I’ve been following Brexit events for a while now. And it occurs that it’s been long long debates inside the UK and the EU. And the whole situation isn’t as crystal clear as many wish it to be.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbow scenario, but it’s a great step forward for everyone. The Brexit has been delayed once more. It is overestimated, it’s not as hard as it might seem to be. It won’t result in bad interference with the citizens the residence rights in the UK will not be affected by Brexit.
Apparently the EU and the UK citizens won’t have huge travel restrictions, which will save a lot of employees from losing their jobs, also the EU citizens looking for jobs in the UK will be granted with a 6 month period to find it, maybe more if it’s necessary. If they want to leave and be free from the EU’s market system it’s their policy. Though the people are important. So it’s a must must to take precautions.
The No-Deal scenario isn’t attractive to any Brexit participants, so there were some “insurance policy” actions taken to prevent the U.K. from crashing out without a deal if it wasn’t able to pass all this legislation by the end of the month. So the amendment proposed by ex-Tory MP Oliver Letwin passed and Boris Johnson was forced to send a letter asking for an extension until Jan. 31. He did stress that he didn’t really want an extension though. Once he said that he’d rather be “dead in a ditch” then do as he did.
Basically what the PM did was trying to push his agenda as hard as possible, though the EU is still delaying it. In his letter to Jeremy Corbyn he is referring to business and people. According to his words people are planning their business with Brexit outcomes and as further it gets the more damage to business is being done. But it’s not only the business he is talking about it’s also about the countries in general. He believes that the Brexit is profitable for everyone. And he has a point. He twitted: “I have written to Jeremy Corbyn: this Parliament must get Brexit done now or a NEW Parliament must get Brexit done so the country can move on.”
The UK want to improve its economy by making deals with the USA free from the EU’s trade system. And the EU will get many business men moving to Europe which will improve local economy and as a result achieve better economical position.
The mood over this whole Brexit clown carnival is rather dull. Seems like the PM and his team are the only ones carrying about the future of nations. Not that the politics are clean but the steps taken are targeted at people’s interests.
By Dr. Jorien Wuite, Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten
The building the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten is befitting the stature of the Caribbean island it represents in The Hague.
Stately, with large windows looking out over the prominent busy Prinsessegrachtin the political center of The Hague, this monumental building is where Jorien Wuite intends to represent Sint Maarten well and “to entice you to visit our 37 miles of splendor in the Eastern Caribbean.”
One of the first things that will catch your attention when you enter the Cabinet, is a display of maquettes in the center of the main reception area: designs made by students from TU Delft whose professor took them to Sint Maarten to come up with ideas for sustainable reconstruction efforts for a new Heritage center in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
They attest to Wuite’s style of diplomacy: “When Hurricane Irma tore through our island on September 6th, 2017, it showed the enormous strength of the people of Sint Maarten, but also the significant challenges of a young and natural disaster-prone country. As a people, we are resilient, hopeful and purposeful. As a country, we have work to do. We need to strengthen our infrastructure, our economy and our institutions to avoid a repeat of the devastation wrought by Irma,” she says. Thus, as representative in the Netherlands, she continuously puts her position to work.
One of her main tasks in the Netherlands is to represent Sint Maarten in the Kingdom Council of Ministers. In this setting decisions are made concerning Kingdom related affairs, such as, treaties and global issues facing the entire Kingdom.
“As Minister plenipotentiary we want to utilize our position as a public figure and political representative of Sint Maarten to contribute to the dialogue on critical challenges faced by not only Sint Maarten but also on a global level. For example, Global Warming escalating to the current climate crises is of great importance to Small Island Developing States, who unfortunately bear the brunt of climate Change and its devastating effects.”
Wuite hopes that the relationships that she fosters with organizations and institutions in the Netherlands will contribute continuously in the rebuilding efforts of Sint Maarten. Government has devised a National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) as a roadmap toward building Sint Maarten back better; it offers a comprehensive strategy to respond to the immediate needs of the people of Sint Maarten and to address other recovery and resilience needs in the near future. The NRRP is being carried out by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB). “It is the blueprint on how we are rebuilding the island,” says Wuite.
