Alemania, la nítida

Editor
-
0
Alemania, la nítida

Por S.E. Mr. Manuel Mejía Dalmau, Embajador del Ecuador en Alemania.

Sobrevolábamos la campiña alemana antes de aterrizar en Frankfurt  y mi compañero de asiento, viendo por la ventana uno de esos pueblitos que parecen de cuento, me preguntaba qué tal es Alemania, a lo que le contesté: si usted baja este rato a ese pueblito no encuentra un solo papel en el suelo, se lo apuesto.

No creo que fue muy generosa, y por lo tanto buena, mi explicación, pero no le mentí.

En Alemania, el orden es una forma de ser, la limpieza es parte de ese orden y todo ello termina siendo síntoma de respeto, de democracia, entre los germanos.

Hay algunos hábitos que todavía recuerdo de cuando joven vivía en Munich. Caminar a la izquierda de una persona más importante es uno de ellos. Presentar una persona de menor jerarquía a otra de mayor, es un  error. Pedir permiso antes de hablar es obligación de los niños y jóvenes frente a un grupo de personas mayores.

No decir “prost”, o sea brindar, antes de beber el primer sorbo de cerveza o vino, es de pésima educación; su falencia podría destrozar la tertulia que se estaba iniciando.

Decir que hace frío, o calor, es de mala educación. El interlocutor bien le podría contestar: “nosotros también sentimos la temperatura, no hace falta que nos la recuerde”. Y así.

Pero dentro de ese esquema, aparentemente sólo rígido, hay una montaña de sutilezas que sólo buscan hacer más grata la vida. Practicarlas se convierte en una necesidad.

Botar un papel al suelo es pues, una falta de respeto a los demás.

En Frankfurt llegamos a un hotelazo de esos que deben haber permanecido milagrosamente intactos después de la guerra, o fueron reconstruidos conservando sus detalles.  La ciudad, sede del primer parlamento alemán, es, como toda Alemania, nítida. Su catedral más bien simple, no así su ópera.

Goethe presente con la casa que guarda muchísimas de las vivencias de ese escritor que, gracias a un desamor, pudo ordenar sus obras, recluyéndose los últimos años de su existencia. Octogenario, Goethe había perdido la cabeza por una adolescente en Marienbad, sin que ella no le corresponda más allá de la admiración por el legendario hombre de letras.

Qué miedo enamorarse así de viejo …

En Frankfurt nos recibió el Cónsul Ad Honorem, un caballero alemán, acompañado de una estupenda y guapa española que luce ser la Gerente, Secretaria, Mariscal de Campo y Sargento del consulado.  Se llama Marina y es de esas personas que llegan enseguida, directa pero agradable, de esas latinas que contagian entusiasmo y tienen mucho que conversar.

Muy poco tiempo para disfrutar las exquisiteces de ese gran país.

Pakistanisation of Britain: Is Johnson the last UK Prime Minister?

Editor
-
0
Pakistanisation of Britain: Is Johnson the last UK Prime Minister?

By Enes Güzel.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson won a considerable victory in December’s U.K. general election after voters backed his pledge to “Get Brexit Done” and take Britain out of the European Union by the end of January. It was the biggest Conservative majority since Margaret Thatcher in 1987.

As this election was all about Brexit, one can say that with this election, the Brexit dilemma is finally over and long-awaited stability is on the horizon. For many years, Brexit has consumed too much time and energy in the U.K. and occupied much of the country’s political, social and economic life.

No Exit (Brexit as the Huis Clos)

Both Boris Johnson and his predecessor Theresa May lacked a parliamentary majority and had failed to obtain approval for withdrawal bills from Parliament. With this election, Johnson has now gained the parliamentary majority, which provides him with enough seats in Parliament to pass his Brexit deal with the European Union without negotiating with other parties. The victory gives him the full mandate to deliver Brexit. Once the U.K. Parliament has ratified the withdrawal agreement, the European Parliament will give its consent in January, before the U.K.’s departure on Jan. 31.

