Machado, talks about the blockage and the new Cuban constitution

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Machado, talks about the blockage and the new Cuban constitution

In the photo Anna Mari Machado, the vice-president of the National Parliament of the Republic of Cuba and vice-president of the Council of State with Anton Lutter.

Talking with Anna Mari Machado, the vice-president of the National Parliament of the Republic of Cuba and vice-president of the Council of State

By Anton Lutter.

Ms. Machado visited The Netherlands for 1 day, after visiting the 141st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (global organization of national parliaments) at Belgrade. Even with her busy schedule, meeting with parliamentarians and several other officials, she made ample time to talk to Diplomatic Magazine at the same time enjoying the typical Dutch stroopwafel provided by H.E. Ms. Soraya Alvarez the Cuban ambassador in the Netherlands always in the forefront in sustaining cooperation and friendship between our two countries.

The vice-president visit coincided with the passing of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States with Cuba in the Senate, having been passed earlier in Parliament the 26th of September.

Having studied law, specializing in criminal law, Ms. Machado had a distinguished career in the Cuban judicial branch. She served as legal advisor, judge and president of the Municipal Court of Encrucijada, Villa Clara province; chaired the Popular Provincial Court of Villa Clara and was elected Deputy President of the Supreme People Court. Next to that she was delegated to the Provincial Assembly of Villa Clara and chaired the National Electoral Commission in 2010. In July she became Deputy President of the National Assembly and was re-elected, in accordance with the new Constitution, on October 10. She also serves as Deputy President of the State Council of the Republic, permanent organ of the Cuban Parliament between sessions. Interesting to know is that 53% of the National Assembly consists of women and 13% of its members are under 35 years of age.

With Ms. Machado, who is a warm, open, energetic and sharp-witted person, I discussed two important topics both to Cuba and the European Union, the blockade and the change of the Constitution.

El Bloqueo as it is known in Spanish, is a commercial, economic, and financial embargo against Cuba imposed by the United States. The United Nations General Assembly has almost unanimously condemned these sanctions since 1992 a position to be expected on November, 7.

Machado reiterates that the sanctions have a severe effect on the economy as a whole but also on the daily lives of the Cuban people. The economic effects are estimated to be $ 1.2 billion a year on the US economy, yet on Cuba the embargo has cost more than $ 750 billion up until now. For instance, tourism by US tourists – a major source of income – is being restricted as well. As of June this year the US announced a US ban on cruise ship stopovers by Americans on the island and just this month the US will be revoking existing licenses for US companies leasing aircraft to Cuban carriers, and will deny future applications for aircraft leases in a move to hit the Cuban tourism industry.

But the most important thing according to Machado is that personal lives are hard hit by these sanctions which have strengthened under the current US administration. It has resulted in shortages of the basic needs, including bread, eggs and chickens, but also cuts in fuel and energy are the result of broad US sanctions. Other aspects of the sanctions concern the investor and bank activities in dealing with Cuba of which the cap on remittances have damaging effects on people’s lives. However, the Cuban people are used to decades of sanctions, their strength and positive outlook on live will overcome these sanctions, as Machado firmly states.

It is clear that the European Union has a completely different policy towards Cuba, which is based on political dialogue and economic cooperation. 5 years ago European Union started normalization of relations with Cuba ending its Cold war -era policies.

Europe as a whole is the second most important trading partner and source of import. As recently as last September EU High Representative Federica Mogherini offered financial aid to support reforms to attract foreign investments to Cuba. And of course many Europeans visit Cuba every year as tourists and enjoy the culture, food and music.

Another topic of interest are the changes made to Constitution of Cuba which has been enormously supported by the popular vote in a referendum, February 2019. More than 6.8 million Cubans (90+ %) voted in favour of the constitutional change, after being debated for over a year by the Cuban people – including youth – as Machado mentions, who came up with thousands of suggestions and proposals of which many were incorporated in the final draft.

One of the changes in the Constitution is the explicit right to private ownership, including foreigners, but without actually constituting a capitalist system. Machado: This change supports the already practice of about 500.000 Cubans are the proprietors of small businesses. The Constitution stipulates that within 18 months’ new laws have to be instituted to reflect the change of the Constitution. Anna Mari Machado: “we have huge tasks in front of us considering the enormous changes but also opposing the Blockade and creating awareness amongst the European public about this great unjustness. Also important for Cuba is to work with Europeans on every topic which can be of common interest, including investment relations.”

30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution a Slovak and Czech commemoration

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30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution a Slovak and Czech commemoration

By Tereza Neuwirthova.

On Tuesday 29th October, the Slovak and Czech embassies in The Hague organised a concert to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, a momentous historical event that took place on 17th November 1989. The concert was organised in De Kloosterkerk church, and saw the attendance of many excellencies, as well as representatives from international organisations and courts located in The Hague. 

