In the picture Ambassador Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Munich – Picture by Ghorfa.
Tuesday, 23 July 2019, Munich, Free State of Bavaria: The Secretary General of the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Ghorfa), Abdulaziz bin Othman Al Mikhlafi, hosted a luncheon in Munich to introduce the novel Saudi top envoy to Germany to some of the most prominent businessmen in the country hailing from companies such as BMW,Siemens, Linde, Bauer, Diehl, Schön Clinics or from the International Airport Munich.
HH Ambassador Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud was accredited to Germany on 27 March 2019.
Mrs. Viviane Uwicyeza Mironko spouse of. the Ambassador of Rwanda, Ms. Odette Melono, Deputy Director General at the OPCW and H.E. Mr. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of Rwanda.By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Hague 19th July 2019, the Embassy of Rwanda in The Hague organized the Kwibohora 25 reception feting Rwanda’s liberation.
Featuring on the program was a ballet presentation by a Rwandan cultural group flew in from abroad that performed traditional dances. The audience was elated. Further on the program was a diner-buffet.
The Ambassador of Rwanda, H.E. Mr. Jean-Pierre Karabaranga and spouse welcome the many guests made up of the diplomatic community, Dutch government officials, representatives of international organizations, the Rwandan diaspora as well as friends of Rwanda and others.
Rwanda dancers.Rwanda dancers.Rwanda dancers.
The program started with a rendition of the national anthem of Rwanda, followed by that of the Netherlands.
The welcome and the keynote address was by H.E. Ambassador Jean-Pierre Karabaranga. Some excerpts of Ambassador Karabaranga ‘ statements:
“The Embassy of Rwanda in The Hague initiated this jubilation to celebrate 25 years freedom, peace, security and unity that have been the backbone of Rwanda’s political and social-economic transformation. Rwanda has made tremendous strides in all aspects and Rwanda has been repeatedly ranked the safest, peaceful, cleanest and one of the most economically progressive country not just in Africa but also in the world.”
Speaking at the event, H.E. Ambassador Jean Pierre Karabaranga said that ..”on Liberation Day every genocide survivor remembers that it is the day he/she regained hope, the hope of a new safe life and hope for a better future.”
“Our liberation was not given to us as a gift by anybody,”, the Ambassador added, “Our liberation was the result of the enormous and heavy sacrifices of many Rwandans, ordinary men and women, who gave everything they had, including paying the ultimate price – their lives for many – during the liberation struggle. On this occasion, we take time to pay homage to them. We owe them our freedom. On such day we pause and tell them that their sacrifice was not in vain, their blood was not shed in vain. As H.E. President of Rwanda said and I quote: “Rwanda has changed for good and forever!”.
Ambassador Karabaranga also said that “Liberation Day reminds us that Rwanda’s liberation is a process, a long journey. Rwanda first went through an armed struggle, followed then by a successful resilient journey to stabilize and to rebuild the country and to build the unity of Rwanda’s people. Today, Rwanda is consolidating and building on these achievements.”
H.E. Mrs. Ngo Thi Hoa, Ambassador of Viet Nam and the Ambassador of Rwanda and spouse.
“In such journey, Rwanda counts on its citizens of course, but also on its friends and partners, like you who are with us today and even those who are not here with us”, the Ambassador stated.
“Excellent working relationships and partnership existing between Rwanda and its friends, since the very hard times back in 1994, allowed Rwanda to became what is today: a country which is stable and progressing! I, therefore, take this opportunity to thank the Kingdom of the Netherlands for being among the very first partners of Rwanda in 1994 and for its dedicated and exceptional cooperation with Rwanda in various ways for the last 25 years. On this day we commit to strengthen our friendship and excellent cooperation in many fields”, said the Ambassador.
25th anniversary of Rwanda’s liberation concluded with a second performance by the Rwandan cultural group. Indeed a wonderful festive evening.
On 16 and 17 July 2019, the Protection Strategies Unit of Office of the Office of the Prosecutor and the Victims Witness Section of the Registry of the International Criminal Court, held a Seminar in Dakar, Senegal, on the protection of witnesses. The event brought together more than 25 focal points for witness security management from the region, including representatives from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
During the opening of the Seminar, the ICC Prosecutor, Mrs Fatou Bensouda, stated: “this gathering provides us with a helpful opportunity to enhance our cooperation on witness protection, through sharing expertise and strategies, and strengthening best practices”, emphasizing that State cooperation with the Court is crucially important to ensure the protection of witnesses.
This Seminar is the second in a series of regional workshops aimed at fostering cooperation and sharing of experience and expertise on witness protection and security in the region, where the ICC is currently conducting various investigations. Issues addressed included: best practices for safe and secure management of witnesses, information security, security and alert protocols, cooperation and complementarity with the Court, amongst other topics of relevance.
