Wednesday, 4 December 2019, Düsseldorf, NRW, Germany: Premier Armin Laschet received Ambassador Pedro Raúl Villagra Delgado, Head of Mission of the Argentine Republic to Germany, for his inaugural visit to the State Chancellery.
In addition to the deepening of relations, the forthcoming inauguration of the new Argentine cabinet and the general political situation in South America were also discussed.
Premier Armin Laschet: “Argentina is an important partner for transatlantic relations with Latin America in view of the currently complicated political situation in parts of South America. Europe and Argentina will grow closer as a result of the free trade agreement negotiated this year between the European Union and the Mercosur states. North Rhine-Westphalia also has a positive view of a deepening of economic cooperation”.
Ambassador Villagra was accompanied by the new Argentine consul in Bonn, Dr. Eduardo Nazareno Muñoz, who likewise was received by Premier Laschet for a courtesy call.
Argentine-NRW relations The location of the Argentine consulate in Bonn underlines the good relationship between North Rhine-Westphalia and Argentina.
Argentina and North Rhine-Westphalia are currently linked by ten school partnerships and more than 45 university partnerships. Most recently, Dr. Mark Speich, State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs and International Affairs, visited Argentina in April 2019 and met with political representatives of the Buenos Aires region.
H.E. Mr Fawaz bin Mohamed Al Khalifa Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Hague, 4 December 2019. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa accession to the throne, H.E. Mr Fawaz bin Mohamed Al Khalifa Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the Netherlands organized a sitting lunch. The event also celebrated the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Day,
The Ambassador of Morocco, His Excellency Abdelouahab Bellouki and the Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Excellency Mr Nawaf Wasfi Tell.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Fawaz bin Mohamed Al Khalifa warmly welcome his guests. He went on to mention the current situation in the Gulf region which he deemed worrisome.
The Ambassador further expresses his gratitude for the collective international assistance received in safeguarding a free mercantile shipping in the gulf.
Ambassador of Yemen, H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem and Mr. Hugo Siblesz, Secretary-General , Permanent Court of Arbitration.
An exquisite lunch followed in a cordial and pleasurable atmosphere. Guests were presented with a token of appreciated upon departure.
Ambassador Al Khalifa and the Director General of OPCW, .H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias.
H.E. Ms. Maria Teresa de Jesus Infante Caffi, Ambassador of Chile, Permanent Representative to the OPCWand H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, Director General OPCW.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands —04 December 2019 — The Government of Chile has contributed €13,000 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 at the OPCW Headquarters between OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of Chile to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Maria Teresa Infante.
Ambassador Infante Caffi and OPCW’s Director General during the ceremony.
The Director-General expressed: “I thank the Government of Chile 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 Infante remarked: “Chile is a longstanding supporter of the OPCW and its work to achieve a world free of chemical weapons. The new Centre for Chemistry and Technology will be of paramount importance to foster international cooperation and to strengthen the OPCW’s verification regime capacity. For Chile it is an honour to make a contribution to the new Centre as a sign of its unwavering support to the OPCW. I wish all the best to the Organisation in this important project.”
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, twenty-five 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 eighteenth session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague, The Netherlands. From 2 to 7 December 2019, States Parties to the Rome Statute, the Court’s founding treaty, observer States, invited States, international and regional organizations and representatives from civil society will discuss key challenges facing the Statute.
States Parties will also make important decisions and adopt resolutions on key issues pertaining to the functioning of the Court and the Trust Fund for Victims, including in relation to their respective budgets, and on cooperation.
H.E. O-Gon Kwon, President of the Assembly of States Parties.
“This year the Assembly faces key decisions on the way forward in view of the anticipated review of the Court, one that would ultimately strengthen the Court and enable it to successfully confront the challenges that it faces today, twenty-one years after adoption of the Rome Statute”, said H.E. O-Gon Kwon, President of the Assembly of States Parties.
“Notwithstanding the challenges, the Court continues to have strong renewed support as shown by the recent addition to the Rome Statute family with the accession of Kiribati on Tuesday, 26 November 2019. I sincerely congratulate Kiribati for taking this firm step in support of the fight against impunity. I also wish to express my appreciation for the strong support and efforts made by States Parties and civil society in promoting the Statute”, he added.
The Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Kevin Kelly during the opening session.
In his remarks, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, President of the ICC, underlined the Court’s crucial value in deterring atrocities, and said it had already had an effect in reducing election violence in several African countries.
He urged all States Parties to do what is necessary to defend the ICC against ongoing threats made against the institution, and stressed that no one should take the Court’s existence for granted.
H.E. Mr William Roelants de Stappers, Permanent Representative to the multilateral organizations.
“We must guard against complacency about the monumental achievement that we have in this Court. […] If the ICC had not been created when it was possible, it is highly unlikely that we could create it today, on the divided international stage that we are currently witnessing. Let us all cherish and protect this Court with the greatest zeal and passion”, President Eboe-Osuji stated.