To begin the evening, the ambassadors of Slovak and Czech Republics, H.E. Mr. Roman BuĹľek together with H.E. Ms. KateĹ™ina Sequensová addressed the guests and introduced the context giving rise to the crucial regime change that the Velvet Revolution presented for their countries. 

The ambassadors of Slovak and Czech Republics, H.E. Mr. Roman Bužek and H.E. Ms. Kateřina Sequensová .

“Thirty years ago Europe and the entire world was completely different place. Europe was divided by the iron curtain. People were not allowed to travel freely, freedom of speech and assembly was constraint, human rights violated.”

“The collapse of the regime opened the way for Czech and Slovak society to parliamentary democracy and the rule of law, which were based on civil and human rights. And for our country the return to the family of democratic states. The changes became known as the Velvet revolution.”

30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution’s concert in The Hague.

Thereafter, the programme of the concert began, with a piece from Franz Schubert  performed by an established Czechoslovak duo composed by Mr. Jan OstrĂ˝ playing flute and Ms. Miriam Rodriguez BrĂĽllová playing guitar. The programme of the evening also included pieces from the composers Johann Kaspar Mertz, Sylvie Bodorová, and Alexander Moyzes. 

A reception ensued after the concert, during which Slovak and Czech wines, as well as delicacies from these countries were served. On this occasion, the embassies also presented a photo exhibition that showed the process of the changes that occurred during the year 1989, with the Velvet Revolution being the breaking point for the regime change in Czechoslovakia.

This concert organised by the Slovak and Czech embassies marked yet another pleasurable evening for the diplomatic community of The Hague.

Dr. Masisi’ s inauguration

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Dr. Masisi’ s inauguration

Friday, 1 November 2019, Gabarone, Botswana: Botswana’s fifth president, Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi took his oath of office in the morning at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Arena here in Gaborone.
The swearing-in ceremony will be the first to be held in public and away from the Botswana Parliament Building where the previous four presidents assumed office.

President Dr. Masisi was joined by some of his counterparts including President Filipe Nyusi [Mozambique] and President Edgar Lungu [Zambia] and representatives of other SADC Heads of State and Government who witnessed the historic ceremony.

Duing his inauguration allocution he made reference to a document that shall be drawn up to ‘guide the implementation of our National Vision 2036, which espouses Prosperity for All Botswana. In this regard, the recently appointed National Transformation Strategy Team will lay out the fundamental changes needed in policy, institutions and mindset to transform Botswana’. 

Dr. Masisi promised to focus on young people that are the hardest hit by joblessness. ‘In order to address the twin problems of unemployment and poverty amongst our people in general, I have committed to prioritise job creation during my tenure’.

President Masisi announced that the Government of Botswana is in negotiations with Forbes to host the 2020 ‘Under 30 Summit’ in Gaborone as part of the President’s Initiative. It would be the first time that the Forbes Under 30 Summit would be held in Africa. The event brings together at least six hundred of the world’s most elite entrepreneurs and game changers. They will be 200 Africa best, 200 World Best and Botswana Best. The Summit presents yet another opportunity not only for the young entrepreneurs in Botswana to learn from others and grow their businesses but also explore more ways to creating jobs for the youth.

For further information:
http://www.gov.bw/en/

https://live.forbes.com/under30

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Image by Government of Botswana 

Allegory of the bonfires

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Allegory of the bonfires

By Barend ter Haar.

Once upon a time there was a city by the sea with beautiful beaches. Every New Year was welcomed by two large bonfires on the beach that were built by inhabitants of two neighbourhoods that bordered the sea. 

The teams of both neighbourhoods competed to build the most large and impressive pyre. That went well for several years, until the teams started building the pile higher and higher, far beyond what was permitted and far beyond what was safe. The mayor of the city was faced by a dilemma. Should she enforce the rules, in view of the clear danger that the fire would get out of control, although this would probably evoke the anger of the people that were building the pile? Or should she tolerate the dangerous behaviour of these people and hope for the best? She decided to do nothing. 

She had no luck, because on New Year’s Eve a strong wind from sea blew sparks and embers over the city, causing fires and a lot of material damage. As a consequence she had to abdicate.

This city by the sea happens to be the seat of government of a small country by the sea, that is building its own dangerous bonfires. At first glance, the bonfires that the Netherlands (the country I am talking about, as you will have guessed) is building are very impressive. Thanks to its efficient economy, it is one of the richest countries and although its land area is small, it has become the second largest agricultural exporter in the world.

However, it has accomplished this by ignoring rules and endangering public health and well-being. Almost nowhere is the loss of biodiversity as dramatic. Of all the animals and plants that used to be indigenous, 85% has become extinct in the Netherlands. Most of the remaining natural reserves are endangered. Every year about 12000 people in the Netherlands die prematurely because of air pollution. 

