Cuba and the Kingdom of the Netherlands signed a Memoradum of Understanding on Preservation of Cultural Underwater Heritage.By H.E. Ms. Soraya Alvarez, Ambassador of Cuba to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Last July 11 on the occasion of celebration of the 116th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cuba and the Kingdom of the Netherlandshave signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Preservation of Underwater Cultural Heritage between the National Council of Cultural Heritage of Cuba (CNPC) and the Rijksdienstvoor het CultureelErfgoed (RCE) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In the premises of the Second Palace Cape (Palacio del Segundo Cabo) in the Old Havana held the official ceremony of the signature of the MoU. This MoU express the mutual wishes to continue the development of the historical-archaeological research project, entitled: “The Dutch presence in Cuban waters”. The MoU was signed by the President of the CNPC, Ms. Gladys Collazo Usallán and by Mr. Martijn Manders, Head of the Maritime Program of the Netherlands Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE).
The CNPC of Cuba and the RCE of Holland, appear to express their mutual pretensions to continue to develop a joint collaboration, with the aim of enriching knowledge about the historical and cultural heritage of both nations, ensuring that all the activities that derive will be in accordance with the current legislation of both countries and in correspondence with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2001), and its Annex.
The MoU as an ‘evidence’ for the equal partnership, balanced input, mutual benefit and long term commitment between both countries in this field.
The ceremony was also attended by executives from the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana (OHC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (MINREX), the Ministry of Culture of Cuba (MINCULT), the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Cuba, H.E. Mrs. Alexandra Varkenburg as well as myself as the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Cuba, H.E. Mrs. Alexandra Varkenburg.
This special ceremony held also in a historic location: The Palace of the Second Cape, where is also located the Center for the Interpretation of Cultural Relations Cuba-Europe. This Center is an institution that proposes a new museography that uses the technologies of computer science and communications, in a museographic discourse that constitutes a meeting space between both regions in the fields of culture and heritage.
In addition, the Palace has a Cartography Room in which Cuban and Dutch institutions have also collaborated intensively, and where is discussed the cartographic representation of Cuba through the centuries; it delves into the geographic knowledge of the time that made it possible and the purposes for which it was made.
At the early date of 1500 the Castilian navigator Juan de la Cosa (ca. 1450-1509) drew up the Universal Charter, whose greatest merit lies in being the oldest surviving cartographic work in which the American continent and Cuba appear.
From then on, in nautical charts, plans, coastal profiles and news recorded, the “Key of the New World and Antemural of the West Indies“, title granted to Havana and then, by extension, to Cuba was studied closely by the Europeans. In the multitouch table of the room the visitor can know singularities of the maps and their authors.
The application, which is subdivided into four main themes: Explorations, Confrontations, Trade and Collection, makes visible a vast Dutch cartography never before seen in our country, belonging to the collections of the National Archive of the Netherlands, the Library of the University of Amsterdam, the Maritime Museum of Rotterdam, the Royal Library of The Hague and the Rijksmuseum.
The paneling also refers to navigators, cartographers, geographers and pedagogues, both Cuban and European, who made significant contributions to the discipline worldwide or in its development in Cuba. We also highlight indispensable instruments for navigation and four audio-visuals that bring us closer to the engravings of the bay of Havana and Santiago, by the Dutch cartographer and water colourist Johannes Vingboons.
Undoubtedly, the signing of this MoU was an excellent incentive to continue developing and expanding bilateral relations and building bridges between both countries in all areas of common interest.
Sitting in a grand living room surrounded by unique Austrian paintings and beautiful mirrors belonging to the ancient house of Austria, the property of her government for more than 30 years, H.E. Ambassador Heidemaria Gürer talks fluently about how Austria is doing and the present state of the nation’s relationship with the Netherlands.
Ambassador Gürer is the head of the Austrian Diplomatic mission, also acting as a representative to some 50 bilateral and multilateral organizations sitting in the Netherlands. Some have commented that she is the most accessible, open and friendly Austrian ambassador to have graced the Netherlands; perhaps it is her background, rich in experiences in unfamiliar countries, that forms the primary reason why ambassador Gürer is so comfortable with all those who have the pleasure of meeting her.
