Monday, 3 June 2019, Berlin, Germany: In the framework of the Summer Soirée held at the Representation of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to the German Federation, the federal state’s head of government, Premier Manuela Schwesig used the opportunity to bid farewell to the state’s representative to the federation Bettina Martin, who is being replaced by Dr. Antje Draheim.
Dr. Antje Draheim, previously head of department at the Ministry for Social Affairs, Integration and Equality of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is now taking over the reins of the state representation. Bettina Martin, has been recently appointed Minister for Education, Science and Culture of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Plenipotentiary Dr. Antje Draheim has been one of our most important department heads in recent years. She first headed the Department of Labour and then the Department of Children and Youth, among other things with the introduction of the non-contributory day-care centres as one of the focal points of the state government.
Following a decision by the Municipal Court in Prague and the Minister of Justice of the Czech Republic, a contract killer of Serbian and Hungarian nationality, suspected of committing three murders, in Amsterdam, Budapest and Belgrade, will be surrendered from the Czech Republic to Hungary.
Eurojust, the EU’s Judicial Cooperation Unit, actively supported the investigations between the Hungarian, Dutch and Serbian judicial authorities into this multiple murder case. During coordination meetings organised by Eurojust, information on the potential jurisdictions for prosecution were discussed to solve the issue of the conflicting European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) and the International Arrest Warrant issued by the national authorities to surrender or extradite and prosecute the suspect by their competent national judicial authorities.
Eurojust helped with transmitting the national authorities’ European Investigation Orders (EIOs) and an EAW towards the Czech Municipal Court, as well as with facilitating the execution of the Hungarian EAW. Eurojust facilitated the cooperation between the national authorities by advising on a possible transfer of proceedings and by providing its expert guidance to avoid potential conflicts of jurisdiction. Cooperation between the National Desks ensured round-the-clock translation and transmission of arrest warrants and investigation orders.
Cooperation between the Dutch and Hungarian Desks at Eurojust was instrumental in coordinating between national authorities, which led to the Dutch case being transferred to Hungary.
The suspect will be transferred to a Hungarian prison from surrender custody in Prague, upon decision of the Czech Municipal Court and Minister of Justice. The suspect was arrested in Prague on 1 March as a result of the smooth and effective cooperation between the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Ambassador Sidorenko at the press conference for the European Games, Image by Embassy of Belarus to Germany.
Tuesday, 11 June 2019, Hyatt Hotel, Berlin, Germany: a press conference and a presentation event in the format of a talk show about the II European Games took place in Minsk, Belarus, and the latter was broadcast by the German main sports channel “Sport 1”.
The star ambassador of the second European Games, four-time Belarusian Olympic champion Daria Domratschawa, the Ambassador of Belarus to Germany H.E. Denis Sidorenko, the vice-president of the German Olympic Sports Federation Uschi Schmitz, the Chairman of the German-Belarusian parliamentary group in the German Bundestag Mark Hauptmann, representatives of German political, economic and sports circles, journalists from leading German media partook at the conference, and subsequent networking reception.
The participants and guests greatly appreciated the readiness of the Republic of Belarus to host the Games, including the sports infrastructure, and pointed out the significant tourist and business attractiveness of Belarus, the openness of the country and expressed positive expectations regarding the upcoming key multi-sport event of the year in Europe.
On 15 December 2017, Trial Chamber II issued a decision setting the amount of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo’s liability for collective reparations at USD 10,000,000. The decision completed the Order for Reparations of 3 March 2015 in the Lubanga case, which awarded collective reparations to the victims of the war crimes committed by Mr Lubanga, namely: conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 into an armed group (Union des patriotes congolais/Forces patriotiques pour la libération du Congo) and using them to participate actively in hostilities.
This decision was subsequently appealed by the legal representatives of the V01 group of victims and Mr Thomas Lubanga Dyilo.
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.”