A probably even more fatal danger for the Netherlands is climate change. If all the so-called “developing” countries would follow the Dutch example and would produce as much greenhouse gasses per capita, future generations of Dutchmen might literally get in a sea of trouble.

All this is no news, and the Netherlands is party to several international agreements that are aimed at protecting nature, fighting air pollution and preventing climate change. However, in practice the Dutch government has tolerated and sometimes even supported the building of a bonfire of unsustainable growth. 

The burning question is: Will the Dutch government follow the example of The Hague and give in to the short term interests of the builders of this bonfire? Or will it take its responsibility?

36e conférence ministérielle de la Francophonie

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36e conférence ministérielle de la Francophonie
29-31 octobre 2019, Principauté de Monaco: Sous la thématique : « Réconcilier l’humanité et la planète : perspectives dans l’espace francophone à la veille des 50 ans de l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie ».

On voit sur la photo La Secrétaire générale Louise Mushikiwabo.

La confĂ©rence ministĂ©rielle de la Francophonie fut prĂ©cĂ©dĂ©e par la 108e session du Conseil permanent de la Francophonie (CPF), ayant eu lieu le 29 octobre. sous la prĂ©sidence de M. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Ministre des Affaires Ă©trangères d’ArmĂ©nie, aux cĂ´tĂ©s de la SecrĂ©taire gĂ©nĂ©rale de la Francophonie, Madame Louise Mushikiwabo.

La  ConfĂ©rence  ministĂ©rielle  de  la  Francophonie  (CMF)  fait  partie  des  trois  instances  consacrĂ©es  par  la  Charte  de  la  Francophonie  avec  le  Sommet  et  le Conseil permanent de la Francophonie (CPF). La CMF assure la continuitĂ© politique du Sommet de la Francophonie. 

Le  Conseil  permanent  de  la  Francophonie  (CPF)  est  l’instance  chargĂ©e  de  la  prĂ©paration  et  du  suivi  du  Sommet,  sous  l’autoritĂ© de  la  ConfĂ©rence  ministĂ©rielle. Il est Ă  la fois animateur, coordonnateur et arbitre de l’action de l’Organisation. Il fait  partie,  avec  le  Sommet  et  la  ConfĂ©rence  ministĂ©rielle  de  la  Francophonie,  des  trois  organes  dĂ©cisionnels  consacrĂ©s par la Charte de la Francophonie. PrĂ©sidĂ© par la SecrĂ©taire gĂ©nĂ©rale de la Francophonie, il se prononce sur ses propositions et la soutient dans l’exercice de ses fonctions.

36e Conférence ministérielle de la Francophonie.

C’était  la  première  fois  que  Monaco  accueillit  une  ConfĂ©rence  ministĂ©rielle  de  la  Francophonie  gĂ©nĂ©rale,  il  s’agit  d’un pas important pour la PrincipautĂ©.

La  ConfĂ©rence  ministĂ©rielle  de  la  Francophonie  sera  l’occasion  de  lancer  une  rĂ©flexion  sur  les  perspectives  de  l’Organisation  internationale  de  la  Francophonie (OIF), notamment en faveur du dĂ©veloppement durable, dans toutes ses composantes alliant Ă©conomie, social et environnement. Le Gouvernement Princier a ainsi souhaitĂ© mettre l’accent sur un thème qui lui est particulièrement cher : la promotion du dĂ©veloppement durable, en ayant fait le choix de traiter ce sujet de manière large et dans sa dimension plurielle sous l’angle : « RĂ©concilier l’HumanitĂ© et la Planète : perspectives dans l’espace francophone Ă  la veille des 50 ans de l’OIF». 

Cette  proposition  avait  Ă©tĂ©  soumise  par S.E. M. Gilles  Tonelli,  alors  Conseiller  de Gouvernement-Ministre  des  Relations  extĂ©rieures  et  de  la  CoopĂ©ration,  Ă   l’occasion de la 35e ConfĂ©rence ministĂ©rielle de la Francophonie qui s’est tenue Ă  Erevan en octobre 2018 et approuvĂ©e par les États et Gouvernements membres de la Francophonie. Ce thème sera dĂ©clinĂ© par la prĂ©sentation, par le Gouvernement Princier, d’un projet de rĂ©solution relatif Ă  la prĂ©servation des ocĂ©ans et par l’organisation d’un Ă©vĂ©nement parallèle relatif au tourisme durable, en partenariat avec l’Institut de la Francophonie pour le DĂ©veloppement durable.

La PrincipautĂ© de Monaco a mis en place, depuis septembre 2018, un ComitĂ© de pilotage, sous la responsabilitĂ© de Madame le Directeur gĂ©nĂ©ral du DĂ©partement des Relations extĂ©rieures et de la CoopĂ©ration, laquelle est Ă©galement le Correspondant national auprès de l’OIF.

