In the picture United States Special Representative for Ukraine, Ambassador Kurt Volker.

By Guido Lanfranchi.

On the fifth anniversary of Russia’s claimed annexation of Crimea, the United States reiterated its full support to Ukraine. The U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine, Ambassador Kurt Volker, called on Russia to resume negotiation in good faith to find a way out of the current impasse.

It was on March 18^th, 2018, that, in the wake of the referendum on the status of Crimea, the Russian Federation formally declared the annexation of Crimea. Five years later, the issue of Crimea remains a hot topic in international politics.

On March 18^th, 2019, the United States’ Special Representative for Ukraine, Ambassador Kurt Volker, briefed the press on the situation in Ukraine, as well as on the stance of the U.S. and its partners. Ambassador Volker strongly condemned Russia’s annexation, as well as the “substantial clampdown on political rights and freedoms” that followed it. He noticed that five years into the conflict, the situation has not improved: the status of Crimea remains contested, the fighting in eastern Ukraine continues, and confrontations are erupting also in the Kerch Strait.

Ambassador Volker reiterated the U.S. position of full support to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, in full respect of the principle established by the Helsinki agreement of 1975, which prohibit the seizure of territory by means of force. He underlined the international community’s rejection of Russia’s claim, and he welcomed the concerted efforts of the U.S., Canada, and the European Union in applying pressure on Moscow through economic sanctions.

In a moment in which a solution does not seem in sight – Ambassador Volker noted – the international community should not give the impression that the situation can be normalized, and the pressure on Russia will be released only when Moscow will resume negotiations in good faith.

In the meanwhile – Ambassador Volker reiterated – the U.S. fully stands behind Ukraine, and is ready to support the Ukrainian government not only via diplomatic channels, but also militarily. While a number of weapons and military systems have already been delivered to Ukraine, Ambassador Volker did not exclude that more supplies could come in the future. However, he also specified that “there is no military solution in the sense of Ukraine taking Crimea back by force”, and only a political process has the potential of resolving the conflict.

On the political front, Ukraine is headed towards presidential elections, which are scheduled for March 31^st, 2019 and see the participation of 39 candidates competing for the post. Ambassador Volker welcomed the unfolding of the democratic processes in Ukraine, clearly stating that the decision on who will be the next president is in the hands of the Ukrainian people. The U.S. does not have any preferred candidates – he stressed, noting that although the same seems to apply with Russia, it is nevertheless more evident that Russia would not favour the re-election of the incumbent president, Mr. Petro Poroshenko.

Ambassador Volker also touched upon the societal situation ahead of the elections. Over the last five years, the Ukrainian people – he claimed – have developed a stronger sense of national identity, arguably in reaction to the confrontation with Russia. This has resulted in a number of developments, such as the request for autonomy by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as well as the diffusion of increasingly pro-European and pro-NATO sentiments among the Ukrainian people – Mr. Volker claimed.

Special Representative Volker also defended himself and his government from the critiques voiced by presidential candidate Ms. Yulia Tymoshenko, who recently argued that the West is to blame for the conflict in Ukraine, and that Ambassador Volker’s negotiation style sidelines the Ukrainian government. Ambassador Volker countered such claims by pointing at his frequent contacts with the Ukrainian government, and counterattacked by fully blaming Russia for the stall in the situation. Until the Russian government will not engage in the negotiations in good faith, there will be no solution to this conflict, regardless of the willingness of external actors or of the negotiations’ format – he explained.

Five years on, thus, the conflict over Crimea is still an open wound for Ukraine, the U.S., and for international politics. The efforts to close such wound continue, hopefully with more success in the future.

NEW YORK, 12 March 2019 – Director of the International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) Assist. Prof. Dr. Zijad Bećirović, accompanied by IFIMES Main Representative at ECOSOC/UN Irena Mernik Knee, met UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN Headquarters in New York.

Director of the Institute Assist. Prof. Dr. Bećirović presented to the UN Secretary-General Guterres the work of the Institute in the region of the Balkans and the Middle East, with a special emphasis on projects related to the special consultative status of IFIMES whit the ECOSOC/UN.

The IFIMES International Institute intends to issue a special edition of the European Perspectives International Scientific Journal in the next period, dedicated to the UN and its role in the world.

The Secretary-General of the UN, Guterres, stressed the importance of the UN and importance of global stability and peace to enable universal progress of humanity.

At the end of the talks, UN Secretary-General Guterres and Bećirović agreed that global security, stability, peace and fast solutions of open issues are of great importance.

Permanent Representative of Australia to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Matthew Neuhaus and OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias.

In the picture H.E. Heidemaria Gürer Ambassador of Austria arriving to Rwanda´s event.

For International Women’s Day, the Embassy of Rwanda to The Netherlands along with the Rwandan Women Association in The Netherlands, organised on March 16 an event to celebrate and display Rwanda’s culture and progress in gender equality and women empowerment.

By Aurore Heugas.

“International Women’s Day is a celebration of respect, appreciation, love and care towards women in your life and society” was a statement spoken at the Rwandan Embassy’s celebration for International Women’s Day on March 16, 2019.

Taking place at the Hilton hotel in The Hague, the event was an opportunity for the Rwandan embassy, in cooperation with the Rwandan Women Association in The Netherlands, to showcase their country’s achievements in gender equality and women empowerment.

This year, several themes were enumerated for International Women’s Day. UN Women’s theme was “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. Their focus was to find new ways to advance gender equality and women empowerment, “particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructures”, according to the organisation.

The official website of International Women’s Day listed the global theme for this year as “Balance for Better”, which was open for interpretation for each country to suit their needs.

The goal for this year is to involve everyone; women and men, to aspire to reach gender balance in every aspect of society. In 2019, the Embassy of Rwanda’s take on that theme was “Together, let’s build a safe family”.

The event felt like both the UN Women and International Women Day’s themes had been merged. Several speakers, men and women alike, talked about the importance of achieving more balanced family dynamics, by offering equal opportunities and equal respect to everyone.

For them, if your home is stable, you already have a better chance to thrive, get an education and continue the cycle of equal opportunities later on.

More than talking about building safer families, the celebration of International Women’s Day promoted the work of strong women in Rwanda, in an effort of women empowerment.

Coffee was an example of how a simple act, like buying coffee, can make a difference. The event showcased and gave samples of Bekske coffee amongst others. Bekske Coffee is a Dutch-Rwandan project, that aims to support female survivors of sexual violence during the genocide in Rwanda.

Instead of buying coffee from larger companies with a set price for the kilo of beans, which then only gives 26 cents, or a very small percentage back to the original coffee workers, the Dutch foundation supports female coffee entrepreneurs by buying coffee from a local partner, where 8.23 euros per kilo goes back to support the local population and women in the program.

In addition, 25% of the profits go directly to the women workers in Rwanda, for them to be able to have a chance at an education and a better everyday life.

Through the promotion of that foundation and that coffee, the event helped further three of the sixteen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

• SDG 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere”
• SDG 5: Reach gender equality and empower all women and girls”

• SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”.

However hopeful and proud of Rwanda’s accomplishments, the women of the Rwandan Women Association were also honest about what is still left to do. “As a country, we have made great progress when it comes to women’s political participation, school attendance of girls, heritage rights to name a few achievements. But as our president said recently, there is much more to do in Rwanda to ensure women feel safe and enjoy equal opportunities.”