On October 26th 2018 Austria celebrated its 63rd year of independence. 2018 is also a year of celebrations and reflection as the country celebrates the Centenary of the proclamation of the second Republic of Austria. In the spirit of such celebrations, it’s poignant to note that Dutch-Austrian economic relations are excellent and expanding all the time.
Companies big and small are doing very well. For example SAG produces aluminum here, and in Rotterdam roads and bridges are constructed by Austrian firm Strabag. Clearly, Austria is doing very well and making an impact here in infrastructure, architecture and industry. After Germany, the Netherlands is Austria’s largest market.
Our tourism industry is also expanding in a good direction, it is a special phenomenon attaching us to one-another: during the war many Dutch were in Austria and returning to visit is a kind of ritual for many; with a number coming for both summer and winter holidays. In fact Austria plays host to a great number of Dutch people coming to take advantage of the unique après ski. Now we share a ski Olympic champion, Marcel Hirscher. His mother is Dutch and his father Austrian, and both countries are immensely proud of him.
We have a very rich cultural agenda in the Netherlands that maintains artists from every field, enabling them to flow in both directions. The Embassy has taken advantage of the Presidency of the European Union and given bilateral relations a strong boost. It has been a welcome stepping stone for the organization of many meetings and exchanges in the cultural, economic, scientific and political fields. In the case of the latter, it is pleasing that after twenty three and a half years an Austrian Chancellor has visited the Netherlands again.
Ten days ago, Sebastian Kurz was here with us in The Hague at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Rutte. During the visit, Federal Chancellor Kurz acknowledged the similar outlooks shared by the Netherlands and Austria by stating that the Netherlands is “the country in the EU with the most identical positions [to Austria]”. Building upon the success of Federal Chancellor Kurz’s visit, there is an upcoming official visit to the Netherlands next month of the Austrian Federal President with that beautiful Dutch name: Alexander Van der Bellen. It is already twenty six years ago that the then Austrian head of state Thomas Klestil made a state visit to the Netherlands. What we are seeing are milestones in the 360 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries.
In the context of the current Austrian EU Council Presidency, almost all Dutch ministers are now in Vienna for bilateral talks with their counterparts. Additionally the EU presidency will bring political contacts to Austria, with the current priorities, in accordance with its motto “A Europe that protects”, being: migration, the digitalization of the economy and the EU, and EU enlargement in South Eastern Europe.
The Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Jaime Victor B. Ledda.
05 December 2018 – The Philippine Embassy in The Hague (The Hague PE) successfully conducted on 01 December a forum in observance of PH 18-day campaign to end violence against women, aptly titled, Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW): The International and National Responses.
In his welcome remarks, H.E. Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda informed the participants that the forum is a continuing advocacy on women’s rights and gender equality of the Embassy, in close partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Gender and Development (GAD) program, and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) at the national level.
Ambassador Ledda expressed with pride that the Philippines ranks among top 10 in the world’s most gender equal country based on the 2017 Global Gender Gap Report. Ambassador Ledda acknowledges that while challenges in EVAW remain, the Philippine government remains steadfast and continues to vigorously pursue all means and mechanisms at both national and international levels to “GEWE”, gender equality and women equality.
•Rea Abada-Chongson – Senior Legal Advisor on Gender, Specialist on Gender and Law.
A panel of legal professionals led by Attorney Rea Abada-Chiongson Senior Legal Advisor on Gender of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) in The Hague, gave an overview of the global frameworks on violence against women (VAW), briefly conveying on facts and figures on VAW committed worldwide, eg., 1 in 3 women have experienced physical or sexual violence by or 1 in 2 women killed were killed mostly by an intimate partner.
Maria Patricia Cervantes-Poco, Lecturer, Ateneo School of Law.