The ICC has a number of protective measures that can be granted to witnesses to victims who appear before the Court and to other persons at risk on account of testimony given by a witness. Protective measures are used to ensure the safety of witnesses and preserve their well-being. They apply equally to all witnesses, no matter if they are called by the Prosecution, the Defence, the Legal Representatives of Victims or the Judges.
The Court is grateful for the financial support of the European Commission for the event and the cooperation of the Senegalese authorities who hosted the Seminar.
Monday, 8 July 2019, Paris, French Republic: French President Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister Édouard Philippe and several ministers took to the Ministry of Overseas Territories for the signing of the first ‘Convergence and Transformation Agreements’ (CLAs) between the State and the Overseas Territories.
Emmanuel Macron and Édouard Philippe, and the responsible Minister Annick Girardin personally met several overseas collectivities in order to sign “convergence and transformation contracts” with them, aimed at reducing the development gaps in economic and social terms. These agreements were envisaged in the Overseas Real Equality Act passed in 2017 under President François Hollande. They aim at identifying, and prioritising objectives that ought to be implemented by the State and local authorities (regions, local authorities, departments, etc.) over the next four years (2019-2022).
“These convergence and transformation contracts are the concrete expression of the ambitions set out in the Overseas Blue Book, which was presented on 28 June 2018 at the Elysée Palace. “They express the common desire of the State and the overseas elected representatives for a contract that is specific to each territory, and that allows them to have infrastructures as well as high-level equipment, taking into account the challenges related to the ecological transition”.
Contracts were signed between the French State and local authorities from Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion Island, Saint Pierre and Miquelon and Wallis and Futuna, for a “financial effort” of €2.1 billion. On this occasion, the Prime Minister and the presidents of 9 overseas collectivities commit themselves to the 5.0 Trajectory. Local executives are committed to preparing these territories for the challenges and threats of the future through five challenges to be met by 2030, that is: 0 exclusion, 0 carbon, 0 waste, 0 agricultural pollutant, 0 vulnerability to climate change. The projects to be financed by the convergence and transformation contracts must be consistent with these objectives as per statement by Matignon.
Valentino’s latest collaboration is ‘Undercover’: a dialogue with Jun Takahashi, and his view of the street through graphics that lead through times and styles that are then read in a Valentino key. For the latter cultural icons such as Edgar Allan Poe are taken into an alien future that blends in the Valentino surrealist style.
Surrealism made modern is the key behind ‘Undercover’.
Monday, 8 July 2019, Riga, Republic of Latvia: Latvia’s tenth head of state took office during a ceremony at the Saeima, the country’s parliament.
President Levits is a reputed judge who also represents Latvia with a seat at the European Court of Justice since 2004. Having served previously at the European Court of Human Rights. He served as a diplomat for his country between 1994 and 1995 when he was dispatched to Vienna, Austria, with concurrent accreditation to Hungary and Switzerland.
In Latvia the President is the country’s head of state and commander-in-chief for a period of four years with a possibility for re-election(s) yet not more than twice in a row. The Latvian president does share executive responsibility with the government, nevertheless, most of his political deeds must be countersigned by a minister.
In the picture H.E. Mr. Jaime Victor Ledda, Ambassador of The Philippines and spouse Gina Ledda.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
Every month Hotel Crowne Plaza The Hague, organize a Food Festival in cooperation with an Embassy. This time around it was the Embassy of the Philippines that showcase Philippines Flavours from Friday 21 June to Sunday 23 June.
As stated above, Filipino cuisine was in the limelight, customers had the opportunity to enjoy dishes prepared by the two renowned chefs:
Chef Maite Hontiveros-Dittke; Dusseldorf, Germany and Chef Tani Morabe, Amsterdam. Along with Crowne Plaza’s Chef Sido de Brabander.
Mango cocktail at the Philippines Flavours dinner,
The chefs use authentic ingredients form the various regions of the Philippines archipelago.
H.E. Ambassador Jaime Victor Ledda of the Philippines accompanied by his wife Gina Ledda and a group of invitees inaugurated Philippines Flavours weekend 2019 with dinner. Featuring on the menu were top Filipino dishes such as Lumpiang Sariwa, chicken sisig flakes. The main dish was Beef Adobo, braised short ribs in Mama Sita’s cane vinegar. Dessert Biko and much more.
Many customers came around over the weekend to sample the gorgeous Filipino flavours.
Philippines Flavours dinner’s VIP Table.
It is not the first time Ambassador Jaime V Ledda, an advocate of Filipino cuisine organize a food event. He did so two years ago with a project named “KULINARYA” at several locations in The Hague.
The Philippines Flavours weekend 2019 has been a tremendous success.
