On 17 June 2019, His Majesty Letsie III, King of Lesotho, visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) to meet with high-level officials. The King was decorated with the title of ‘Distinguished Honorary Fellow of the International Criminal Court’.
On 17 June 2019, His Majesty Letsie III, King of Lesotho, visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) to meet with the President of the Court, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, the Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, and the Registrar Peter Lewis. The King was decorated with the title of ‘Distinguished Honorary Fellow of the International Criminal Court’.//Le 17 juin 2019, Sa Majesté Letsie III, Roi du Lesotho, s’est rendu à la Cour pénale internationale (CPI) pour rencontrer le Président de la Cour, M. le juge Chile Eboe-Osuji, et le Procureur, Mme Fatou Bensouda et le Greffier, M. Peter Lewis. Le Roi a reçu le titre de ‘Membre honoraire distingué de la Cour pénale internationale’.
ICC President judge Chile Eboe-Osuji stated: “The Kingdom of Lesotho, as an active participant in the drafting of the Rome Statute, as the first Southern African country to ratify the Rome Statute, and a staunch supporter of the ICC ever since, has made great contributions to international criminal justice to secure justice for the victims of the gravest international crimes. The Court is deeply appreciative of this important role played by Lesotho.”
17 June 2019, His Majesty Letsie III, King of Lesotho, at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This visit highlights Lesotho’s support to the Court and the joint efforts deployed in the fight against the impunity of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes that affect the international community as a whole. Lesotho signed the Rome Statute on 30 November 1998 and ratified it on 6 September 2000.
Saturday, 25 June 2019, Wünsdorf, Brandenburg, Germany: A quarter of a century after the withdrawal of then Soviet Armed Forces from Wünsdorf, Premier Dr. Dietmar Woidke highlighted the special relationship between Russia and Brandenburg. As per government statement: “It is a strong signal that Russians and Germans are coming together here today to promote a trusting relationship and a peaceful future,” he said at an commemoration event in Wünsdorf’s Bürgerhaus.
Wünsdorf, the city of books and bunkers, together with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Germany, H.E. Mr. Sergei Netschajew, and Premier Dr. Dietmar Woidke, invited to the event to commemorate the withdrawal of troops and to constructively support German-Russian exchanges, and further economic ties. Brandenburg’s former Prime Minister Matthias Platzeck also partook in his capacity as representative of the German-Russian Forum.
It was at Wünsdorf that National Socialists planned their destructive campaigns against Poland, the Soviet Union and many other countries. After the war and the victory over Hitler’s Germany, the Soviet military installed its High Command of the Soviet Armed Forces Group in Germany there.
80 years after the beginning of the Second World War, Premier Dr. Woidke pointed out that “the common goal of a peaceful coexistence in Europe obliges us to remain in dialogue with each other and to cultivate and expand encounters between people, especially school partnerships and youth exchanges”.
For further information: Embassy of the Russian Federation to the Federal Republic of Germany (HE Ambassador Sergej Netschajew): http://www.russische-botschaft.de
Sovereign Order of Malta to Ukraine teams up with Teachers Against Violence Project for human rights, inclusive education and cultural diplomacy
Friday, 7 June 2019: On the occasion of the International Children’s Day, the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Ukraine, in cooperation with Teachers Against Violence Project (Princess Carina Organization, Switzerland) jointly organized “The Children’s Corner” charity event.
The event took place in Kyiv in GDIP Media Center in tribute of Malteser Relief Service of Ukraine and for the promotion of modern Ukrainian children’s literature, cultural diplomacy and human rights. This time the event partners were also: Femmes Internationales Murs Brisés (France), «Art Reconciliation» (Ukraine), Ukrainian Maecenas (Ukraine), CAWA Media (Sweden) as well as Teaching Methodology of Ukrainian and Foreign Languages and Literatures Department (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv).
Teachers Against Violence Project for human rights, inclusive education and cultural diplomacy.
Earlier on 30 May 2019, the presentation of the book “Blue Forest and the Wizard Magritte” for children with special needs of the 8th gradetook place. The author read philosophical fairy-tales together with children, and showed them illustrations of René Magritte’s paintings, aiming to encourage children to study the world’s culture, as well as to read more.
