Hidden gems of the Visegrad Group countries – outdoor exhibition

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Hidden gems of the Visegrad Group countries – outdoor exhibition

The Embassies of Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia present the outdoor exhibition: “Hidden gems of the Visegrad Group countries” to the inhabitants of The Hague region. 

The exhibition aims to bring closer the charm of this still undiscovered part of Europe, by sharing photos of beautiful monuments and landscapes, that in many cases remain unknown to the broader public. The open-air character of this event answers to the anti-COVID restrictions of the current times. 

Visegrad Group exhibition at the Embassy of Poland in The Hague.

The Visegrad Group (V4) is a cultural and political alliance of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Its history begun in 1991, when it was established to advance mutual cooperation along with deepening integration of the region with the EU. On July 1st, 2020 Poland took over the presidency of the V4.

The exhibition located at the fence of the Polish Embassy in The Hague (Alexanderstraat 25, 2514 JM Den Haag) will be available to the public until  to August 10th, 2020. Diplomat Magazine’s photographers got a look at it beforehand and made fantastic shoots.

Free of charge, no appointment required. You are welcome to come and take a look of the “hidden gems of the Visegrad Group Countries at any time!

Embassy of Poland, Visegrad Group Exhibition,

Uzbekistan Plov Extravaganza in Brussels

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Uzbekistan Plov Extravaganza in Brussels

In the picture Uzbekistan Embassy’s Chef Mr. Nigmat Rakhmov together with H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov.

By Roy Lie Atjam.

H.E. Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of The Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Brussels, also accredited to the Netherlands, organized an Uzbekistan cooking workshop and demonstration to offer diplomats and others an opportunity to explore classic Uzbek cuisine.

The demonstration was held on the lawns of the Embassy in Brussels on July 17th 2020. This amazingly gorgeous garden proved to be a perfect backdrop for the demonstration.

Guests to Uzbekistan plov event.

The event featured the Embassy’s Chef Mr. Nigmat Rakhmov who prepared the world famous Uzbekistan Plov/Pilav. However, interestingly it should be noted that the authentic name of the dish is Osh.

You will find different versions of Plov/Pilav/Pilaf in other countries such as Iran, India, Turkey, and Central-Asia. The dish can even be found in the Caribbean region as well, for instance in the islands of Martinique and Grenada. It is often debated that Trinidad &Tobago has the best Plov or “Pelau” in the Caribbean. Even though versions of this dish can be found in many parts of the world, the precise country of origin of Plov is not known.

Guests from the Netherlands.

Chef Nigmat Rakhmov delivered an excellent Plov. It has been a tremendous delight to observe food fans from different quarters of the globe enjoying classic Uzbek Plov.

Ambassadors of Kyrgyzstan, H.E. Mr. Muktar Djumaliev, Tajikistan, H.E. Mr Erkinkhon Rahmatullozoda and the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr Dilyor Khakimov.

The guest list consisted of Ambassadors of Kyrgyzstan, H.E. Mr. Muktar Djumaliev, Tajikistan, H.E. Mr Erkinkhon Rahmatullozoda, diplomats, and representatives of the Belgian MFA, business people from the Netherlands and Belgium as well as various other guests.

The host of the gathering, H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, Uzbekistan Ambassador could look back on that successful event with pride as being the perfect example of exposure of Uzbekistan Food Diplomacy.

MFA of Armenia issues threats warning

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MFA of Armenia issues threats warning

Statement by the MFA of Armenia on threats of the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan to launch a missile strike at the Armenian Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant

“The threats voiced by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan to launch missile attacks at the Armenian Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant indicate the level of desperation and the crisis of mind of the political-military leadership of Azerbaijan. 

The actions threatened by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan are a flagrant violation of the International Humanitarian Law in general and the First Additional Protocol to Geneva Conventions in particular. Such threats are an explicit demonstration of state terrorism and genocidal intent of Azerbaijan.

Moreover, with such statements the leadership of Azerbaijan acts as a menace to all the peoples of the region, including its own people. 

We strongly condemn the nuclear threats voiced by Azerbaijan, which demonstrate absolute absence of responsibility and sound judgement from this particular member of the international community.

