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 KĂĽhne, 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.
Dr. Reiner Haseloff, Elmer Schialer (PerĂş), Denis Sidorenko (Belarus), Image by Stk Sachsen-Anhalt, Viktoria KĂĽhne.
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 KĂĽhne, 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 GĂĽnther and wife Anke GĂĽnther – Picture by Staatskanzlei Schleswig-Holstein.
10 January 2020, Copenhagen, Kingdom of Denmark: Schleswig-Holstein’s Premier Daniel GĂĽnther 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 GĂĽnther 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, GĂĽnther was received by the Danish monarch, HM Queen Margrethe II at Amalienborg Castle for a private audience.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Premier Daniel GĂĽnther – 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 GĂĽnther 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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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. Â
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. Â
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.
As per announcement by the Hamburg’s Senate, the next Matthiae Banquet shall take place on Friday, 28 February, 2020 in the ballroom of Hamburg City Hall. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as well as German Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas have confirmed their participation, and shall hold keynote allocutions during the traditional event.
The invitation of the guests of honour by Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher took place in the framework of 70th jubilee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Until the 1990s, NATO faced the then Warsaw Pact of Eastern European states. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the number of member states has increased to 29 countries from Europe and North America.
According to the preamble to its constitution, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg “wants to be a mediator between all continents and peoples of the world in a spirit of peace”. Against this background, the meeting of the guests of honour in Hamburg City Hall provides the framework for an exchange on peace and security in Europe and on the political aspects of the transatlantic alliance.
The Matthiae Mahl (banquet) is an annual event by the government of Hamburg.
In the picture NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The North Atlantic Council met to address current tensions in the Middle East and implications for the NATO training mission in Iraq. Following this meeting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg shortly addressed the press. Picture by NATO.
“There is a country in the world placed on the same path of the Sun” … That is the way that the national poet Pedro Mir begins his masterful poem, and I am pleased to share with you that there is a country in the Caribbean that is a door towards development, and that country is the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic is one of the countries in the region that maintains a high social and political stability, an ongoing industrial development and a constantly growing economy, that often exceeds the growth of other countries in the region, which makes the Dominican Republic very attractive for foreign investment.
Our president, Danilo Medina has strengthened the country’s public institutions, has been socially committed to those who are in need for support and has given the opportunities to informal producers and small business to develop in order to create a more just and balanced society. He has created the infrastructure that a country needs to get out of underdevelopment, supporting farmers and local producers and promoting the construction of low-cost housing, not leaving behind the very important task of giving foreign investors the confidence to continue investing in Tourism and Free Zones companies.
President Medina visiting a plantation.
About four years ago Mr. Pim Van Ballekom, Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), visited President Danilo Medina and highlighted the favorable climate for foreign investment in our country; and for that given trust and the country ongoing development, the headquarters of the European Bank of investments for the Caribbean is located in the Dominican Republic since 2017.
Other international financial institutions such as Scotiabank, which is the international bank of Canada and a leading provider of financial services, highlight that the Dominican Republic has a growing economy with great opportunities for investors from all over the world.
The president of Scotiabank, Mr. Brian Porter, held a meeting last July with the Dominican president, and valued the favorable investment climate in our country and agreed on the construction of two large industrial plants in the Industrial Park of Las Americas, where will be located the Scotiabank customer service centers for the whole region, representing the creation of almost two thousand jobs to the country.
Our greatest strength as a country is that the Dominican Republic is one of the most preferred destination for tourism because of its beauty, its privileged geographical location, favorable weather and the warmth of the people. The country has crystalline water beaches, high mountain ranges, fertile valleys and amazing mangroves, which makes The Dominican Republic a paradise vacation destiny.
In Punta Cana, one of the most exclusive destinations of the country, which is located in the east side of the island, in the past three months have been inaugurated four hotels providing more than 2,500 rooms to the tourism industry. The president of the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara hotels, Bruce Wardinsky, valued the Dominican Republic not only as a great tourist destination, but also as a great investment option because of its huge development and trust generated by this amazing Caribbean country.
In the last seven years we have received 44 million tourists, that means that more tourists have been received than in the previous 30 years all together. We are the country that receives the most tourists in the whole Caribbean and that generates the most currency throughout the region. By 2020 we will receive more tourists than the 52 countries together of the African Continent, for which 13,829 new hotel rooms are being built.
Dominican Republic is the opening door to development in the Caribbean, we are a strong and resilient destination, a benchmark of progress for other nations in the region, that progress and development can be see and can be measured, it is tangible. Having this position as a country also gives us the challenge to always feel motivated by the good and accurate economic and social care measures that our president Danilo Medina has implemented, and to always work hard and look forward to the future in order to have the vision to be ahead in all circumstances.
This is and always will be the virtue that gives us as a country the confidence that foreign investors need.