Well-informed Philip Stephens of the Financial Times laments: “Mr Johnson’s insistence on an end-2020 deadline for negotiations with Brussels means the best Britain will get from the EU is a bare bones deal covering trade in goods. The damage to the economy inflicted by Brexit will thus be at the pessimistic end of expectations. The facts of geopolitics are likewise unaltered”. This basically reinforces a diagnosis of prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic about the ‘classical imperial self-entrapment’, when professor says that: “…it is how the capability of the Anglo-Americans to maintain its order started to erode faster than the capacity of its opponents to challenge it”. 

Stephens goes on lamenting: “…the Pax Americana is ending as power shifts to China and other rising states and the US grows ever more reluctant to assume global leadership. The rules-based international system is fragmenting. Coming decades will more closely resemble the great power competition of 19th-century Europe than the end-of-history liberal order many imagined would persist after the end of the cold war. These are all trends that will leave Britain — a middle-ranking nation with widely dispersed global economic and security interests — more vulnerable than most comparable democracies.

The last time the UK claimed a serious global role was during the 1960s when it operated a string of military bases across the Middle East and south-east Asia. After sterling’s devaluation in 1967, Harold Wilson’s government beat an enforced retreat from the last outposts of empire east of Suez. The withdrawal from Singapore and the Gulf marked Britain’s admission it was a European rather than a global power — a shift cemented by joining the European Community. Half a century later, Mr Johnson’s government proposes to turn things on their head. Britain, we are to suppose, is once again a global power… This charade will soon reach beyond absurdity.”

Scotland’s homeland call

Although the December election came as a relief for many people that uncertainty is now over and Britain can finally leave the European Union, the election has brought greater challenges even bigger than Brexit. Nationalist parties both in Scotland and Northern Ireland have also achieved victories. As these two countries voted remain in the 2016 Brexit Referendum, their respective nationalist parties have called for a break away from the U.K. to remain in the European Union. As a result, calls for independence have put the political and territorial integrity of the United Kingdom at stake.

In this election, Scotland voted overwhelmingly for the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP). Tories lost almost all their seats in the country, as the SNP made a strong comeback under Nicola Sturgeon. The SNP captured 48 of Scotland’s 59 seats in Scotland, which immediately intensified the debate over independence. The result provides the party with a mandate to ask for a new Scottish independence referendum.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon after the election reiterated her argument in following the election results: “Boris Johnson has a mandate to take England out of the EU. He must accept I have a mandate to offer an alternative future for Scotland.” On the other hand, Johnson said he would refuse the referendum. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how he will resist the pressure from the SNP to call for another independence referendum in Scotland.

Northern Ireland – and the beat goes on

Equally significant is that the Tories’ former coalition partner, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has lost its majority of seats in Parliament. Northern Ireland elected more Irish nationalists, who support unification with the Republic of Ireland, than pro-British unionists for the first time since 1921. As one of the crux questions regarding Brexit has centered around the position of Northern Ireland, the issue still remains unsolved.

Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement with the EU was rejected three times by the U.K. Parliament because of opposition to the Irish backstop by hard-Brexiters within the party. Subsequently, Johnson’s new deal, which removes the Irish backstop, was rejected by coalition partner DUP on the basis that the deal would create an economic border in the Irish Sea between Britain and Northern Ireland.

However, as the DUP’s influence on Brexit has now seeped away, the Tories’ large majority means that the government can now progress with Johnson’s initial deal that unionists argued would weaken Northern Ireland’s position in the U.K. This could eventually prompt calls for a border poll.

As a result, the question is what Brexit will mean for the relationship between Northern Ireland and the U.K. and whether or not Northern Ireland remains part of the U.K. or unifies with the Republic of Ireland.

This election clearly offered Johnson a political endorsement to pull the U.K. out of the EU and move onto negotiations about Britain’s future relationship with the bloc; however, the bigger challenges ahead for Johnson appear to be whether he will be able to keep the union intact and stop any secession from the kingdom. There is already a large amount of pressure from the SNP and Sinn Fein, which want to leave the U.K. and remain part of the EU. It will be interesting to see how Johnson will tackle that challenge and preserve the political and territorial integrity of the kingdom.