“The Children’s Corner” was attended by family members of diplomats accredited to Ukraine, students of the School of Young Ukrainian Diplomats, journalists and photographers. Dr. Antonio Gazzanti Pugliese di Cotrone, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sovereign Order of Malta to Ukraine, personally greeted distinguished guests and thanked Mrs. Elizaveta Melnychenko and Princess Karina Bagration (PCO Honorary President) for their ongoing support.
It was followed with “Blue Forest and the Wizard Magritte” book and art-project presentation by its author, a modern Ukrainian writer Elizaveta Melnychenko. The book includes 12 modern Ukrainian fairy-tales based on 50 René Magritte’s paintings. Among other activities there were book reading, quest and giving of the book “Blue Forest and the Wizard Magritte” with the author’s signature to a quest-winner.
The book presentation was reproduced on the auditorium’s screens with illustrations of René Magritte’s art works. The author pointed out that by means of her book she strives to encourage children to enjoy world’s culture, as well as modern Ukrainian literature.
Later, the presentation dedicated to Malteser Relief Service of Ukraine and its latest charitable activities, took place. The guests were shown a video-report on recent charitable activities of the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Ukraine as well. Subsequently, everybody who made a charitable contribution participated in networking, photo session and lottery. The prizes included various books by award winning Ukrainian authors, (2 books “Blue Forest and the Wizard Magritte” among them) and tailor-made handmade sweets.
Wednesday, 22 May 2019, Government House, Düsseldorf, NRW: European Affairs Minister Dr. Stephan Holthoff-Pförtner held a bilateral meeting with the Czech Deputy Minister for European Affairs Dr. Martin Smolek. Both dignitaries met to discuss upcoming political constellations after the ballot to the European Parliament as well as the Brexit delay, and its significance for NRW and Czechia. Czech Consul Daniel Zára also partook during the meeting.
Some parts of the Czech populace are notably Eurosceptic, in spite of the booming economic situation, undoubtedly aided by the Czech Republic’s membership into the European Union. Both ministers shared their approaches to the Brexit puzzle, and discussed their respective preparations.
Vice-Minister Dr. Martin Smolek is since 2015 in office, with a sub-ministerial portfolio that includes international law and consular affairs. Since 2008 he represents Czechia before the European Court of Justice.
Approximately 5,000 Czechs live in NRW. For NRW Czechia is trade partner no. 12, before Switzerland and after Japan. The trade volumes between the two states is equivalent to 11,7 billion Euros.
Dutch Royal Couple, Susanne & Dr. Dietmar Woidke – Picture by Land Brandenburg, Brandenburg Staatskanzlei.
Tuesday, 21 May 2019, Brandenburg, Federal Republic of Germany: Premier of Brandenburg, Dr. Dietmar Woidke and her spouse Susanne welcomed the visiting Royal Dutch Couple for a luncheon at the State Chancery in Potsdam.
Following the lunch, the Royal Couple and Premier Dietmar Woidke travelled to an arable farm in Nauen. This father and daughter led company is about business succession, sustainable development and innovation in agriculture.
The King and Queen meet the Brandenburg Minister for Rural Development, the Environment and Agriculture Jörg Vogelsänger at the company. In addition, young agricultural entrepreneurs from the Netherlands, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg gathered to discuss the future of agriculture. They talked about themes such as innovation, sustainability, business succession and business vitality.
Henning von Tresckow Barracks in Potsdam – Picture by Brandenburg Staatskanzlei.
On Tuesday evening, in collaboration with the Brandenburg Literature College, a theme dinner was held at the Historical Saftfabrik Werder. The German writer Lutz Seiler and the Dutch writer Tommy Wieringa discussed with moderator Luzia Braun about the changing countryside.
On Tuesday afternoon there was moreover a visit to the Henning von Tresckow Barracks in Potsdam. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visited the Operations Command of the Bundeswehr in the presence of Defence Minister Bijleveld,and her German colleague Ursula von der Leyen.
In most international missions, the Netherlands and Germany are jointly active in the deployment zones as a logical consequence of long-term military cooperation and far-reaching integration of military units between the two countries. During the visit, discussions were held about, amongst other things, the multinational combat unit stationed in Rukla, which was visited during the state visit to Lithuania in June 2018.
It also discusses the way in which the military, but also family members, are prepared for a mission. During a live video discussion with a mission area, the experiences of German-Dutch military cooperation in the country were discussed.
