Uruguay: views and visions

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Uruguay: views and visions

H.E. Ambassador Laura Dupuy Lasserre is the Ambassador of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. After graduating in International Relations and pursuing three years of legal studies at the Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Ambassador Dupuy Lasserre pursued the diplomatic career. In her high-profile career, she was President of the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2011-12, being the first woman to chair it, on behalf of GRULAC; while being Uruguay’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva (2009-2014).

During a lunch at the emblematic Hotel Des Indes in The Hague, Ambassador Dupuy Lasserre discussed with Diplomat Magazine her views and vision for Uruguay and its relations with the Netherlands.

Ambassador Dupuy, what is the role of your country, Uruguay, on the international scene?

Uruguay is a country traditionally committed to the multilateral system and the principles of the United Nations, including the support of peace and security, democracy, the rule of law, as well as respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons.

Uruguay has a long history as an active member of the international community, since even before the founding of the UN. The country has always been committed to promoting the establishment of international rules, the respect of international law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Uruguay has played a relevant role in this regard since the beginning of the 20thcentury, as shown by the many proposal put forward in terms of resolution of interstate disputes, genocide, and monitoring of human rights violations. Moreover, the country has been active on the death penalty (which was abolished by Uruguay in 1906, the first state doing so), as well as on the promotion of equal rights and obligations for men and women in the UN framework. 

While Uruguay promotes peace and human rights in the international scene, what is the situation inside the country?

In the domestic sphere too, the human rights perspective permeates every national policy or legislation. For instance, Uruguay, by popular initiative, changed its Constitution in 2004 to guarantee the access to fresh water and sanitation as a human right, and in 2010 it has supported similar efforts at the UN level. 

Similarly, concerning the issue of migration, Uruguay is not only a Party to the UN Convention, but it has also had open policies. This is natural given the important migratory flows that the country received over the last centuries, especially from Europe. These migratory flows have brought to the country cultural diversity and richness to the country: look for instance at tango, a mix of European, local, and afro rhythms.

H.E. Ms. Laura Dupuy Lasserre, Ambassador of Uruguay

How do you see the relations between Uruguay and the Netherlands in their current state? What are the prospects for development during your tenure as Ambassador?

Uruguay and the Netherlands have historically enjoyed good diplomatic relations, and since 2018 the Netherlands has even become our first trade partner in Europe with respect to exports. Moreover, the two countries have striking similarities, such as concerning the importance of agricultural exports and the exposure to climate change.  

Therefore, on the one hand Uruguay can learn a lot from the Dutch experience, for instance in agribusiness value chains, as well as in the coordination between the public, private, and academic sectors in a number of different fields. On the other hand, Uruguay can share its experience in other fields, such as for instance energy transition (nowadays, renewable sources cover more than 98% of Uruguay’s electricity), tobacco control, UN Peace Operations, as well as digital government, connectivity, and social inclusion.

What is the role for Uruguay in the multilateral institutions that are headquartered here in The Hague?

Historically, Uruguay has contributed to the International Court of Justice through the legacy of Professor Eduardo Jiménez de Aréchaga, first judge and then President of the ICJ. Our will is to contribute in a similar way to the important work of the International Criminal Court and other bodies such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration, with which Uruguay has recently signed a MoU.

Moreover, the country remains fully commitment to promote disarmament and chemical safety, for instance through the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, as well as to foster the teaching and the respect of International Law and International Private Law. 

The interview with H.E. Ms Laura Dupy Lasserre, has been held at Hotel del Indes  an emblematic historic hotel in The Hague, symbol of Dutch beauty, tradition and class, charm and character, elegance and grandeur with more than 132 years of credentials: www.hoteldesindes.nl

Tanzanian Southern Highlands: wonderfully exquisite location

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Tanzanian Southern Highlands: wonderfully exquisite location

“Visit Africa’s largest and oldest game reserve”

By H.E. Ms. Irene Florence Mkwawa Kasyanju, Ambassador of Tanzania to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Tanzania has a vast beautiful landscape that can be used for various economic both agriculture as well as tourism. 

Tanzania is abundantly blessed with natural resources like minerals such as gold, diamonds, tanzanite and natural gas, to mention but a few, also and much to our delight and appreciation, water ways such as rivers, lakes and a boarder with the Indian Ocean. It has wealth in wildlife, forestry and agriculture, which have a wonderful potential for growth and development. 