Ateneo de Manila’s School of Law faculty, Attorney Patricia Cervantes-Poco, currently a PhD student in Maastricht’s Law Faculty on the other hand presented the country’s responses to international standards on VAW which included Magna Carta on Women (RA 9710), New Anti-Rape Law (RA 8353), Violence Against Women and Children (RA 9262) and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 (RA 10364).
The Hague-based legal NGO, AriseNL was also invited by the Embassy and its representatives, Portuguese-lawyer who has been handling cases on domestic violence among women in the Netherlands, Attorney Marisa Monteiro-Borsbom and Ms. Sogano Mohandes discussed Dutch laws and services, ie paths to pursue when the system fails or delays for victims of domestic violence.
•Marisa Monteiro Borsboom, Lawyer and Member, European Lawyers Bar.
A “Q&A”, moderated by Attorney Neil Nucup, formerly of PH Supreme Court who is also pursuing further legal studies at Leiden University brought out gender-related concerns among members of the Filipino, Dutch and expatriate communities represented, e.g. a Filipino “transwoman” abused by his live-in Dutch partner, among others, that generated compassion among those in attendance.
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Photography is a courtesy of Elena Ratnikova.
An article to celebrate the National Day of the Kingdom of ThailandBy H.E Ms. Eksiri Pintaruchi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
5th December marks Thailand’s National Day, Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) and the Father’s Day of Thailand. In this connection, this article celebrates such auspicious occasions.
The Thai-Dutch relations started off at the beginning of the 17th Century with next year to reach 415th Anniversary of diplomatic relations. The site of the old trading station, called “New Amsterdam” by the Dutch or “Baan Hollanda” by the Thais, can be visited by the public today in Ayutthaya, the capital of Siam at the time. Over the centuries, bilateral relations between the two countries have flourished, and remains strong.
At present, around 200,000 Dutch tourists visiting Thailand each year while over 300 Dutch companies have been investing there. This makes the Netherlands the largest investor amongst EU countries in Thailand. The number of exchanges of visits and communications at all levels and across different sectors has also reflected growing dynamic between both sides.
Looking ahead, Thailand has embarked upon a new chapter. The Government has worked towards fulfilling its commitment in carrying out comprehensive national reform according to its announced Roadmap, paving the way towards a genuine and sustainable democracy. The 20-year National Strategy (2017-2036) has been adopted as a long-term vision and a legal framework in steering socio-economic policies of the country to ensure sustainable development while enhancing conducive environment for trade and investment.
Given such promising context, Thailand looks forward to forging partnership and collaboration with the Netherlands through the following areas:
Thailand 4.0: Towards an enhanced partnership
With the shared values aiming to enhance competitiveness through value- and innovation- based economy, “Thailand 4.0” development plan and the Netherland’s “Top Sectors” policy as well as the triple helix model are mutually reinforcing. Great potentials and opportunities have been identified and concretized, utilizing each other’s strength to enhance synergy for win-win collaboration to achieve innovative and inclusive growths, especially in the areas of smart agriculture and food technology, water resources management, logistics, bio-economy & circular economy, science, technology & innovation and SMEs & Start-ups. Thailand signed its first comprehensive Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters with the Netherlands in September this year. Such development has underpinned Thailand’s effort to boost its partnership with the Netherland.
As an overarching economic policy aiming to steer Thailand forward amid the fast changing global developments, Thailand 4.0 has been introduced since 2016 covering ranges of policies and measures including reform efforts to streamline rules and regulations to ensure compliance with the international standard as well as to enhance transparency and confidence among investors and all stakeholders. These include identifying targeted sectors to be further upgraded and promoted (so-called the “S-Curve” and the “new S-Curve”), e.g. agriculture & biotech, food for the future, smart electronics, robotics, aviation & logistics, biofuels & biochemical, digital and comprehensive medical industry.
