thing is that, in fact, you are never alone. At the EPPO, just as at the DNA, I have a good and motivated team of courageous prosecutors.

At least some of the population wishes for more isolation and national autonomy. What do you say to people who maintain that prosecutorial investigations are the core of national autonomy?

Yes, they are. But we need to evolve if we want to be credible and efficient. Read the reports from Europol, talk to the practitioners about the practical difficulties they encounter in the fight against cross-border crime in general, and economic and financial criminality in particular.

What good does it make to keep these powers at national level when criminal organizations have reached turnovers comparable to those of the biggest global corporations? The truth is that we are badly behind the curve. Now we can either try to catch up or continue to pretend there is no problem.

Hungary, Poland, Denmark, Sweden and Ireland form a group of countries that refuse to cooperate with the EU’s public prosecutor’s office. Is the EPPO in reality merely a “toothless tiger”?

This is not accurate. These Member States did not join the enhanced cooperation establishing the EPPO, so they are not part of EPPO. This does not mean that they refuse to cooperate with the EPPO.

We will work very closely with their respective national prosecution services. We are in touch with all of them and have, for example, already concluded a working arrangement with the Office of the Prosecutor General in Hungary. We can still investigate citizens and companies from those countries if they have committed crimes in a Member State that does participate in the enhanced cooperation of EPPO.

The actual power of the EPPO has to be measured against its action in the participating Member States. I am sure you will soon see that we are anything but a “toothless tiger”.

In your inaugural speech, you also stressed that fraud with public funds is “a serious threat to democracy”. Where exactly do you believe the danger lies and do you think it is underestimated?

White collar crimes are under-reported, underestimated, often even tolerated, to the benefit of organized criminal organizations that aspire to subvert and replace legitimate authorities. In certain circumstances, these organizations do not shy away from resorting to extreme violence. It is not by coincidence that, when giving solemn in front of the European Court of Justice, I had invited representatives of the families of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova. What these journalists were uncovering is the aspiration of fraudsters to capture the State. Once the State is captured, its institutions stop working for the common good, and democracy is subverted. This threat is very real, and very common.

I think it is underestimated because in most of the cases, it is not obviously violent. And also, because, culturally, we have grown accustomed to be more tolerant with corruption.

Before starting our operations, we did a survey among the participating EU Member States about the number of investigations within our scope of competence they have conducted in the last 4 years. In some countries there are hundreds, even thousands. In other countries, there are close to none. That makes me wonder about the priority given to this fight. Because I know that there are no clean countries.

Ms. Kövesi, our seventh question is always a personal one: what do you like to do most of all in your leisure time and what objectives have you set yourself for the next years – professionally and privately?

Professionally, I have to admit that my current job is the most challenging I had so far. I want to put all my professional experience and energy in a successful mandate as European Chief Prosecutor: to win the trust of the citizens proving that EPPO is an independent, strong and efficient institution and that the law is equal for everybody.

For my private life, I would like to spend more time with my family.

Source: Faces of Democracy

After the Biden-Putin Geneva Summit

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After the Biden-Putin Geneva Summit

of Prisoner’s Dilemma and Confrontation Nostalgia

By: Tomislav Jakić

Was the, with little expectations, but a lot of combinations and nervousness, awaited summit of the Presidents of America and Russia, a failure? It was not. And can it be described as a success, as a breakthrough from the winter of a renewed Cold War? Again – no! So what was this summit then, what – if anything – did the Geneva meeting bring?

It was an attempt that could not be written off as a complete failure, it was an indication that – as President Biden said – there is no alternative to face-to-face talks. And it was a hint of hope that the two great powers, one a superpower and the other much more than a regional power, as President Obama mockingly called it, might be able to set out to identify common interests and work together in those areas, as well as find ways and methods. to resolve what is in dispute in their relationship. Where we should not forget the saying  by Lev Tolstoj, quoted during his press conference by President Putin: “In life there is no hope, there is only a promise of hope.”

And it is that promise of hope, what we can call the only tangible result of the summit which lasted about three and a half hours, instead of the announced five to six. Of course, this will fuel new speculations and different interpretations from those that Biden was tired and lost the concentration, to the one that the participants reached a deadlock but – not wanting to make things even worse, than they already are – simply stopped.