While many hailed the Tories’ victory in the election as the end of the Brexit saga, the latter seems to have a long life ahead. It is not only going to affect the U.K.’s relationship with the EU but may also represent the end of Britain’s territorial integrity.
——————–

The author is Deputy researcher at TRT World Research Centre, PhD candidate majoring in political science and international relations.

Picture ENES GÜZEL / copyrights ENES GÜZEL

Understanding European Crisis

Editor
-
0
Understanding European Crisis

Tiberio Graziani, Chairman, Vision & Global Trends – International Institute for Global Analyses, gives an interview to Diplomat Magazine. In this interview Graziani gives his views on relations between the EU and its members, and the European political-economic future.

 gives an interview to the editor-in-chief of the Soviet newspaper Izvestia. In this interview, the President gives his views on relations between the Soviet Union and the USA, and the crises of the Cold War.

Many people have been talking about the EU crisis for a long time. George Soros wrote an article “Europe, please wake up” at the beginning of this year. In this article, he predicts that the EU could collapse, as the USSR did. Can we really state that Europe is in crisis? What, or who, could split the European Union?

Europe is in full and deep crisis, this is undoubtedly. However, I do not agree with the analogy made by Mr. Soros. In particular, because the USSR, unlike the EU, was a cohesive geopolitical entity centred on Russia, which constituted its pivot. The USSR was, for the most part, the heir to the tsarist empire. The collapse of the USSR was the collapse of a cohesive, unitary system of political, economic, and military power.

The case of the European Union is completely different. To understand its current crisis and hypothesize its possible collapse, as well as to identify what or who could cause this, I think we need to remember what the European Union is. The EU is an international political organization of several independent States, based on a common market and that presents, in an ambiguous and contrasting way, for some functions and sectors, the characteristics of federations of states and confederations. It is therefore a very particular and fragile supranational political-economic organization; it is not a geopolitical entity, it does not have a common foreign policy, it does not have a common energy and industrial policy, and it does not have its own army.

Since it is embedded in the so-called Western system, these latter factors of weakness expose it to the American hegemonic strategies in the economic, monetary, political and military fields. The current crisis of the European Union is the intertwining of other crises: that of the distant 2007, the enduring contradictions between the national needs of the single states, the crisis of the bureaucratic structure. In the current historical phase, Europe, as it holds a single currency and a quality manufacturing system, disturbs the American economic and monetary policies. Therefore, it is probably in the interest of the USA to weaken or to split Europe.

– The European Union was originally created by six European countries to solve economic problems. The current version of the EU is a purely bureaucratic one. And there are many more member states now. Has there really been a union with the newly integrated countries? Or did Western Europe simply swallow up Eastern Europe, without letting it into its structure?

As far as the economic and financial sphere is concerned, the enlargement of the European Union to the East has been performed too fast. The EU structure has not been able to handle this enlargement, observable on the fact that Germany itself still encounters many difficulties in the integration process of the former DDR. Thus, many Eastern European nations refer more to Washington than to Brussels.

– How noticeable is the difference in approaches and decisions of the Old World, and the Eastern European countries?

The difference between the historical block of the EU and the countries of Eastern Europe is considerable. The newcomers demand an EU aid, while not taking into account the economic and commercial interests that France, Germany and Italy have towards Russia.

– EU is very diverse. It was a combination of two so different systems, inhabited by too different nations. Is the EU primarily a political association?

The European Union is essentially a supranational political-economic association without a precise geopolitical identity, with a very powerful and self-referential bureaucracy.

– Speaking of foreign policy differences, between which countries in the EU does the line of conflict cross? What line is this?

In the global context, all the countries of the European Union conduct a foreign policy that is too unbalanced towards the United States, going against its own national interests. At domestic level, some parties foment their own electorate against France and Germany, this is the case of the extreme right-wing Lega and Fratelli d’Italia parties, who consider France and Germany responsible for their national crisis. I don’t think there is a single line of conflict as the issue is very complicated. For example, the interests of Italian and European companies would advise greater attention to Iran, Russia and China, however this is not heard by the ruling class.

