The Hague, Netherlands –17 January 2020– The Government of Algeria has contributed €15,000 to a special Organization 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 at the OPCW Headquarters between OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of Algeria to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Lounès Magramane.
The Director-General expressed: “I thank the Government of Algeria 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.”
Ambassador Magramane commented that Algeria is honoured to contribute to the OPCW Trust Fund to support the ChemTech Centre project, and to highlight Algeria’s positive relationship with the OPCW and its desire to further develop this collaboration. He remarked: “As a Member State contributing to the ChemTech Centre project, Algeria hopes to see the establishing of the new Centre as an instrument for enhancing capacity building in African OPCW Member States.”
The Permanent Representative of Algeria to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Lounès Magramane and OPCW Director General H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias.
Director-General Arias appealed to all OPCW States Parties 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, boost its investigative capability, and enhance capacity building activities. He highlighted that “all contributions, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated”.
So far, thirty States Parties and the European Union have contributed or pledged to contribute financially to the project, and a considerable amount has been raised to date.
The Zuiderstand Theater, overlooking the Scheveningen harbor, was filled with anticipation for the Residentie’s Orkest’s long awaited “New Year’s Concert” in honor of the orchestra’s Business Circle and loyal patrons.
Of the years, the New Year’s concert has become the “place to be” for classical music enthusiasts. The feeling of a “homecoming gathering” permeated the pre-concert cocktail reception as many of the invitees, well known in the The Hague’s business, professional and political circles, were clearly known to each other from other relationships in the community.
Mr. Sven Arne Tepl, CEO and Artistic Director, Residentie Orkest.
The CEO and Artistic Director, Mr. Sven Arne Tepl, welcomed his guests with a toast of “bubbly” and invited everyone assembled to enjoy “Oliebollen”, a Dutch fried sweet dough filled with currents, which is traditionally served throughout the country during both “Old and New Year” celebrations.
Kazem Abdullah, a youthful American conductor who currently resides in Nurnberg, Germany, lead the orchestra as “gast dirigent” (guest conductor) for his riveting “In a New Light” concert. Abdullah, dubbed the “Rockstar of the Composing world” by the Daily Beast, opened with “Ouverture West Side Story” (1957) by the American composer, Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990). Within moments, he captured the full attention of the audience.
The program continued with a selection of show-tune favorites combined with European pieces by Emmerich Kalman (1882-1953), Johann Strauss, Jr. (1825-1899) and Rudolf Sieczynski (1879-1952). Pieces by composers George Gershwin (1898-1937) and Harold Arlen (1905-1986) were also performed.
Compositions by Gershwin comprised half of the pieces selected for the evening’s concert. The audience was delighted and responded enthusiastically to both Abdullah’s and the orchestra’s lively performance with an extended applause at the conclusion of the first half of the concert.
Kari Postma, an award winning Norwegian soprano, delighted the audience as well. Hermine Deurloo, the world famous chromatic jazz harmonic player from Amsterdam, also joined the orchestra for the lively New Year’s concert.
Ab Nieuwdorp, the Dutch radio personality, from the “De Klassieken” heard weekdays from 9am-12pm, clearly enjoyed his role as the presenter for the evening, as did the members of the orchestra’s Business Circle.
The Residentie Orkest is an integral part of the municipality’s cultural life and is often the first introduction to a performance of classical music for the region’s youth. Thus, the orchestra relies upon patronage from the Business Circle and other members of the community to continue to improve the orchestra and to introduce gifted young people to the world of music.
Renta Brabander, Chairman of the Board of the Rabobank in The Hague, presented a check, in the amount of Euro 10,000 earmarked for “De Resident,” to Sven Arne Tepl.
This year, following a second standing ovation from the audience, Renta Brabander, Chairman of the Board of the Rabobank in The Hague, presented a check, in the amount of Euro 10,000 earmarked for “The Residents” to Sven Arne Tepl.
