British luxury automobile brand Bentley returned to profitability in 2019, aided by a 5% sales increase after a strong performance in Europe and the Americas as it was announced by Volkswagen per press release.
Sales reached 11,006 vehicles last year, boosted by the new Continental GT Convertible model and a series of derivatives and limited edition models.
For further information:
https://www.bentleymotors.com/en.html
Picture by Varenia Griebel.
The Permanent Representative of France to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Luis Vassy and H. E. Mr. Fernando Arias, Director General of the OPCW.
The Hague, Netherlands – 20 January 2020 – The Government of France is contributing USD 1M toward supporting the activities of the Trust Fund for Syria Missions at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which includes the work of the Declaration Assessment Team (DAT), the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), and the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT).
The Fund supports the Organisation’s special missions and contingency operations related specifically to the Syrian Arab Republic. The French contribution aims to equip the OPCW with the means to maintain its professional and impartial standards in addressing the threat from chemical weapons use.
The voluntary contribution was announced in November 2019, when the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, visited the OPCW. It was formalised with an agreement signed on 20 January by the Director-General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of France to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Luis Vassy, at the Organisation’s headquarters in The Hague.
The Director-General expressed his gratitude for France’s unwavering support, and remarked: “France has long been a central partner in the global disarmament regime and a determined supporter of the Chemical Weapons Convention. This kind of resolve is as vital as ever to ensuring that the OPCW can fulfil its mandate.”
Ambassador Vassy emphasised France’s continuous commitment to supporting the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and further advances in the eradication of chemical weapons. He stated: “France stands by the OPCW since the beginning of the Syrian chemical crisis in 2013, through its political and financial support. This voluntary contribution illustrates once more our commitment to putting an end to the use of chemical weapons in Syria by throwing light on Syria’s initial declaration as well as on the allegations of use and on the identification of the perpetrators of such attacks. France reiterates its confidence in the OPCW’s professional, impartial and independent work.”
France has been an active member of the OPCW since the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force in 1997. France is a member of the Executive Council, the OPCW’s executive organ, which is charged with promoting the effective implementation of and compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention as well as supervising the activities of the Organisation’s Technical Secretariat.
The Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) is mandated to identify the perpetrators of the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic. The IIT was launched following a decision adopted by the Conference of the States Parties to the CWC at its Fourth Special Session held in June 2018.
The OPCW Fact Finding Mission was set up in 2014 in response to persistent allegations of chemical weapon attacks in Syria, with the task to establish facts surrounding allegations of the use of toxic chemicals, reportedly chlorine, for hostile purposes.
Established in the same year, the Declaration Assessment Team engages the relevant Syrian authorities to resolve the identified gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies in the Syrian declaration.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
Over 97% of all chemical weapon stockpiles declared by possessor States have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
In the picture the Permanent Representative of Andorra to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Esther Rabas and the OPCW Director General, H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias.
The Hague, Netherlands – 20 January 2020 – The Government of Andorra has contributed €5,000 to a special Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Trust Fund to support the project to upgrade the current OPCW Laboratory and Equipment Store. This project will result in the construction of a new facility, the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (“ChemTech Centre”).
The contribution was formalised during a ceremony at the OPCW Headquarters between OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of Andorra to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Esther Rabasa.
The Director-General expressed: “I thank the Government of Andorra for this contribution to the new OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology that will further build the capabilities of our Member States to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.”
Ambassador Rabasa remarked: “Andorra’s voluntary contributions express both its continuous support to the victims of chemical weapons and its will to be part of the efforts aiming at increasing the training and capacity-building capabilities the Secretariat can offer to States Parties through the establishment of the new ChemTech Centre.”
She added that “Andorra is well aware that as a country with a small territorial dimension, it owes its survival to the existence of, and compliance with, the rules of the international legal system and is strongly committed to multilateralism to address the threat from chemical weapons use”. She concluded by expressing Andorra’s full support for the efficiency and quality of the work undertaken by the Director-General and the Technical Secretariat.
Director-General Arias appealed to all OPCW States Parties in a position to make voluntary contributions to do so. He further emphasised the important role the new ChemTech Centre will play in strengthening the OPCW’s ability to address chemical weapon threats, boost its investigative capability, and enhance capacity building activities. He highlighted that “all contributions, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated”.
So far, thirty-one States Parties and the European Union have contributed or pledged to contribute financially to the project, and a considerable amount has been raised to date. In the coming days, several other States Parties are expected to contribute.
In Miami Bottega Veneta’s Creative Director Daniel Lee presented last autumn the brand’s newest boutique in a fresh novel style.