Tanzania is known as the land of the Kilimanjaro- Africa’s rooftop mountain peak, the land of the Serengeti- home to the greatest wildlife display of the great migration of wildebeest and zebra and of course, the land of Zanzibar. Mind you, Mount Kilimajaro is the highest peak on the African continent that Tanzania prides herself with. 

Despite these popular and flag bearing locations defining Tanzania’s tourism on the international arena, there are other less known but equally amazing tourist attractions in the Southern Highlands.

The Southern Highlands refer to the region surrounding the provinces of Iringa, Njombe, Mpanda, Mbeya, Rukwa and Ruvuma. It is bordered internally by Kigoma, Tabora, Singida, Dodoma, Morogoro, Lindi and Mtwara and externally by the countries of Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. 

H.E. Ms. Irene Florence Mkwawa Kasyanju, Ambassador of Tanzania.

Southern Tanzania is vast and has two large parks and smaller parks that together make up a beautiful ecosystem that makes for a wonderful tourist destination. 

The large parks; Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park attract thousands of visitors each year. 

The Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest and oldest game reserve and one of favourite game viewing areas in Africa. The reserve covers over 50,000 square kilometres and is relatively undisturbed by human impact making it absolutely a picturesque wildlife destination. Due to having both dry and wetlands, it is inhabited by both hippos, crocodiles, as well as lions, elephants, giraffes and leopards. Whether you opt to discover the land by walking, using a boat or by flying, you will not be disappointed by the discovery of nature at its best. 

The Ruaha National Park is another fantastic tourism option. Located in the west of Iringa region, the Ruaha National Park, with its size of 20,226 square kilometres, is the largest national park in Tanzania and East Africa. This vastness means that there is plenty to see with large predators, antelopes and elephants all as plentiful options. It has two smaller parks as well, the Udzungwa Mountains and Mikumi National Park, but these receive a fraction of the visitors that their counterparts in the North do and offer untouched wilderness and an exciting safari experience.

As if that was not enough, the Southern Highlands also host other smaller yet equally as beautiful parks. 

What the Mikumi National Parkand Udzungwa Mountains lack in size, they make up with in what they have to offer. The Mikumi National park is a serene environment which makes for an ideal private escape option away from the hustle and bustle of city life. While the Udzungwa Mountains are a perfect place for those who like to hike and discover the land at a personal level. 

The Southern Highlands are also home to the Mount Rungwe Nature Forest Reserve, which is a tropical forest with exceptional species composition, structure and biodiversity. 

Mount Rungwe Nature Forest Reserve is located in the Rungwe district, Mbeya region, Southwest Tanzania which is approximately 80kms from the Songwe International Airport. The airport is yet to receive international flights so passengers have to fly in from Dar es Salaam which offers frequent flights to and from as well as being easily accessible by road.

The area holds Mount Rungwe, which offers exceptional scenery of Rungwe Peak where Poroto Ridge,Mbeya Peak, Loleza Peak and areas stretching down into Malawi, can all be viewed. 

This makes for a wonderfully exquisite location for those who like to hike and explore the land. 

The Rift Valley Meeting point, God’s Bridge, Kitulo National Park and Kapologwe waterfalls are equally of much interest. 

All these options display the fact that Tanzania and particularly in the Southern Highlands, is truly blessed with a host of wonderful destinations to host a wide array of tourists seeking anything from a safari adventure to a hike in the forest to a quiet ultimate getaway. 

H.E. Ms. Irene Florence Mkwawa Kasyanju, Ambassador of Tanzania.
Whatever you are looking for, I welcome you to Tanzania for an unforgettable experience. 

The need for ‘empire’: a comparison between Belt and Road Initiative and US grand strategy in Europe

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The need for ‘empire’: a comparison between Belt and Road Initiative and US grand strategy in Europe

By Zeno Leoni.

The Belt and Road initiative has increasingly been under the spotlight in recent years.
Given the multi-dimensional profile of the project, scholars have concentrated on several areas of inquiry, from investments in Africa to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB); from the pan-continental road and rail networks that should integrate transport across Eurasia to the return to territorialism in the South China Sea; from the geopolitics of gas in Central Asia to economic corridors in Pakistan and Indochina; from the quest for a blue-water navy to the use of debt trap in developing countries. However, there is an old academic friend who is yet to make its appearance on the scene: ‘empire’.