La Francophonie, une organisation internationale  

L’OIF a vu le jour le 20 mars 1970 – sous l’impulsion des prĂ©sidents Senghor (SĂ©nĂ©gal), Bourguiba (Tunisie), Diori (Niger) et du Prince Sihanouk (Cambodge) – 21 pays se sont rĂ©unis Ă  Niamey (Niger), pour crĂ©er l’Agence de coopĂ©ration culturelle et technique (ACCT), devenue aujourd’hui l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Les francophones peuvent s’appuyer sur un dispositif institutionnel vouĂ© Ă  promouvoir la langue française et la coopĂ©ration entre leurs pays (l’OIF rassemble actuellement 88 États et gouvernements). Le Sommet des chefs d’État et de gouvernement, qui se rĂ©unit tous les deux ans, est la plus haute des instances politiques dĂ©cisionnelles de la Francophonie, avec la ConfĂ©rence ministĂ©rielle et le Conseil permanent.

L’OIF mène des actions politiques et de coopĂ©ration dans les domaines prioritaires suivants : 

– langue française et diversitĂ© culturelle et linguistique 

– paix, dĂ©mocratie et droits de l’Homme 

– Ă©ducation et formation â€“ dĂ©veloppement durable, Ă©conomie et solidaritĂ©. Dans  l’ensemble  de  ses  actions,  elle  accorde  une  attention  particulière  aux jeunes  et  aux  femmes ainsi qu’à l’accès au numĂ©rique

Conférences ministérielles

La  Charte  de  la  Francophonie  reconnaĂ®t  deux  confĂ©rences  ministĂ©rielles  permanentes  qui  sont  aussi  les  deux  plus  anciennes  institutions  de  la  Francophonie : la ConfĂ©rence des ministres de l’Éducation des pays ayant le français en partage (CONFÉMEN) et la ConfĂ©rence des ministres de la Jeunesse et des Sports des pays ayant le français en partage (CONFÉJES). La CONFÉMEN Ĺ“uvre pour la promotion de l’éducation et de la formation professionnelle et technique, et constitue l’instrument privilĂ©giĂ© qui permet aux États et aux gouvernements de conjuguer leurs efforts en vue de dĂ©velopper leurs systèmes Ă©ducatifs. Son rĂ´le est d’orienter les politiques Ă©ducatives dans les pays membres Ă  travers des dĂ©cisions et des recommandations.

La CONFÉJES appuie les pays membres pour l’élaboration et/ou la mise en Ĺ“uvre des politiques nationales de jeunesse et de sport. Elle met en place des programmes de formation en faveur de l’insertion sociale et Ă©conomique des jeunes, ainsi qu’à destination des cadres et des sportifs.

Pour toute information additionnelle:  
https://www.francophonie.org/monaco-36e-session-de-la-conference-ministerielle-de-la-francophonie-780
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Images par la Francophonie.

New Dutch labour law: the Labour Market in Balance Act

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New Dutch labour law: the Labour Market in Balance Act

By Priscilla C.X. de Leede, employment lawyer at Russell Advocaten. 

In general, Embassies and Consulates with local employees fall under Dutch law and are treated like any other employer in the Netherlands. This means that the new Labour Market in Balance Act, that will be effective as per 1 January 2020, will also apply to Embassies and Consulates. What are the fourmost important changes?

I. Contracts

1. Extension of provisions for consecutive fixed-term employment contracts (chain provision)

As per 1 January 2020, employers can conclude three fixed-term employment contracts in three years instead of two years, without an employee being entitled to a permanent contract. This means that Embassies and Consulates can employ an employee for a longer period than at present, without concluding a permanent contract. 

2. On-call workers

An Embassy or Consulate may employ on-call workers. On-call workers will receive more rights as per 1 January 2020. The Embassy or Consulate must call up the on-call workers at least four days in advance. If a call for work is cancelled less than four days in advance, the on-call worker will still be entitled to payment of wages. 

In addition, after 12 months of employment, the Embassy or Consulate must offer the on-call worker a contract for the average number of hours he or she has worked during those 12 months. If this contract is not offered, the on-call worker is still entitled to wages for the number of hours.

II. Dismissal

3. Cumulative grounds

At present, an employer can only dismiss an employee if one of the eight grounds (grounds a to h) for dismissal applies. The employer must fully satisfy the requirements for one of the eight grounds for dismissal. The employer cannot base the dismissal on combined grounds. 

As per 1 January 2020, various grounds for dismissal that have only partially materialized can be combined (for example underperformance of an employee plus a disturbed relationship). This is referred to as cumulative grounds or “i-ground”. This will make it easier for an Embassy or Consulate to dismiss an employee. However, in the event of a dismissal on the basis of cumulative grounds, the Embassy or Consulate might be obliged to pay the employee a maximum of 1.5 times the transition compensation.
 