– Why is there a rise of Euro-sceptic and Euro-protest sentiments in Europe?

The growth of sceptical and anti-European sentiments is due to the bad management of the European Union and the national self-interest of some states. European citizens were expecting a lot from the Union in terms of well-being and security, however, their requests were unheard. Moreover, the hyper-liberal turn and the austerity imposed on the countries that suffered the most from the economic crisis have increased the distrust of European citizens towards Brussels. On these elements, the so-called sovereign parties have achieved their success.

– Can a UK exit affect EU unity?

The UK’s exit may set an example for some countries. But I don’t believe that other continental European countries follow it. Great Britain can afford it because it has its own currency, still strong despite everything. In addition, it is an integral and leading part of another international political and economic body: the Commonwealth Realm.

– How do you see the future of the EU?

I see it very uncertain. However, I do not think of its dissolution. Certainly, it will continue in its weakening, unless new events intervene in its favour. I think that the European Union should strengthen its currency and impose its use in the exchanges with non-European countries. 

Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union: A strong Europe in a world of challenges

Editor
-
0
Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union: A strong Europe in a world of challenges

By H.E. Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman,  Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.

The Republic of Croatia is proud to take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time in the first half of 2020. During the six-month period, Croatia is determined to promote the interests of the European Union and its citizens and position itself on the European and international political, economic and cultural scene.

Croatia’s Presidency comes at a time of great changes for the European Union; the beginning of a new institutional and legislative cycle following the new multiannual financial framework, as well as the challenges resulting from the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, uneven economic development, climate change, increased migrations, dissemination of disinformation and growing populism.

Croatia believes that strong and united Europe is the only answer to the challenges of today’s world. Hence, under the motto “A strong Europe in the world of challenges” Croatia is preparing a presidency agenda based on four priorities.

The first priority of the Croatian Presidency is “Europe that is developing” in a balanced, sustainable and inclusive way. This development includes strengthening competitiveness and skills adjusted to the jobs of the future, promoting balanced regional development while at the same time taking into account the sustainability of that growth, protecting the environment and combating climate change that is becoming one of the Union’s key tasks. Croatia will also encourage horizontal debate on demographic challenges, which is a problem affecting not only Croatia, but also many other Member States.   

 The second priority is “Europe that connects” in terms of development of transport, energy and digital infrastructure and responding appropriately to all challenges posed by the new technologies and digitalization. In order to achieve full social, economic and territorial cohesion, there is a need for transport, energy and digital infrastructure to be further developed. Croatian Presidency will encourage policies that strengthen infrastructural connectivity of the Union and bring together its citizens, primarily through education, culture and sports.

With the third priority, “Europe that protects”, Croatian Presidency is determined to further establish the Union as an area of freedom, security, and justice founded on common values, democracy and the rule of law. This includes strengthening internal security, protecting freedoms and democracy, ensuring full interoperability of  IT systems, strengthening resilience to external threats and malicious cyber activities, and active work on comprehensive and sustainable migration policy. Croatia is decisive to advocate for a coherent and comprehensive approach to external and internal aspects of migration, including legal migration. 

H.E. Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.

“An influential Europe” is the final priority of the Croatian Presidency. Croatia intends to promote multilateralism and international development while promoting European values and interests as the main point of reference for the Union’s external action. Its credibility in international relations is also reflected in a responsible approach towards its neighborhood, including the Western Balkans in its immediate surroundings.

During Croatia’s Presidency, an EU-Western Balkans Summit will be organized between the leaders of the EU and Southeastern European countries aspiring to become EU Member States. Croatia will advocate for revitalization and strengthening of the EU prospects for Southeast Europe, based on the complete fulfillment of membership criteria.

 Croatia’s priorities have been attentively chosen to address the challenges the European Union is facing today. In today’s complex setting, Croatia is confident in taking an important role at the helm of the joint European project in further building a strong Europe in a challenging world. Croatia is dedicated to conducting its Presidency as a mediator and builder of compromise based on shared values and respect for mutual interests between Member States: by enhancing dialogue, promoting consensus, and seeking compromise rather than creating divisions.