Central to the scholarly category of ‘empire’ is the removal, by a predominant power, of subdued states’ sovereign borders. This feature, however, is at odds with the post-WWII international system, where territorial conquest and rule by geo-political coercion are viewed by most as old-fashioned 19th century practices. Often, ‘hegemony’ is used as a synonym. But they are not the same. For the neo-Gramscian perspective of International Relations, ‘hegemony’ is rather a synonym of even though it is more specifically a way of ruling based on capitalist integration and spread of economic benefits as opposed to military coercion.

In the post-WWII order, hegemony as much as empire do not capture with accuracy the essence of American imperialism, which manifests a mix of direct and indirect rule. Nor they help to describe the multifaceted grand strategy of China.

This author suggests that in order to go beyond empire and hegemony one could refer to ‘global sphere of influence’. Within this power arrangement, direct rule and national interests of a dominant state are

  • a) embedded in strategies prevalently implemented through indirect rule but reliant on elements of direct rule;
  • b) impacting on regions beyond the territory contiguous to the dominant state (extra-territoriality);
  • c) established as international interest – for the good of all. Global spheres of influence cannot be enforced and/or reproduced without the employment of elements of direct rule.

However, the latter can only be effective when complementing indirect rule, rather than in isolation or when prevailing. But the boundaries between direct and indirect rule have become increasingly ambiguous. 

Indeed, both American and Chinese grand strategies seem to fit within this theoretical framework, although for different reasons. At a preliminary observation, US and China grand strategies share an emphasis on universal narratives of peace and extraterritorial influence void of formal direct rule.

However, at a closer observation, two principal differences emerge. Firstly, although US liberal universalism and China’s tianxia place, respectively, the United States and China at the centre of the international order, the former requires other states to emulate the American model, while the second does not come with cultural or economic commitments attached.

Secondly, these strategies display two different ways of interlocking direct and indirect rule. Between 1945 and 1949, the United States set out its strategy of Wilsonianism-cum-primacy – that is, a conflation of globalism with nationalism –towards Europe. It sought to shape international rule of law through the Marshall Plan, but in a way that suited the competitive advantage of its industries. Where these principles were challenged, military bases and covert operations by CIA acted as iron fist. 

Instead, lately China has pursued its own extra-regional sphere of influence by aiming at investments in and ownership of strategic infrastructures. However, investments in strategic infrastructures may represent an element of direct rule – one that cannot be found in American grand strategy at all – to the extent these fix Chinese money into another state’s territory – offshore sovereignty or re-territorialisation.

In particular, these investments aim at building a logistic belt for trade access to Europe through its Eastern and Southern flank. Interestingly, Chinese grand strategy has not relied so far on direct military coercion – apart from the South China Sea.

These projects see Chinese companies involved either as financer and constructors, or as operators, or as important customers: Yiwu-Duisburg trainline (connecting China to Europe); Eilat-Ashdod cargo railway (bypassing Suez Canal); Southern section of Ashdod Port; Haifa Port; Piraeus Port; Budapest-Belgrade line; European route E763 (connecting Belgrade to Bijelo Polje); Pelješac bridge (connecting Serbia and Croatia); Trieste port logistic platform; Venice and Chioggia port cooperation with Piraeus; Genoa port; Palermo port offshore logistic platform (for access of big cargos); Deutsche Bahn-China Railways cooperation. 

A more articulated analysis would be beneficial in order to answer one fundamental question: is China’s grand strategy pursuing a global sphere of influence? In what ways this differs from that of past hegemons? These questions, in turn, do lead to other interrogatives. Comparing the BRI in Europe to the Marshal plan provides an analytical instrument at a time when the BRI is still in its embryonic stage: to what extent direct rule was central to American hegemonic aspirations and in what ways Chinese grand strategy is characterised by direct rule? Do Chinese strategic infrastructures abroad embed an element of state re-territorialisation, in addition to economic accumulation? In what ways ownership of strategic infrastructures gives (geo-)political leverage in return?

China’s grand strategy appears go beyond the kind of combination between direct and indirect rule that characterised US grand strategy. The importance that infrastructures have in the BRI reminds of old-fashioned British and German imperialism and the use, respectively, of powers and continental rails.