Of the concrete results, the world has learned only one, just one: two states are returning their ambassadors to their places: the Russian ambassador is returning to Washington, and the American to Moscow. Everything else remained in the domain of what Biden defined, correcting one journalist who aggressively asked him: “And how can you be confident, that . . .?”. He said, namely: “I did not say  I’m confident, but we ‘ll see.” And what we should see is the continuation of talks on the control and hopefully arms reduction (nuclear in the first place), the formation of a working group between the two countries that would deal with the cyber attacks, so-called hacking. Then (and again the announcement!) the possibility of talks on the exchange of arrested American citizens in Russia, ie Russians in America, as well as the approach to the problem in Ukraine based on the agreement from Minsk (confirmed by both presidents!). And what is particularly important: a joint effort to achieve strategic stability.

About this and only about this, not about the whole meeting, a joint statement by the two Presidents was published: “The extension of the New START agreement demonstrates our commitment to the control of nuclear weapons. Today, we reaffirm the principle that nuclear war cannot be won and that it must never be fought . “It may not seem like much, but it is. Today, it is!    

Both sides agreed, and the two presidents held separate press conferences, that the talks took place in a constructive atmosphere and that there were no threats from either side. Putin described Biden as a sensible and experienced politician, and Biden skillfully avoided journalistic insistence on how he explained to Putin why he called him a killer : “My explanation was good enough for him and that’s enough for me.” On the other hand, the pragmatic Putin indirectly referred to Biden’s statement, quoted so many times, that, looking Putin in the eye at a previous meeting, he concluded that he had no soul. “We do not have to look each other into eyes, searching for the soul, nor do we have to make eternal friendship”, said Putin.

A confirmation that it was a summit convened with no great expectations is the fact that neither Putin invited Biden to Moscow, nor was Putin invited by Biden to Washington. But, and again, even a little more than nothing, is much, especially when we take into account the circumstances in which the Geneva summit was held and all that happened in previous years.

Of course, the US side “recited” their compulsory program of complaints regarding Russia’s violations of human rights, including the statement that the deaths in jail of opposition leader Navalny would be “a disaster” for relations of the two countries. In doing so, Biden went a little too far, arguing that the struggle for human rights is something that is part of the American being, “it’s us,” consciously forgetting that the United States from their beginnings until the sixtieth of the last century denied basic human rights, initially even freedom, to all its colored citizens, that the first unit composed of colored Americans enlisted in the U.S. Army only in World War II (but separately from whites) , and that cases of racial discrimination even today happen practically on daily basis. 

Putin, as it could have been expected, used this at his press conference to counter every question related to the human rights in Russia (what was by CNN, not denying anything of what Putin said, proclaimed as a return to the methods of Soviet propaganda). Too bad no one remembered to ask what the consequences would be and for whom if Julian Assange would die in jail.

Almost “under the radar” passed a significant concession made by the United States, ie the deviation from their previous position. The intention (however, this is just the announcement) to form a working group of the two countries to deal with the cyber attacks means that in silence the accusations that such attacks were staged by Russia, the Russian secret services, and even Putin himself, were abandoned.

The atmosphere, not only the one in which the Geneva summit was held, but the one in the Western world, could be deduced the most from the behavior of journalists who were questioning the two presidents. It is neither uninteresting nor unimportant to mention that American journalists could have been present at Putin’s press conference, while Russian journalists were banned from Biden’s press conference. But it was these American journalists who behaved at both press conferences like barking dogs (which is not to say anything bad about dogs). In their questions they insisted on confrontation, on the continuation of confrontation ( “Have you threatened to use military force?”, was one of the questions to Biden). 

One of the most evident examples of pre-prepared questions, no matter what, and certainly regardless of the facts, was the one about Russians demanding that journalists of Radio Liberty (the Russian version of Radio Free Europe) register as “foreign agents “. Putin, namely, previously explained, and it is a matter of common knowledge to anyone who is familiar in the media scene, that it were the Americans who first demanded that Russian journalists in the United States register as foreign agents. Then, and only then did Russia introduce the same for the American journalists working there.

But obviously it is true that what one can do, another cannot do. Along with the sad statement that a large part of the journalists in the West, consciously or not, accepted to be turned into a propaganda weapon of the ruling.

So it is not at all impossible that Biden, although “secured” by the presence of his experts, from the Secretary of State to the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as with a separate press conference, will experience in America something similar , albeit in a milder form, to what befell Trump after his talks with Putin in Helsinki. Obviously, there are strong forces in the United States (which then influence the behavior in the first place of the Atlantic Pact, but then the European Union too), which are not interested in peace and understanding, which base its existence on confrontation, on the existence of enemies. Real, or imaginary – it doesn’t matter. And obviously there is a propaganda apparatus that serves them. They simply cannot like Biden’s statement that his agenda is not against Russia, but for American people.