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) has also been designated as Special Economic Zone along Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard covering Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong Provinces. The EEC is aimed to serve as technological manufacturing and services as well as trade and investment hub connecting the production, supply and value chain under the ASEAN Economic Community through various investment incentives, plans and projects to upgrading and expansion of comprehensive infrastructure and logistics systems as well as R&D facilities. The projects encompass the following key elements:
Improved infrastructure and facilities for business and industrial clusters through smart urban planning;
Seamless connectivity to ASEAN neighbours via all means of transportation;
Newly reformed rules and regulations that provide maximum incentives for qualified investment projects, such as exemption of corporate income tax for up to 15 years, matching grants for investment in R&D, innovation and human resources for targeted industries, including permission to own land for BOI promoted projects;
Simplified application processes to facilitate all foreign investors on the issuance of permits and licenses through One Stop Service (OSS) center.
The continual pattern of Thailand’s accelerating economic growth rate – from 3% in 2015 to 3.3% in 2016, and 3.9% in 2017, with 2018 projected growth in the range 4.2-4.7% -, not only echoes sound economic fundamentals and resilience of the country, but also confidence in the prospects of the Thai economy and its future directions under this Thailand 4.0 policy framework toward an enhanced partnership with the Netherlands and beyond.
Sufficiency Economy for Sustainable Development Goals (SEP4SDG)
Thailand joined forces with the international community in the adoption of the SDGs in 2015 and has attached great importance to mainstreaming sustainable development in all dimensions of its key policy priorities as well as daily living of the people to prepare and face the global challenges in a sustainable and responsible manner. The concept of sustainable development has long taken root in the country as our home-grown approach guided by His Majesty the late King Rama IX’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP). Based on the principles of moderation, reasonableness and prudence, guided by knowledge and virtue, SEP stresses balance in the use of economic, social, environmental and cultural capital, while underlining the importance of preparedness in dealing with changes in these four dimensions. Progress with balance promote stability and, ultimately, provide a basis for sustainability.
Thailand has also worked closely with many partners in promoting awareness and capacity building with other developing countries on bilateral and trilateral basis under the policy of “SEP for SDG Partnership”. Given the high priority both the Netherlands and Thailand place on promoting sustainability at national and international levels, both countries can partner under trilateral cooperation, sharing experience and expertise contributing to other developing countries’ efforts towards achieving the SDGs.
According to former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, “Sufficiency Economy” was of great relevance and has reinforced the United Nation’s efforts to promote a people-centred and sustainable path of development. An outstanding aspect of the SEP is sustainable soil management, which has been internationally recognized when the FAO supported the formal establishment of World Soil Day as a global awareness platform. In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly declared 5th December, the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the late King Rama IX, as the World Soil Day.
2019 ASEAN Chairmanship
Assuming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2019, Thailand looks forward to working with our partners including the Netherlands and the European Union, to promote sustainability in ASEAN Community-building, in the ASEAN-centered regional architecture, for regional peace, stability and prosperity. This can be done through various frameworks such as the ASEAN-EU dialogue relations and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). Collaboration through such sub-regional fora as Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), in the areas where the Netherlands possesses expertise i.e. agriculture and water resource management, will also be valuable.
Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship will seek to build on the accomplishments of past ASEAN Chairmanships as well as to create momentum for the future. Thailand will focus on sustainability in key dimensions including economic, human security and regional security, which will help promote the shared goal of building a people-centred Community that leaves no one behind. To this end, we look to enhancing seamless connectivity, effective partnerships, and laying a foundation for future-oriented ASEAN.
With the Netherlands and the EU’s leading role in sustainable development and innovation and Thailand and the ASEAN’s dynamic growth, enhanced collaborative partnerships would generate strategic impetus for further mutual benefits.
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For further information, please contact: TheHague@ThaiEmbassy.nl.
By Guido Lanfranchi.
Addressing the diplomatic and press corps in Joint Base Anacostia – Bolling, United States, US Special Representative for Iran Mr. Brian Hook showed “tangible evidence” of Iran’s “malign activities” in the Middle East, and urged the international community to support the US-led pressure campaign on Tehran.
