US Independence Day in times of COVID-19 – A special celebration

Editor
-
0
US Independence Day in times of COVID-19 – A special celebration

Despite restrictions arising from the measures aimed at curbing the pandemic, the US Embassy in The Netherlands managed to properly celebrate the 244th birthday of the United States of America. The celebrations involved a visit to US troops in Volkel airbase, a commemoration at a WWII museum near Opijnen, and an exclusive film premiere in The Hague.

The celebration started on Friday July 3rd, when the Embassy staff visited Volkel airbase, between Eindhoven and Nijmegen. There, US diplomats thanked their country’s soldiers for their service and sacrifice. The US servicemen – who are currently preparing to return to the US after their deployment in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve – also enjoyed a traditional BBQ with their Dutch colleagues at the airbase.

The Embassy staff moved on with the celebration on Saturday July 4th, the actual date of Independence, when they paid a visit to the Sky of Hope WWII and Airmen Museum in Vuren Fortress, near Opijnen. There, they attended a moving ceremony in which US service members folded – according to the traditional military protocol – a flag donated to the museum by the family of Staff Sergeant Robert Martin, a US airman who died while fighting during World War II.

The 244th National Day of the United States of America.

Finally, the celebration ended with an exclusive screening of Hamilton, a historical remix of the life of the United States’ Founding Fathers. The movie – an original Broadway production presented by Disney – was exclusively screened for 320 guests at Pathé Buitenhof in The Hague, where the social distancing measures were rigorously respected. 

The measures aimed at fighting the pandemic might have imposed some constraints, but the willingness of the US Embassy staff to celebrate the 244th birthday of their country still prevailed. 

Rwanda prepares to reopen boarders and airports post COVID-19

Editor
-
0
Rwanda prepares to reopen boarders and airports post COVID-19

By Ndahiro Herbert, First Secretary, Embassy of Rwanda in The Netherlands.

With nearly to 5 months after the Government of Rwanda stopped all in coming and outbound flights as part of the measures to stop the spread of the New Coronavirus, Rwanda is now gearing up to reopening her airports from 1 August 2020 to commercial flights according to Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA).

In a statement issued by Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure on 6 June, several measures shall be adhered to safeguard the health of passengers, crew and staff including (i) all passengers, including those in transit, will be required to show proof of a COVID-19 PCR negative test, taken within 72 hours of entering the country and (ii) all passengers entering the country will be subject to a second PCR test, while staying at designated hotels at their own cost, with results out within 24 hours.

Ndahiro Herbert, First Secretary, Embassy of Rwanda in The Netherlands.

Other measures in place include hand sanitizers, physical distancing markings, disinfection of the airport and equipment, airport staff well trained on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, and comprehensive guidelines to ensure safe operations.

In addition, Rwanda has deployed smart anti-epidemic robots at the airport to help in taking temperatures of arriving and departing passengers within the airports. 

The reopening on 1st August comes following the first phase of 17th June 2020 where Rwanda Airports authority opened up to private and chartered flights. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is expected to resume flight operations to Kigali on 6th August after, the airline had halted intercontinental operations due to the pandemic.

Anne-Marie Descôtes on working visit by Premier Söder

Editor
-
0
Anne-Marie Descôtes on working visit by Premier Söder

Premier Dr. Markus Söder and Ambassador Anne-Marie Descôtes – Picture by bayerische Staatskanzlei, bayern.de

Monday, 6 July 2020, Munich, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: French Ambassador to Germany, Anne-Marie Descôtes accompanied by the Grande Nation’s Consul General in Munich, Pierre Lanapats was received at the Bavarian State Chancellery by the Free State’s Premier Dr. Markus Söder and State Minister Dr. Florian Herrmann, Head of the State Chancellery, Minister of State for Federal and European Affairs and Media.

Premier Söder, State Minister Herrmann, Ambassador Descôtes and Consul General Pierre Lanapats – Picture by Bayern.de

This was the first tête-à-tête held with an ambassador accredited to Germany since the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, whose measures in both countries where discussed in detail as well as likely economic and social repercussions arising thereof. Ambassador Descôtes used the opportunity to thank once more Germany for hosting and treating Covid-19 patients hailing from France in German hospitals. 

Bavaria being an epicentre for the German industry, both sides discussed novel manners to expand their economic ties. 

For further information: 
https://www.bayern.de/service/fotoreihen/?frid=in123935

Burundi National Day – a Day of Hope

Editor
-
0
Burundi National Day – a Day of Hope

In the picture H.E. Ambassador Gamaliel Nkuruziza and spouse.

