Marián Jakubócy – Picture by Slovak Embassy to Germany.
Tuesday, 7 January 2020, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany: A face familiar to Germany was received at Bellevue Palace by Germany’s Federal President, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier for his accreditation as the highest diplomatic envoy of the Slovak Republic, it was Ambassador Marián Jakubócy, who between 2005 and 2009 served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Slovak Embassy which he now heads.
Ambassador Jakubócy is fluent in the German, English, Russian and Bulgarian languages, and was previously the Director General of the Political Section at the Slovak Foreign Ministry (2017-2019). Between 2013 and 2017 he was Slovakia’s Ambassador to Bulgaria. The career diplomat joined the Slovak Foreign Service in 1995.
Albeit Ambassador Jakubócy originally had a technical education background, he complemented his solid knowledge on international diplomacy at the Bratislava Institute for International Relations, Comenius University as well as further studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, Germany.
Premier Dr. Markus Söder and Indian Ambassador Mukta Dutta Tomar.
13 January 2020, Munich, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: HE Ambassador Mukta Dutta Tomar paid a call on Bavaria’s Premier Dr. Markus Söder. Focus for the bilateral meeting were Indo-Bavarian trade and scientific relations.
Bavaria is partner with the south western state of Karnataka(formerly known as Mysore). After the rendezvous Ambassador Tomar was presented with a bronze statuette of ‘Bavaria’, the embodiment of the federal state, which she received from Premier Dr. Söder.
Ambassador Tomar has headed India’s Embassy to Germany since April 2017. She is a career diplomat and graduate from Kolkata University.
‘Dear Rachel’ in race for title Best Book of The Hague 2019
Reporter and the most known diplomatic editor in the Netherlands, Leo van der Velde not only writes about diplomatic and society news but also a weekly letter in AD Haagsche Courant to granddaughter Rachel (8) about The Hague then and now. On the launch of Lieve Rachel, his new book, last November in Pagan Bookshop, Rachel van der Velde received the first copy from grandpa Leo.
This month Paagman bookstore have made a selection of 12 of the best books published in 2019. ‘Dear Rachel’ is on this shortlist now in third place. You can still vote until January 30 at paagman.nl/besteboekdenhaag2019.
Well-known writers such as Geert Mak, Oek de Jong and Peter Buwalda are on the list. But also three other Hague writers and an illustrator compete for the prize. Similarly, the books Indorock by Vanja van der Leeden and Blonde Dolly by Tomas Ross have also been nominated.
Leo van der Velde and Rachel during the launch of Dear Rachel
Leo’s successful column have been bundled by AD Haagsche Courant’s publisher, together with previously unpublished stories and photos, in the book ‘Dear Rachel’. In the columns of Dear Rachel a world that we don’t longer know comes to life. Leo talks to Rachel about the post-war years, in which most people initially only have a radio and later when the first television broadcasts start. The good old days when the youth went on dance lessons and students went to the Cineac cinema to skip class.
His uncles smelled of aftershave like Old Spice and Tabac. The big fire at K&W, Senfs Flea Market in the Houtrusthallen, the Pasar Malam there and performances by the Rolling Stones in The Hague come along in 52 episodes.
Eduardus Slootweg, from the European Parliament waiting for Rachel and Leo to sign his book.
In an every ‘popular historical’ story, he takes his granddaughter by the hand to tell her about the past and also to listen to her daily experiences.
“I still write a full-page letter every week on friday to Rachel, in which I take her to The Hague from my younger years,” says van der Velde. “Wandering through the city with her and her little sister Chlöe is the best thing I have ever have done.” According to colleagues, his section is among the best read and highly appreciated among readers of the newspaper.
Dear Rachel with grandpa Leo.
In short, a wonderful book about the unique atmosphere of The Hague, Leo van Der Velde and Rachel discovering, for all mothers and fathers, grandfathers and grandmothers, children and grandchildren. Van der Velde has previously written paperbacks for Fuiven & Kuiven and Happen & Stappen.
Live Rachel Price € 21.95, 228 pages, ISBN 9789082495133. For information about the book and shipment: John Nieuwenhuizen, mail to john@hncom.nl or call 06-17110758.
Ambassador Péter Györkös – Staatskanzlei Sachsen-Anhalt, Viktoria Kühne.
Wednesday, 8 January 2020, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany: Together with other members of the state government, Premier Dr. Reiner Haseloff welcomed representatives from over 40 states to the traditional New Year’s reception for the Diplomatic and Consular Corps in Magdeburg.