Sint Maarten, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is a country on the southern part of a Caribbean island shared with Saint Martin, a French overseas collectivity. Its natural features span lagoons, beaches and salt pans. The capital, Philipsburg, has cobblestone streets and colorful, colonial-style buildings lining its Front Street shopping area. The island was ravaged on September 6th2017 during the passing of Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 hurricane that packed near-record, sustained 185mph winds. Irma cut a devastating path through the region and the scale of destruction was steep.
One of the main elements of the plan is its “Building Back Better” component. “That refers to a range of improvements on the pre-disaster situation that have been recommended in the sector recovery strategies and needs analyses. It’s measures can include right-sizing, right-siting, and structural improvement of assets and infrastructure based on disaster risk and current demographic needs; improved building standards and structural improvements according to sector norms; improved service delivery standards per present sector developmental norms; and the human resources and skills development required to manage such improvements.”
The NRPB has been operational and tasked with the implementation of all recovery projects since March of this year. Whereby the funds are funneled through the World bank amounting to 550 million euros financed by the Government of the Netherlands. A number of projects to be implemented that will contribute to the sustainable redevelopment of Sint Maarten are projects aimed at eemergency Income Support and Training, SME strengthening, the reconstruction of the airport and coming to a long-term waste management solution.
In the picture Ruby Bute’s artwork presentation to the Kingdom Council of Ministers Cultural Diplomacy.
Cultural Diplomacy
Wuite has been Minister Plenipotentiary for Sint Maarten for a little over a year now, has always considered Sint Maarten home. Born in the Netherlands as the daughter of a Dutchman and a Sint Maarten ‘daughter of the soil”, she studied at the prestigious Erasmus University in Rotterdam, before settling in the island in the end of the 90s.
A veteran civil servant driven for results, she worked as Director and Secretary General of both the Ministry of Public health, Social development and Labor, as well as the Ministry of Education Culture, Youth and Sports. In 2018, shortly after the passing of the devastating hurricanes Irma and Maria, she was appointed Minister of Education Culture Youth Affairs and Sports in the then interim government. After elections, she was appointed representative of Sint Maarten in the Netherlands as Minister Plenipotentiary, a position that goes well with her career and understanding of The Hague.
“In the year that has flown by with highs and lows, Sint Maarten has struggled with the reconstruction, good governance practices as an autonomous country and much debate priorities and processes. Budgetary debates with limited liquidity have been challenging under these circumstances. Sint Maarten was and in some way is still portrayed negatively here in the media. We did not let these attacks faze us in our efforts to represent and move our island forward,” she says.
She says that her Cabinet has also been able to forge a powerful and dynamic working relationship with the counterparts representing the islands of Curacao and Aruba. “We instituted joint consultations in which we discuss various issues, which leads to an active collaboration and strong administrative interpretations and more balance in theKingdom Council Meetings (RMR).”
Her first year in office was mainly a year of cultural diplomacy. “One of the highlights was presenting the artwork “185-Mile Winds” by Sint Maarten artist Ruby Bute. Ms. Bute, one of Sint Maarten’s most renowned painters who was knighted by the then queen of the Netherlands her Royal Highness Beatrix, painted the artwork one year after the passing of Hurricane Irma. The artwork is an expression of the impact of Irma, Sint Maarten’s resilience but also an expression of gratitude towards the support that our country received. The painting has made a tour via a number of government and other entities in The Hague, was on display with the Ministries of Defense and Education, and in the First and Second Chambers of the Dutch Parliament. Wuite made the presentation in the 2nd chamber where the artwork will remain for 2 years, together with Carla Vlaun, a master’s graduate who also hails from Sint Maarten. She believes that cultural diplomacy assists with new relationships and narratives within the Kingdom of The Netherlands.
“I fulfilled a silent wish of being the connecting factor for local arts within the Kingdom. It is important to grow awareness and appreciation of local art-forms. Having this piece on display at the highest legislative bodies within the Netherlands was definitely a high note,” says Wuite.