The Iran Materiel Display (IMD), hosted by Joint Base Anacostia – Bolling, is a showcase of missiles, rifles, hand grenades and a number of other Iranian-made weapons collected by the United States and its allies in the region. Such exposition – US Special Representative for Iran Mr. Brian Hook explains – should be a warning for the international community: something should be done to curb Iran’s increasing military capabilities and its support for rebel groups throughout the Middle East.
In a conference at the IMD on November 29th, 2018, Mr. Hook invited the press and the diplomatic corps to observe the “tangible evidence” of Iran’s “malign activities”. In addition to a number of journalists and diplomatic staff from several countries, the Ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Israel attended the event, receiving a warm welcome from Mr. Hook.
In his remarks, Mr. Hook exposed some of the weapon systems displayed at the IMD, such as the surface-to-air missile Sayyad-2C, highlighting the danger of ballistic missiles development in Iran. Such increasingly sophisticated systems – Mr Hook stressed – could be a threat not only for US allies in the Middle East, but even for some European countries.
The US Special Representative also voiced the US’s concerns over Iran’s export of different types of weapons, ranging from missiles to small-size rifles, to an increasing number of groups in the Middle East, including Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Houthis. In particular, Mr. Hooks stressed the gravity of the situation in Yemen, regretting that a strong involvement of Iran in the conflict is not only affecting the Yemeni people, but also the security of the whole region.
Mr. Hook reiterated that the United States will continue to exert maximum pressure on the Iranian regime, in order to starve Tehran of the resources used to fund its “malign activities” throughout the Middle East. While the sanctions imposed by the US have already taken their toll on Iran – Mr. Hook noted – the US stands ready to impose further measures. The standoff continues.
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The full video of Mr. Hook conference is accessible here: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/643891/state-department-briefs-press-irans-weapons-violations
Friis Petersen (Denmark), Per Thöresson (Sweden), Michael Kretschmer (Saxony), Ritva Koukku-Ronde (Finland), Petter Ølberg (Norway), Martin Eyjólf.
Monday, 26 November 2018, Berlin, Complex of the Nordic embassies, Tiergarten: The Premier of the Free State of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, paid a visit to the Pan Nordic Building (felleshus) of the Nordic embassies complex in Berlin to hold talks with the five Nordic ambassadors in topic concerning multilateral Saxony-Nordic countries cooperation, trade and politics.
Premier of Mecklenburg West Pomerania Manuela Schwesig and State Secretary for Federal Affairs Bettina Martin – Picture by Nordic embassies in Berlin.
Normally ambassadors resident in Berlin pay courtesy visits to the premiers of the German federal states, nevertheless, and in the spirit of Nordic unity and cooperation, all five Nordic heads of mission normally invite the premiers for a multilateral encounterat the Pan Nordic Building.
On 24 September 2018 it was the Premier of Mecklenburg West Pomerania, Manuela Schwesig as well as the State Secretary for Federal Affairs of Mecklenburg West Pomerania Bettina Martin who paid a maiden visit to the joint representation of Nordic states.
For further information:
The Hague, 26 November 2018, Diplomatic The Hague bids farewell to Latin American Ambassadors. Hence, Diplomat Magazine sponsored by Diplomatic Card throw a valedictory ceremony in recognition for what these two highly esteemed sons of the Latin America region have achieved during their stint in the Netherlands.
The spotlight was on the Ambassador of Costa Rica H.E. Mr. Sergio Ugalde Godinez and the Ambassador of Mexico, H.E. Dr Elias Azar.
The two ambassadors were each presented with a Certificate of Merit. Diplomat Magazine award a certificate of merit to parting Ambassadors as a token for the outstanding contribution made to strengthen the ties between their countries and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Furthermore, for the significant collaboration with the multilateral institutions in the Netherlands.
H.E. Ms. Maria Teresa Infante Caffi, Ambassador of Chile and H.E. Mr. Juan José Quintana, Ambassador of Colombia, lauded and express thanks for what the two Ambassadors have achieved for the Diplomatic Community in general and by extension for GRULAC.