 4. Transition compensation

At present, each employee who has been employed for at least two years and whose employment is being terminated on the initiative of the employer is entitled to transition compensation. As per 1 January 2020, employees will be entitled to transition compensation from the first working day instead of after two years, thus including during the probationary period.

The amount of the transition compensation depends on the length of the employment:

  • 1/3 of the monthly salary per year of service over the first ten years of service; and
  • half a month’s salary over the subsequent years; and 
  • one month’s salary for employees 50 years or older over the subsequent years, if the employer has more than 25 employees.

As per 1 January 2020, the accrual of the transition compensation for every employee, irrespective of the duration of the employment, is one third of the monthly salary per year of service. This means employees do no longer receive a higher transition compensation after the first ten years of service. 

Further, as per 1 January 2020 not justperiods of 6 months are taken into account for the calculation of the transition compensation anymore.This means incomplete years of service are settled pro rata. 

More information:

Do you want to know what the consequences are of the Labour Market in Balance Act for your Embassy or Consulate? Or do you have any other questions concerning employment law? Pleasecontact Priscilla C.X. de Leede, LL.M. (priscilla.deleede@russell.nl)

Making Sofia green again

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Making Sofia green again

In the picture Diana Totinska, HoodTransformers, in Sofia.

A great community beautification project, called HoodTransformers, is taking place in Sofia, Bulgaria, co-initiated by a former Diplomat Magazine Team member, Diana Totinska.

HoodTransformers started as a citizen initiative aiming to encourage locals to take care of the public spaces and the neighbourhoods around their homes and offices. Some of the activities of the association include planting flowers and plants in concrete planter boxes around the city streets, clean-up events, raising awareness and sensitivity regarding dirt and litter pollution, cleaning graffiti tags and hate speech from buildings considered as cultural heritage.

HoodTransformers in Sofia.

They also publish on their website easy DIY handbooks and ideas, guidebooks and good case practices on how to beautify the look of their neighbourhoods. Through their activities, the people behind HoodTransformers strive to change the locals’ attitudes towards public spaces and contradict the perception that people from post-Soviet states inherit the lack of social responsibility regarding common spaces.

Their latest campaign #PlantMe inspires people to plant more flowers and plants on the city streets, in the green spaces and around residential areas, especially in those empty concrete planter boxes which the city is full of. The planters are considered property of the municipalities but due to lack of funding and pubic littering, they are left on the streets full of dirt, cigarette butts and dead plants.

Here is where HoodTransformers steps in, encouraging businesses and locals to “adopt” the planter boxes, clean and care for them. The campaign’s goals are to provide more greenery, beatify the streets and improve the appearance of the neighbourhoods, create a sense of community and bring nature back to the city.

Last but not least, through this campaign they hope to raise awareness about the deteriorating condition of bees and other pollinators, who are declining around the world and are especially rare to see in Sofia’s central parts. By providing food and home for them, the participants and the volunteers in the initiative help them come back and thrive in the city.

However, planting only is not enough so the organizers make sure that the flowers and the plants will be taken care of in the future too. â€žOur strategy includes choosing the most adjustable, drought and cold tolerant plants who are resistant to weather changes but arealso good for bees.Then we make sure to talkto as much people as possible who are living or working in the area where the planting took place and ask them to take care of the plants and water them“– explains Niki Ignatov, one of the two initiators of the project.

“In this way we are spreading awareness and making sure that more people are involved as well as ensuring that our activity is not just a single act of planting but it will have a long-term impact“.

The project founders are two young Bulgarians who had enough of hearing complaints and decided to take things into their hands and do something to change the environment they live in. They believe that Bulgaria has an undeveloped potential to be a great place for living and also tourist paradise and want to take part in improving the image of Bulgaria at home and abroad.

According to Diana, what drives the team forward is summarized by the following quote: “Because loving where you live is just the beginning—it’s about making it better, too”.

For more information you can reach Diana at:  DIDI@HOODTRANSFORMERS.COM

or find them at social media via @HOODTRANSFOMERS

Photography by Diana Totinska.

The Paris Peace Forum: “promoting global governance for sustainable peace”

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The Paris Peace Forum: “promoting global governance for sustainable peace”

By Guido Lanfranchi.

On November 12-13th, Paris will host the second edition of the Paris Peace Forum. The initiative will draw together a large number of high-level participants, including the UN Secretary General and more than 30 heads of state and government. The Forum’s aim is to discuss concrete ways to “promote global governance for sustainable peace”. 

Six transversal themes related to global governance. More than 6,000 participants, including United Nations Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres, over 30 heads of state and government, as well as representatives of international organizations, NGOs, think tanks, and foundations.

More than 80 multi-stakeholder debates, with the involvement of around 200 speakers, and 115 governance projects. 