2019 Sint Maarten’ student arrival
Goal for 2019-2020
Wuite says that the goal for the parliamentary year 2019-2020 should be on economic diplomacy and on forging economic partnerships between the Netherlands, interested countries and Sint Maarten. “Our program has a clear path for the rebranding and repositioning of Sint Maarten; it forms an integral part of our mission and we should also highlight and focus on opportunities for Sint Maarten entrepreneurs both here and on island,” she says.
She supports and encourages remigration of graduating scholars and young professionals in the Netherlands back to the island to work jointly on the recovery and repositioning process of Sint Maarten. “With a special priority for a legislation program for young law professionals, we need to commit to combatting the brain drain which is being felt throughout the Caribbean. By keeping this target group closely involved with the Cabinet and with their peers through the soon to be launched Platform 721, this group (the Sint Maarten Diaspora in the Netherlands) will be afforded the opportunity to actively participate and advise on ways and means to make the island even more progressive and innovative. I also understand that home grown legislative lawyers are required to further build the democratic foundation and critical elements of the rule of law in a modern, Caribbean society”.
Wuite was this year also chosen as one of the ambassadors for the Black Achievement Month, a month-long string of events in October that celebrate black Dutch excellence in the Netherlands. In its fourth year, Black Achievement Month is organized by the National Institute for Dutch Slavery Remembrance and Heritage NiNsee. It is intended to “contribute to a balanced representation of people of African descent; their representation is too often determined by what was written and said about them during the days of slavery and colonialism.”
“It is an absolute honor for me to be an ambassador to the worthy event and represent the ancestors of the people from Sint Maarten who also contributed -albeit unwillingly- to what constitutes the Dutch Kingdom today. In my position as representative of Sint Maarten in the Netherlands it behooves me to contribute to a proper representation of their descendants,” said Wuite.
She believes that it is important that Caribbean people of African descent know, accept and are proud of their heritage, and is therefore a champion of fostering tighter relations amongst themselves and in larger extent with the continent their ancestors were stolen from. “Our people have persevered through the ages and today, with all that we have attained in the Caribbean we can be a credible partner with countries in Africa. Taking part in the Black Achievement Month ties into that believe as well,” she says, while also emphasizing the month-long event fits seamlessly into the cultural diplomacy of her office. ”As a Caribbean country we are a multi-layered society. Our blend makes that we have a lot to offer the world.”
Opportunities beyond Sent Maarten’s Shores
Wuite is confident that Sint Maarten is on its way back. There has been a measurable improvement in the growth of returning visitors. Only recently it was noted that the industry is one of the fastest to rebound after all the destruction Irma left in its wake in the region. With more than 70% of our hotel capacity pre-Irma ready for business and the majority of our cruise and air traffic back to its pre-Irma levels Additionally, we are working on establishing even more direct connections to our shores from within the region.
“But we are not completely out of the woods yet; there is still a long way to go. Notwithstanding the challenges, Sint Maarten is confident that it will rebound better and stronger and be in a position to once again carry the predicate of the most modernized and structurally sound islands in the Eastern Caribbean. And even while our focus remains on rebuilding our one pillar economy, we are making concerted efforts in the diversification of our economy through changes in legislation, the upgrading of services; and exploring avenues such as the development of niche tourism markets, agribusiness and the creative industry.,” she confides.
“Personally, I believe that business development, start- and scale ups, the education- and creative industries are building blocks for a healthy future and perhaps the key to solving a lot of challenges. At the same time, against the backdrop of positive developments, there are still so many harrowing issues which, in particular, affect the socially weak. Making residents and businesses self-supporting, solvent and resilient will not only increase the national GDP; it also reflects in the wellbeing of the entire island.”
And, the Minister Plenipotentiary insists that there are many business opportunities for entrepreneurs who look beyond the shores of the island. “We have the capacity and the skill to produce locally for an international customer base.We are working towards the strengthening of our Small and Medium Enterprises, to form partnerships with overseas companies. Having a strong entrepreneurial base where local SME’s render services and products to industries abroad, is one of the ways our island can become a lead player amongst other Caribbean islands competing on a regional level,” she says.
She invites partners to visit her office to discuss potential opportunities. Wuite: “Through the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague, the gateway to Philipsburg Sint Maarten is open. Here we gladly welcome you to come and engage in dialogue on possibilities of doing business on Sint Maarten as well as share our expertise with you. We are open for doing business.”