The funds will be used to support the youth orchestra training program which was created to teach area youth to play a symphony instrument for an introductory period of three years. The program has been well received and relies largely upon donations for continued success.
For donations to “The Resident” of EURO 1,000 or more, supporters are invited to join the “Viotta Kring.” More information about supporting the Residentie Orkest can be found here.
The orchestra’s currently performs in three venues. Visit the website for more information for the Residentie Orkest’s 2020 agenda.
In the picture from right to left: Ambassador of Finland, H.E. Ms Päivi Kaukoranta and her husband Mr Jarmo Hopponen, Mr. Marko Kivelä, Defence Attaché (to Germany and Netherlands) and his wife Mrs Anu Kivelä.
On the occasion of the 102nd Independence Day of Finland, the Ambassador of Finland, H.E. Ms Päivi Kaukoranta and Mr Jarmo Hopponen hosted a special reception. Attending were numeous diplomats and head of missions, Dutch officials, many from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Senate and the parliament, artists, politicians, members of different organisations, the Finnish embassy staff, as well as many friends of Finland who came in big numbers to the official residence of Finland on a raining winter night.
Her Excellency thanked everyone in attendance for sharing this very special day with her, and introduced Karla-Maria Toiviainen and Susan Ball, who performed the Finnish national anthem and the European Anthem Wilhelmus.
The Ambassador of Finland, H.E. Ms Päivi Kaukoranta and Mr Jarmo Hopponen, Mr. Marko Kivelä, Defence Attaché (to Germany and Netherlands) and his wife Mrs Anu Kivelä welcome Ms Adrienne Peereboom, Language consultant
and Mr Karim Hammoud, Deputy Chief of Cabinet, OPCW.
“Some of you may be surprised to hear also the European anthem, which symbolizes not only the European Union, but also Europe in a wider sense.” , expressed the Ambassador Ms. Kaukoranta.
“The European anthem is not intended to replace any of the national anthems of the EU countries, but rather to celebrate the values they all share. This is also true with the membership of the Union; it does not take anything away, but rather adds to our independence. For Finland, the membership in the European Union was, after all, also a security policy choice.”
Mr. Egwin de Voogt, LCOL, NL Defence.
She continued by stating that “during this second half of 2019 Finland held the Presidency of the Council of European Union – for the third time since 1995, when Finland became a member of the European Union. The Finnish Presidency has also characterized the work of the Embassy, which was busy in organizing numerous EU-related events during the past half a year. This Presidency was marked with the institutional transition period in the Union – new European Parliament, as well as a brand-new Commission. For us Finns, it was also a new national parliament and government – and yet a new one, hopefully already next week.”
In the middle we can see: Ms. Erica Shouten, Director of the Europe Department, Minibuza, H.E. Ms. Kateřina Sequensová, Ambassador or the Czech Republic AND H.E. Mr. Marcin Czepelak, Ambassador of Poland.
On the right: Ms Anita van den Ende, Director General for European Cooperation, Minbuza.
The Netherlands recognized Finland’s independence on 28 January 1918, amongst the first countries to do so. First recognition came naturally from the eastern neighbour, from Lenin’s Russia. The recognition was confirmed orally by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonkheer Loudon.
In order to further clarify that the recognition had indeed happened, an exchange of letters took place a year later, in June 1919. The date of the Dutch letter, 5 June 1919, is considered the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Thus, in the year 2019, The Netherlands and Finland celebrated 100 years of diplomatic relations.
In the picture, left side: H.E. Ms. Kaili Terras, Ambassador of Estonia. Right: Ms. Satu Dubbeling, Chief of Procurement, Contract Administration and Travel, Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
“We are grateful for the good cooperation with Netherlands, and look forward to continue on this track. This good cooperation was also marked in the beginning of this week in the bilateral meeting of our Foreign Ministers – Haavisto and Blok”, expressed H.E. Ms. Kaukoranta.