But if that statement becomes what will make the summit memorable (in the city of peace, as the Swiss president said while welcoming Biden and Putin), then it is entirely justified to say that the meeting, which was by no means spectacular, which lasted shorter than it was expected, which did not result in any key breakthroughs in any area, was not in vain. Because, if there is a President in the White House whose program is not to “work against Russia” and if Putin knows that now, then there is a chance that the world will move away from the edge of general chaos into which it is inevitably pushed by the worsening American-Russian relations. Then there is, as Tolstoy would say, a promise of hope.

About the author:

Author is one of the most influential Yugoslav and Croatian journalists, who is covering the international relations for over 50 years and who served as Foreign policy Advisor to Croatian President Stjepan Mesic (2000. – 2010.).

The first superpowers summit that, Mr. Jakic personally covered was a Carter – Brezhnev meeting in Vienna 1979.

The BAPSI Project and the webinar “Risk Disaster in Seafood Management”

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The BAPSI Project and the webinar “Risk Disaster in Seafood Management”

By Domenico Letizia

Over the last few decades, natural and human-induced disasters have become more frequent and increasingly destructive. Populations depending on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods have become increasingly vulnerable and have been seriously affected by the loss of life and property. These disasters are beyond the control of the victims. It is therefore imperative to understand the characteristics of the fishery and aquaculture sector and the livelihood of small-scale fishing and fish farming communities from a technical, social, and economic point of view.

The webinar “Risk Disaster in Seafood Management” gave participants an overview of all types of disasters, their consequences, and why it is important to be fully aware and prepared.

The important webinar “Risk Assessment in Food Safety”

Fisheries constitute the fastest growing sector meeting global protein requirements. Aside from being an affordable enterprise, it is considered a safe food source as the muscles of healthy fishes are almost sterile. However, a multitude of hazards (biological, chemical, and environmental) can be introduced into aquaculture throughout the production and supply chain. They can originate from unsuitable farming practices, environmental pollution, and socio-cultural habits prevailing in various regions. With an increasing global population and demand for aquacultural products, food safety concerns are becoming significantly evident; therefore, ensuring safe, secure, affordable, and quality food for all in a global context is pragmatically difficult.

The webinar “Risk Assessment in Food Safety” will summarize the main issues related to food safety risks, with a final debate among experts.  

Neighbourhood Treaty between Poland and Germany at 30

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Neighbourhood Treaty between Poland and Germany at 30

Ambassador Prof. Dr. Andrzej Przyłębski at Brandenburg’s Diet – Picture by Landtag Brandeburg.

Thursday, 17 June 2021, Postdam, Brandenburg, Germany: With a ceremony in the plenary hall, Brandenburg’s State Diet honoured the signing of the neighbourhood treaty between Germany and Poland 30 years ago. 

Speaker Prof. Dr. Ulrike Liedtke said the agreement was “a milestone” in the relations between the two countries and continues to be an important basis for their exchange at all levels as well as for togetherness in Europe. She praised the close German-Polish cooperation in science and research, art and culture, tourism, crime prevention and business. “It is the connections between citizens that make up our contact,” the Landtag Speaker added.

The “Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Poland on Good Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation” was signed on 17 June 1991 by the heads of government and foreign ministers of both countries. At the same time, the founding of the German-Polish Youth Office was agreed. Ulrike Liedtke paid tribute to the youth exchange: three million young people had already taken part in the programmes, “an incredible, impressive figure!”.

The President of Parliament also recalled the trade union movement Solidarność as well as the Polish May Constitution of 1791 and emphasised: “Separation of powers, rule of law, freedom of opinion and democracy, these are pan-European values today – to the happiness of all of us. They unite us and our peoples. They enable Europe to act together, which is more urgent than ever in so many fields.”

The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Prof. Dr. Andrzej Przyłębski, emphasised the historical significance of the Neighbourhood Treaty, which continues to shape relations today: “It is also an example of how centuries of resentment, even hatred, can be transformed into friendly neighbourliness.” He called for the victims of Poland in the Second World War not to be forgotten. Poles living in Germany should be recognised as a national minority and Polish language teaching should be more strongly promoted, even outside schools. 

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Neighbourhood Treaty, he said, he wished “that genuine interest in Poland would arise in Germany”, in its history and its system of values. The ambassador expressly praised the plans of several parliamentary groups in the state parliament to anchor friendship with Poland in the Brandenburg constitution. This is also an obligation, he said: “More is demanded of friends than of ordinary acquaintances or neighbours.”

