Minister of State Dr. Florian Herrmann at the 9-11 Memorial inside the Pentagon – Picture by Bavarian State Chancery – Bayerische St.
Tuesday, 18 June 2019, Washington D.C., USA: Minister of State for Federal, European Affairs and Media of the Free State of Bavaria, Dr. Florian Herrmann, held a conference on transatlantic relations, and its ongoing dialogue at the “Army and Navy Club”.
Defence talks were held with officials later on the programme at the Pentagon, and at the National Security Council about the U.S. Army stations in Bavaria. The US presence at the Bavarian sites shall remain unchanged. All in all, Bavaria offers an excellent framework, and is home to over 40,000 U.S. soldiers and civilians in Franconia and the Upper Palatinate.
Minister of State Dr. Florian Herrmann held high-level talks at the Department of Defence – Picture by Bavarian State Chancery – Bayerische Staatskanzlei.
Bavaria is the largest stationing location for the US Army in Europe. More than 40,000 US soldiers and civilians strengthen the Bavarian economy, in particular in rural regions.
In the heart of the Pentagon, Minister Dr. Herrmann paid his personal tribute at the 9/11 Memorial.
Premier Armin Laschet & Ambassador Franc But – Picture by Land NRW.
Friday, 21 June 2019, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: Premier Armin Laschet received the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, Franc But, for a bilateral conversation at Government House. The main topics of the dual exchange were the current challenges in European policy, and closer economic cooperation between North Rhine-Westphalia and Slovenia.
Both countries are linked by a variety of economic relations, characterised by a strong automotive supplier industry. North Rhine-Westphalia is one of the top three export regions for Slovenian companies; 20 Slovenian companies are located in North Rhine-Westphalia. There are also civil society cooperation, for instance within the framework of a town twinning between Ljubljana and Leverkusen as well as Grevenbroich and Celje.
Around 4,600 Slovenians live in North Rhine-Westphalia; that is to say, about a quarter of all Slovenians living in Germany.
Ambassador But is accredited to Germany since 20 September 2017. Previously he held the post of Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of Slovenia, and served his homeland as ambassador to Czechia and Serbia. Ambassador Franc But is fluent in German, English, Czech, Serbo-Croatian and French in addition to his native Slovenian.
Minister of State Dr. Florian Herrmann & Governor of Georgia, Brian P. Kemp – Picture by Bavarian State Chancery – Bayerische Staatskanzlei.
Monday, 17 June 2019, Atlanta, Georgia, USA: Bavarian Minister of State for Federal, European Affairs and Media, Dr. Herrmann Florian, began the first leg of his US journey with a visit to the partner federal state of Georgia, wherein he was received by none less than the 83rd Governor of Georgia, Brian P. Kemp, the partnership between Bavaria and Georgia being the focus of the bilateral talks. Governor Kemp only assumed office earlier this year on 14 January 2019.
Both dignitaries agreed upon further deepening and expanding the good, trusting relations between their countries. Bavaria and Georgia are well-developed economies that can particularly benefit from cooperation in the fields of business and science. Moreover on the agenda were the concerns that exist in the relationship between Europe and the USA that might be caused by trade restrictions.
At Atlanta Chamber of Commerce – Picture by Bavarian State Chancery – Bayerische Staatskanzlei.
Minister Dr. Herrmann was likewise guest at Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, wherein he stated: “The commitment of Bavarian and German companies on the ground is incredibly valuable and very much appreciated. We are closely linked in so many areas. In the end, protectionism and isolation are detrimental to everyone – that was the unanimous opinion here”.
As a rather special token of appreciation for Bavaria, Minister Dr. Herrmann was guided privately with his accompanying delegation through CNN‘s Atlanta headquarters, where news from and for the whole world are distributed.
At CNN – Picture by Bavarian State Chancery.
Georgia is the 24th largest and 8th-most populous of the 50 federal state comprising the USA. Georgia is bordered to the north by Tennessee and North Carolina, to the northeast by South Carolina, to the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by Florida, and to the west by Alabama.
The state’s epithets include “the Peach State” as well as “the Empire State of the South”.Minister of State Dr. Florian Herrmann heads the Bavarian State Chancery since 21 March 2018 under Premier Dr. Markus Söder, he is furthermore responsible to affairs vis-à-vis the German Federation, European Affairs and Media.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at Ghorfa – Picture by Ghorfa.