The Ambassador of The Philippines welcomed H.E. Ms. Haifa Aissami Madah, Ambassador of Venezuela to the Multilateral Organizations.
11-13 July 2019, Luanda, Republic of Angola: Germany’s pro tempore Federal Council President Daniel Günther, Premier of Schleswig-Holstein, led a high-ranking political delegation to Angola. Central topics of bilateral exchanges included the issues of decentralisation, local politics and the economy.
In the Angolan capital Luanda, Daniel Günther was received by the Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço.
The President of the Federal Council likewise encountered the President of the Angolan Parliament, Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Diamantino Pedro Azevedo as well as the Minister of Defence, General Salviano de Jesus Sequeira.
The Angolan Minister of Culture, Maria da Piedade de Jesus, received the President of the Federal Council for an evening at the Museum of Anthropology [Museu Nacional de Antropologia]. Since 2018, the museum agreed to cooperate with the Ethnological Museum in Berlin and the Goethe-Institut in Angola.
In the picture Bundesrat President Daniel Günther and President Dr. Hage Geingob – Picture by Staatskanzlei Schleswig-Holstein.
13-18 July 2019, Republic of Namibia: Germany’s President of the National Council Daniel Günther, Premier of Schleswig-Holstein, was on an official visit to Namibia, was received the country’s head of state, President Hage Geingob at the Presidential Palace.
Their conversation was focused on investment opportunities for the German economy, and the framework conditions for them. Moreover the colonial past openly addressed by both sides as reported by President Günther.
Address by President Günther before the National Council of Namibia – Picture by Staatskanzlei Schleswig-Holstein.
For a common future, the past must be clarified between the parties. Germany’s official position is that the country holds a moral responsibility for the suffering it brought to Namibia as a colonial power.
Other high-ranking representatives of Namibia met with President Daniel Günther during a visit to parliament, including: Deputy Parliament President Loide L. Kasingo and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
As a particular honour during his visit to Namibia, the President of the Federal Council, Daniel Günther, was the first foreign dignitary ever to address the National Council, Namibia’s upper parliamentary chamber. He stated relations with the equivalent of the Federal Council, and met its President Margaret Mensah-Williams. The National Council met for a special session on the occasion of Günther’s visit.
President Günther and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – Picture by Staatskanzlei Schleswig-Holstein.
In his speech, President Günther once again touched on the common colonial history of the two countries. “The horrors that Germans perpetrated on the people of this country at the beginning of the 20th century – in particular on the Herero and Nama – remain unforgotten,” said Günther as per allocution’s transcription found below in the links. The consequences of the crimes of that time still have an effect today and Germany acknowledges this historical guilt. “Even though the term was only later backed by legal norms – the atrocities committed in the German name at that time were what would today be called genocide,” the President of the Bundesrat continued.
On the same day Günther laid flowers on the Memorial Park Cemetery in the coastal town of Swakopmund. During the Herero and Nama uprising from 1904 to 1908, the German colonial power operated a prison camp there.
In the picture Premier Laschet welcomes Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Ambassador Sergej Netschajew – Picture by Land NRW, Uta Wagner.
18-19 July 2019, NRW, Germany: For the first time since its foundation, the ‘Petersburg Dialogue’, one of the most important events of German-Russian civil societal cooperation, takes place in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Under this year’s theme “Cooperation as a Leitmotif for a Europe in Peace: Contributions from Civil Societies in Russia and Germany”, around 350 guests from all areas of German-Russian cooperation gather for the high-level conference held at Bonn and Königswinter. The two foreign ministers of the Federal Republic of Germany, Heiko Maas, and of the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov, attended the opening event on Thursday. After his arrival in Germany, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov initially met for bilateral talks with the Premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet, at Hotel Petersberg near Bonn.
Together with the two co-chairs of the Petersburg Dialogue, Ronald Pofalla and Viktor Subkov, Premier Armin Laschet received the guests at the Petersberg and delivered a greeting.
As per statement below Premier Armin Laschet remarked: “Following the 15th German-Russian City Twinning Conference, another of the largest and most important civil society cooperation events between Germany and Russia is now coming to North Rhine-Westphalia with the Petersburg Dialogue. This clearly shows that Germany’s cooperation with Russia is of great concern to us as a country in the heart of Europe. As a centre of competence for international politics, Bonn is an excellent location for the orientation of the Petersburg Dialogue”.
The ‘Petersburg Dialogue’was initiated in 2001 by then Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and President Vladimir Putin. Named after its first venue, St. Petersburg, it has since taken place in annual rotation in Germany and Russia. The aim of the St. Petersburg Dialogue is to intensify cooperation between Germany and Russia in all areas of civil society, to counteract prejudices in the perception of the other country and thus to give new impetus to German-Russian relations.