These are the impressive figures of the Paris Peace Forum 2019, which is set to take place on November 12-13th, 2019, at La Grande Halle de la Villettein Paris. This second edition of the Forum will revolve around the topic of global governance – and in particular its role in promoting sustainable peace in the world. The topic will be tackled through six different – albeit highly interrelated – perspectives: peace and security; development; environment; new technologies; inclusive economy; and culture and education. 

The contribution of the Paris Peace Forum will be multi-pronged. Firstly, the Forum will provide room for debate, by decision-makers and intellectuals alike, about the large challenges faced by our world today. In addition to that, the Forum will also serve as an incubator of ideas and projects. Out of the 700 submissions received, the selected ones will be unveiled on November 13th, paving the way for their scaling-up and implementation process. Finally, the Forum will also feature the PeaceGames, an interactive, multi-stakeholder exercise that will allow participants to simulate complex decision-making procedures.

The first gathering in the context of the 2019 Paris Peace Forum will happen one day before the official start, with a closed-door session in the evening of November 11th. The official ceremony of inauguration will take place the following morning, with keynote speeches by heads of state and government, including by French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron. This event will kick-in two very intense days, full of debates, simulations, and discussions on the implementation of projects selected in the Forum’s 2018 edition. A closing ceremony on November 13thwill recap the achievements of the previous two days, and it will unveil the new list of projects to be scaled up over the next year.

Diplomat Magazine will be present at the Forum in Paris, trying to provide you a glimpse of the whole lot of things happening at La Grande Halle de la Villette. Stay tuned!



About the author:

Guido Lanfranchi is a student and young professional in the field of international affairs. He has pursued his studies both at Leiden University and Sciences Po Paris, where he is currently enrolled. In parallel, he has been gaining professional experience through internships (first at the Council of the European Union, and currently at Clingendael Institute), as well as by working as reporter and associate editor for Diplomat Magazine The Netherlands. His research and work focus on the Middle East and Africa, and especially on conflict situations in these regions.

l’Arménie en tete de la Francophonie

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l’Arménie en tete de la Francophonie

Par H.E. M. Zohrab Matsakanyan, Ministre des Affaires étrangères de la République d’Arménie.

Le 27 novembre 2016, lors du Sommet d’Antananarivo (Madagascar), les Chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement de la Francophonie ont désigné l’Arménie comme pays hôte du prochain Sommet de la Francophonie. L’Arménie était honorée de cette confiance qu’on lui avait témoignée en lui confiant la responsabilité de l’organisation de ce Sommet.

La XVIIème Conférence des Chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement ayant le français en partage s’est tenue à Erevan, les 11 et 12 octobre 2018. Toutes les institutions étatiques nationales se sont pleinement mobilisées pour faire de la Conférence un succès pour toute la famille francophone. Aujourd’hui, nous éprouvons une satisfaction et une fierté d’avoir été en mesure d’organiser, dans les meilleures conditions, cet évènement aussi important pour la Francophonie.

S.E. Louise Mushikiwabo, Secrétaire générale de la Francophonie et H.E. M. Zohrab Matsakanyan, Ministre des Affaires étrangères de la République d’Arménie.

Nous avons dĂ©montrĂ© notre capacitĂ© de mener Ă  bien les travaux prĂ©paratoires du Sommet dans le contexte des changements politiques considĂ©rables survenus en ArmĂ©nie au mois d’avril/mai 2018 et marquĂ©s par l’aboutissement de la rĂ©volution de velours, dĂ©mocratique, pacifique et citoyenne. Durant cette transition politique qui a concernĂ© tous les niveaux institutionnels, l’ArmĂ©nie a tĂ©moignĂ© la force de  son engagement en faveur de la Francophonie et ses valeurs et a continuĂ© Ă  se mobiliser en vue d’assurer la rĂ©ussite du Sommet.

La rĂ©volution de velours armĂ©nienne fondĂ©e sur les valeurs de paix, de solidaritĂ© et de partage a bien mis en exergue la thĂ©matique du « Â« Vivre ensemble Â» qui a Ă©tĂ© choisie par l’ArmĂ©nie comme thème du Sommet : « Vivre ensemble dans la solidaritĂ©, le partage des valeurs humanistes et le respect de la diversitĂ© : Source de paix et de prospĂ©ritĂ© pour l’espace francophone ; convaincus que le Vivre ensemble autour des valeurs humanistes partagĂ©es peut contribuer au renforcement de la cohĂ©sion des sociĂ©tĂ©s et apporter la paix et la prospĂ©ritĂ© dans l’espace francophone.