Azerbaijan must publicly denounce such threats at once.”

An update on the Armenian incursion into Azerbaijan by novel Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov

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An update on the Armenian incursion into Azerbaijan by novel Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov

On July 16, 2020, the Armenian armed forces attempted to attack our positions again  in  the  direction  of  the  Tovuz  region  along  the  Azerbaijan-Armenia  border  and  civilian  residential  infrastructure  in  Aghdam,  Dondar  Gushchu  and  Vahidli  villages of Tovuz region was shelled by large-caliber weapons and artillery. During continuing combats one serviceman of the Azerbaijany Army was killed. 

Continuing  its  provocative  actions,  Armenia  openly  demonstrates  its  intention  to  strengthen  the  consequences  of  its  aggressive  policy  by  grossly  violating  the  norms  and  principles  of  international  law,  including  international  humanitarian law, and to carry out new acts of aggression by use force. 

We reiterate that the only cause of tension in the region is Armenia, which holds Nagorno-Karabakh  and  7  surrounding  regions  of  Azerbaijan  under  military  occupation,  violates  the  fundamental  rights  and  freedoms  of  hundreds  of  thousands  of  Azerbaijanis  and  directly  impedes  the  settlement  of  the  conflict  through negotiations. 

The   Armenian   leadership,   which   tries   to   cover   up   its   failed   domestic   policy,  attempts to strengthen its aggressive foreign policy and divert the attention of  the  international  community  from  the  responsibility  for  the  occupation  of  Azerbaijani  territories,  must  realize  that  Azerbaijan  will  never  reconcile  with  the  fact of the occupation of its internationally recognized territories and not an inch of our land will be left under occupation. Azerbaijan has always stated its support for a political solution to the conflict, but it  must  not  be  understood  as  endless  continuation  of  negotiations.  

Azerbaijan  supports  the  result-oriented  talks  and  expects  the  mediation  efforts  of  OSCE  Minsk Group co-chairs in this direction. The Armenian leadership is fully responsible for the tension on the front and all the consequences it may cause.

On Thursday, 16 July 2020 Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov was appointed chief of Azerbaijani diplomacy by President Ilham Aliyev. 

__________________

Picture by Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan

Source: https://mfa.gov.az/en/news/6749/view

Romania contributes to OPCW

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Romania contributes to OPCW

Romania Contributes RON 48,000 to Future OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – 13 July 2020 – The Government of Romania has contributed RON 48,000 to a special Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Trust Fund to support the project to upgrade the current OPCW Laboratory and Equipment Store. This project will result in the construction of a new facility, the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (“ChemTech Centre”).

The contribution was formalised during a ceremony today between OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of Romania to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Brândușa Predescu, which was held at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.

Ambassador Predescu remarked: “The voluntary contribution is renewed proof of Romania’s strong support for the principles and goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention. We believe that in an ever-changing security environment the new ChemTech Centre will play a significant role in consolidating the Organisation’s ability to address chemical weapons threats and in supporting capacity building, thus contributing to our goal of enhancing global peace and security. ”

The Permanent Representative of Romania to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Brândușa Predescu and OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias.

The Director-General expressed: “I thank the Government of Romania for this contribution to the new OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology that will further build the capabilities of our Member States to achieve a world free of chemical weapons. The continued commitment of OPCW Member States to this important project during these unprecedented times is especially meaningful.”

Director-General Arias appealed to all OPCW Member States in a position to make voluntary contributions to do so. He further emphasised the important role the new ChemTech Centre will play in strengthening the OPCW’s ability to address chemical weapon threats and enhance capacity building activities. He highlighted that “all contributions, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated”.

So far, forty-three Member States and the European Union have contributed or pledged to contribute financially to the ChemTech Centre project, and a considerable amount has been raised to date.

Azerbaijan Minister inform about attacks

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Azerbaijan Minister inform about attacks

 By  H.E. Mr Elmar Mammadyarovthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

On July 12, the armed forces of Armenia attempted to attack, using artillery, in order to seize positions in the direction of Tovuz district along the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The attack of the enemy forces was prevented by retaliatory measures. As a result of the combat, three servicemen of the Azerbaijani army were killed and four were injured.