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The position of the Minister Plenipotentiary dates from 1954, when the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands was established.
At the onset in 1954, the Kingdom constituted three countries: the Netherlands, Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles. Suriname left the Kingdom when it gained independence in 1975. In 1986 Aruba became a separate country in the Kingdom and in 2010 the Netherlands Antilles seized to exist when Sint Maarten and Curaçao also became separate countries and Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius became special municipalities.
Throughout these changes in Kingdom relations, the charter maintained its role as leading legal document of the Kingdom, that sets out the political relationship between the countries that constitute the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Constitution of the Netherlands and the Basic Laws of all countries within are legally subordinate to the Charter.
The Ministers Plenipotentiary were appointed to represent the Caribbean in Dutch institutions. They represent their countries in the political heart of the Kingdom, in the Kingdom Council Meetings (RMR) and during debates in the Second and First Chambers, where they may submit input from their respective Governments in the Hague. They have no voting rights during these debates, but they do may request postponement to confer with their Governments.
“The Statute dates from a time before smart phones; traveling between the countries in the Kingdom didn’t use to happen as frequently as it happens now, so most contact at Government level was through the Ministers Plenipotentiary. These days a lot is done through direct contact via WhatsApp, Skype or telephone, with the Minister Plenipotentiary maintaining his/her role as permanent representative in The Hague. Together with the Cabinet we invest significant time in relationships with political representatives, Ministries, the Colleges of State, NGO’s or private businesses. Because let’s be honest: WhatsApp and Skype will never measure up to face-to-face contact. We also spend a lot of time representing the Caribbean and island culture (of Sint Maarten) and on keeping Sint Maarteners in the Netherlands tied to their country; the businesspeople, the professionals, the students. The ultimate goal is for all to play a role here in the rebuilding efforts for Sint Maarten. And to minimize brain drain through encouragement of young professionals to return home after they are done studying here. There is work to do.”
The successful exhibition was also in collaboration with the Dutch artists Chris Tap and Arvid Henkes
In the picture from left to right are: artists Mr. Arvid Henkes and Mrs. Victoria Kovalenchikova; Dr. Stanislav Vassilevsky, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Belarus in the Netherlands, director of the RE Cultural Foundation Mrs. Ljoedmila Van Vyve; “Bell`Arte” gallery owner Mrs. Doret Huibers; artist Mr. Chris Tap; Kurhaus owner Mr. Giovanni van Eijl and art stylist Ms. Monica Verweij.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
Scheveningen, gallery “Bell`Arte” at the Grand Hotel Amrâth Kurhaus. It has been on 28 October 2019, that Dr. Stanislav Vassilevsky, PhD, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Belarus in the Netherlands invited members of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as senior officials of the Dutch Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Education Culture and Science and The Hague Municipality to the Grand opening of the Exposition of the Belarusian contemporary artist Victoria Kovalenchikova.
Mr. Nikolai Tananaiko, Belavia’s Director in the Netherlands, Victoria Kovalenchikova, Dr. Stanislav Vassilevsky, pianists Aksana & Vital Stahievich.
Some say that art is the main beauty of mankind, as it cherishes the inner beauty of a human being. The famous Russian writer Fedor Dostoevsky wrote: “Beauty will save the world”.
By Victoria Kovalenchikova.
Without delay, Dr Stanislav Vassilevsky cordially welcomes one and all to the Grand opening of the Exposition by Victoria Kovalenchikova.
Vassilevsky started his welcome remarks by expressing gratitude for the assistance received from Mrs Doret Huiberts, owner of the gallery “Bell`Arte” and Mr Giovanni van Eijl, innkeeper, who kindly co-organizing and co-hosted the evening. Dr Stanislav Vassilevsky also placed his appreciation on the assistance he received from Mrs Ljoedmila Van Vyve, Director of the Cultural Foundation, who has, in fact, inspired him to organize the event and put him into connection with all the participating talented artists.