Mexico: Much More than Meets the Eye

Editor
-
0
Mexico: Much More than Meets the Eye

By H.E. Mr. José Antonio Zabalgoitia, Ambassador of Mexico to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Mexico fascinates, conquers and amazes everyone who visits it, but it also faces stereotyped perceptions from those who have never been there. Let me try to convince you to go, or to return one more time.

Perhaps you have heard about its wonderful tourist destinations, its rich and delicious gastronomy, or its natural diversity and eye-catching landscapes. From a relaxed stay at the blue Caribbean Sea to an eco-touristic adventure through the whale sanctuaries in Baja California, Mexico has traditionally been an attractive tourist destination. In 2018, the country reached the 7th position in the World Tourism Organization’s Ranking, receiving a total of 41 million foreign visitors. 

When talking about food, it is not only about tequila and tacos, but an extensive list of traditional dishes whose cultural richness and value begins well before the kitchen: at the hands of Mexican farmers. In 2010, Mexico’s traditional cuisine was inscribed on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list, recognizing not only its flavors but the ancestral practices and skills that surround every meal. The experience is about the colors, the fragrances, and the richness of taste of every dish in the different regions of the country.

Mexico is all of this and more. Beyond the mariachi and increasingly renowned festivities like Día de Muertos, Mexico is a leading country in a variety of industries.  We are the 15th largest economy in the world, deeply integrated into global production and value chains. With 13 free trade agreements signed with 52 countries, Mexico provides preferential access to a market of 1.3 billion consumers in all corners of the world.

Mexico promotes international trade based on rules. We are huge exporters: 450 billion dollars in 2018, of which 397 billion were manufactures. Mexico is the number one producer and exporter of avocados, tomatoes, papaya, berries, lemons, and beer. We are also leaders in exports of flat-screen TVs, two-door refrigerators and smartphones. This is possible thanks to Mexico’s greatest asset, our people. Mexicans are creative, productive and hardworking; committed to making our country a reference in reliable and innovative manufacturing. In fact, every year Mexico graduates more engineers than Germany, France, the UK or Brazil. 

Furthermore, Mexico is strategically integrated into the North American region. Along with our partners, Canada and the United States, we jointly manufacture a wide diversity of products. For example, any car sold by Mexico, Canada, or the United States, crossed the borders between these countries at least 7 times during the production process. With the signing and ratification of the new USMCA, Mexico and its North American partners will continue growing as a highly competitive region and providing certainty for foreign investors and local entrepreneurs.

On this side of the Atlantic, Mexico and the European Union are currently in the final stages of modernizing their Global Agreement, which not only will continue expanding commercial opportunities, but will also allow us to face together a series of pressing world challenges. Mexico is committed to an international system that fosters cooperation in important matters such as climate change, human rights, economic development, and the rule of law, to name a few. 

On a bilateral level, Mexico and the Netherlands have a strong and dynamic relationship being both gateways to bigger markets in North America and Europe. The Netherlands are the 16th trading partner for Mexico and the 5th among members of the European Union. Dutch firms are the 6th source of foreign direct investment in Mexico at the global level and the 3rd within the EU. Mexico offers important opportunities for Dutch companies in key sectors such as logistics, transport, maritime, agroindustry, innovation, and life sciences and health. Our deep friendship is also based on our shared values and a solid commitment to collaborate at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

Finally, it must be said that Mexico, like every country, faces its own set of challenges. We acknowledge that there is still work to do in terms of economic growth, reduction of inequality among our population, eradication of poverty, and improvement of security. These are all areas of opportunity in which the Mexican government committedly works every day.

Mexico will overcome these challenges putting together both governmental and society’s resources. Key to this task is our openness to the world and our drive to use our competitive advantages, such as our strategic geographic position, our open economy, and our young, diverse, and hard-working population.

I sincerely hope that, after reading this, you realize that when talking about Mexico, there is much more than meets the eye. 

Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN in a Changing World

Editor
-
0
Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN in a Changing World

Priorities of Viet Nam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020

By H.E. Ngo Thi Hoa, Ambassador of Viet Nam to the Netherlands

Viet Nam takes over the ASEAN Chairmanship in a rapidly changing regional and  global landscape where opportunities are intertwined with challenges. Amidst the prevailing trends of peace, stability and cooperation for development, new uncertainties, disruptions and complexities are arising from the geostrategic, political, economic, societal and technological domains. As a result, regional countries are under greater pressure to carefully navigate their policies to maintain an environment conducive to peace, stability and economic growth. 

Multilateralism in Viet Nam’s Foreign Policy 

2020 holds a significant meaning as Viet Nam will assume both the ASEAN 
Chairmanship and a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). At the UNSC, Viet Nam will work earnestly with other Council members, to preserve regional and international peace and stability, and to promote sustainable development goals and inclusive economic growth. It is also our priority to act as a bridge between ASEAN and the UN to realize common goals, particularly in conflict prevention and sustainable peace.

 2020 also marks the 25th anniversary of Viet Nam’s ASEAN membership. Viet Nam has made great strides over the past 24 years in fulfilling its membership duties, honouring its commitments to ASEAN agreements, and actively contributing to ASEAN’s development. For example, Viet Nam is the second ASEAN member state after Singapore to implement all the AEC action lines, and is a pioneer in maintaining peace, stability and security in the region.

2020 Theme: Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN

The theme of Viet Nam’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2020 – Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN – reflects the spirit of “Thinking as a Community, Acting for Community” in response to the challenges and opportunities ahead. Guided by this overarching theme, Viet Nam will focus on five key priorities during its ASEAN Chairmanship.

Unity and Solidarity: Unity and solidarity form the most important glue that makes a cohesive and responsive community. ASEAN has helped transform Southeast Asia from instability to stability, antagonism to cooperation, poverty to prosperity, a loose association to one of the world’s most viable and successful regional organisations.

These past records attest to ASEAN unity and solidarity as the key to its success and strength. Viet Nam will work to reinforce ASEAN Centrality and solidarity, forge closer relations and mutual support among the Member States, develop ASEAN’s collective approach on international and regional issues, and respond to challenges and threats to regional peace and security in an effective and timely manner.

Economic Interests: Common interests lay the foundation for a cohesive community.Viet Nam will look to maximise the convergence of economic interests among ASEAN member states who share the key objective of achieving an ASEAN single  market and integrated production base. 

Commonalities: As a cohesive community, ASEAN should forge commonalities through regional events that touch our everyday life. For example, the recent decision for ASEAN Member States to launch a joint bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup will help inculcate a strong sense of community among Southeast Asians. Viet Nam will step up efforts in raising ASEAN’s profile and visibility in the Member States, so that their citizens understand ASEAN’s importance at the grassroots level. 

Partnership: The past 52 years have shown that ASEAN cannot advance its goals  alone. ASEAN community-building requires both intra-regional integration efforts and partnerships with different countries and organisations further afield. Viet Nam will look to reinforce partnerships for peace and sustainable development through deepening and elevating relationship with partners around the world, enhancing ASEAN’s role and image in the global community, and contributing to shaping the 
new regional and global architecture. 

Institutional capacity: A cohesive and responsive community must be anchored in its strong institutional capacity. To stay relevant to new developments, ASEAN-led mechanisms and processes must be effective, efficient, nimble and outcome-driven. 

Viet Nam will therefore seek to increase ASEAN’s operational capacity and efficiency through institutional reforms and improvement of rules of procedures and processes within ASEAN-led mechanisms

The past achievements and experiences will enable Viet Nam to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship with confidence. As the ASEAN Chair, Viet Nam looks forward to promoting bilateral relations with fellow ASEAN member states and external partners.The Chairmanship also provides opportunities for Viet Nam to enhance its international profile, and promote the Vietnamese culture and soft power to the world.

El Salvador to Host Historic Edition of 2020 ISA World Surfing Games

Editor
-
0
El Salvador to Host Historic Edition of 2020 ISA World Surfing Games

By H.E. Mr. Agustín Vásquez Gómez, Ambassador of El Salvador to the Netherlands.

