Minister Guðlaugur Thórdarson, Iceland and Minister Timo Soini, Finland. Picture by Government of Iceland.
Tuesday, May 7 2019, Rovaniemi, Republic of Finland: Iceland shall lead the Arctic Council for two years after Minister of Foreign Affairs Guðlaugur Thór Thórdarson, received the gavel from his Finnish counterpart Timo Soini at the Rovaniemi Ministerial Meeting held in Finland. The latter function marked the finale of Finland’s two-year chairmanship of the Council.
Minister Thórdarson presented Iceland’s chairmanship programme titled “Together Towards a Sustainable Arctic”, highlighting three priority areas: i)the Arctic Marine Environment, ii) climate and green energy solutions as well as iii) people and communities of the Arctic. The chairmanship shall likewise continue strengthening the internal work of the Arctic Council and promoting its work internationally while supporting its ongoing activities in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development.
All eight foreign ministers of the Council’s members states attended the meeting, that is, from Canada, Russia, the United States as well as the five Nordic countries. The meeting was also attended by leaders of the six permanent participants and representatives of thirty nine observers, including China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.
Ms Dagmāra Skudra joined Eurojust on 1 May. She replaced Gunars Bundzis, who was National Member for Latvia from May 2004 until his retirement in April 2019.
Ms Skudra has had a career in public service for more than 20 years. She started at the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior in 1997, and switched to the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Latvia in 1999, starting as Assistant to the Prosecutor.
She was promoted to Prosecutor in 2001, and became active in the International Cooperation Division in 2002. In April of this year, when she left the Prosecutor General’s Office, she was Deputy Prosecutor General and Head Prosecutor of the Department of Analysis and Management.
From 2004 to 2013, Ms Skudra was, in addition to her duties in the Prosecutor General’s Office, also Deputy to the National Member of Latvia at Eurojust. Since 2012, she has been a European Judicial Network Contact Point. She has also represented Latvia on the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors since 2017.
Ms Skudra graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia in 2000, and also holds an LL.M. from the University of Augsburg.
Upon her arrival at Eurojust, Ms Skudra said: ‘I am pleased to be joining my colleagues in the College as National Member for Latvia. My association with Eurojust goes back a long way, and I look forward to continuing the good work of my predecessor, who served from the very beginning of Latvia’s membership in the European Union. My familiarity with Eurojust and the EJN, as well as my many years in international cooperation, have prepared me for this next step in my career.’
In the picture Brian Hook , US Special Representative for Iran.
By Guido Lanfranchi.
One year after the announcement of the United States’ decision to withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal, the U.S. State Department points at the achievements of its recent policies towards Iran. The remarks come at a time where tensions between the two countries are particularly high.
At the beginning of May 2018, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that the United States would cease its participation in the Iran Nuclear Deal. One year later, the situation has dramatically changed, with the U.S. imposing ever-increasing, tough economic sanctions on Iran, and the Iranian government announcing that it will disregard some of the limits imposed by the deal, if the benefits associated to the agreement do not materialize soon.
Despite the heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, Senior Officials in the U.S. administration look with satisfaction at the “U.S. policy achievements since withdrawing from the JCPOA”, referring to the formal name of the agreement. Mr. Brian Hook, U.S. Special Representative for Iran, welcomed the imposition of “the toughest sanctions ever on this Iranian regime”, and vowed to “continue to expose maximum pressure on the regime until it abandons its destabilizing ambitions”. “We will never be held hostage to the Iranian regime’s nuclear blackmail” – Mr. Hook continued – “and outside of the deal we are in a much better position to address the full range of Iran’s destabilizing activities”.
Dr. Victoria Coates, Senior Director for Middle Eastern Affairs at the U.S. National Security Council, joined Mr. Hook in celebrating the achievement of the U.S. in increasing Iran’s isolation in the international scene. Dr. Coates said that President Trump has shown that “the United States retains unprecedented economic clout”, and that his guidance is to “continue increasing this pressure” on Iran’s government “until Tehran is compelled to negotiate on terms favorable to the U.S. or choose between survival and exporting terror, as it will not be able to do both”. In this regard, Mr. Hook pointed at recent reductions in Iran’s spending on its military and on allied groups across the region, seen by the U.S. administration as a proof of success of its recent policies towards Iran.