Recently Burundi celebrated their 58th independence anniversary at the Ambassador’s residence in Wassenaar. The event was successful and many Burundians and friends of Burundi in The Netherlands attended the event.

Early last June, Burundi lost its President Pierre Nkurunzizxa who passed away after a massive heart attack at 55.  H.E. Ambassador Gamaliel Nkuruziza, started his speech by inviting the guests to observe a minute of silence in homage to the late president of Burundi. 

During his inspiring speech ambassador declared: . It is true that our country underwent difficulties and those difficulties taught us. Now our country invites us to achieve projects that every Burundian has and that our friends like the ones we are together today. I am an Ambassador at a leading position and you are also ambassadors at your levels. We are called to promote the image of our country and this will lead to the development of our country.

It is true that I am one Ambassador and therefore but I am unable to reach all friends of Burundi as the ones you brought here. Tell them what Burundi is where it comes from and where it goes, this will an honor for Burundi. I repeat here that there no country like Burundi. It is our mother-land whatever we will become, we will remained bound to Burundi, our country.

Ambassador Nkuruziza called Burundians to unite as one for support the country, he said: Let us have trust in our leaders and not let any of us a damage the image of our country or otherwise, they will be considered as cursed. Let us change positively and join the call of our President to rebuild the image of our country in the concert of the nations.

I will do what I can with where my position as Ambassador allows me to but your part is needed to reach where I will be unable to arrive. As I mentioned it before, I am ready to welcome any Burundian who will be willing to contribute to this construction plan. 

OPCW Executive Council Adopts Decision Addressing the Possession and Use of Chemical Weapons by the Syrian Arab Republic

Editor
-
0
OPCW Executive Council Adopts Decision Addressing the Possession and Use of Chemical Weapons by the Syrian Arab Republic

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 9 July 2020 — The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW) Executive Council (EC) adopted by vote a decision addressing the possession and use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Arab Republic.

The Council expressed its deepest sympathies for the victims of chemical weapons use and condemned the use of chemical weapons as reported by the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team (IIT), which concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Syrian Arab Republic used chemical weapons in Ltamenah, Syria in March 2017.

The decision expresses the deep concern of the Council that the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Arab Republic, by direct implication, establishes that the Syrian Arab Republic failed to declare and destroy all of its chemical weapons and chemical weapons production facilities, and demands that the Syrian Arab Republic immediately cease all use of chemical weapons. It also expresses deep concern that the Syrian Arab Republic did not cooperate with, and provide access to, the IIT, as required by United Nations Security Council resolution 2118 (2013), and demands that the Syrian Arab Republic fully cooperate with the OPCW’s Technical Secretariat.

In order to redress the situation and pursuant to paragraph 36 of Article VIII of the Convention, the Council decided to request that the Syrian Arab Republic complete all of the following measures within 90 days:

(a)  declare to the Secretariat the facilities where the chemical weapons, including precursors, munitions, and devices, used in the 24, 25, and 30 March 2017 attacks were developed, produced, stockpiled, and operationally stored for delivery; 

(b) declare to the Secretariat all of the chemical weapons it currently possesses, including sarin, sarin precursors, and chlorine that is not intended for purposes not prohibited under the Convention, as well as chemical weapons production facilities and other related facilities; and 

(c) resolve all of the outstanding issues regarding its initial declaration of its chemical weapons stockpile and programme.

The Council decided that the Director-General, within 100 days, will report to the Council and all States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention on whether the Syrian Arab Republic has completed all of these measures. If the Syrian Arab Republic has not fully completed all of the measures within the specified period of 90 days, the Director-General will report to all regular sessions of the Council on the status of the implementation of this decision. Furthermore, the Council decided, pursuant to paragraph 36 of Article VIII of the Convention, that if the Syrian Arab Republic fails to redress the situation by completing the measures set out in the decision, to recommend to the Conference to adopt a decision at its next session which undertakes appropriate action, pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article XII of the Convention, with respect to the Syrian Arab Republic.

The Council also decided that the Technical Secretariat will conduct inspections twice a year, until the Council decides to cease them, at two sites identified in the IIT report as directly involved in launching chemical weapons attacks—the Shayrat airbase and the Hama airbase of the Syrian Arab Republic. 

The Council also reaffirmed that those individuals responsible for the use of chemical weapons must be held accountable, and emphasised the importance of bringing to justice those individuals responsible for the uses of chemical weapons found by the IIT to have been perpetrated by the Syrian Arab Republic, including those who ordered such attacks.