Bizon by Chris Tap
The Grand opening of the Exposition by the Belarusian artist Victoria Kovalenchikova is not an ordinary exhibition. It has been a collaboration of the Belarusian and Dutch artists. The first of such an event, that makes it particularly exciting.
Indeed, an exposition by the renowned Belarusian contemporary artist Victoria Kovalenchikova, who met her spouse in the Netherlands and moved here a decade ago to continue her creative work (she had more than 100 solo and group expositions around globe since 1997), and of the talented and prominent Dutch sculptor Chris Tap and visual designer Arvid Henkes.
Belarusian pianist Vital Stahievitch.
Good mentioning, the expo is a mélange of paintings, sculptures and design work. Furthermore, presentations by the famous opera singer Elena Syssojeva and Belarusian pianists Aksana & Vital Stahievitch. The music program included works by Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninov, Schubert, Tchaikovsky and others.
Dr. Stanislav Vassilevsky, PhD, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Belarus in the Netherlands during his speech.
The event was attended by more than 200 persons, including representatives of the Dutch Foreign Ministry, honorary consuls of the Republic of Belarus in the Netherlands heads- and representatives of the diplomatic missions accredited to the Netherlands.
To mention a few, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, El Salvador, the USA. Also consulting and investment agencies, the business community, celebrities, as well as representatives of charity foundations working with Belarus and representatives of the international organizations in The Hague, including Deputy Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Brooks W. Daly, Judge of the International Criminal Court H.E. Mr. Raul Cano Pangalangan.
Graphic Planets Art by Arvid Henkes
Brenda Felicia Muste, Miss World Nederland 2019 a lover of art, grace the occasion with her presence. Brenda will be vying for the title Miss World 2019 at a beauty pageant next December in Thailand
Dr Stanislav Vassilevsky has been with the Belarusian Mission in the Netherlands for about one year, he notices that Belarus, unfortunately, is still unknown to the broader public. Therefore, the primary objective of this event is to foster Belarusian-Dutch ties, promote friendship and better mutual understanding.
Dr. Stanislav Vassilevsky, Charge d’affaires de Belarus and Brenda Felicia Muste, Miss World Nederland 2019
In conclusion, the hundreds of guests were invited to try Belarusian beverages, sausages, sweets and homemade pies baked with love by the embassy staff and Mrs Vassilevsky.
In the picture the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim and the Ambassador of Iraq, H.E. Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi.
By Tereza Neuwirthova.
On Sunday 27th October, the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in The Hague organised a dinner to honour the Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim, who payed a two-day visit to the Netherlands.
Distinguished guests, among others the ambassadors of many Arab and European countries, including the Ambassadors of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin, Italy, H.E. Mr. Andrea Perugini, the Kingdom of Morocco, H.E. Mr. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Abdel Sattar Issa, Iran, H.E. Dr Alireza Kazemi Abadi, Austria, H.E. Ms. Heidemaria Gürer, Libya, H.E. Mr Marai Ahmayda Awad Arhim, Indonesia, H.E. Mr. I Gusti Wesaka Puja, Palestine, H.E. Ms. Rawan Sulaiman, Tunisia, H.E. Mr. Elyes Ghariani, United Kingdom, H.E. Mr. Peter Wilson, Bangladesh, H.R. Mr. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Jordan, H.E. Mr. Nawaf Wasfi Tell, Egypt, H.E. Mr. Amgad Abdel Ghaffar, Sudan, H.E. Mr. Kamal Bashir Ahmed Mohamed Khair, UAE, H.E. Ms Hissa Abdulla Ahmed Alotaiba, Turkey, H.E. Mr Şaban Dișli, Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Shujjat Ali Rathore, Yemen, H.E. MS. Sahar Ghanem, Sweden, H.E. Ms Annika Markovic, Mr. Mourad Amorkani, Chargé d’affaires of Algeria, as well as representatives of international organisations attended the dinner that took place in the Hilton Hotel in The Hague, notably H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, Director General of the OPCW and Ms. Kathryne Bomberger, Director General of the International Commission on Missing Persons. Also attended Ms. Simone van der Post, Iraqi Desk Officer at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
H.E. Mr. Alexander Sulgin, Ambassador of Russia and the Ambassador of Iraq.