The U.S officials also commented on the recent tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Mr. Hook explained that the U.S. repositioned some of its military assets in response to “indications of heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations against U.S. forces and our interests in the Middle East.” Echoing the words of his colleagues in the U.S. administration, Mr. Hook added that “the United States does not seek war with Iran, but we are ready to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region”.
The officials also commented on the recent announcement by Iranian President Mr. Hassan Rouhani, who said that Iran will start enriching uranium to higher levels if the benefit theoretically granted by the 2015 nuclear deal will not materialize within two months. Mr. Hook said that the U.S. will be “examining very closely” the evolution of the situation. In the meanwhile, however, he refused to speculate about any potential step that Iran or the U.S. could take in the near future.
Mr Christian Lange, the German Parliamentary Secretary of State for Justice and Consumer Protection, visited Eurojust, the EU’s Judicial Cooperation Unit. Mr Lange met with Mr Ladislav Hamran, President of Eurojust, and Mr Klaus Meyer-Cabri, Vice-President of Eurojust, to discuss Germany’s invaluable contribution to fighting cross-border crime in the European Union, and how Germany can further support Eurojust’s efforts towards a safer Europe.
The discussions centred on enhancing judicial cooperation within the European Union and beyond, as well as on promoting the use of Eurojust’s cooperation tools and instruments. Eurojust’s President and Vice-President emphasized the bridge-making role of Eurojust in bringing together prosecutors from 28 different national jurisdictions and 30 legal systems, and stressed the need for appropriate funding for Eurojust’s fight against cross-border crime.
State Secretary Lange praised the progress made by Eurojust and the German Desk since his first visit in July 2015 in the fight against cross border-crime. He underlined Eurojust’s importance in quickly and effectively coordinating transnational investigations and prosecutions of serious crime, including terrorism, thus ensuring criminal justice across the European continent.
Mr Lange stressed: ‘Eurojust plays a key role in the effective prosecution of cross-border crime in the European Union. German prosecutors frequently exchange information with their European partners via Eurojust. Joint investigation teams, for example, are a major success factor in the investigation of cross-border crime. The further development and strengthening of Eurojust are therefore important to the German Federal Government. In November 2018, the Ministers of Justice of Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands agreed to reinforce Eurojust and step up their efforts to share findings on criminals and terrorist activities. Germany, particularly the Federal Prosecutor General’s Office, is heavily involved in these efforts, and is eager to contribute in this regard.’
Mr Hamran stated: ‘We warmly welcome the visit of the GermanSecretary of State as it demonstrates Germany’s important commitment to enhancing our successful collaboration. Eurojust’s successful work is based on European values, with respect for due process and the fundamental rights of European citizens. This work is also an inspiration for States outside the European Union. Only together can we create and sustain an area of freedom and security in Europe. I strongly believe that we can set an example for other countries to join the Eurojust family.’
Mr Meyer-Cabri pointed out: ‘Achieving coordinated investigations through Eurojust’s coordination role is a key element to successfully fight cross-border crime. German prosecutors have fully recognised this potential. In the last four years alone, the support asked by them from the GermanDesk at Eurojust has risen by 350%. The second visit to Eurojust of the State Secretary shows the full political support of the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection for our work.’
By H.E. Mr. Günther Platter, Landeshauptmann (Governor) of Tirol, Austria.
The year 2019 marks the 500th anniversary of the death of Emperor Maximilian I. To commemorate this historic event, the State of Tyrol, the City of Innsbruck and Innsbruck Tourismus have proclaimed 2019 The Year of Maximilian.
Numerous activities will take place to honour this versatile and dynamic Habsburg Emperor, who called Tyrol his treasure chest and home. Over 120 events, exhibitions and projects are scheduled both in and outside of Tyrol.