From left: Mr. Mohamed A. Bangura, Prosecution Legal Adviser, Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone with Mrs Anu Kivelä, Mr. Marko Kivelä, Defence Attaché of Finland, Mr Jarmo Hopponen, and the Ambassador of Finland, H.E. Ms Päivi Kaukoranta.
“I would like to use this opportunity to thank the Embassy staff who have worked hard to make this reception to happen and all year long for many other events and every day work. I would also like to congratulate my deputy, Minister Counsellor Marianne Mäkinen, whom The President of the Republic decided to decorate with a Knight First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland. Not least my thanks goes to Helga Mensing, our former Honorary Consul in Curacao, who was decorated earlier this year as Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland.
I would also like to thank all colleagues at the Minbuza, at the Dutch Government as a whole, the Parliament, other embassies, organizations, and all partners with whom we have worked hard during this year. It is wonderful to do this work with all of you.
Finally, I would like to pay tribute also one particular person whom I had invited to this event, but who sadly passed away a few weeks ago, and thus could not be with us today. I had the honour to open Onno de Bruyne’s exhibition titled “Greetings to Finland” last spring. I was fascinated by his paintings of birch woods, the national tree of Finland – if you wish to take a look, one his painting is in the library located on the right hand side of the entry hall.
Today, on December 6th, flags fly high in Finland. I have commenced our Independence Day celebration this morning by hoisting a brand-new Finnish flag in Finland100 Birch Park in Harlemmermeer in Vennep. I am delighted that so many of you have joined us tonight to continue our celebration and raise a glass for our 102-year-old country!
The crowd got into the warm spirit of friendship and generous hospitality offered by Ambassador Kaukoranda, her family and colleagues from the Embassy of Finland. The host really worked with dedication to welcome the guests with an outstanding, delicious and authentic Finish menu, music and enchanting atmosphere making the National Day of Finland an unforgettable event.
On the image the ambassadors Gordan Bakota (Croatia), Elena Shekerletova(Bulgaria), Franc But (Slovenia), Luigi Mattiolo (Italy) Theodoros Daskarolis (Greece),Baron Maciej Heydel (Order of Malta), Baron Willem van de Voorde (Belgium).Picture by the Slovenian Embassy in Berlin.
Monday, 13 January 2020, Bellevue Castle, Berlin, Germany: At Langhangsaal, the traditional New Year’s Reception hosted by the German Federal President, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier in conjunction with the German Foreign Ministry was held for ambassadors and representatives of international organisations based in Germany.
Incredible India at Vakantiebeurs- H. E. Mr. Venu Rajamony Ambassador of India, with his spouse, Dr. Saroj Thapa, the Mayor of Utrecht the Honorable Jan van Zanen and guests.
By Catherine Dailey.
The 50th annual Vakantiebeurs was officially opened to the travel trade yesterday. The largest travel expo in the Benelux is held at the Utrecht Jaarbeurs Exposition Center and is now open to the public from 16-19 January.
The show is held in six halls organized around geographic regions and even features a “Cruise Hall.” In addition to major travel organizations such as TUI, Corendon, Da Jong Intra Vakanties and ANWB Travel exhibiting; dozens of smaller “custom” travel specialists are also present. Bolsjoj Reizen, Iran Silk Road Travel, Smaragd Reizen, Tiara Tours and the Jambo Safari Club are but a few of the many travel organizations offering unique travel programs in faraway destinations.
The show features six theaters, six themed food courts, daily dance, film and educational programs and other activities, such as photography and cooking demonstrations, which are of interest to everyone in the family.
Many embassies and national tourist boards are exhibiting. India, Indonesia and the USA are among the many.
The Minister of Tourisme of Tunisia, H.E. Mr. René Trabelsi at Vakantiebeurs 2020.