ICC Prosecutor H.E. Ms. Fatou Bensouda.
In the tradition of past years, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda presented an overview of her Office’s activities, including successes and challenges faced. She outlined important judicial developments in a number of cases and situations before the Court.
Prosecutor Bensouda highlighted that these developments are only the latest, visible outcomes stemming from her Office’s efforts over the past years to refine its investigation and prosecution strategies, and to strengthen its organisational capabilities, applying experiences and lessons learned. “The revised and refined approaches to investigations and prosecutions we have adopted since 2012 are producing tangible results”, stressed the Prosecutor.
Prosecutor Bensouda also echoed ICC President Eboe-Osuji’s call on States Parties and, other stakeholders committed to international criminal justice, to firmly stand by the Court when under attack.
She emphasized that “it is precisely at times like these when international criminal justice and indeed efforts to address gross human rights violations are under assault; when we are witnessing a clash and crisis of fundamental values, that courage and conviction must guide our actions to protect our common values and goals as defined under the Rome Statute.”
Mr. Renan Villacis, Director Secretariat of the Assembly, International Criminal Court.
“The Court’s independence is sacrosanct and should never be allowed to be compromised”, she added.
H.E. Mr Felipe Michelini, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims, stated: “The TFV Board of Directors is greatly encouraged to note the progress in delivering reparations awards to victims, in often challenging operational circumstances. We are committed to the further strengthening of the Fund’s performance and presence, towards making reparative justice a reality for victims and fulfilling the promise of the Rome Statute. Our ambitions will thrive on the guidance and strong support of the States Parties”.
Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher & Ambassador Pedro Raúl Villagra Delgado – Image by Hamburger Senatskanzlei.
Monday, 2 December 2019, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Germany: the Argentine’s Ambassador to Germany, Pedro Raúl Villagra Delgado, on duty as chef de mission since 11 September 2019, paid his introductory call upon the Governing Mayor of Hamburg, Dr. Peter Tschentscher.
Ambassador Villagra Delgado is a career diplomat, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Argentine as well as long-time top diplomatic envoy for his country to the Commonwealth of Australia.
H.E. Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov Ambassador of Kazakhstan.
By Roy Lie Ajam.
The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in The Hague organized an information soiree, featuring: a panel discussion, a dinner reception and the screening of a documentary-film.
The screening of the documentary-film entitled “Appointed by Time” by the award-winning director Radik Kudoyaroazaq along with a fabulous seated 3-course dinner reception also featured on the program. After an introduction H.E. Ambassador Magzhsan Ilyassov, enumerated the substantive events of 2019 in the field of politics and economics.The Netherlands is one of the key trade economic and investment partners of Kazakhstan in Europe. The concept of mutual cooperation and ‘people to people’ contact in fostering stronger linkages has always been essential to the growth and development of Kazakhstan.
The voluntary departure of office by President Nursultan Nazarbayev has been a major political event in 2019 which took many of his contemporaries by surprise. Most noteworthy in this regard is the congratulations conveyed by HM King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands. This public gesture is seen as a recognition of the office held by President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Documentary ‘Appointed by time’ dedicated to the first President’s day premiered in the Hague.
Embassy of Kazakhstan in the Netherlands and Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan presented a documentary movie dedicated to the First President N.Nazarbayev “Appointed by time”. Main plot of the picture tells about historical role of Nazarbayev in the formation of the Kazakhstani statehood after collapse of the soviet union.
Subsequently, the elections resulted in a new president, Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. A well-known and respected man both nationally and internationally. Tokayev is fluent in Russian, Chinese and English. Mr. Tokayev once held the position of Kazakhstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister, Chairman of the Senate, the Upper House in Kazakhstan’s Parliament,[PM1][PM2] United Nations Deputy Secretary-General and Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva. However, on March 20, 2019, he was sworn in as the new Kazakh president.
The Netherlands is one of the key trade economic and investment partners of Kazakhstan in Europe
The visit of Prime Minister Askar Mamin to his Dutch counterpart Mr. Mark Rutter in October 2019 has developed meaningful connections that resulted in PM Mamin meeting with representatives of the Dutch companies Shell, Bitfury and others.
The opening of the Qazaq House is another 2019 milestone.
Mr. Gani Bekenov, Head of the London office of the Foundation of the First President of Kazakhstan was the next speaker. The mission of his London based foundation is to endeavor to strengthen the commitment of present and future generations of Kazakhstan to the main ideas of the First President of Kazakhstan Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Mr. Gani Bekenov briefly introduced his foundation as well as the documentary-film “Appointed by Time” directed by Radik Kudoyarov. The documentary film highlighted the historical mission of President Nursultan Nazarbayev in establishing the new Kazakhstan and the challenges that he encountered in the first years of independence.