In his speech, Premier Dr. Haseloff expressed his hope that international cooperation would bring the idea of peace and good cooperation between peoples and nations to the world. He emphasised that 2019 had been a successful year for Saxony-Anhalt, referring to numerous investments, also from abroad. But there had also been events such as the attack in Halle (Saale), which is still affecting people and must lead to more efforts against hatred and violence.
Dr. Kheswar Jankee (Mauritius), Mukta Dutta Tomar (India), and Premier Dr. Reiner Haseloff – Picture by Viktoria Kühne, Stk Sachsen-Anhalt.
The head of government made it clear that Saxony-Anhalt was striving to further strengthen international contacts. He wished the diplomats present and the states represented by them a good, successful and peaceful year 2020.
Afterwards the Ambassador of Hungary, Dr. Péter Györkös, conveyed the greetings of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps. In doing so, he referred to the numerous international contacts that the state of Saxony-Anhalt maintains and to important historical milestones that gained European and worldwide significance from today’s Saxony-Anhalt, such as the Magdeburg Town Charter, the Reformation and the Bauhaus, where famous Magyars also created artworks.
Dr. Reiner Haseloff, Elmer Schialer (Perú), Denis Sidorenko (Belarus), Image by Stk Sachsen-Anhalt, Viktoria Kühne.
On behalf of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, Ambassador Dr. Györkös wished the State of Saxony-Anhalt and its inhabitants all the best and success for the New Year.
Dr. Kheswar Jankee (Mauritius), Mukta Dutta Tomar (India), and Dr. Bum Goo Jong (Korea) – Picture by Viktoria Kühne, Stk Sachsen-Anhalt.
Amidst an environment of a tense standoff between Iran and the US since the last couple of months, the United States assassinated high-ranking Iranian military and intelligence official Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike at Baghdad International Airport on Friday morning along with several other Iran-backed officials operating in Iraq. The assassination of Qasem Soleimani is being anticipated as the most aggressive action, which could trigger the US and Iran towards a possible state of war by exposing the region to alarming tragedy.
Both sides are making vengeful statements with objectives to undermine each other with severe consequences. Iran warned of the severe avenge of the killing of a senior commander of the IRGC’s Quds Forces Major General Qasem Soleimani. Being the commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, Qasem Suleimani was considered as the architect of the nation’s military, intelligence operations, and a close confidant of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. On other side, the US used to tag Qasem Suleimani as a terrorist and one of the world’s most dangerous men, aiding Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad in the Syrian Civil war and causing the deaths of hundreds of Americans during the Iraq war.
US engagements in the region during the last two decades witnessed the fact that US administration including Donald Trump and his predecessors are experts in solving one problem by creating another big mess in the region. In this scenario, statements from the US president following the assassination of Qasem Suleimani that the targeted action against Qasem Soleimani was initiated “to stop a war, not to start one” seems hilarious.
Donald Trump has pushed the US towards an unending rivalry and conflict by Killing Qasem Soleimani by opening a new Pandora box in the region. The International strategists and analysts are seeing the decision of strike of US Administration as a plethora to divert attention from the internal crisis faced by Trump and his administration.
The killing of Qasem Soleimani became international headlines in the global media for the last two days. Donald Trump played Iran card for his elections and to get rid of its impeachment crisis but this Iran card leads the US towards a major watershed.
Donald Trump old tweets about using Iran cards for Obama haunted him and widely discussed and shared on social media. Following the assassination of Qasem Suleimani, some elements in the US are praising Donald Trump for the death of Soleimani, while some others are condemning the action for escalating already fraught tensions. It is too early to gauge the intensity of possible consequences and implications of the assassination of Qasem Suleimani; however, the US administration has to come out with more solid justifications this time for its actions.
Donald Trump does not need enemies while making such kind of decisions. The warmongering rhetoric of Donald Trump has multiplied the intensity of tension between the US and Iran. Donald Trump has made several tweets by justifying his stance on Qasem Soleimani’s killing. His repeated tweets gestured that he is well aware of any expected reaction from Iran. Trump is trying hard to downplay the killing of Qasem Soleimani that does not seem possible in a country like Iran.
Iran has made up its mind to react following the assassination of powerful men of Iran in a drone strike at Baghdad International Airport. Iran has categorically warned for retaliation to avenge the murder of Soleimani by pointing out that time and the target will be told by the time.
Iran Foreign Minister Javed Zarif started meeting with his various counterparts for their future strategy on Qasem Soleimani. There has been huge curiosity around the world that what kind of reaction is being expected from Iran in the aftermath of Qasem Soleimani killing by the US.