Let’s go Dutch!

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Let’s go Dutch!

By Jeroen Spangenberg.

The Dutch are one of a kind. They are highly educated and most of them speak English. Expats love this fact. What expats don’t realize is that this prevents expats from really integrating in Dutch society. Moreover, ever noticed a group of Dutch people, first talking in English and when they talk about trivial things or when the words become more complicated to translate, they switch to Dutch, leaving the foreigner in the dark. 

Not only is it convenient to know some basic level of Dutch, there are some cultural differences that expats need to be aware of. In some cultures it takes a long time to build a relationship of trust before doing business. The Dutch however are more goal oriented and want to close a deal as soon as possible. 

Furthermore, the Dutch society is very egalitarian. It is normal that the CEO pours in his own coffee and talks with the cleaning lady. Moreover, in the army although you have several ranks, equal treatment finds it way in the culture too. 

The Dutch are very direct, in comparison with the English people where you have to read in between the lines to get the message. The English like to make understatements to make a point, while the Dutch just say what they think.

In some countries coming late is part of the culture, while in the Netherlands agenda’s are holy. Being on time is very important. 

It is normal to go on a bike to your work, while in comparison in some countries bikes are only for children or for the economically less well off. Many countries lack the right infrastructure for bikes, however the Netherlands thought everything through, even the public transport operates pretty efficiently. During rush hour long lines of traffic congests on the highway, somehow the smart Dutch didn’t find a solution to that problem.

The Dutch also tend to separate their work life from their private lives. Making it harder for expats to integrate into Dutch society. 

Our Dutch cuisine is famous for its simplicity and frugality, it is more functional than luxurious. Nonetheless, the Dutch cheese and stroopwafels are very well loved among expats.

For an expat learning some basic Dutch and understanding some cultural differences can be paramount to having a great time in the Netherlands. Through duoling.com it is possible to practice your Dutch for free. Moreover, every expat should read ‘The UnDutchables’, a witty book about the Dutch customs and mentality. There are many language schools you can choose from, like for example Berlitz. 

Moreover, Flowently offers a platform where expats can pick a private tutor online through flowently.com where they can book a Feel at Home session or other types of sessions at times and locations suiting the expat. The concept is that the tutor can help you with improving your Dutch and assist you with getting used to the Dutch culture, while having a coffee in a cafe or walking around town. 

Dr. Antje Draheim to represent Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

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Dr. Antje Draheim to represent Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

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. 

For further information: 
Representation of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to the German Federation: https://www.regierung-mv.de/Landesregierung/stk/Landesvertretung/2.-MV-Sommerabend

International contract killer surrendered to Hungary

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International contract killer surrendered to Hungary

The Hague, 28 June 2019

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.

II European Games in Minsk

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II European Games in Minsk

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.

For further information:
European Games: http://www.european-games.org/2019-minsk/, https://minsk2019.by/en
Embassy of Belarus to Germany (HE Ambassador Denis Sidorenko): http://germany.mfa.gov.by/de/embassy/news/bedc8324bd609549.html

Lubanga case

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Lubanga case

ICC Appeals Chamber to deliver judgment regarding Decision Setting the Size of the Reparations Award on 18 July 2019

The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) will deliver its Judgment on the appeals against Trial Chamber II’s Decision Setting the Size of the Reparations Award for which Thomas Lubanga Dyilo is Liable during a public hearing on 18 July 2019 at 09h30 (The Hague local time) at the seat of the Court in The Hague (The Netherlands).

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.

Scheduling Order for the delivery of the judgment on the appeals against Trial Chamber II’s ‘Decision Setting the Size of the Reparations Award for which Thomas Lubanga Dyilo is Liable’

Bavarian top minister in the Pentagon

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Bavarian top minister in the Pentagon

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. 

For further information: 
Bavarian State Chancery: http://www.bayern.de/europaminister-dr-florian-herrmann-reist-in-die-usa/

NRW welcomes Ambassador But

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NRW welcomes Ambassador But

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. 

For further information:
NRW Government: https://www.land.nrw/de/pressemitteilung/ministerpraesident-armin-laschet-empfaengt-slowenischen-botschafter-franc

Embassy of Slovenia to Germany: http://www.berlin.veleposlanistvo.si/index.php?id=935&L=2

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