The world premiere of “Appointed by Time” took place in June 2019 in London UK, and was hosted by the prestigious British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Among the distinguished attendees at the film screening wereBritish officials, members of both the House of Lords and House of Commons, ambassadors, academics as well as political scientists from Vienna and New York. A dynamic question & answer session concluded the evening.
Photography by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in The Hague.
Premier Stephan Weil & PM of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani – Picture by QNA, Qatar News Agency.
1-2 December 2019, State of Qatar: Lower Saxony’s Premier Stephan Weil was welcomed to Qatar by the latter country’s Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Focus for the bilateral meeting between the heads of government was the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to be developed along the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony in Germany that could open up new markets for Qatar, and at the same time, help reduce the Western European country’s carbon emissions.
Lower Saxony located in the northern Germany is home to the world’s largest car manufacturer Volkswagen AG, and takes pride in its long-standing and close ties vis-à-vis the State of Qatar and its political leadership; Qatar being one of the major stakeholders of Volkswagen AG.
Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger & State Minister Dr. Herrmann – Picture by Bayerische Staatskanzlei.
Monday, 2 December 2019, Munich, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: Ambassador Professor Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference was honoured with the ‘European Medal’ by the Bavarian state government at Elmau Castle for his year-long commitment at the helm of the Munich Security Conference, that brings decision-makers and thought leaders from all over the world together for key defence discussions.
The medal was bestowed upon Prof. Ischinger by State Minister Dr. Florian Herrmann, Head of the State Chancellery and Minister of State for Federal and European Affairs and Media of Bavaria.
Last week, CBI (The Netherlands Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries) showed a delegation of 18 Rwandan coffee producers, who were in the Netherlands, the way to Europe’s lucrative specialty coffee market.
CBI guided these exporting organizations from Rwanda in the coffee industry towards successful business relations with European clients. The program of last week was an introduction to meet European rules and regulations and take steps to get certification to become a successful exporter to European markets.
The program in the Netherlands is part of the 4 year program and has the goal to develop a high value, sustainable specialty coffee export sector in Rwanda that can do independently business in EU markets.
Rwandan coffee producers.
What is CBI’s role in this project?
4 year company + sector coaching by different international and local coffee specialists;
Training and coaching on:
EU market segments, market developments and EU legal and buyer requirements;
Your product readiness, market proposition and your supporting internal processes;
Quality and cupping to recognize specialty coffee;
Market entry preparation, participation and follow-up.
Assistance in what certification is suitable to your market entry strategy and coaching to obtain the certification you need;
Assistance with CSR implementation;
Invitations to join in the CBI Rwanda booth at different international trade fairs in 2021 and 2022;
An Export Market Awareness Mission to the European market early in the program.
Special attention will be paid to the following subjects in the Rwanda coffee sector: youth employment, gender equality, climate change, efficient and effective multi-crop farm management and blockchain.
The Rwandan participants have been selected based on the following criteria:
A pro-active and flexible attitude;
Commitment to the activities and external coaching for 4 years;
Commitment and sufficient time investment to the tailor made action plan for the company;
Ambition and motivation to take the next step with the company;
Willingness and ability to invest in the company and in international market entry;
Commitment to share on a yearly basis the EU export growth and employment growth.
About CBI
The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic development in developing countries through the expansion of exports from these countries.
Rwandan coffee producers that participated in the program last week in the Netherlands:
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, H.E. Mr. Pekka Haavisto at OPCW.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands —3 December 2019 — The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, H.E. Mr. Pekka Haavisto, met yesterday at OPCW headquarters in The Hague.
The Director-General and the Minister of Foreign Affairs discussed progress in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and the Organisation’s activities to address current challenges in achieving the total and permanent elimination of chemical weapons, while promoting scientific advances for peaceful purposes.
the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, H.E. Mr. Pekka Haavisto. and the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias.
Minister Haavisto expressed: “Preserving the integrity of the norm against the use of chemical weapons is an absolute priority for Finland. I would like to thank the OPCW and the Secretariat for its commitment to this task, under increasingly difficult circumstances. We will continue to offer our support to the OPCW in the future. Subject to ordinary parliamentary procedures, Finland will contribute €100,000 for OPCW’s Centre for Chemistry and Technology in 2020.”
The Ambassador of Finland Päivi Kaukoranta, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, H.E. Mr. Pekka Haavisto, the Director-General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Deputy Director-General of the OPCW, Ms. Odette Melono.
The Director-General stated: “Finland has my sincere gratitude for its commitment to the Convention and its continued support for the Organisation, including our new ChemTech Centre. We look forward to our continued cooperation to ensure chemical weapons are eliminated and that chemistry is used for exclusively peaceful purposes.”
Following the Minister’s announcement that Finland would make a financial contribution to the new ChemTech Centre, the Director-General provided a status update on the project, emphasising its importance in strengthening technological development and fostering peaceful uses of chemistry.