In his speech, the Premier of Brandenburg and Federal Government Coordinator for German-Polish Cooperation, Dr. Dietmar Woidke, said that in the past 30 years both countries had achieved “much more than we had dared to hope”. It was one of the greatest achievements of the then Chancellor Dr. Helmut Kohl to recognise the Oder-Neisse border in the border treaty with Poland. Before that, Chancellor Willy Brandt had already initiated reconciliation by kneeling in Warsaw.

The head of the Brandenburg government called for “finally creating a central place of remembrance and commemoration where the German crimes against the Polish people are comprehensively presented”. At the same time, he called for looking ahead and further developing relations: “Brandenburg continues to see great opportunities and potential for the future in the German-Polish integration area.” There are so many personal and professional relationships across the border “that have defied many a political irritation”, he emphasised.

The ceremony was accompanied musically by Aleksandra Dzwonkowska-Wawrzyniak (Poland) on the marimba. Afterwards, at the beginning of its 47th plenary session, the Landtag (State Assembly) debated a motion on “30 years of the Neighbourhood Treaty with the Republic of Poland”.

The motion calls on the state government to sustainably develop relations with Poland, to support better transport connections and networking in all areas and to “overcome the dividing lines of the border”. 

For further information

Diet of Brandenburg State: https://www.landtag.brandenburg.de/de/aktuelles/aktuelle_meldungen/landtag_wuerdigt_deutsch-polnische_beziehungen_(17.06.2021)/995821

https://www.landtag.brandenburg.de/de/meldungen„wegweisend“:_liedtke_woidke_und_przylebski_wuerdigen_30._jahrestag_des_deutsch-polnischen_nachbarschaftsvertrages/995760?_referer=396519

The Order of the White Star to Lilli Jahilo

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The Order of the White Star to Lilli Jahilo
The President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid handed out 152 state decorations on June 4th to people who, through their work and commitment, have helped to change life in Estonia for the better. The recipients of the decoration also included fashion designer and entrepreneur Lilli Jahilo. 

Lilli Jahilo is the daughter of former the Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to The Hague H.E Mr. Peep Jahilo.

We would like to thank all of our clients, partners and supporters – all of this was made possible only thanks to you!️ “I am so grateful and moved by this recognition. I have never dared to even dream of anything like this. Life surely had a surprise in store! What can I say.

I really love my work. One foot in a designer’s, the other in an entrepreneur’s shoe. There have been plenty of challenging moments, but somehow we’ve managed to keep on going. But the best thing about this journey by far are the people I have had the pleasure, honor and privilege to meet – this has only been possible with your support. From the bottom of my heart – thank you! ” – Lilli






Karim Asad Ahmad Khan new Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court

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Karim Asad Ahmad Khan new Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court

Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan QC sworn in today as the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court

Today, 16 June 2021, Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan QC gave his solemn undertaking and formally took office as the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court during a ceremony held at the Seat of the Court in The Hague, The Netherlands.

Mr Khan, a national of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was elected as ICC Prosecutor on 12 February 2021, for a nine-year term, at the second resumed nineteenth session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute in New York.

In accordance with article 45 of the Rome Statute, founding treaty of the ICC, the ceremony was held in open court. The ceremony was presided over by ICC President, Judge Piotr Hofmański. Reflecting on the critical role of the Prosecutor in the Court’s work in his remarks, President Hofmański stated: “While Judges are the ones who ultimately decide on the verdict in each case, it is also true that those cases would never reach the judges without the Prosecutor’s decision to bring them to court. And it is the Prosecutor who is responsible for the way in which preliminary examinations, investigations and prosecutions are conducted, and how evidence for the prosecution is selected and presented.” “On behalf of the Court, I offer heartfelt congratulations to Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan QC. As President of the Court, I look forward to working with him to strengthen our joint institution”, he added.

The Vice-President of the Assembly of States Parties, H.E. Ambassador Kateřina Sequensová

The Vice-President of the Assembly of States Parties, H.E. Ambassador Kateřina Sequensová, speaking on behalf of the ASP, stated that Mr Khan brings “an impressive amount of experience in international criminal justice” and that she was confident that his tenure “will constitute a fundamental pillar in the process of delivering international justice which we are all deeply committed to”. H.E. Ambassador Sequensová then administrated the solemn undertaking.

Mr Khan took a public oath of office declaring: “I solemnly undertake that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court honourably, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously, and that I will respect the confidentiality of investigations and prosecutions”.