Daniel Lee modernised the æsthetic DNA of Bottega Veneta and sparked a new hype about the Italian brand. The young Briton is now heralding his second year as head designer with the opening of the first store he designed for the Miami market. Inspired by Miami’s design district and the brand’s origins in Montebello, the bright, open spaces also reflect his modern vision of discreet elegance, which also defines his fashion.
The new store focuses on the brand’s accessories. They line the walls and are displayed on free-standing azure blue tables. However, the architectural highlight is the pink plaster staircase to the upper floor, wherein the men’s collection is presented.
For further information:
https://www.bottegaveneta.com/de
Picture by Bottega Veneta.
From Right, the Ambassador of Russia, H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin and Natalia Shulgin with two gorgeous dressed Russian ladies during the Old Year’s reception at the Russian Embassy.
On January 13, 2020, the Russian Embassy in The Hague hosted a traditional reception on the occasion of the Old New Year.
The event was attended by more than 100 guests. Among them were heads of diplomatic missions accredited in the Netherlands, the Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, officials of international organizations, representatives of political and business circles, social sectors, the media, clergy, as well as compatriots residing in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Russian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin, delivered a welcome speech to the audience, presented the history of the festival and congratulated all the guests present on it, having wished them peace and prosperity.
The head of the Embassy emphasized, that this year the whole world will celebrate a special anniversary – the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
These days when the attempts to falsify and distort historical facts related to the outbreak, course and end of the World War II have eminently intensified, it is even more necessary to commemorate this glorious date with dignity.
The participants of the solemn reception got the opportunity to enjoy the art of the famous Russian illusionist Sergey Listopad.
A tasting of Russian wines from the Crimean peninsula produced by the winemaker Valery Zakharyin together with the presentation of a thematic video also took place during the evening.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
| The Hague Philarmonic Orchestra New Year’ Concert – The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra/The Residentie Orkest, enthusiastically welcome the new year 2020 no doubt will be a musical year. The Zuiderstrand theater was full for this festive occasion. The program details: Mr Kazem Abdullah (USA), conductor, Kari Postma (Norway) soprano and Hermine Deurloo (Dutch) harmonica player. Master of ceremony was Mr Ab Nieuwdorp. The concert selection of pieces: Strauss Jr. – Overture ‘The Gypsy Baron.Gershwin – Suite Porgy and Bess, Gershwin – American in Paris, Amber – Overture ‘West Side Story. The main focus was on Strauss and Gershwin. Furthermore, Various waltzes, polkas and arias. The concert was nothing if not fascinating, the audience responded with a standing ovation. Conductor Kazem Abdullah thanked the audience for coming out in such large numbers. He went on to say, we will start 2020 with music in our hearts . Mr Peter Arensman, president of the Residentie Orkest Business Circle cordially invited members of the circle to join him at a special concert at the Zuiderstrand theater on 10 January 2020. Following the concert, the Business Circle held a reception for its members and invitees at the Haven Foyer. The Rabobank, a member of the Business Circle donated a cheque worth Euro 10,000 to the Residentie Orkest. A student Efe Fargane, who is affiliated with the Residentie Orkest, also received a cheque from the Rabobank to pursue his education. The theme of the 2020 new year concert was “A new Light”, the light will keep on shining all year long. |
Humberto Tan is a famous and well appreciated TV host in the Netherlands who presents several prime time TV shows at RTL, being the largest commercial TV broadcasting company in the Netherlands.
Furthermore he is a well-know photographer and he has 378,000 followers on Instagram. Enough reasons for the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda and the Rwanda Development Board to invite him to discover the land of a thousand hills. Humberto Tan accepted the invitation and made a roundtrip in Rwanda this week and was very much impressed by Rwanda’s people, its culture and the places he visited like e.g. Akagera NP, Volcanoes NP, Lake Kivu and Kigali.
The gorilla tracking experience made a big impression on Humberto. “What struck me most? Their soft energy! The dominant man, the Silverback, keeps a close eye on everything and intervenes where it is needed. We have walked over 2.5 hours to find them but it is more than worth it!”
Followers responded with, among other things: “Really very cool!!! You can tick that off your Bucket List” and “so close… beautiful in an open light space! What beautiful photos you must have taken! Super!!!”
Humberto Tan in Rwanda on social media Instagram: www.instagram.com/humbertotan/ Instagram – Stories: www.instagram.com/stories/humbertotan/
The destination Rwanda is becoming more and more popular in the Netherlands. “Visit Rwanda initiated a market representation in this country and hosted several groups of media and tour operators in 2019”, said Rwanda’s envoy to the Netherlands H.E. Ambassador Jean Pierre Karabaranga. “Next to Humberto’s multiple posts on Instagram, there was great cover story on Rwanda last Saturday in De Telegraaf, which is the largest newspaper in this country.