To open the evening, H.E. Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi, the Iraqi ambassador to the Netherlands thanked Dr. Al-Hakim and the guests for their presence on this special occasion and especially during such hectic times.
“It is a great pleasure to host this event and to meet in such a large number to hold a constructive dialogue about the political and security situation of Iraq, and the challenges and issues it faces. Let us coordinate our endeavours in the fight against terrorist groups, and to build a liberalised area that will provide the stability that is crucially needed in the fragile Gulf region.”
Dinner to honor the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq during his two days visit to The Hague.
Thereafter, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim delivered his speech, in which he stressed the priorities of the government at the current stage, namely security and stability. Minister Al-Hakim continued by stating the aim of his visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which was to enhance the bilateral cooperation in sectors such as agriculture and industry, both of which are in the scope of Dutch institutions’ expertise.
Moreover, pointing out Iraq’s orientations to diversify sources of income, support the private sector, create jobs, and eliminate unemployment by upgrading the economic sector, Dr. Al-Hakim explained how partnership between the countries, as well as the Dutch assistance and investment is bound to strengthen the Iraqi capacities.
The Ambassador of Iran, H.E. Mr Alireza Kazemi Abadi and the host, Ambassador Al-Alawi.
“We are trying to work on reforming the public sector, working jointly with the private companies on our finances, and since we are one-commodity country dependent on oil, we need to ensure that money is put in the right places.”
On the issue of fighting terrorist activities in the region, Dr. Al-Hakim expressed the gratitude of Iraq for the support that has been given to it both by European, as well as Arab countries, while underlining the role of trust and dialogue that are crucial aspects of achieving the common goals.
“The Dutch government has given us tremendous amounts of assistance, and I am really grateful on behalf of the government of Iraq, to the countries that supported us in the coalition, with the goal of defeating the Da’esh terrorist group. This is not only an Iraqi issue, this is really a political and a global one, and we need to work together to ensure that we have collective ideas how to handle this particular issue.”
The Ambassador of Austria, H.E. Ms. Heidemaria Gürer and the Ambassador of Iraq, H.E. Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi .
To end his speech, the minister reiterated that the goal of resolving the conflicts and ending the wars in the Gulf region can only be achieved through the coordination among countries, and that Iraq will strive to be the stabilising pillar necessary to secure the region.
While dinner was served, the distinguished guests continued the debate by passing microphone amongst themselves, whereby topics such as water diplomacy, reforms, de-mining, and the issue of missing persons were discussed.
The Ambassador of Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Abdel Sattar Issa and the Ambassador of Iraq, H.E. Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi.
The evening presented a meaningful moment for the diplomatic community of The Hague, and what is more, the visit of the foreign minister H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ali Al-Hakimin to the Netherlands will in all likelihood be a momentous one for Iraq in both contributing to the improvement of the bilateral relations, as well as in assisting with the development of Iraq’s economic capacities.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim talking to the Ambassador of Austria, H.E. Ms. Heidemaria Gürer Also in the picture the Director General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias and the Ambassador of Iraq.
The Hague, 25 October 2019. On this bright autumn day, the Embassy of Austria organized a reception at the residence of Her Excellency Ambassador Heidemaria Gürer.
Austrians celebrate their country’s declaration of permanent neutrality after World War II and its regained status as an independent and sovereign nation since October 26, 1955.
H.E. Ambassador Heidemaria Gurer, Ambassador of Austria during her welcome remarks.
The event opened with the playing of the Austrian national anthem followed that of the Netherlands and European Union.
Among the many guests, Ambassador Heidemaria Gürer (dressed in an authentic Austrian outfit)and her spouse Mr Nadir Gurer, welcomed were, the Ambassador of Kosovo, China, Tanzania and many other Diplomats. Furthermore, senior representatives of the Dutch government, the municipality of The Hague, local and foreign businesspeople.
Ambassador Heidemaria Gürer delighted her guests by offering them a constant flow of savoury Vienna’s sausages and finger-food. Noteworthy was the excellent red wine served, produced from grapes coming from the Ambassador’s private vineyard. All enjoyed the Austrian style lunch-time reception.
In the picture German premiers at Elmau Castle – Picture by bayern.de, Bavarian State Chancellery.