This provocative act of the Armenian armed forces should be seen as a continuation of the recent actions and statements of the leadership of aggressor state Armenia, which serve to increase tensions in the region.

Armenia, which has reflected its aggressive policy in the country’s national security strategy, openly demonstrates that it aims to seize new positions and increase tensions in the region instead of eliminating the consequences of the conflict and withdrawing its occupying forces from the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan.

This provocation by Armenia casts serious doubt on the essence of the negotiations mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Armenia is trying to involve third countries in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict with such provocative actions. Nevertheless, the position of the international community on Armenia’s aggressive policy is quite well known.

All provocations of the enemy forces will be adequately prevented from this time onward as well.

Armenia bears full responsibility for such provocative actions that serve to aggravate the situation.

H.E. Dr. Mark Anthony Pace is Malta’s Ambassador to the Netherlands

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H.E. Dr. Mark Anthony Pace is Malta’s Ambassador to the Netherlands

With an impressive 25 years diplomatic career behind him, Dr. Mark Anthony Pace is Malta’s new Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Diplomat Magazine and the whole diplomatic community welcome him in this new experience!

From the shores of the Mediterranean to those of the North Sea: this is the latest relocation of Dr. Mark Anthony Pace, the new Ambassador of the Republic of Malta in the Netherlands. For the last four years, Dr. Pace has been his country’s top representative in Tunis. Now, he will play the same role in The Hague, serving as Malta’s Ambassador to the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). 

Ambassador Pace brings with him 25 years of experience in Malta’s diplomatic corps. After gaining a Diploma of Notary Public (1993) and a Doctor of Laws degree (1995) from the University of Malta, he quickly joined the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MFEA) in La Valletta, where he worked as Second Secretary at the Multilateral Affairs Directorate.

While already serving in his country’s diplomatic corps, Dr. Pace decided to dedicate some time to studying, and earned a MA degree in Social Sciences (1998) from the University of Amsterdam. With this new diploma in mind, in 1999 he was promoted to the role of First Secretary and assigned to the Ministry’s Bilateral Relations Directorate in La Valletta, before moving to his first posting abroad – in Moscow – in 2000.

Dr. Pace’s appointment in Moscow was the first of many postings abroad that would follow in his career. Over the next 15 years, indeed, he spent most of his time outside Malta, working at his country’s representations in Washington D.C. (2003-2006, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Maltese Embassy), Strasbourg (2008-2011, Deputy Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe), Brussels (2011-2012, Representative in the Maghreb/Mashreq Working Group at the Council of the EU), Ramallah (2012-2015, Representative of Malta in Palestine), and eventually Tunis (2016-2020, where he served as Malta’s Ambassador). 

This long series of postings abroad was interrupted only twice for short postings at the MFEA’s in La Valletta – first in 2006, when Dr. Pace worked for two years as Deputy Director at the Ministry’s Protocol Directorate, and then in 2015, when he took up the role of Head of Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Ambassador Pace speaks an outstanding number of languages. Besides being fluent in Maltese, English, Italian, and French, he has also a working knowledge of Dutch, Russian and Spanish. 

The Ambassador of Bangladesh, H.E. Mr. Riaz Hamidullah

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The Ambassador of Bangladesh, H.E. Mr. Riaz Hamidullah

H.E. Mr. M. Riaz Hamidullah is the new Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He presented his credentials to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander on July 20th, 2020.

Mr. Riaz earned a bachelor’s and postgraduate degree in Economics in India and Bangladesh. He later joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in 1995 and served a good part of his career in the area of multilateral economic diplomacy. Regarding his assignments abroad, he first served at the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN in New York from 1999 to 2003. It was not long afterward that he become a mid-career political officer at the Bangladesh Mission in New Delhi, India from 2003 to 2005.