Africa, a popular destination, has more visibility at the show than ever. The embassy of the Republic of Uganda, the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda, the Botswana Embassy, the Ethiopia Embassy and the Tanzania Embassy in the Netherlands are but a few of the embassies exhibiting at the show.
Vakantiebeurs 2020.
Tanzania is even represented by the Senior Conservation Officer from the Tanzania National Parks (nearly 25% of the country is a designated conservation area of one kind or another). The principal marketing officer for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area known worldwide for the UNESCO designated Ngrongoro Crater, the world’s largest “inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera” and a paradise for lovers of Africa’s wildlife is also on hand to discuss the nation’s exemplary wildlife conservation initiatives.
This year, The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is the official “Guest Location.” The “Ras” is presenting unique desert resort and beach destinations to the public. Tokyo is also exhibiting at the Vakantiebeurs for the first time.
The Dominican Republic at Vakantiebeurs 2020.
Portugal, an ever-popular destination with the Dutch market, is exhibiting with tourist boards from multiple tourist regions, including Alentejo-known for wine and cork production, the Azores, the Algarve and the region known as “Centro.” Centro is the region which extends from Porto south nearly to Lisbon and includes the UNESCO world heritage site of Coimbra (the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe), the famous pilgrimage site of Fatima, and the famous big wave surfing coast of Nazare.
Indonesia Vakantiebeurs 2020.
The country of Georgia has also become a very popular tourist destination amongst travellers. Strategically situated on the crossroads between Europe and Asia, the country offers enormous cultural and gastronomic diversity.
Wintersports are popular in the region and the main ski areas are Bakuriani, Gudauri, Mestia and Goderdzi. It is astonishing to note that visitors to Georgia’s mountain ski resorts have sen more than 550% growth since 2011! Summer tourism to the mountain regions has grown at a similar rate. Tbilisi, the nation’s capital, is approximately 3.5 hours flight time form the Netherlands, making it an attractive destination for shorter trips.
Rwanda each year more popular at Vakantiebeurs.
Trade Day closed with an award ceremony for the best “ZRAs” in the industry. The services and benefits that a, “zelf standige adviseur” (ZRA) or independent travel professional are well known and, as are the interface between travel suppliers (airlines, hotels, and tour operators) , they serve to meet the public’s demand for highly personalized travel to unique destinations in our mobile world.
Following the award ceremony, the halls emptied and both exhibitors and trade professionals gathers in the festival tent to celebrate the shows fiftieth jubilee.
The show is open through the weekend.
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About the author: Catherine Dailey is a Travel Counsellor IATA certificate for travel information or reservations please contact Catherine.dailey@travelcounsellors.nl or +31 6 533 14 372
Spanish flamenco guitarist Paco Peña presents “Requiem for the Earth”
18 to 22 January 2020, in several cities in the Netherlands.
In collaboration with the Embassy of Spain to The Hague, the renowned flamenco guitar player Paco Peña will give a performance of his piece Requiem por la Tierra, or Requiem for the Earth, in different Dutch cities. Paco Peña wrote this extraordinary piece in 2004. In it, he appeals to humanity to handle our earth carefully.
Paco Peña’s flamenco ensemble, two chamber choirs (Oost Nederlands Kamerkoor from Doetinchem and Musica Vocale from Wageningen) and four children’s choirs from the province of Gelderland join forces under the direction of Rob Vermeulen. Also cooperating are the Wageningen University & Research project, the HAN University of Applied Sciences, and other speakers and dancers.
More information (also about ticket sales) can be found at the website: Requiem for the Earth.
Conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon upon Professor Rien T. Segers, professor emeritus University of Groningen
On Thursday 23 January, at 17:00 hours, Professor Rien T. Segers, professor emeritus of the University of Groningen, the founder and Managing Director emeritus of the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Groningen, as well as professor emeritus of Asian Business Strategies at the International Business School of Hanze University of Applied Sciences, will receive a Japanese imperial decoration during a special ceremony at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Hidehisa Horinouchi.