Ambassador Ellias Aznar is an advocate of Justice, Democracy and Human rights. Ambassador Sergio Ugalde Godinez was praised for one of his qualities, finding common ground, bringing the sheeps back to the fold despite the different viewpoints. He is a genuine bridge builder!
Ambassador Ugalde Godinez expressed this thanks to all as follow:
“I am honoured by this token of appreciation hosted by the Diplomat Magazine, who I would like to thank for having us today, at this memorable venue, and for taking up this notable initiative, that is, to bid a farewell ceremony to diplomats who are ending their tenure in the Netherlands.
I am also grateful to share the spotlight with Ambassador Edgar Elias Azar, who I am certain is more deserving of this recognition than myself.
I am particularly indebted to Ambassador María Teresa Infante for her kind and certainly unworthy remarks about me and my time in the Netherlands, but which I accept with infinitive thanks.
I presented credentials to His Majesty, King Willem Alexander, four years ago, and although I had the opportunity to be involved earlier with the Netherlands in other capacity, serving my country as its Ambassador here has been an extraordinary experience.
Costa Rica shares with the Netherlands a long history of diplomatic relations, spanning nearly 170 years, marked by shared interests and policies. Indeed, we have worked closely at the multilateral level on several important issues, including human rights, democracy, the rule of law, the fight against impunity, gender equality and climate change; we are like minded countries, and our desire for a peaceful and fairer world will continue tirelessly.
During my time, together with the Dutch Foreign Ministry, we managed to strengthen our bilateral relations even more than before. On that note, we gave a renewed push to the Treaty of San Jose on Maritime Drug Interdiction in the Caribbean Sea, and an important regional security multilateral treaty.
My Embassy also saw an important increment in trade and investment, and during my tenure we managed to increase trade by around 50%, from some 450 million dollars to nearly 750 million dollars, expected this year. Investment is also strong, as a result of the near completion of a container terminal port being built in Costa Rica by APM Terminals, with an investment of one billion dollars, which will further the trade relations between both countries.
On the political sphere, the Netherlands also hosted my President last year, on an incredibly friendly and fruitful visit, including meetings with His Majesty and the Prime Minister.
Personally, I had gain much from my time here. I am particularly grateful to my country for having afforded me the opportunity to lead its defense in five contentious cases before the International Court of Justice, all of which, I am happy to report, ended in undisputed victories!
I had also an opportunity to actively participate at the International Criminal Court, acting in two consecutive years as its acting President, at the 2016 ASP in The Hague, and the 2017 ASP in New York, where we made history.
During my time I had the great opportunity to share experiences with audiences and students on issues concerning policies that Costa Rica cherishes, which saw me lecturing at the University of Amsterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam and even the Hague Academy on International Law.
However, my fondest memories will have to be from the many friends I made in The Netherlands, including some who are here today. The warmth and exceptional friendship of the Dutch people, and that of many colleagues in the diplomatic circles will be prized for years to come.
Lastly, I like to thank my colleagues at the Embassy, past and present, without whom none of our successes would have been possible. They deserve as much or more merit!
I wish to thank again the Diplomat Magazine, specially Mayelinne De Lara, who I recognized for her leadership and extraordinary contributions to the diplomatic circles in The Netherlands, for the honour which is bestowed today to this, your humble servant.
Thank you very much!”
Ture, they will be missed. However, they have left indelible footprints.
The ceremony, although serene, concluded with a joyous Latin American reception.
H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan is the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He presented his credentials to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander on November 28th, 2018.
Mr. Balayan was born in the Armenian capital city of Yerevan. This is where he earned a degree in History and International Relations from the Yerevan State University (YSU) in 1999. Three years later, he also acquired a Ph.D. in History, which was in the International Relations department of YSU. During his time as a Ph.D. student, Mr. Balayan was simultaneously studying in the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Russian Federation. Furthermore, while acquiring his degree, he was the assistant to the Permanent Representative of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) in Armenia and was responsible for public relations. Afterward, he was the assistant to the Head of the Political Department in the Embassy of Armenia in Russia until he earned his Ph.D. degree.