Donald Trump put the US into the worst snare by jeopardizing US national security by killing Qasem Soleimani. Donald Trump has negated all his previous policies and strategies on the Middle East for he used to criticize Obama and his administration.
The killing of Qasem Soleimani will prove to be a major setback for Trump’s elections as thousands of Americans have also come to roads in New York against war hysteria of Trump administration.
Iran’s strategic partners will support Iran at this stage when they engineered a new battlefield for the US to engage it for more skirmishes to weak US defense sector and waste its more capital in the region.
On the other side, millions of people moved to roads to attend funeral prayers for Qasem Soleimani in Iraq and Iran and to honor Commander Qasem Soleimani, which hinted at the fact that the situation is not as rosy as depicted by US administration. The consequences are going to be exposed with Iranian rhetoric that Iran has made up its mind to avenge the assassination of Qasem Soleimani and in this connection, till filing of this report, the missile was reportedly fired at base camp in Iraq housing US soldiers with confirmation of news regarding injuries of US troops.
About the author:
Malik Ayub Sumbal is a Geopolitical Analyst and Commentator
This article has been published in RIAC Russian International Affairs Council on January 8th, 2020. https://russiancouncil.ru/en/malik-ayub-sumbal/
Queen Margrethe II, Premier Daniel Günther and wife Anke Günther – Picture by Staatskanzlei Schleswig-Holstein.
10 January 2020, Copenhagen, Kingdom of Denmark: Schleswig-Holstein’s Premier Daniel Günther paid a call on the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at Christiansborg Castle, the seat of Denmark’s government and parliament. Behind the meeting is the year-long ‘Dano-German Year of Friendship 2020’, and the commemoration of the drawing of borders between the two countries.
Both sides agreed to stress the importance of cross-border cooperation in the upcoming negotiations on the European Financial Framework. “In concrete terms, we have agreed on a joint ministerial declaration on projects that affect Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein jointly” said Premier Günther as per statement below.
Both governments intend to coordinate the concrete contents of such a declaration with each other. Following talks with the Danish Prime Minister, Günther was received by the Danish monarch, HM Queen Margrethe II at Amalienborg Castle for a private audience.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Premier Daniel Günther – Picture by Staatskanzlei Schleswig-Holstein.
In the evening, the heads of government of Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein, the Speaker of the Danish Parliament Klaus Schlie, Cabinet members of Schleswig-Holstein; Minister of Justice, European Affairs Dr. Sabine Sütterlin-Waack, Minister of Finance, Monika Heinold, Minister of the Interior, Hans-Joachim Grote, State Secretary, Dirk Schrödter and the Commissioner for Minorities, Johannes Callsen partook in a festive gala at the invitation of the Danish Prime Minister in the Royal Theatre. Queen Margrethe II and her sister Princess Benedikte, The Princess Dowager of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg were also in attendance.
A further meeting was held with the Secretariat of the Association of German North Silesians, whereafter Premier Günther attended the festive religious service held in Copenhagen Cathedral on Sunday, 12 January at 10.00 a.m.
As of 1 January 2020, family members of self-employed expats do no longer require a work permit for non-EU nationals (TWV) to work as an employee.
Self-employed expats in the Netherlands cannot work as employees without a work permit. This also applies to the expat’s family members. If they still wish to work as an employee, the intended employer will first have to apply for a work permit. The requirements for a work permit are very strict.
This additional threshold makes it less attractive for expat-entrepreneurs to come and work in the Netherlands. As a consequence, they are more likely to have to take care of the family’s income alone. From the beginning of 2020, the work permit requirement for family members of self-employed expats will no longer apply. Family members are then free to work as employee, without a work permit
When can family members of expats work in the Netherlands?
In principle, spouses and partners of expats have the same rights to work as the expatriates themselves. The term of their rights is also linked to the rights of the expat. If the expat requires a work permit for non-EU nationals (TWV), the partner will also need it. If the expat is self-employed, the partner may also only work on a self-employed basis until 1 January 2020. And he or she must also meet the conditions for workings as a self-employed person.
There are a few exceptions to this main rule:
Highly skilled migrants/EU Blue Card Family members of highly-skilled migrants, academic researchers and holders of the EU Blue Card may take up any work. Their employer does not have to apply for a work permit (TWV).
Combined permit for residence and work (GVVA) Your partner does not need a combined permit for residence and work in order to work, but he or she does need a work permit for non-EU nationals.
The national authorities of Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK and Norway, with the active support of Eurojust, have taken down an organised crime group (OCG) involved in drug trafficking.