The International Surfing Association (ISA) announced by mid January 2020 that El Salvador has been chosen as host of the 2020 ISA World Surfing Games, to take place on May 9 – 17 of this year. Twelve Olympic Qualifiers will be determined, making 2020 a historic edition of the event.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said, “The ISA World Surfing Games will bring an unprecedented level of global attention to the country and the nearly unlimited world-class resource that is its year-round waves.

Olympic dreams will be fulfilled, creating a highly anticipated level of world-class surfing, camaraderie, and excitement…. We look forward to building momentum towards Tokyo 2020, displaying the youthful, high-performance values of our sport that will contribute to the great success of the Games.”

The historic edition of 2020 ISA World Surfing Games are one of the jewels of the crown within “Surf City El Salvador” that is a leading initiative that President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele set at the beginning of his mandate in June 2019, as one of the main anchors to promote tourism, development and public works, along with connectivity and security, everything within an ideal environment, as part of an integral approach to change radically the social and economic conditions of the country and its offer to the world.

The objective of the initiative is to position El Salvador as one of the main tourist destinations of the surf sport and industry internationally. Due to the privileged location in the heart of the Americas, Salvadoran beaches are among the top ten in the world for practicing surfing. 

Sun set at Surf City, El Salvador.

Some of the potentialities that Salvadoran beaches offers are the quality of the waves, the water temperature, tropical climate, proximity to many more tourist destinations with a variety of gastronomy, no sharks and friendly and helpful people. 

President Nayib Bukele expressed his pride that El Salvador “will always be remembered and associated with the historic recognition of surf as an Olympic sport”, adding that this event “will be the window to show the world-class waves and destination that Surf City El Salvador offers. El Salvador is open and ready to embrace new ideas, challenges and innovation. This Olympic qualifying event is a milestone for Surf City El Salvador and we are certain it will contribute to the consolidation of our beautiful country as a premier destination for surfing.”

Surf City is one of El Salvador’s efforts that seek to strengthen sports and cultural diplomacy as instruments of international cohesion, as well as generator of opportunities for a Nation that has historically been linked to social and political phenomena that were not attractive to be considered as a tourist destination. 

Now El Salvador is a place to discover and enjoy, and together with the recognition of International Authorities such as ISA, as Ambassador of El Salvador in the Netherlands, I invite European surfers and particularly the Dutch, to dare to enjoy some of the best waves in the world and the unbeatable warmth of our people.

China receives the new Dutch measures on telecommunication safety and integrity

Editor
-
0
China receives the new Dutch measures on telecommunication safety and integrity

In the picture His Excellency Dr. Xu Hong, Ambassador of China to The Netherlands.

The Dutch government has recently issued an administrative order on Safety and Integrity of Telecommunications. Speaking to the press, China’s Ambassador to the Netherlands rejected speculations claiming that the order would negatively affect Chinese companies like Huawei.

The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate has recently issued an administrative order concerning the Safety and Integrity of Telecommunications. The order stipulates that “critical parts” of the Dutch telecommunications network must be provided by so-called “trusted suppliers” – a limitation that would kick out of the game providers suspected of being engaged in espionage activities, either directly or through ties with third-party agencies. 

The implications of this order could be rather significant – especially in the framework of the debate around Huawei’s role in building the new 5G infrastructure in Europe and beyond. Over the last months, the United States have conducted a diplomatic campaign – led by State Department’s Robert Strayer – aimed at establishing strict regulations on the supply of parts used to build 5G infrastructure. While the US has officially stated that such regulations should not target any specific country, the campaign is widely seen as an effort to curb the role of the powerful Chinese multinational Huawei in the provision of 5G equipment.

In a press conference with Chinese and Dutch journalists, China’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr. Xu Hong, sought to explain how the new administrative order issued by the Dutch government would not target Chinese companies. In a thinly veiled reference to the US diplomatic campaign, the Ambassador accused those lobbying against Chinese companies of failing to provide “any solid evidence”, as well as of working against the spirit of law and fair competition.