The Council decided that the Director-General will regularly report to the Council on the implementation of the decision and provide a copy of this decision and its associated reports to all States Parties and to the United Nations Security Council and United Nations General Assembly through the United Nations Secretary-General.

Japan Contributes €480,000 to OPCW’s Trust Fund for Syria Missions

Editor
-
0
Japan Contributes €480,000 to OPCW’s Trust Fund for Syria Missions

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – 23 July 2020 – The Government of Japan is contributing €480,000 toward supporting the activities of the Trust Fund for Syria Missions at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which includes the work of the Declaration Assessment Team (DAT), the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), and the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT).

The Fund supports the Organisation’s special missions and contingency operations related specifically to the Syrian Arab Republic. The Japanese voluntary contribution was formalised with an agreement signed by the Director-General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and H.E. Ambassador Hidehisa Horinouchi, Permanent Representative of Japan to the OPCW, at the Organisation’s headquarters in The Hague.

Ambassador Horinouchi commended the OPCW Technical Secretariat’s impartiality and professionalism, and stated: “Japan hopes that our voluntary contribution will ensure the eradication of proliferation risks regarding chemical weapons, and thereby serve to deter the use of chemical weapons, as we have seen repeatedly in the Syrian Arab Republic. This contribution embodies Japan’s unshakable commitments to achieving a world free of chemical weapons.”

The Director-General expressed his gratitude for Japan’s unwavering support, and remarked: “Japan has long been a central partner in the global disarmament regime and a determined supporter of the Chemical Weapons Convention. We thank the Government of Japan for this contribution and its commitment, which are as vital as ever to ensuring that the OPCW’s mandate is fulfilled.”

Thailand Contributes THB 450,000 to Future OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology

Editor
-
0
Thailand Contributes THB 450,000 to Future OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology

H.E. Ambassador Eksiri Pintaruchi, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to the OPCW,

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – 23 July 2020 – The Government of Thailand has contributed THB 450,000 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 through a signing ceremony with OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and H.E. Ambassador Eksiri Pintaruchi, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to the OPCW, held at the OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.

Ambassador Pintaruchi remarked: “Thailand is pleased to be part of this important project.  This contribution reaffirms our full support to the OPCW in advancing the technical capabilities of Member States and stakeholders. The new centre will not only strengthen the Organisation but also help prepare Member States for further improved and coordinated responses to the current and new challenges posed by chemical weapons.”

The Director-General expressed: “I thank the Government of Thailand 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.

Bangladesh: New Ambassador

Editor
-
0
Bangladesh: New Ambassador

His Excellency, Dr. Alireza Kazemi Abadi, Ambassador of Iran and H. E. Mr. M. Riaz Hamidullah, Ambassador of Bangladesh.

The newly-appointed Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands H. E. Mr. M. Riaz Hamidullah, hosted a reception (vin d’honneur) in honour of the Diplomatic Community on 15 July 2020, the occasion, the presentation of his Credential to His Majesty King Willem Alexander.

More than 60 guests including senior officials from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ICC Prosecutor, the Mayor of Wassenaar furthermore, the Ambassadors of India, Japan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan to mention a few, all joined the program.

Photo exhibition on Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman.

Ambassador Riaz welcomed the distinguished guests at the newly purchased Bangladesh House where a photo exhibition on Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman was also arranged. The distinguished guests visited the exhibition with great enthusiasm and praised the Embassy for the display.

The Visegrad Group countries – outdoor exhibition

Editor
-
0
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 outdoor exhibition.

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!

Outdoor photo exhibition by Visegrad Group. Embassy of Poland in The Hague.

Pedro Villagra introduced to the Bavarian government

Editor
-
0
Pedro Villagra introduced to the Bavarian government

In the picture Minister of State Dr. Florian Herrmann and Ambassador Pedro Villagra Delgado -Picture by Bayern.de, bayerische Staatskanzlei.

Tuesday, 21 July 2020, Munich, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: The Argentine’s Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Mr. Pedro Villagra Delgado paid a courtesy call to the Head of the Bavarian Chancellery, State Minister Dr. Florian Herrmann, Minister of State for Federal and European Affairs and Media.

The two dignitaries reviewed trade, investment and academic relations between the two states, in particular a possible expansion in cultural, scientific and technological exchanges through the universities in the Argentine and Bavaria.

Inevitably the conversation likewise covered the measures undertaken by both countries in fighting the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and possible economic and social repercussions stemming from it. 

For further information: 
https://www.bayern.de/service/fotoreihen/?frid=in123935

1...326327328...898Page 327 of 898