The investigation showed that a transport company based in the Netherlands was involved in smuggling large quantities of drugs to several European countries. Police suspect that the drugs were transported by truck, along with legal cargo, from Spain into the Netherlands, and redistributed to other countries.
As the result of an investigation lasting one year in many countries, coordinated arrests of the main suspects of the OCG were conducted. Dutch suspects were arrested in the following countries: one in the Netherlands, one in Germany, one in Spain, three in Italy, one in Sweden, one in the UK, and three in Norway.
Seizures were conducted in all countries, for a combined total of 4 tonnes of hashish, 200 kg of amphetamines, 64 kg of cocaine, 45 kg of MDMA, and 25 kg of heroin. As an expansion of the Eurojust case, 50 suspects were charged in Norway.
Criminal activities of the OCG
In 2017, the number of violent activities, including shootings, increased in Oslo. The Norwegian authorities initiated an investigation into an OCG, with clear links between southern countries and Nordic countries, but also involving countries in central Europe. Due to the cross-border dimension of the investigation, a Eurojust case was opened in September 2018, which targeted the alleged Moroccan and Dutch main suspects, including Dutch trucking and transport firms.
Eurojust’s crucial role
Eurojust’s involvement was instrumental in coordinating the actions in all countries. Eurojust organised five coordinating meetings in one year, during which information was shared and strategic decisions were taken. To ensure an efficient investigation and prosecution, Eurojust assisted in overcoming legal obstacles by advising on jurisdictional issues and reaching an agreement on the best place to prosecute. Eurojust swiftly set up a joint investigation team (JIT), financed by Eurojust, with Norway, Denmark and Sweden to speed up the criminal investigations into the OCG and enable the swift gathering of evidence and sharing of information.
#Justice Done
A Norwegian court recently sentenced one of the main perpetrators to 19 years’ imprisonment and confiscated more than EUR 4.5 million.
A Danish court recently sentenced two perpetrators to two and six years’ imprisonment, respectively.
A German court recently sentenced one perpretrator to eight years’ imprisonment for the possession of illicit drugs.
Ambassador Ramesh Khanal and Director Markus Potzel.
Tuesday, 7 January 2020: All Nepali diplomatic missions worldwide as well as Nepal Tourism Board launched on the same day the concept for ‘Visit Nepal 2020‘; a partnership between the government and private sector to entice a record 2 million visitors to Nepal throughout this year. This is the third time that Nepal holds such a touristic scheme.
The year is committed to establishing the tourism industry of Nepal with a vision of making a reasonable brand picture of Nepal as travel and vacationer destination; backing up the tourism foundations of Nepal, enhance the growth of tourism industry, and enhance local tourism as a sustainable industry.
Nepal offers a myriad of facets, as the country is good for trekking but likewise for religious pilgrimages, for gourmands whilst being easy on the pocket, a place for contact with amiable Nepalis or for retreats in nature, and so forth.
Nepali dance.
In Berlin the Nepal Embassy to Germany, Poland, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania and the Holy See held a launch ceremony, followed by a cultural spectacle to showcase the Himalayan republic.
Ambassador of Nepal Ramesh Prasad Khanal opened the launch with a ceremony before an image of the Buddha, who was born in the present territory of Nepal, together with the German Special Representative for South Asia, Ambassador Markus Potzel, and a PR representative from Nepal Tourism Board. Germany being a key market as the ITB, the world’s largest tourism fair is approaching in March 2020, wherein Nepal will feature prominently.
For a European Union public, the Mission of Nepal to the three Benelux countries led by Ambassador Lok Bahadur Thapa also held a reception to highlight the Visit Nepal 2020 goals and ambitions.
Diplomat Magazine’s photographer, Mr. Naldo Peverelli and Mr. Erik de Baedts, Director General of the Carnegie Foundation and Treasurer of the Hague Academy of International Law.
The Peace Palace, a symbol of Peace and Justice in the world, was the venue for a memorable gathering of head of diplomatic missions, which took place in October.
On Monday October 7th, Fifty-three Ambassadors accredited in The Hague came to the city’s emblematic Peace Palace and took a picture all together. Mr. Erik de Baedts, Director General of the Carnegie Foundation and Treasurer of the Hague Academy of International Law, with the company of Dr. Mayelinne De Lara, Diplomat Magazine’s Publisher, received the heads of diplomatic missions.
A group picture poster was taken by Diplomat Magazine’s photographer Naldo Peverelli, which will be kept as an institutional souvenir and exposed during the upcoming New Year’s reception in the Palace. “This poster represents the efforts of countries around the world to keep peace and understanding among all nations”, said Mr. Baedts.