Wednesday, 12 June 2019, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany: In order to become acquainted to Saudi Arabia’s novel ambassador to Germany, and to enhance business ties, the President of the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Peter Ramsauer and the Ghorfa’s Secretary General Abdulaziz Al-Mikhlafi hosted a dinner with high representatives of the German economy in honour of HH Ambassador Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud.
Ambassador Al Saud was accredited to Germany on 27 March 2019.
The Hague, Monday 24 June 2019, a Ceremony of Merit was held for H.E. Mr Aviv Shir-On, Ambassador of Israel who will be departing from the Netherlands shortly. Many of Ambassador Shir On’s colleagues and non-diplomats came to bid farewell to him on the bright sunny day.
His Excellency Andras Kocsis, Ambassador of Hungary after his speech, here together with Ambassador Shir-On.
After the playing of the national anthem of the Netherlands and Israel, the Master of Ceremony read out what the Certificate of Merit is all about, His Excellency Andras Kocsis, Ambassador of Hungary had the honour to address the parting ambassador and present him with an award. Kocsis made reference to Ambassador Shir On’s Hungarian ancestors.
Ambassador Shir-On with H.E. Alexander Shulgin, Ambassador of Russia.
“Aviv has served his country with honour throughout the decades. He was not only a gret Israeli ambassador, but a good friend too. I have always cherished our personal relationship” expressed Ambassador Kocsis.
Archbishop H.E. Aldo Cavalli, Apostolic Nuncio of the Netherlands and the Ambassador of Israel, H.E. Aviv Shir-On.
A second speaker was Madam Birgitta Tazelaar, Deputy Director General International Cooperation at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Tazelaar particularly thanked Ambassador Shir On for his engagement in the Palestine Israeli talks in the Netherlands.
Madam Birgitta Tazelaar, Deputy Director General International Cooperation at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Shir On thanked his colleagues for the excellent cooperation. It contributed to making his stint successful.
Colleagues attending the ceremony for ambassador Shir-On.
The brief and sublime ceremony concluded with the taking of photos, cutting of a cake designed in the Israeli Blue and white and a reception.
We all whish Ambassador Aviv Shir-On, every success for the future.
Diplomat Magazine thanks Diplomatic Card for their valuable and constant support making this kind of events possible.
Certificate of Merit – Ceremony of Merit- Farewell ceremony
Last Saturday, June 22, Diplomat Magazine’s third annual 5k Fun Run and 3k Diplomat Walk took place in the Haagse Bos—one of the two oldest forests in the Netherlands.
The 5k run commenced in front of the Chalet Ten Bosch, a local landmark located next to the Louwman Auto Museum on the Leidsestraatweg. Diplomats, and their families, easily traversed the well-marked shaded route through the city’s unique urban greenspace and around the large pond in the center of the forest.
Anne Coulon, France, Matanja Perugini, Italy and Sumita Dixit, Canada; were the top three runners in the women’s category. Photography by Catherine van Der Loos.
Walkers, some with small children, also turned out in large numbers for the 3k wooded walking event.
In keeping with the friendly spirit of the day’s diplomatic program, everyone was awarded an official “Diplomat Magazine” medal and went home as a winner!
Mpendulo Ndlour, South Africa, Marcin Hubert Kawalowski, Poland and Bartomiei Swiderski, also from Poland; winners of the 3rd Diplomats Fun-Run & Walk.
Sumira Dixit, Canada; Matanja Perugini, Italy and Anne Coulon, France, were the top three runners in the women’s category. From the first to the fifth, the top runners in the men’s category were Marcin Hubert Kawalowski, Poland; Bartomiei Swiderski, Poland; Mpendulo Ndlour, South Africa, Martin Pizinger, Czech Republic and Davide Colombo, Italy.
In addition to the medal, the top seven winners also received special gifts provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland.
South Africa’s Team.
The Chinese Ambassador, H.E. Hong Xu, joined the race, together with a select “team” of sporting diplomats from his embassy.
Diplomats from China showing their medals after the 3rd Diplomats Fun-Run & Walk together with H.E. Hong Xu, Ambassador of China.
The Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Netherlands, H.E. Ngo Thi Hoa, was also joined by other Vietnamese diplomats, together with their families. The ambassador of Italy, H.E. Andrea Perugini, ran the 5 k with his wife, his daughter, second place in the women’s category and one of the diplomats of the Italian embassy that resulted in fifth place in the race.
Ambassador Perugini with his Italian team.
The occasion to meet, in an informal setting, with other members of the diplomatic community, was enjoyed by all.
The Armenian Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan; the Irish Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Kevin Kelly; the Israeli Ambassador , H.E. Mr. Aviv Shir-On; and the Moldovan Ambassador, H.E. Tatiana Parvu also participated in the program and were joined by diplomats from Croatia, Canada, Kosovo, Hungary, South Africa, Colombia, Russia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and many others.
The program concluded with a casual outdoor luncheon on the shaded terrace of Chalet Ten Bosch, beneath the tall trees of the “Haagse Bos.”
On the 11thof April, The Hague’s excellencies and Mr Bot’s distinguished guests gathered in the magisterial Great Hall of Justice at the Peace Palace to bid farewell to H.E. Dr Bernard Bot, who retired from his position as Chairman of the Carnegie Foundation and The Hague Academy of International Law after twelve years of outstanding service and tireless dedication.
A seminar was organized in honour of Mr Bot which held the theme “The Peace Palace, politics and implications related to the peaceful settlement of disputes through international law”.
The seminar consisted of contributions from his esteemed colleagues – who have worked closely with Mr Bot for many years – about the invaluable work done by the institutions residing in the Palace as well as Mr Bot’s personal commitment to the Peace Palace and its mission to achieve peace through law.
Nora Stehouwer – Van Iersel.
The master of ceremonies, Ms Nora Stehouwer – Van Iersel, Former Ambassador for International Organisations to the Netherlands (who has worked with Mr Bot for many years when he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as during his chairmanship) welcomed the guests and subsequently invited Mr Erik de Baedts, General Director of the Carnegie Foundation to deliver his remarks on “Peace through law in practice: the work of people.”
Mr De Baedts touched upon this subject elaborately and reflected upon Mr Bot’s affiliation with the Peace Palace, dating back sixty years ago, when he served as desk officer at the Peace Palace Library during the courses of The Hague Academy of International Law.
Furthermore, Mr De Baedts mentioned the important efforts exerted to create public awareness of the important mission of the Peace Palace. Mr Bot has “always felt education was of vital importance to promote peace” and “played an important role in establishing the Peace Palace Visitors Centre as he was convinced that the mission of the Carnegie Foundation was to include public education and awareness of the work of the institutions housed in the Peace Palace, not just for the tourists, but for a wider audience as well”,(…)
Steven van Hoogstraten, Former General Director of the Carnegie Foundation, Dr. Bernard Bot and Erik de Baedts, General Director of the Carnegie Foundation.
Mr Bot “realized that in essence here (at the Peace Palace) we serve. All of us in this Palace serve world peace. The Judges serve the States that bring their disputes before them to find a peaceful settlement, as warfare would harm so many innocent civilians. And so do the Arbitrators serve the parties that aspire to settle their conflicts and interests. We take pride in serving both these Courts, as well as The Hague Academy, we serve them with our books, with our services, with outreach activities that make them shine. All together we do deliver peace in action. Serving leadership is the management motto nowadays. (…) Mr Bot“practiced that even before it was invented.”
Moreover, Ms Saskia Bruines, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of The Hague and the alderman of Education, Knowledge Economy and International Affairs also took the stage to share a few remarks on Mr Bot’s contributions to peace which also benefitted The Hague’s position as International City of Peace and Justice.
Between musical interludes magnificently performed by classical harpists, H.E. Mr. Hugo Siblesz, the Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration eloquently demonstrated his profound knowledge of arbitration through a broader policy perspective and explained the role it plays in international relations.
Ms. Sybilla Dekker, Honorary Minister of State, Dr Bot and Erik de Baedts.
H.E. Mr Philippe Couvreur, Registrar of the International Court of Justice – who has decided to step down from his functions starting from July 2019 – paid tribute to Mr Bot whom he considers a “loyal friend and dedicated partner of the International Court of Justice” and expressed his gratitude Mr Bot for his endeavors to maintain and reinforce the warm relations between the International Court of Justice and the Host Country as well as with the city The Hague and for various projects of a complex nature that were carried out under this authority, in particular the renovation of the Great Hall of Justice and the Judges’ Building of the Court.