The underlying goal is to raise awareness for the historic figure of Maximilian I and his importance for the state of Tyrol. The events will attempt to revive the state’s history and emphasize the present-day significance of Maximilian I for Tyrol.
The seven lives of Maximilian
From 20 to 30 June 2019, a festival for contemporary musical theatre called The Seven Lives of Maximilian will take place at seven venues throughout Tyrol. Each venue will portray an important part of the Emperor’s life. The festival will be directed by Daniel Ott and Manos Tsangaris, the acclaimed directors of the Munich Biennale, a unique festival which exclusively hosts new musical theatre premieres.
The Seven Lives of Maximilian will be held in Lienz, Stams, Schwaz, Hall, Landeck, Altfinstermünz and Innsbruck. Admission to all of the events is free.
Emperor Max goes social
Emperor Maximilian is known as the ‘last knight’ and the ‘first European’. He is also considered the number one networker of his time. This is why various social media networks are actively used to portray the life of Maximilian and his companions.
Maximilian will be ‘posting’ about his plans and adventures. His postings will include links to websites with historic background information and facts. This will allow anyone to actively obtain historic knowledge in an entertaining way. The more people that join in, the better.
As the famous attention experiment (see YouTube) shows, we might not notice a gorilla that clearly stands in front of us. For comparable reasons, most of us might not yet have noticed that the European Parliament has developed into a powerful and ground-breaking political experiment.
Why haven’t we noticed? An important reason is that the transformation of the European Parliament has been a gradual process, not a spectacular event such as Brexit or the introduction of the Euro. But the most important reason is that national governments, national political parties and national news media have a shared interest in maintaining the illusion that the important decisions are still made in national capitals, not in Brussels or Strasbourg.
In reality more and more decisions are taken at the European level. That is not the result of a sinister power grab of Eurocrats, but because national governments over and over again come to the conclusion that a problem can be most effectively dealt with at the European level. Sometimes this is mainly for practical, internal market-related reasons (e.g. to avoid that member states have different standards for food safety); sometimes because the transboundary character of a problem requires it (e.g. climate change) and sometimes because the alternative to standing together is to fall apart (e.g. in the relations with China, Russia and the United States). As European cooperation thus widened and deepened, the role of the European Parliament grew step by step.
All this is work in progress and whether this trend will continue cannot be predicted. But so far, the European Parliament has become far more powerful than most people realise. In addition to that, it is entering uncharted waters in the way it represents the European people.
Intergovernmental bodies, such as the European Council, are based on the assumption that governments will promote their national interest, not the interests of their party, and that within their countries there is broad agreement about what these national interests are. The reality, of course, is quite different. The current debate in England about Brexit makes this very clear.
In reality, the interests of most people do not neatly fall together with the supposed national interests of their country. It is, for example, perfectly possible that a member of a national Green party feels more closely connected to the green parties in other countries than to the conservative parties in his own country. The current system of nation-states leaves little room for such multiple identities, but the European Parliament does. Although its members are still elected on a national basis, by nominating lead candidates (‘Spitzenkandidaten’) for EU Commission President on the basis of political group rather than nationality, it recognizes that political views on fundamental issues such as justice, peace and sustainability transcend the borders of nation-states. Your vote in the coming European elections can therefore really make a difference.
The Hague likes to bring people together. Whether they be people living in different neighbourhoods of our city, or people from different countries who come to The Hague for a conference. The Hague is pleased to provide a forum for discussion and the exchange of knowledge and ideas.
A tradition which dates back to the first Peace Conferences and the building of the Peace Palace. When it was officially opened in the summer of 1913 it attracted a lot of interest. One of the guests arrived in what – for the time – was a very modern means of transport: he flew from Paris to The Hague in his flying machine, made some turns around the brand new Temple of Peace and set his aircraft down on the ground somewhere nearby. And that was in an era when horse and cart was still the main means of transport. A nice anecdote which clearly illustrates the technological advances of that age. Advances that were then rapidly changing the world. Just as the digital revolution is doing today. This latest revolution however has also presented us with some entirely new issues.