In the name of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon will be conferred upon Professor Segers. With this decoration, the Japanese government recognises his exceptional contribution to the promotion of academic exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and the Netherlands.
With the support of Eurojust and Europol, after a joint action day last week, 19 key suspects, the alleged heads of an organised crime group (OCG) suspected of large-scale drug trafficking from Ivory Coast and Nigeria to Italy, were arrested in Italy and several other European countries in execution of EAWs.
During the course of the investigation, 150 suspects were arrested. The network of intermediate suppliers used false bottoms in shoes and suitcases, and hidden pockets in clothing, to smuggle heroin (and other drugs) to the south of Italy. In total, 230 kg of heroin, 20 kg of cocaine and 2 kg of MDMA were seized.
The suspects apprehended in Italy raised no suspicions, as they lived a modest life, working as local entrepreneurs. An integral part of the OCG was made up of so-called ‘sewers’, the individuals who sewed hiding places for the drugs. Their labour was so important that they were paid more than US$ 1 000 for each suitcase. The trafficked narcotics were sometimes treated with spices to render them undetectable to drug-sniffing dogs and also undetectable via x-ray. The couriers were also undetectable, as they were never in contact with the drugs.
The couriers departed directly from the places of production of narcotics, such as East Africa, Pakistan, China, Laos and Latin America (cocaine in various forms: paste, liquid and powder). After the first seizures, the drugs, still coming from those countries, were stored in Tanzania, South Africa and Brazil. From these countries, the drugs were transported to northern Europe, reaching Italy using the most diverse transportation means. Subsequently, the OCG began to use European couriers.
National authorities
IT: The investigations were directed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) Anti-Mafia Directorate of the District of Perugia, supported by the Carabinieri of Perugia and assisted by the Service for the International Cooperation of Police – Division SI.RE.NE.
Anne-Marie Descôtes and Premier Tobias Hahn – Picture by Saarland.de.
Friday, 10 January 2020, Saarbrücken, The Saarland, Germany: Premier of The Saarland, Tobias Hans, hosted a traditional New Year reception held in conjunction with a ceremony was held in the Congress Hall to commemorate the state’s one hundred years of history.
Ambassador of Slovenia, Franc But at the Saarland’s reception accompanied by Ambassador Anne-Marie Descôtes – Picture by Slovenian Embassy in Germany.
Amongst the speakers and prominent guests during there ceremony were German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, historian Prof. Dr. Jörn Leonhard, or French Ambassador Anne-Marie Descôtes. A musical programme was provided by the State Orchestra of The Saarland, and the Thomas Blug Band with Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell.
To the reception Saarlanders who especially volunteer in the field of regional and local history were invited.
Premier Reiner Haseloff and Ambassador Pedro Raúl Villagra – Staatskanzlei Sachsen-Anhalt, B. Rulf.
Thursday, 9 January 2020, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany: Premier Dr. Reiner Haseloff received the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, H. E. Mr. Pedro Raúl Villagra Delgado, for his inaugural visit.
Both sides exchanged views on current issues, and expressed the hope that bilateral contacts can be expanded.
In 2018, goods worth almost 22 million euros were exported from Saxony-Anhalt to the South American state, while imports had a volume of almost nine million euros.
Vibrant education cooperation The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg is cooperating with the Universidad de Buenos Aires on the basis of a corresponding agreement. The Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg is cooperating with the Universidad Nacional del Sur in Bahia Bianca, the Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto in Córdoba, and the Universidad Nacional de La Matanza in San Justo. The Anhalt University of Applied Sciences has contractual relationships with the Universidad de Buenos Aires and the Universidad de Palermo.
The Gymnasium Landschulheim Grovesmühle in Veckenstedt has maintained an active partnership with the school Técnico No. 2 Obisco Colombres in Tucumán since 2017. The student exchange takes place regularly in rotation. In autumn 2019 15 students and two teachers were guests in Tucumán.