24-25 October 2019, Elmau Castle, Krün, Free State of Bavaria: In the capacity of ongoing chair for the Conference of Heads of Government of the Länder (Minister-Presidentenkonferenz – MPK), Bavarian Premier Dr. Markus Söder invited his colleagues to the MPK Annual Conference under Bavarian chairmanship for discussions on the cross-border integration amongst the Länder, stronger federalism, measures to counteract climate change, digitisation and mobile networks throughout Germany, the fight against anti-Antisemitism and the protection of synagogues.
Sunday, 20 October 2020, Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Norway handed over to Canada the guest of honour status for the 2020 Frankfurt Book Fair.
About Canada FBM2020
Canada FBM2020 was established in collaboration with the Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP) and the Association nationale des éditeurs de livres (ANEL) to manage, in both official languages, the role and involvement of the Canadian book industry in the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2020.
Canada FBM2020 receives financial support from the Department of Canadian Heritage, which is the federal department responsible for the general administration of Canada’s appearance as Guest of Honour at the 2020 Frankfurt fair. It works under the strategic supervision of an executive committee that includes representatives of Canadian Heritage, the Canada Council for the Arts, Global Affairs Canada, Telefilm Canada, and members of Canada FBM2020’s Board of Directors.
Handover ceremony for Canada at the Frankfurt Book Fair – Image by Canada FBM2020.
As a not-for-profit organisation, Canada FBM2020 is supported by an independent board of directors and works with key partners in the Government of Canada and the book industry to deliver the major elements of the Guest of Honour programme. Canada FBM is an entity that uses the two official languages to represent Anglophone, Francophone and Indigenous book publishers from across Canada.
About the Concept of Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair
Each year, the Frankfurt Book Fair names as its guest of honour a country whose literature and culture are showcased during the entire period of the fair itself in October, as well as in the preceding months. The Guest of Honour country, or region, participates during the entire year leading up to the book fair in various cultural events and projects in Frankfurt and elsewhere in Germany. It also organises a wide variety of literary activities, art and culture exhibitions, and music, dance, theatre and film programs to celebrate the talent and diversity of their creators.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Ms. Dubravka Plejic Markovic, entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1994, where she stayed six years with multilateral department in various capacities.
Shortly after entering the Ministry, she was assigned to the Office of the President of the Republic, Franjo Tudjman, as a supporting member of his foreign policy team. That was shortly after Croatia gained full sovereignty and territorial integrity over its formerly occupied territories and during the Dayton peace talks. In this capacity she took part in numerous meetings with policy making officials involved in bringing final peace to war-torn Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was instrumental in gaining insight into vital role the UN and other security providers played in post-conflict resolution and peaceful transition.
Back in the Ministry she was engaging on the ICTY issues which led her to overtake the ICC as well. In special capacity as the coordinator of the ICTY and ICC, Mrs. Plejic Markovic helped promulgate Croatian policies and answers arising from cooperation with ICTY and served as an expert in national delegation negotiating ICC’s establishment.
From 2001 onward, she served as the DCM at the Permanent Mission at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg dealing mostly with political issues. Upon returning to the Ministry, she was offered position of the Head of NATO department in 2004, dealing with obligations stemming from the MAP. She stayed in this position for one year after which she joined the Permanent Mission to the OSCE, UN and other international organizations in Vienna as the Deputy Head of Mission. During that time she was responsible for the political issues arising from cooperation with the OSCE’s field Mission in Croatia as well as other political and military issues.
She chaired FSC (working groups) during Croatian presidency of the FSC in 2007 and several other meetings within FSC’s purview. After completing her term in Vienna, Mrs. Plejic Markovic was assigned to international security department in the MFA covering wide range of security issues.
In 2012, she was appointed Security Policy Director attending variety of EU gatherings and helping to promulgate foreign policy responses and national laws in wake of the countries accession to the EU. As of 2013 on, she was appointed Assistant Foreign Minister dealing with extra-European affairs. During that time numerous crisis involving the Arab world escalated and her multilateral skills were of use in dealing with national responses to these pressing issues.