Professor Yves Daudet, The President of the Curatorium of The Hague Academy of International Law thanked Mr Bot for his important contribution to the development of the Academy as well as praising his excellent diplomatic skills.
Mr Piet Hein Donner, Dutch honorary Minister of State and former Vice-President of the Council of State, has been appointed as Mr Bot’s successor per Royal Decree and gave his inaugural speech during which he stressed the importance of building on the good relations maintained by his predecessor with the international institutions hosted by the Peace Palace, the Host Country the Netherlands, the United Nations and the municipality of The Hague.
At the conclusion of the seminar the diplomat par excellence held his valedictory address, thanking his colleagues, confrères and friends for their warm tributes as well as expressed his wish for the Peace Palace to continue to develop as beacon of peace and international law.
The author of the article, Sheila Turabaz and Dr. Bernard Bot during his memorable farewell at the Peace Palace.
Tuesday, 11 June 2019, Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand: Prayut Chan-o-cha was confirmed as the civilian head of government for Thailand’s Royal Government by His Majesty King Rama X of Thailand (King Maha Vajiralongkorn).
Prime Minister Chan-o-cha is the 29th head of government. Prayut will now head a coalition government led by the pro-military Palang Pracharat Party.
Victory for the retired general was expected owing to the support of the 250-member senate, as well as the late swing of key secondary parties into an army-affiliated coalition after frantic behind-the-scenes talks. .
In the picture the Foreign Minister of Estonia, H.E. Urmas Reinsalu.
Friday, 7 June 2019, UN: A ballot took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. All 193 UN member states were in represented to cast their votes. Therein Estonia was elected a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021 with 132 votes.
The non-permanent seats on the Security Council are distributed on a regional basis. Estonia belongs to the Eastern European group and its main regional competitor for the seat was Romania. Estonia has not been a member of the Security Council before, while Romania has been a member on four occasions.
The Estonian foreign ministry, diplomats and the country’s President, Kersti Kaljulaid, campaigned long and actively for the seat. The Estonian government decided to put forward its candidacy for the Security Council as early as 2005, however, the campaign was merely officially launched on 13 July 2017.
Estonia already contributes to the UN peacekeeping operations and supports resolution of conflicts and rebuilding efforts. The country is also committed to supporting reduction of poverty, promoting sustainable development and fighting climate change.
The UN Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, charged with ensuring international peace and security, accepting new members to the UN and approving any changes to its charter.
Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations and international sanctions as well as the authorisation of military actions through resolutions; in fact being the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states. The council held its first session on 17 January 1946.
The Security Council consists of fifteen members. The great powers that were the victors of World War II, that is, the Soviet Union (now represented by Russia), the United Kingdom, France, the Republic of China (now represented by the People’s Republic of China) as well as the United States, serve as the body’s five permanent members. These can veto any substantive resolution.
The non-permanent seats on the Security Council are distributed on a regional basis. There are five regional groups: Western European and other countries, Eastern European, Asia-Pacific, Latin American and Caribbean, and African countries. Estonia belongs to the Eastern European group, which has one non-permanent seat on the Security Council. Estonian Foreign Minister, Urmas Reinsalu, highlighted in a statement, following the vote, that apart from standing up for the world order based on international law, Estonia would also have an opportunity to share its experience in running a digital state and its knowledge on cyber security.
Estonia will begin its membership at the UN Security Council in 2020 with four new members: Niger, Tunisia, Viêtnam, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Estonia is a member with these four countries until 2021.
Belgium, Germany, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and South Africa will continue as non-permanent members in 2020 alongside five permanent members, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the PRC.
Urmas Reinsalu – Picture by Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, 2017 through Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license on Wikipedia English
Tuesday, 18 June 2019, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany: VI President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky, paid his maiden official visit to Berlin, and was received by the EU’s largest economy with the highest honours due to his rank, by both the Federal President, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel.
Germany is an important partner for the Ukraine in defending its sovereignty against Russian encroachments. Hence the main topics on the agenda were the Crimea as well as finding legal and diplomatic channels to release Ukrainian sailors and other Ukrainians being held in Russian captivity.
Germany’s international influence, and understanding vis-à-vis the Russian Federation brings hope for a prompt solution to this issue.