Mr Khan then signed his oath before the ICC Registrar, Mr Peter Lewis, and delivered his first remarks as the Prosecutor of the ICC.

“The Rome Statute architecture is a promise to the future that tomorrow need not be as bleak and sorrowful as yesterday”, stated Prosecutor Khan. “I am truly and sincerely humbled at my opportunity to serve, and the responsibilities that have been entrusted in me. I will do my outmost to discharge those responsibilities without fear or favour, faithfully and with integrity, and in full conformity with solemn declaration that I have just given”, he added.

Remarks of ICC President Judge Piotr Hofmański

Remarks of ASP Vice-President H.E. Kateřina Sequensová

Remarks of ICC Prosecutor Karim Asad Ahmad Khan QC

Fatou Bensouda finishes her mandate as ICC Prosecutor

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Fatou Bensouda finishes her mandate as ICC Prosecutor

“To be effective, to be just and to be a real deterrent, the Office of the Prosecutor’s activities and decisions must be based solely on the law and the evidence. During my tenure, I have done my utmost to live by these convictions in the service of the Rome Statute, without fear or favour”, stated Prosecutor Bensouda reflecting on her mandate.

In the past week, a number of farewell events were held in honour  of  the outgoing Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Mrs Fatou Bensouda, whose nine year mandate at the head of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor comes to an end on 15 June 2021. She has served the Court since 2004, first as Deputy Prosecutor. Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan will be sworn in as Prosecutor of the ICC as of today, 16 June 2021.

At the different events, the Principals and staff of the Court, State representatives and a range of other distinguished attendees thanked Prosecutor Bensouda for her dedicated service to the ICC for close to two decades. Interventions, through live remarks or video contributions, noted the accomplishments of Prosecutor Bensouda and her lasting legacy, as well as the significant challenges, which have marked her term and which she has overcome with grace, resilience and professional integrity.

Speakers included, inter alia, UN Deputy Secretary-General, H.E. Ms Amina J. Mohammed; ICC President, Judge Piotr Hofmański; ICC Registrar, Mr Peter Lewis; ICC Deputy Prosecutor, Mr James Stewart, President of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), Ms Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi; former President of the ASP, Judge O-Gon Kwon; Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands, H.E. Ms Sigrid Kaag; Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Gambia, H.E. Dr Mamadou Tangara; Minister of Justice (Attorney General) of The Gambia, The Honourable Mr Dawda A. Jallow; UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs & Legal Counsel, H.E. Mr Miguel de Serpa Soares; Ambassador of Senegal, H.E. Mr Momar Gueye; Ambassador of The Gambia, H.E. Ms Teneng Mba Jaiteh; Acting Convenor of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, Ms Melinda Reed, and former US Prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials, Mr Benjamin Ferencz.

Order of Malta honours NRW Premier Armin Laschet

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Order of Malta honours NRW Premier Armin Laschet

Tuesday, 15 June 2021, Düsseldorf, NRW, Germany: North Rhine-Westphalia’s Premier Armin Laschet received one of the highest awards granted by the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta at the State Chancellery. He was awarded the Grand Cross “Pro Merito Melitensi” for his refugee-friendly, and migration policy.


“We are very grateful to Premier Armin Laschet for his work and support in recent years in the field of refugee and migration policy. Refugee work is at the centre of our daily work,” said Dr. Erich Prinz von Lobkowicz, President of the German Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta, when awarding the Grand Cross “Pro Merito Melitensi” as per statement below in the German language, and added: “We have come to know and appreciate Armin Laschet as a supporter of Malteser’s concerns, whose political actions are always based upon Christian values.”

Malteser has been working continuously in North Rhine-Westphalia for asylum seekers and refugees since 1991 as the only contractual partner of the state. At present, Malteser works are in charge of ten community shelters in Borgentreich, Echtrop, Hamm, Mönchengladbach, Neuss, Rees (two), Soest, Viersen and Wickede-Wimbern. 

Malteser International is an important support for asylum seekers and refugees, especially in the current crises (Corona pandemic/refugee crisis 2015/2016). In this context, Malteser Germany benefits from the good integration of Malteser Werke as a social enterprise with special expertise in the social care of collective accommodation and Malteser Hilfsdienst as a disaster control, relief and voluntary organisation.