Furthermore, Visit Rwanda exhibits at the Vakantiebeurs show this week from 15 to 19 January 2020 with a delegation that consists of the Rwanda Development Board, RwandAir, Amahoro Tours, Heritage Travel, Palast Tours & Travel and Wildlife Tours Rwanda”, the Ambassador added.
The show traditionally started with the Industry Day on 15 January and Visit Rwanda hosted a reception in cooperation with Dutch tour operator Untamed Travelling, which was visited by more than 200 travel agents and travel media.
The Hague, Netherlands –17 January 2020– The Government of Algeria has contributed €15,000 to a special Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Trust Fund to support the project to upgrade the current OPCW Laboratory and Equipment Store. This project will result in the construction of a new facility, the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (“ChemTech Centre”).
The contribution was formalised during a ceremony at the OPCW Headquarters between OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of Algeria to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Lounès Magramane.
The Director-General expressed: “I thank the Government of Algeria for this contribution to the new OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology that will further build the capabilities of our Member States to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.”
Ambassador Magramane commented that Algeria is honoured to contribute to the OPCW Trust Fund to support the ChemTech Centre project, and to highlight Algeria’s positive relationship with the OPCW and its desire to further develop this collaboration. He remarked: “As a Member State contributing to the ChemTech Centre project, Algeria hopes to see the establishing of the new Centre as an instrument for enhancing capacity building in African OPCW Member States.”
Director-General Arias appealed to all OPCW States Parties in a position to make voluntary contributions to do so. He further emphasised the important role the new ChemTech Centre will play in strengthening the OPCW’s ability to address chemical weapon threats, boost its investigative capability, and enhance capacity building activities. He highlighted that “all contributions, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated”.
So far, thirty States Parties and the European Union have contributed or pledged to contribute financially to the project, and a considerable amount has been raised to date.
Residentie Orkest “New Year’s Concert” – Kari Postma, soprano; Kareem Abdulla, conductor.
Text and pictures by Catherine Dailey.
The Zuiderstand Theater, overlooking the Scheveningen harbor, was filled with anticipation for the Residentie’s Orkest’s long awaited “New Year’s Concert” in honor of the orchestra’s Business Circle and loyal patrons.
Of the years, the New Year’s concert has become the “place to be” for classical music enthusiasts. The feeling of a “homecoming gathering” permeated the pre-concert cocktail reception as many of the invitees, well known in the The Hague’s business, professional and political circles, were clearly known to each other from other relationships in the community.
The CEO and Artistic Director, Mr. Sven Arne Tepl, welcomed his guests with a toast of “bubbly” and invited everyone assembled to enjoy “Oliebollen”, a Dutch fried sweet dough filled with currents, which is traditionally served throughout the country during both “Old and New Year” celebrations.
Kazem Abdullah, a youthful American conductor who currently resides in Nurnberg, Germany, lead the orchestra as “gast dirigent” (guest conductor) for his riveting “In a New Light” concert. Abdullah, dubbed the “Rockstar of the Composing world” by the Daily Beast, opened with “Ouverture West Side Story” (1957) by the American composer, Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990). Within moments, he captured the full attention of the audience.
The program continued with a selection of show-tune favorites combined with European pieces by Emmerich Kalman (1882-1953), Johann Strauss, Jr. (1825-1899) and Rudolf Sieczynski (1879-1952). Pieces by composers George Gershwin (1898-1937) and Harold Arlen (1905-1986) were also performed.
Compositions by Gershwin comprised half of the pieces selected for the evening’s concert. The audience was delighted and responded enthusiastically to both Abdullah’s and the orchestra’s lively performance with an extended applause at the conclusion of the first half of the concert.
Kari Postma, an award winning Norwegian soprano, delighted the audience as well. Hermine Deurloo, the world famous chromatic jazz harmonic player from Amsterdam, also joined the orchestra for the lively New Year’s concert.
Ab Nieuwdorp, the Dutch radio personality, from the “De Klassieken” heard weekdays from 9am-12pm, clearly enjoyed his role as the presenter for the evening, as did the members of the orchestra’s Business Circle.
The Residentie Orkest is an integral part of the municipality’s cultural life and is often the first introduction to a performance of classical music for the region’s youth. Thus, the orchestra relies upon patronage from the Business Circle and other members of the community to continue to improve the orchestra and to introduce gifted young people to the world of music.
This year, following a second standing ovation from the audience, Renta Brabander, Chairman of the Board of the Rabobank in The Hague, presented a check, in the amount of Euro 10,000 earmarked for “The Residents” to Sven Arne Tepl.