Wars are no longer fought only on the battlefield, but in cyberspace too. Break-ins increasingly take the form of hacks. Bullying is no longer just words spoken but also messages posted and spread on the internet. And the news reaches us not just through newspapers, radio and TV, but increasingly via social media where the “the truth has become elastic”.
As the city of peace and justice, The Hague wants to be actively involved in finding answers to the question of how to deal with this new reality. Where does the boundary lie between what is – and what is not – acceptable in the digital world? Where does freedom of expression end and censorship begin? And to what extent do we want government or commercial parties to decide what we get to see or not? A great deal has been written about the capacity of social media to promote democracy and build bridges. And that is certainly true. But at the same time, it has also become clear that social media can create even deeper social divides, turning groups of people against one another.
Last December we celebrated the seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A human lifespan later this Universal Declaration has lost none of its power. It is still indispensable as a measure of human dignity. But what about human rights in the digital world?
The General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union was, of course, an important step forward, but we still have some way to go. It is all about creating a digital world in which freedom, security, economic growth and social development go hand in hand, and in which the fundamental rights and values of ordinary citizens are protected.
The Hague is more than willing to provide a forum for this vital debate. As we did last year for the Summit for Accountability and Internet Democracy. This year again, two major conferences devoted to this topic are being held here in this city.
And with good reason too. There is already ample expertise on this subject available in and around The Hague. Apart from this concentration of knowledge, The Hague has proven itself to be a unique setting for building trust between parties. Confidence between nations. Faith between businesses. And as a place for international dialogue.
International law, the foundations of which were laid at those early Peace Conferences, applies to the digital world too. But it has to be observed, of course. Something on which agreements need to be made. The Hague sees it as its task to support that process in whatever way it can.
The sheer breadth and diversity of the internet means that this will be no easy task. Because essentially the issue is an ethical one. I am nevertheless convinced that humanity can accomplish that task. In this context, we only need to remember the example of Andrew Carnegie, the man who donated the Peace Palace to The Hague. He was an idealist, but also a realist. It is realism which forces us to act. The generations that come after us will be grateful for that.
Pauline Krikke, Mayor of The Hague. Photography by Martijn Beekman.
By Brândușa Predescu, Ambassador of Romania to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
I vividly remember the day my country, Romania, became a member of the European Union. It was a cold, chilly winter day, but I was overjoyed. I am sure that on that day, the 1st of January 2007, all Romanians felt the same.
EU accession was seen by Romania and its people as the natural fulfilment of a national aspiration – a symbolic reintegration with Europe and everything it stands for – freedom, peace, prosperity, security, rule of law, human rights. And now, after 12 years, we have the honour and the responsibility to be at the helm of the EU Council.
Our turn has come to give something back to Europe, to bring to the fore again a key message that needs to be clearly promoted: it is unity that makes Europe strong. Unity is for Europe the greatest chance and the only way forward.
The National Museum George Enescu opened in the Cantacuzino Palace, Bucharest. Photography by Dragoș Asaftei.
Therefore, the choice of the motto of the Romanian Presidency, “Cohesion, a common European value” came naturally. It underlines the need for unity and cooperation at all levels – among EU Member States, their citizens and with the EU institutions. The Romanian EU Presidency promotes “cohesion” as a fundamental European value but also in the broadest sense of the word, from political, economic, to social and territorial cohesion. Following this approach, the agenda of the Romanian Presidency encompasses four key priorities:
First, Europe of convergence. We believe that a cohesive Europe has to provide equal development opportunities to all its citizens. We can reach this aim by promoting connectivity and digitalization, implementing regional and cross-border cooperation projects, stimulating entrepreneurship and the competitiveness of the European industry.
Landscape in Romania. Photography by Dragoș Asaftei.
Secondly, a safer Europe through increased cooperation between Member States against the new security challenges and through upholding initiatives in the areas of justice and security.
Thirdly, Europe as a stronger global actor, by supporting a consolidated role of the EU on the international stage, beginning with advancing the enlargement agenda and the European path of our neighbours in the Western Balkans and of the countries of the Eastern Partnership.