In her capacity as Assistant Foreign Minister, she traveled extensively accompanying the minister to countries of Central Asia, Iran, Iraq, Middle East, US and Russian Federation and attended numerous bilateral talks with her counterparts.
As of January 2016, Mrs. Plejic Markovic served as the Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Croatia to the OSCE, UN and International organizations in Vienna. During that tenure, in 2019, she was elected as the Vice-Chair of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
Ambassador Plejic Markovic holds a degree in Law from University of Zagreb and has passed the bar exam. She is married with two adult daughters. Mrs. Plejic Markovic speaks English, German and French (conversational) and holds the rank of an Ambassador in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities, opera performances and a good read.
The new Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the Kingdom of the Netherlands is H.E. Mr. Nicolas P. Plexidas, a seasoned diplomat with over 35 years of experience in the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both in Athens and throughout the world.
A warm and sociable person, who has managed to positively impress the diplomatic community of the Netherlands with his excellent work since his arrival to The Hague a few months ago. This is how H.E. Mr. Nicolas P. Plexidas, the new Ambassador of Greece to the Netherlands, is described by his colleagues. In October 2019, Ambassador Plexidas took up the role of Ambassador in The Hague – a new high point for his 35-years-long career in the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Born in Thessaloniki in 1956, Mr. Plexidas attended a Greek-American high school in his native city, before moving on to study Spanish Language and Literature in Barcelona. After coming back to Thessaloniki, Mr. Plexidas graduated in Economic and Political Science at the city’s “Aristotle University”, only then to leave again to perform his military service in Brussels, at Greece’s Permanent Representation to NATO.
After these stimulating experiences, Mr. Plexidas – then aged 29 – decided to undertake the diplomatic career. After one year at the Diplomatic Academy in Athens, Mr. Plexidas officially joined his country’s Foreign Service, where he occupied an extremely wide array of positions, alternating between posts at home and missions abroad.
In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Athens, Mr. Plexidas dealt with a large number of issues, working first in the Directorate for Political Relations with Asia and Oceania, and then in the Directorate for International Organizations and Conferences, where he became the Head of the UN Department. Raising through the ranks of the Ministry, in the last 15 years Mr. Plexidas assumed increasingly high-level roles, becoming Head of Department for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and eventually Director of NATO and Euroatlantic Security.
The Ambassador’s long career at the Greek MFA was interspersed with numerous posts in several of Greece’s missions around the world. For several times in his career, Mr. Plexidas represented his country in key international organizations, working at Greece’s Permanent Representations to the United Nations (both in New York and in Geneva) and to the European Union.
H.E. Mr. Nicolas Plexidas, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic.
He also performed important duties as Consul and General Consul in Vancouver, Cologne, and Dusseldorf, as well as Head of Greece’s Liaison Officer in Pristina, Kosovo. Moreover, over his career Mr. Plexidas also took up increasingly high-level posts in his country’s Embassies, working as Deputy Head of Mission in Iran and Portugal, as Ambassador in Slovakia, and finally as Ambassador in The Netherlands.
Ambassador Plexidas speaks an impressive amount of languages – six, with English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese complementing his mother tongue Greek. The Ambassador is father to three daughters, and his partner is Anna-Maria Panagiotakopoulou. In 2015, Ambassador Plexidas received an important award from his country, Greece, which decorated him as Grand Commander of the Order of the Phoenix.
The diplomatic community of the Netherlands wishes all the best to Ambassador Plexidas, his family, and all the Embassy’s staff!
In the picture, Minister of State Dr. Florian Herrmann and Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar – Picture by bayern.de, Bayerische Staatskanzlei.
Monday, 21 October 2019, Free State of Bavaria: State Minister Dr. Florian Herrmann, Head of the State Chancellery and Minister of State for Federal and European Affairs and Media of Bavaria, welcomed at his office in Munich the Nigerian Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar with a conversation focused on Bavarian political and development commitments in Africa, that are intensified since the state opened a representation in Ethiopia.
Ambassador Tuggar is Nigeria’s top diplomatic envoy since 20 September 2019. He has a background as a businessman, having been CEO for Nordic Oil and Gas Services Limited headquartered in Lagos.