Chinese ambassador with colleagues during the press meeting.

Those who fear China’s espionage – Dr. Xu Hong said – generally misread China’s National Intelligence Law. The law’s Article 7 stipulates that “any Chinese organization or citizen should support, assist and cooperate with state intelligence work in accordance with Chinese law” – the Ambassador clarified, stressing that the article should be read in the context of the entire Chinese legal system, rather than in standalone mode. Such laws, the Ambassador argued, are present in other countries too, including the Netherlands. 

To the contrary, he stressed, China is less invasive than other countries when it comes to collecting information overseas. “Unlike a few countries using long-arm jurisdiction, China is cautious on applying extraterritorial jurisdiction” – the Ambassador noted, highlighting how other countries, such as the United States and Australia, employ laws requiring companies “to provide the government or intelligence agencies with trans-border access to communications data”. “China opposes to such practice” – the Ambassador stressed, also underscoring his country’s opposition to “the use of cyber facilities for espionage” more at large. 

Seeking to reassure those who may still be worried, the Chinese Ambassador underscored the willingness expressed by Chinese companies such as Huawei to take preventive approaches in order to mitigate risks. Dr. Xu Hong praised the positive performance of Huawei during the strict scrutiny undergone recently, as well as its willingness to accept further third-party tests and supervisions with a “frank and open attitude”. 

In light of these observation, Ambassador Xu Hong voiced his country’s expectations on the implementation of the Dutch administrative order. “We hope that the Netherlands will make assessments on an objective and fair basis, and provide a fair, just and non-discriminative environment for the normal investment and business between enterprises”.

ICC hosts The Hague Judicial Club Colloquium 2019

Editor
-
0
ICC hosts The Hague Judicial Club Colloquium 2019

On 27 November 2019, the International Criminal Court (ICC) hosted The Hague Judicial Club Colloquium 2019 on the theme “International Law and Contemporary Challenges – 75 Years after WWII”. The colloquium gathered Judges and Registrars of the ICC, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands (Hoge Raad der Nederlanden), the International Court of Justice, the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. 

“By many accounts, the institution-based multilateral international system of international law that we have today started taking shape after the end of WWII”, said ICC President Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji opening the event. “As that system is under acute pressure, which is also felt in our courts and tribunals, it is meaningful for us to discuss our similar challenges with one another”, he added.

In addition to the ICC President, speakers included the President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Judge Ivana Hrdličková, Judge Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade of the International Court of Justice, and ICC Judge Raul Pangalangan. The First Vice-President of the ICC, Judge Robert Fremr, gave closing remarks.

The event was co-sponsored by the Municipality of The Hague. Speaking of the judicial club, Deputy Mayor of The Hague Saskia Bruines said: “It is encouraging to see The Hague’s international courts and tribunals take the initiative to come together”. “These gatherings stimulate the sharing of knowledge, contacts, and experiences that help lead to further improvements in the field of peace and justice. The Municipality of The Hague will continue to stay actively involved in future editions!”, she added.

The Hague Judicial Club strives to bring together Judges and Registrars of international courts based in The Hague as well as the Supreme Court of the Netherlands to offer opportunities for networking and exchange of ideas at the highest level.  

International conference: The Children Trains and Beyond

Editor
-
0
International conference: The Children Trains and Beyond

Thursday 6 & Friday 7 February
The Neo-Calvinism Research Institute (Theological University Kampen), Broederweg 15, Kampen

On 6 and 7 February, the Neo-Calvinism Research Institute and the Department of Dutch Studies of the Eötvös Loránd University Budapest (ELTE) organize, with support from the Embassy of Hungary in The Hague, the conference “The children trains and beyond – Cultural, religious and political contacts between Hungary and the Low Countries in the Interwar Period”.

During the interwar period intensive cultural, religious, political and personal contacts existed between Hungary, the Netherlands and Belgium. Many of these contacts can be traced back to humanitarian actions after the First World War, especially the so-called children trains. The conference is a centenary commemoration where recent research results on this theme will be presented and personal experiences can be shared. Registration is now opened.

1...343344345...879Page 344 of 879