The funds will be used to support the youth orchestra training program which was created to teach area youth to play a symphony instrument for an introductory period of three years. The program has been well received and relies largely upon donations for continued success.
For donations to “The Resident” of EURO 1,000 or more, supporters are invited to join the “Viotta Kring.” More information about supporting the Residentie Orkest can be found here.
The orchestra’s currently performs in three venues. Visit the website for more information for the Residentie Orkest’s 2020 agenda.
In the picture from right to left: Ambassador of Finland, H.E. Ms Päivi Kaukoranta and her husband Mr Jarmo Hopponen, Mr. Marko Kivelä, Defence Attaché (to Germany and Netherlands) and his wife Mrs Anu Kivelä.
On the occasion of the 102nd Independence Day of Finland, the Ambassador of Finland, H.E. Ms Päivi Kaukoranta and Mr Jarmo Hopponen hosted a special reception. Attending were numeous diplomats and head of missions, Dutch officials, many from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Senate and the parliament, artists, politicians, members of different organisations, the Finnish embassy staff, as well as many friends of Finland who came in big numbers to the official residence of Finland on a raining winter night.
Her Excellency thanked everyone in attendance for sharing this very special day with her, and introduced Karla-Maria Toiviainen and Susan Ball, who performed the Finnish national anthem and the European Anthem Wilhelmus.
“Some of you may be surprised to hear also the European anthem, which symbolizes not only the European Union, but also Europe in a wider sense.” , expressed the Ambassador Ms. Kaukoranta.
“The European anthem is not intended to replace any of the national anthems of the EU countries, but rather to celebrate the values they all share. This is also true with the membership of the Union; it does not take anything away, but rather adds to our independence. For Finland, the membership in the European Union was, after all, also a security policy choice.”
She continued by stating that “during this second half of 2019 Finland held the Presidency of the Council of European Union – for the third time since 1995, when Finland became a member of the European Union. The Finnish Presidency has also characterized the work of the Embassy, which was busy in organizing numerous EU-related events during the past half a year. This Presidency was marked with the institutional transition period in the Union – new European Parliament, as well as a brand-new Commission. For us Finns, it was also a new national parliament and government – and yet a new one, hopefully already next week.”
The Netherlands recognized Finland’s independence on 28 January 1918, amongst the first countries to do so. First recognition came naturally from the eastern neighbour, from Lenin’s Russia. The recognition was confirmed orally by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonkheer Loudon.
In order to further clarify that the recognition had indeed happened, an exchange of letters took place a year later, in June 1919. The date of the Dutch letter, 5 June 1919, is considered the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Thus, in the year 2019, The Netherlands and Finland celebrated 100 years of diplomatic relations.
“We are grateful for the good cooperation with Netherlands, and look forward to continue on this track. This good cooperation was also marked in the beginning of this week in the bilateral meeting of our Foreign Ministers – Haavisto and Blok”, expressed H.E. Ms. Kaukoranta.
“I would like to use this opportunity to thank the Embassy staff who have worked hard to make this reception to happen and all year long for many other events and every day work. I would also like to congratulate my deputy, Minister Counsellor Marianne Mäkinen, whom The President of the Republic decided to decorate with a Knight First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland. Not least my thanks goes to Helga Mensing, our former Honorary Consul in Curacao, who was decorated earlier this year as Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland.
I would also like to thank all colleagues at the Minbuza, at the Dutch Government as a whole, the Parliament, other embassies, organizations, and all partners with whom we have worked hard during this year. It is wonderful to do this work with all of you.
Finally, I would like to pay tribute also one particular person whom I had invited to this event, but who sadly passed away a few weeks ago, and thus could not be with us today. I had the honour to open Onno de Bruyne’s exhibition titled “Greetings to Finland” last spring. I was fascinated by his paintings of birch woods, the national tree of Finland – if you wish to take a look, one his painting is in the library located on the right hand side of the entry hall.
Today, on December 6th, flags fly high in Finland. I have commenced our Independence Day celebration this morning by hoisting a brand-new Finnish flag in Finland100 Birch Park in Harlemmermeer in Vennep. I am delighted that so many of you have joined us tonight to continue our celebration and raise a glass for our 102-year-old country!
The crowd got into the warm spirit of friendship and generous hospitality offered by Ambassador Kaukoranda, her family and colleagues from the Embassy of Finland. The host really worked with dedication to welcome the guests with an outstanding, delicious and authentic Finish menu, music and enchanting atmosphere making the National Day of Finland an unforgettable event.
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Photography by Catherine Dailey