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The author is Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
H.E. Mr. Lawrence Lenayapa, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya welcome his colleague the Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Mr. Kevin Kelly.
The Hague, on 7 December 2019, H.E. Mr. Lawrence Lenayapa, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya in the Netherlands hosted a well attended, lunch time reception to celebrate Kenya’s 56 years of independence or “Jamhuri Day”. Jamhuri is the Swahili word for “Republic” and the holiday is meant to officially mark the date when Kenya became an autonomous republic on 12th December 1963.
The Jamhuri Day  back home, sees parades, political speeches, dancing and feasts of roasted meat. The National Holiday also marks the start of the Christmas festivities in this widely Christian country.
From the left H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, OPCW Director General, H.E. Mr. Matthew Neuhaus, Ambassador of Australia, H.E. Mr. William Roelants de Stappers, Belgium’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW, H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, Ambassador of Armenia, Mrs. Viviane Uwicyeza Mironko spouse of. the Ambassador of Rwanda, H.E. Ms. Haifa Aissami Madah, Venezuela Permanent Representative to the OPCW, H.E. Mr. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of Rwanda, H.E. Ms. Maria Isabel Gomes, Ambassador of Angola, H.E. Ms. Soraya Alvarez Nunez, Ambassador of Cuba, the Ambassador of Kenya, H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem , Ambassador of Yemen and H.E. Ms. Regina Maria Cordeiro Dunlop, Ambassador of Brazil.
Ambassador Lenayapa had invited government officials, members of the diplomatic community, members of the business community, and the Kenyan diaspora in the Netherlands providing an opportunity for Kenyans and friends of Kenya to interact while sharing Kenyans delicatessen.
After playing the National Anthems of Kenya and the Netherlands, Ambassador Lenayapa, welcomed his guests and delivered his remarks on the National Day.Â
H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, OPCW Director General and the Ambassador of Romania, H.E. Mrs. Brândușa Predescu.
“Jamhuri Day, as it affords the nation the opportunity to not only celebrate our independence, but also for Kenyans to look back and reflect on the journey of nationhood thus far.
Since independence and admission to the United Nations (UN) Kenya has been resolute and consistent particularly on matters of peace and security, sustainable development and global environmental and climate change issues.
Kenya believes strongly that sustainable development and human aspirations can only be achieved when there is peace and security for all. Similarly, peace and security will be at risk in any situations where development is not inclusive and sustainable.
Ambassador Lenayapa and H.E. Abdul-Rahman Al-Otaibi, Ambassador of Kuwait.
Owing to the fragility of her locale as the eastern gateway into Africa”, said Ambassador Lenayapa, “Kenya has been relentless in the promotion and maintenance of peace, security and stability in Africa, and the world at large. Our anchor role in the pursuit of peace particularly in the horn of Africa, has led to a strong and evolving peace-making doctrine within and beyond our borders.”
On 21st August 2019, Kenya was endorsed as Africa Union’s candidate for the United Nations Security Council seat, whose selection will be conducted in June 2020. “The Republic of Kenya seeks the support and vote of each and every member of the United Nations family to enable Kenya serve as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the period of 2021-2022. “
The Ambassador of Kenya and the Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Mr. Andrea Perugini.
Kenya’s promise is to bring its wealth of experience in preventive diplomacy, peace keeping, conflict resolution and post conflict reconstruction to the United Nations Security Council. Kenya remains focused in the pursuit of peace and security, particularly through multilateral fora.
“My presence in the Netherlands comes at an opportune time where we can join hands again with countries represented here this afternoon in ensuring that the objectives and the aspirations of Africa are secured – at the Security Council, through Kenya’s candidature. And I particularly want to thank the various governments represented here for your continued support in this regard.
Kenya and the Netherlands have shared warm and cordial relations dating back to 1964. This has continued to grow on the basis of mutual interests and shared values both at bilateral and multilateral fronts. Indeed, the Netherlands is one of Kenya’s biggest trading partners and we will continue to constructively engage and cooperate in areas beneficial to both countries.” Â
Ambassador Lenayapa and the Ambassador of The Sudan, H. E. Kamal Bashir Ahmed Mohamed Khair.
Ambassador Lenayapa thanked Sian Roses for the magnificent bouquets of Kenyan fresh cut roses offered to each guest and the caterer who has prepared the buffet style Kenyan cuisine to celebrate Jamhuri Day.
“I would also like to thank all members of staff at the Embassy, who continue to support me as the Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. I value the warmth, alliance and hard work displayed by everyone.
With these few remarks, I would like to convey my best wishes to you all during this festive season and a prosperous New Year!”
An exquisite Kenyan buffet concluded the festive reception.
The Ambassador of Kenya, Mr. Lenayapa and H.E. Mr. Lounès Magramane, Ambassador of Algeria.