Thereafter King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visited the Science Park Albert Einstein, where in the historic ‘Großer Refraktor’ (1899) they are introduced to the German Geo Research Institute (GFZ), the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Dutch knowledge institutes and companies that carry out research in the field of energy transition. The topics discussed included geothermal energy, underground energy storage and the ecological, economic and social consequences of climate change.
The Free University Amsterdam and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research inked a declaration of intent to further strengthen scientific cooperation. This will be followed by a visit to the Potsdam Media Tech Hub on the grounds of Studio Babelsberg in Potsdam. Here you will find a network of companies, institutions and start-ups focusing on media technology, virtual reality and digital techniques. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were given a short tour of the premises of studio Babelsberg, and met the participants in the mission aimed at the creative industry.
The programme in Brandenbrug ended on the afternoon of Wednesday, 22 May at Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, part of Unesco World Heritage, where Premier Woidke offered a lunchen in honour of the Royal Couple.
Michel Serres – Picture by Ji Elle through Wikipedia in French
Sunday, 2 June 2019, North Rhine-Westphalia: The German Plenipotentiary for Cultural Affairs in the framework of the Franco-German cooperation, Premier of NRW Armin Laschet, issued a statement concerning the passing of French philosopher Michel Serres.
“His contributions to the public debate, which have been curious about the future, and passionately rooted in French tradition, have recently once again shown him to be an intellectual companion of the younger generation. The ambivalent nature of Hermes as a symbolic figure of the age of communication plays a central role in his œuvre. Ultimately, he himself was a Hermes in the best sense of the word. His messages will be painfully lacking in France, Germany and Europe”.
Thursday, 6 June 2019, Helsinki, Republic of Finland: The leader of the Social Democratic Party Antti Rinne was sworn in as prime minister by President Sauli Niinistö. Rinne shall lead a merely 18-minister cabinet with a female majority, a first for Finland.
The five-party coalition has a comfortable 117-seat majority in the 200-seat Parliament yet could face political cohesion challenges.
Foreign Minister is veteran Green politician Peeka Haavisto.
In the picture Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher & Ambassador Dr. Paul Seger – Picture by Hamburg Senatkanzlei.
23 May 2019, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg: Hamburg’s First Mayor, the Social Democrat Dr. Peter Tschentscher welcomed the Helvetian Ambassador to Germany for a courtesy call to country’s second largest city-state. First Mayor Dr. Tschentscher has been at Hamburg’s helm since 28 March 2018, assuming the mayoral office after his predecessor Olaf Scholz departed to become Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister.
Ambassador Dr. Paul Seger is Swiss Head of Mission to Germany since 28 August 2018. He hails from the Canton of Basel-City, the smallest by area out of 26 Helvetian cantons.
He studied law at the University of and began his diplomatic career in 1986. He has served in Kinshasa, New York (UN), Buenos Aires and Yangon. His previous ambassador was the latter to the Union of Myanmar. This diplomatic post is to be his last one.
A novel The Marc Jacobs collection by US American designer and knight in the French Order of Arts and Letters, Marc Jacobs, boasts an exclusive wardrobe, complete with some of the idiosyncratic brand’s signature collaborations, that is, the peanuts and the dog Snoopy, New York Magazine, and Stutterheim as well as Schott.
This collection reshapes older pieces worn by the designer himself as well as his kin. In fact, the first pieces from this collection come alive, teasing an inspired evening dress with two-tone tights, a play at mixing and matching prints with humble details, and slogan T-shirts with vintage accents.
President Ingeborg Neumann & Premier Armin Laschet – Picture by Gesamtverband textil+mode.
Wednesday, 5 June 2019, Berlin, Representation of North Rhine-Westphalia to the German Federation: On World Environment Day approximately 300 guests gathered to attend the première of a fashion collaboration between the Gesamtverband textil+mode and the representation of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Picture by Gesamtverband textil+mode.
Under the motto “NRW makes fashion”, the fashion industry hosted the function to highlight sustainable fashion through the FASHION FORWARD show organised by the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences. In total 40 young women and men had travelled from Mönchengladbach with their own designs, and enthralled the guests with their statements for textile future.
During his welcoming allocution, NRW Premier Armin Laschet addressed the great importance of the textile and fashion industry in North Rhine-Westphalia, and praised the high environmental and social standards of German companies.
For the President of the General Association of the German Textile and Fashion Industry, Ingeborg Neumann, the first PolitFashionNight in Berlin was a successful prelude to presenting the innovative strength of medium-sized textile companies on the political stage.