In the period between 2005 and 2011, Mr. Riaz focused on South Asian regional cooperation. This includes a three-and-a-half-year stint as Director in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Secretariat in Kathmandu. While holding this position, he dealt with, inter alia, regional agriculture and rural development, transport connectivity, the SAARC Development Fund, and the development of regional projects. In addition, he contributed towards the development and reorganization of SAARC institutions and processes.

In 2012, Mr. Riaz moved on to becoming the Director-General in charge of European and EU Affairs at the Bangladeshi MOFA. He guided Bangladesh’s economic engagements with several European countries and the country’s entry into the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process. From 2013, Mr. Riaz served as the Director-General in Multilateral Economic Affairs for three years, during which he worked on sustainable development, climate change, migration, development finance, and blue economy, among other things.

He also shepherded Bangladesh’s engagement in a range of multilateral processes like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In addition, Mr. Riaz served as the lead interlocutor and negotiator on the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact on the ready-made garment (RMG) and textile industry vis-à-vis the US and EU, as well as matters related to the Responsible Business Conduct. Furthermore, he has anchored Bangladesh’s engagement in the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC).

From 2017, Mr. Riaz served as the point man on Bangladesh’s engagements at the World Economic Forum (WEF). Simultaneously, he served as the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka from August 2016 to July 2020. Following this term, he took over as the Ambassador-designate of Bangladesh to the Netherlands on July 6th, 2020.

Mr. Riaz is interested in matters of development, technology, global business, and work issues, which is showcased throughout his career as a diplomat.

The diplomat community in The Hague sends a warm welcome to Ambassador Riaz and wishes him all the best in his new term.

Al Hassan trial opens at International Criminal Court

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Al Hassan trial opens at International Criminal Court

On 14 July 2020, the trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud opened before Trial Chamber X of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in Timbuktu (Mali). Trial Chamber X is composed of Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua, Presiding Judge, Judge Tomoko Akane and Judge Kimberly Prost.

The trial’s opening started with the reading of the charges against Mr Al Hassan. The Chamber was satisfied that the accused understood the nature of the charges. The accused decided not to plead guilty or non-guilty to the charges at this stage of the trial. 

The Court’s Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and Senior Trial Lawyer Gilles Dutertre took the floor for opening statements. The hearings will continue tomorrow 15 July 2020, with the end of the Prosecution’s opening statement. 

The trial is scheduled to resume on 25 August 2020, when the Prosecution will begin to present its evidence and call its witnesses before the judges. At their requests, the Legal Representatives of Victims and the Defence will make their opening statements at the beginning of the presentation of their evidence, once the Prosecution has concluded the presentation of its case.

Due to the current situation linked to Covid-19, the public gallery was open to a limited number of representatives of the media, the diplomatic community, and the public.  

Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Visits OPCW

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Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Visits OPCW

In the picture, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence of Belgium, H.E. Mr Philippe Goffin and the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 9 July 2020 — The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence of Belgium, H.E. Mr Philippe Goffin, met today at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.

The Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister congratulated the Director-General and the Technical Secretariat for their efforts to ensure a world free of chemical weapons. He remarked: “The return of Belgium to the Executive Council for the next two years comes at an important time, during which the OPCW is facing increasingly difficult circumstances. As the use of chemical weapons cannot go unpunished, the publication of the first report of the Investigation and Identification Team is an important first step towards accountability. The OPCW can continue to count on the support of Belgium.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence of Belgium, H.E. Mr Philippe Goffin and The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias during a meeting at the OPCW headquarters.

The Director-General briefed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence on the OPCW’s progress in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention as well as on the work of the Investigation and Identification Team. Following Belgium’s €2M contribution to the new OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology in 2018, the Director-General also provided a status update on the project. Both the Director-General and the Minister acknowledged the need to intensify international cooperation and assistance to promote the peaceful application of science and technology in chemistry.

The Director-General underlined the deep ties between Belgium and the OPCW and remarked: “Belgium has my sincere gratitude for its unwavering commitment to the goals of the Convention and for its support to the OPCW. We look forward to continued cooperation with Belgium to ensure that chemical weapons become a thing of the past.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence of Belgium, H.E. Mr Philippe Goffin and The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias.

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