Last but not least, a Europe of common values as a key element of our efforts to rebuild citizens’ trust. Promoting the values included in the Treaties, such as cohesion, equality, freedom, democracy, human dignity, justice, and solidarity, is important for ensuring genuine support for the European project.
The Athenaeum, Bucharest. Photography by Dragoș Asaftei.
Europe represents above all a community of values which we must defend and protect in these troubled times. That is why during the Presidency, Romania is working to advance a citizens-oriented agenda. Files with a concrete impact on the daily life of European citizens are particularly significant. Romania’s presidency is future-oriented and forward-looking. In preparing for the next institutional cycle of the EU, Romania aims to build on the reflection on the future of Europe. This substantial reflection process will culminate in the informal Summit of European leaders in the Romanian city of Sibiu, to take place symbolically on the 9th of May, on Europe Day.
Indeed, I believe the European elections and the Sibiu Summit are two milestones of our Presidency. As it looks now, these elections are, more than ever before, crucial for defining the future path of the EU. That is why continuous meaningful communication and dialogue with citizens are very important in maintaining and increasing the support for the European Union and thus ensuring perspectives for its successful future. Especially young people are called upon to actively engage in EU affairs. This is something I am personally very attached to and try to encourage in the frequent dialogues I have with high school and university students.
The city of Sibiu hosts the 2019 Summit on the future of the EU. Photography by Dragoș Asaftei.
As I said, unity is the one key ingredient that fuels the European project. Without unity, the EU is nothing but a number of countries. “There is only one Europe! Even if it has a mutilated and divided body, the European idea is indivisible. Europe cannot revive in the Western part of the continent if it dies in the Eastern part. Nowhere the word Europe has a stronger support excepting in the Eastern part. Half of the European population keeps in mind the idea of the European unity as a promise for peace and liberty”. These were the words used in 1948, when the division of our continent was already a fait accompli, by Grigore Gafencu, eminent Romanian diplomat and former foreign minister, one of the ardent proponents of the idea of a United Europe.
Today, in a united European Union, as we commemorate 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall and of communist regimes in Europe, in 1989, we should remember those times when Europe was divided. And we must not let it happen again. Unity should guide us when our leaders meet in Sibiu on Europe’s Day. Unity must remain the essence of the European project and the force that allows us to overcome the major challenges that the EU is facing. A united Europe is good not just for Europe, but also for the world.
The advancement of the European project should be regarded not as optional, but as imperative, as a duty for our generation. Having been separated from the rest of Europe for almost half a century behind the Iron Curtain, Romanians unreservedly appreciate the undeniable benefits of belonging to the EU. It is in this logic that Romania and Romanians want to see the European family prosper based on the values and principles that forge a common European identity while protecting and cherishing what makes Member States and their citizens unique.
What Nicolae Titulescu – the prodigious figure of Romanian diplomacy in the inter-war period, twice-elected president of the League of Nations – used to emphasize almost a century ago is as valid today as it was then. “Romania’s policy is influenced by the perfect convergence between Romanian and European interests. All of our present and future actions in the field of foreign policy have emerged and will emerge from this fundamental principle.” Romania is Europe and Europe is us.
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Photography by Robert Huiberts for Diplomat Magazine.
In the picture Premier Daniel Günther, President Jorge Carlos Fonseca, and Ambassador Jaqueline Pires – Picture by Schleswig-Holstein’sche Staatskanzlei.
Saturday, 4 May 2019, 2019, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein: Cape Verdean President Jorge Carlos Fonseca paid an official visit in the German northern state of Schleswig-Holstein in preparations to his welcoming by federal officials in Berlin. The African head of state was welcomed to Kiel by the Bundesland’s Premier Daniel Günther, and was accompanied by Cabo Verde’s Ambassador to Germany,Jaqueline Pires.
Schleswig-Holstein and Cabo Verde cooperate particularly in issues concerning ocean protection and research, in fact the Geomar Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research has a base stationed on São Vicente island.
