OPCW-Director-General-Visits-Algeria- Fernando Arias with Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Abdelkader Messahel. THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 19 September 2018 — The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Ambassador Fernando Arias, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, H.E. Mr. Abdelkader Messahel, and senior Algerian officials during a visit to Algiers on 18 September 2018. In his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Director-General recognised the important role played by Algeria since the inception of the OPCW and its important contribution to peace and stability in the North Africa and Sahel region. He stated: “I am impressed by the continued and strong commitment of Algeria to the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Algeria’s support will be of high importance for the OPCW to fulfil its current and new roles and responsibilities.” The Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Algeria’s support for the activities of the OPCW, including in the forthcoming implementation of the decision taken by the Special Session of the Conference of States Parties on 27 June 2018 addressing the threat posed by the use of chemical weapons. The two sides recognised Algeria’s remarkable achievements in developing its National Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie. The National Institute will try to obtain soon the status of OPCW Designated Laboratory. After the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Director-General made a joint press appearance during which both sides pledged to continue to work together to address the threat posed by the use of chemical weapons while acknowledging the need to further enhance capacity-building, cooperation, and exchange in the field of the peaceful uses of chemicals. During his visit, the Director-General held separate meetings with the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Noureddine Ayadi, and the Head of the Algerian National Authority, Major-General Djamel Gueroui. The Director-General also visited the National Institute for Forensic Science and Criminology and the Museum of Armed Forces.

Pasar Raya Indonesia 2018. On the picture H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh, Thailand Deputy Head of Mission, Ms. Tanyarat Mungkalarungsi , H.E. Ms. Ngo Thi Hoa, Ambassador of Viet Nam, H.E. Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi, Ambassador of Iraq, H.E. Ahmad Nazri Yusof, Ambassador of Malaysia, Ms. Marloes Borsboomand, Deputy Mayor of Rijswijk and H.E. I Gusti Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia. By Roy Lie Atjam. Pasar Raya Indonesia has moved from Wassenaar and landed at the Broodfabriek in Rijswijk in 2017. This time around Pasar Raya Indonesia or PRI is part of the 73rd celebrations of Indonesia’ Independence. The PRI aims at strengthening the bounds of friendship between nations. Thousands of individuals visited Pasar Raya Indonesia 2018, held from 14 – 16 September 2018. They came from all quarters of Europe. PRI 2018 was officially opened by H.E. Ambassador I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja along with the Deputy Mayor of Rijswijk Ms. Marloes Borsboom. According to the deputy mayor, Rijswijk is very pleased to see the second Pasar Raya taking place in the city. Several members of the diplomatic corps, including the Ambassadors of Bangladesh, Iraq, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand Deputy Head of Mission attended the official opening of the Pasar on Saturday 15 September. The Pasar Raya promoted and showcased Indonesian economy, fashion, cosmetics, culture; cuisine and various Indonesian products such as textiles, handicrafts as well as the people to people contact. Pasar Raya edition 2018 has by all means been a successful Indonesian promotional event in the Netherlands.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev – Picture by Uzbek presidency.  

For further information:

• About Shakhrisabz: https://orexca.com/shakhrisabz.shtml
• Maqom Festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCImB9l-f94

La Haye, 13 September 2018 – Le Juge Theodor Meron, Président du Mécanisme international appelé à exercer les fonctions résiduelles des Tribunaux pénaux, a fait aujourd’hui la déclaration suivante : « Il y a près de deux mois, à l’occasion du vingtième anniversaire de l’adoption du Statut de Rome, j’ai eu l’opportunité d’exprimer mon profond attachement aux valeurs et aux objectifs qui sous-tendent ce Statut. Je souhaite réitérer aujourd’hui mon appui indéfectible au Statut de Rome et au système auquel il a donné naissance. Le système de Rome reflète le principe selon lequel mettre fin à l’impunité en matière de violations graves du droit international est un impératif universel, l’engagement des États étant d’une importance capitale si l’on veut que cet objectif soit atteint. Notre capacité à faire en sorte que ces crimes — qui comptent parmi les plus odieux qu’on puisse imaginer — ne restent pas impunis dépend de l’existence de mécanismes judiciaires nationaux et internationaux qui respectent les préceptes fondamentaux de la primauté du droit, notamment en garantissant l’équité fondamentale et une justice impartiale et indépendante, libre de toute ingérence politique. La Cour pénale internationale, qui fait partie intégrante du système de Rome, est un remarquable exemple d’un tel mécanisme. La capacité de la CPI, à son tour, de s’acquitter de son mandat essentiel dépend du soutien et de la coopération des États. Alors que la Cour et le système de Rome lui-même continuent de faire face à des difficultés et que le respect du principe de l’indépendance judiciaire demeure essentiel, je tiens à prendre le temps de saluer les juges et les hauts responsables de la CPI, ainsi que tous les autres à la Cour et de par le monde, et ils sont nombreux, qui nous aident — par leur persévérance, leur résilience et leur attachement aux principes qui fondent la communauté des hommes et qui sont consacrés par le Statut de Rome — à nous rapprocher encore de notre objectif fondamental : mettre fin à l’impunité en matière de violations graves du droit international. »