En marge du Sommet, le Village de la Francophonie, situĂ© en plein centre de notre capitale, a fait rayonner la diversitĂ© culturelle de la Francophonie. De nombreux pays francophones porteurs des diffĂ©rentes cultures y Ă©taient reprĂ©sentĂ©s et ont animĂ©, avec l’OIF, la vie du Village. La population armĂ©nienne, notamment la jeunesse, a participĂ© activement aux Ă©vĂ©nements organisĂ©s dans le cadre du Village de la Francophonie. C’était une semaine festive pour tout le monde. Je voudrais aussi mentionner le concert de Gala organisĂ© par notre pays le soir de l’inauguration du Sommet, le 11 octobre, qui a rĂ©uni plusieurs dizaines de milliers de spectateurs, en prĂ©sence des Chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement de la Francophonie. 

De grands artistes francophones s’y sont produits et honoré la mémoire de Charles AZNAVOUR, le grand artiste et ambassadeur de la langue française qui nous avait quitté quelques jours seulement avant la tenue du Sommet.

En marge du Sommet d’Erevan, un Forum économique et numérique francophone a eu lieu le 10 octobre au Centre Tumo pour les technologies créatives d’Erevan auxquels ont participé de nombreuses personnalités des milieux d’affaires des pays francophones et des représentants d’organisations internationales. Le Forum fut l’occasion de lancer le Réseau francophone des ministres chargés de l’économie numérique.

Le Sommet a également été un succès d’un point de vue de sa substance ; les Chefs d’Etat et de Gouvernement de la Francophonie ont ainsi adopté la Déclaration d’Erevan et six résolutions et lancé l’Appel francophone pour le Vivre ensemble. La famille francophone s’est élargie à l’issue du Sommet avec l’adhésion de nouveaux observateurs, la Gambie, l’Irlande, Malte et la Louisiane, tandis que les Émirats arabes unis, le Kosovo et la Serbie sont passés du statut d’observateur à celui de membre associé.

Le Sommet d’Erevan a aussi été marqué par l’élection de S. E. Mme Louise Mushikiwabo en tant que Secrétaire générale de la Francophonie pour un mandat de quatre ans, qui a obtenu le soutien unanime de tous les Chefs d’Etats et de gouvernement de la Francophonie.

Durant sa prĂ©sidence du Sommet, l’ArmĂ©nie entend prendre diffĂ©rentes initiatives et approfondir, notamment, la coopĂ©ration de la Francophonie avec les organisations internationales et rĂ©gionales, telles que l’UNESCO et le Conseil de l’Europe en organisant conjointement des Ă©vènements dans les domaines de l’égalitĂ© femme homme et de la promotion de la diversitĂ© culturelle et des valeurs du Vivre ensemble.  Nous souhaitons Ă©galement apporter notre contribution Ă  la mise en Ĺ“uvre de la StratĂ©gie Ă©conomique de la Francophonie ; Ă  cette fin, nous organiserons, conjointement avec l’OIF, un Forum Ă©conomique Ă  Erevan en 2020, en mettant l’accent sur les synergies entre la Francophonie et les processus d’intĂ©gration Ă©conomique rĂ©gionale.

Il est aussi important de tenir informĂ© nos partenaires internationaux de la feuille de route que s’est fixĂ©e la Francophonie lors du Sommet d’Erevan ; tel Ă©tait le sens de la visite auprès de l’Union africaine que j’ai effectuĂ©e Ă  Addis Abeba au dĂ©but du mois d’avril au cours de laquelle j’ai eu l’occasion de rencontrer les responsables de la Commission de l’Union africaine et d’avoir un Ă©change avec les ambassadeurs francophones accrĂ©ditĂ©s auprès de cette institution. Ceci, pour souligner aussi la place qu’occupe l’Afrique dans notre politique extĂ©rieure et notre volontĂ© de renforcer notre coopĂ©ration dans les domaines politique, Ă©conomique, Ă©ducatif et culturel.

Nous attacherons aussi de l’importance à organiser la prochaine concertation francophone lors de l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies au mois de septembre prochain.

Pour conclure, je souhaite réitérer toutes mes félicitations aux autorités de la Tunisie qui organiseront, en 2020, le XVIIIe Sommet de la Francophonie qui marquera le cinquantième anniversaire de l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. Nous serons à leurs côtés pour célébrer cet important évènement.

The Hague’s Ambassadors gather at the Peace Palace

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The Hague’s Ambassadors gather at the Peace Palace

On Monday October 7th, many of the Ambassadors accredited in The Hague came to the city’s emblematic Peace Palace, a symbol of Peace and Justice in the world, and took a memorable picture all together.

The meeting, which wants to symbolize the need for cooperation and solidarity in the struggle for peace among all countries in the world, was organized by the Peace Palace and Diplomat Magazine.

Mr. Erik de Baedts, Director of the Peace Palace and the Carnegie Foundation, welcomed the Ambassadors at their arrival.