During the ceremony, Premier Armin Laschet said: “For many centuries, the work of Malteser has conveyed Christian solidarity and charity, created cohesion and is an indispensable part of our social life. Many thousands of voluntary and full-time Malteser employees work every day for asylum seekers and refugees as well as for weak, sick and lonely fellow human beings and are an important support for them. Malteser International can also be relied on in the Corona pandemic: With 17 vaccination centres in which Malteser International is involved and seven of which it manages independently, Malteser International is making a central contribution to the progress of the largest vaccination campaign in our country and to combating the pandemic. To receive the Grand Cross of the Order of Malta is a great honour for me.”

The Order of Malta, which has had diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Germany since 2018, awards the Grand Cross of Merit very rarely and only for the fourth time to a premier  in Germany. The last time it was awarded was in 2009 to the then Premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Jürgen Rüttgers.

The Grand Cross “Pro Merito Melitensi” was endowed in 1916. It is awarded exclusively to personalities who have rendered outstanding services to the reputation of Malteser and supported its humanitarian goals.


About the Order of Malta – The Sovereign Order of Malta is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in Jerusalem in 1099, which additionally became a spiritual order of knights after the First Crusade. 
Under international law, the Order, which has provided international humanitarian aid since its foundation, is still considered a sovereign, non-state subject of international law. In the latter capacity, the Order also has its own government, sends ambassadors and has its own jurisdiction. The aim of the Order, which today has about 13,500 members internationally, is to provide charitable support worldwide to the elderly, the disabled, refugees, those suffering from terminal illnesses and lepers – regardless of religion or origin.

For further information


Order of Malta in Germany: https://www.malteser.de/newsdetails/news/hohe-auszeichnung-der-malteser-fuer-armin-laschet.html?fbclid=IwAR07_hiOliVR3wVjL_1YCXXYbxEaIPsE6ECWUjxHENF38ovRypozioM_d1M

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Celebrations for ‘Genforeningen’ at the Dano-German border

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Celebrations for ‘Genforeningen’ at the Dano-German border

Elke Büdenbender, Premier Daniel Günter (Schleswig-Holstein), President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Queen Margrethe II, PM Mette Frederiksen (Denmark) ©Patricio Soto

Sunday, 13 June 2021, Aabenraa, Kingdom of Denmark: In 2020, 100 years had transpired since Southern Jutland (northern part of the historical Duchy of Schleswig) was reunited with Denmark, something that is known as ‘Genforeningen‘ within the realm. Owing to the Corona virus pandemic celebrations were postponed until the summer of 2021, which were led by Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark, and the German Federal President, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier who travelled accompanied by the Royal Danish Ambassador in Germany, Susanne Hyldelund. The incumbent Premier of Schleswig-Holstein, Daniel Günther was likewise invited as one of the state dignitaries.  

The celebrations recreated the triumphant ‘homecoming’ of King Christian X who in 1920 entered the territories that were reunified with Denmark after a plebiscite on the matter. Around 100,000 Southern Jutlanders welcomed the monarch, and Queen Alexandrine. The town’s people handed over the Dannebrog (Danish flag) to Christian X at Kongeskansen. The Danish flag had been taken down in 1864 from Sønderborg. According to stories, the king received Dannebrog, and thereafter bent down and kissed the flag’s cloth.  

Picture by Keld Navntoft.

Kongeskansen at Dybbøl Banke is the place where the Danish Army in 1864 suffered its greatest defeat vis-à-vis the Prussian Army, and was forced to withdraw to Als. Southern Jutland was lost; therefore it was also there that in 1920 one could celebrate that the land area was again part of Denmark.  

In front of the Deutsches Museum Nordschleswig (German Museum in North Schleswig), Queen Margrethe II and the Federal President of Germany planted two trees symbolising the good relations between the Danish and German minorities on both sides of the border. 

Through art and cultural history collections, the museum illuminates identity, everyday life, schooling, war participation 1939-45, the legal settlement and the development after 1955. 

In Southern Jutland live about 15,000 people belonging to the German minority that emerged in 1920 as a result of the referendum and border relocation. The members of the minority perceive themselves as German North Schleswigers, Danish citizens with German identity as well as a firm foothold in the region.  The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, The Crown Prince of Denmark and Prince Christian were also present during the celebrations. 

For further information:


Danish Royal Household: https://www.kongehuset.dk/foto-video/genforeningsfejring
German Federal Presidency: https://www.bundespraesident.de/DE/Home/home_node.html#-gallery
Reunification’s website: https://genforeningen2020.dk/media/3848/baggrund-om-markeringen-fra-sekretariatet.pdf
Royal Danish Embassy in Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein (HE Ambassador Susanne Hyldelund): https://tyskland.um.dk

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