The Ladies Ambassador group decided to take a picture together, here the ambassador of Federative Republic of Brazil, H.E. Ms. Regina Maria Cordeiro Dunlop, Republic of Chile, H.E. Ms. Maria Teresa de Jesus Infante Caffi, United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Ms. Irene Florence Mkwawa Kasyanju, Uganda, H.E. Ms. Mirjam Blaak, Republic of Malta, H.E. Ms. Marlene Bonnici, Romania, H.E. Ms. Brândușa Predescu, Czech Republic, H.E. Ms. Katerina Sequensova, Republic of Angola, H.E. Ms. Maria Isabel Ecoge, Republic of Ghana, H.E. Ms. Sophia Horner-Sam, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, H.E. Ms. Ngo Thi Hoa, Republic of Yemen, H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem, Republic of Cuba, H.E. Ms. Soraya Elena Alvarez Nunez, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, H.E. Ms. Haifa Aissami Madah, Republic of Finland, H.E. Ms. Paivi Marjaana Kaukoranta, Bosnia & Herzegovina, H.E Ms. Mirsada Colakovic, Republic of Albania, H.E. Ms. Adia Sakiqi, Republic of Portugal, H.E. Ms. Rosa Maria Bettencourt Amarante de Ataide Batoreu Salvadore e Brito.

The gathering was attended by the Ambassadors of the Republic of Albania, H.E. Ms. Adia Sakiqi, Republic of Angola, H.E. Ms. Maria Isabel Ecoge, Argentine Republic, H.E. Mr. Hector Horacio Salvador, Republic of Armenia, H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, H.E. Mr. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Plurinational State of Bolivia, H.E. Mr. Enrique Eduardo Rodriguez Veltze, Bosnia & Herzegovina, H.E Ms. Mirsada Colakovic, Federative Republic of Brazil, H.E. Ms. Regina Maria Cordeiro Dunlop, Republic of Bulgaria, H.E. Mr. Rumen Alexandrov, Republic of Chile, H.E. Ms. Maria Teresa de Jesus Infante Caffi, People’s Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Dr. Hong Xu, Republic of Cuba, H.E. Ms. Soraya Elena Alvarez Nunez, Czech Republic, H.E. Ms. Katerina Sequensova, Denmark, H.E. Mr. Jens-Otto Horslund, Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Amgad Maher Abdel Ghaffar, Republic of El Salvador, H.E. Mr. Agustin Vazquez Gomez, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Mr. Million Samuel Gebre, Republic of Finland, H.E. Ms. Paivi Marjaana Kaukoranta, Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Mr. Dirk Brengelmann, Republic of Ghana, H.E. Ms. Sophia Horner-Sam, Holy See, H.E. Mr. Aldo Cavalli, Republic of India, H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony, Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Mr. Ali Reza Kazemi Abadi, Republic of Iraq, H.E. Mr. Hisham Al-Alawi, Ireland, H.E. Mr, Kevin Kelly, State of Israel, H.E. Mr. Naor Itzhak Gilon, Italian Republic, H.E. Mr. Andrea Perugini, Japan, H.E. Mr. Hidehisa Horinouchi, Republic of Latvia, H.E. Ms. Aiga Liepina, Republic of Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Abdel Sattar Issa, Republic of Lithuania, H.E. Mr. Vidmantas Purlys, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, H.E. Mr. Jean-Marc Hoscheit, Malaysia, H.E. Mr. Ahmad Nazri Bin Yusof, Republic of Malta, H.E. Ms. Marlene Bonnici, United Mexico States, H.E. Mr. Jose Antonio Zabalgoitia Trejo, Kingdom of Morocco, H.E. Mr. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Oji Nyimenuate Ngofa, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Shujjat Ali Rathore, Republic of Portugal, H.E. Ms. Rosa Maria Bettencourt Amarante de Ataide Batoreu Salvadore e Brito, Romania, H.E. Ms. BrânduČ™a Predescu, Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Alexander Vasilievich Shulgin, Slovak Republic, H.E. Mr. Roman Buzek, Republic of South Africa, ChargĂ© d’affaires, Ms. Olitha Lebelo, Embassy of the Republic of Suriname, ChargĂ© d’affaires Mr. Oquemele Denz, Republic of Korea, H.E. Mr. Yun Young Lee, Kingdom of Sweden, H.E. Ms. Annika Lisa Markovic, United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Ms. Irene Florence Mkwawa Kasyanju, Uganda, H.E. Ms. Mirjam Blaak, Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Vsevolod Chentsov, Oriental Republic of Uruguay, H.E. Ms. Laura Dupuy Lasserre, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, H.E. Ms. Haifa Aissami Madah, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, H.E. Ms. Ngo Thi Hoa, Republic of Yemen, H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem.

Ambassadors at the emblematic Peace Palace of The Hague, waved their hands at the photographer during the light tests. Photography Catherine Dailey.

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