After completing his education, Mr. Balayan pursued a career in both diplomacy and education. Between 2002 to 2004, he taught at the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University. During this time, he was also an attaché at the department of Information and Public Relations of the Armenian MFA. Following this position, he became an attaché and later Third Secretary at the NATO division of the Arms Control and International Security Department of the MFA.
From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Balayan served a term at the Embassy of Armenia in the Kingdom of Belgium, Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg as the Third and later Second Secretary. Upon returning to Armenia in 2007, he became the acting head of the Media Relations division of the Press and Information department of the MFA. Simultaneously, he took up being a lecturer in the YSU International Relations Department and would maintain this role for the next 10 years. He eventually attained the academic rank of Associate Professor in 2013. From 2008 to 2010, Mr. Balayan was the acting spokesperson as well as acting head of the Press and Information department of the MFA.
From 2010 onwards, Mr. Balayan was the spokesperson of the MFA until earlier this year. During this time, he was also the acting head of the Information and Public Diplomacy Department of the MFA for two years before coming to the Netherlands. In addition, he has participated in a multitude of summits and international conferences throughout the decades as a member of the Armenian delegation. Mr. Balayan currently holds the diplomatic rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia.
Since October, Mr. Balayan has begun his term as the Ambassador of Armenia to the Netherlands as well as the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the OPCW.
At this moment in time, Mr. Balayan is also the author of more than a dozen scientific articles, as well as the monograph entitled Nagorno-Karabakh Issue and International Diplomacy in 1991-1994. He is likewise the person behind a collection of lectures on Multilateral Diplomacy and Information Support of Foreign Policy.
Throughout his career thus far, Mr. Balayan has amassed numerous awards for his contributions. These include the Medal of “Mkhitar Gosh”; the Medal of Gratitude of the Artsakh Republic; the Medal of NKR MFA 20th Anniversary; the Medal of “John Kirakosyan”; and the Medal of “Vazgen Sargsyan” of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia. Furthermore, he has received letters of appreciation from the President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister of Armenia.
In addition to Russian and English, Mr. Balayan is also fluent in French.
The diplomat community in The Hague sends a warm welcome to Ambassador Balayan and wishes him all the best in his new term.
The Extra Ordinary Italian TasteOn the picture at Crowne Plaza kitchen, Mariska Perugini-Viser, Grabriela Gavazza, H.E. Andrea Perugini and Mario Andolfi.By Roy Lie Atjam.
A renown Italian Chef demonstrated his cooking skills at an Italian gastronomic festival at Hotel Crowne Plaza The Hague. Organizers of the festival are the Embassy of Italy, Diplomat Magazine and Hotel Crowne Plaza. The authentic Italian taste was lead by Daniela Gavazza and Mario Andolfi, two Italian chefs awarded with one Michelin Star coming directly from the Liguria region.
Zooming into the program one learns that the festival was not only about Italian gastronomy, but also included wine and opera.
For additional Robert Huiberts’ pictures please open the link below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/109407424@N02/albums/72157704092176805Franca Pampaloni, Irene Geninatti Chiolero and Nicanor Cancellieri, from Opera Guitta.
There have been a number of food festivals in 2018, co-organized by Diplomat magazine, Crowne Plaza Promenade Hotel and an Embassy.
On 22nd November 2018, it was the turn of H.E. Andrea Perugini, Ambassador of Italy in the Netherlands, a lover of gastronomy, to place his country Italy in the limelight. It turned out to be an eventful evening one will not easily forget.
Opera Guitta.
Ambassador Perugini related how the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in 2018 launch the third edition of the Settimana della Cucina Italiana nel Mondo.
Pergugini added, in 2018 the Italian Mission in The Hague has organized 22 major events.
To mention one example, restaurants of the European Patent Office, The European Space Center and other institution in the environ of The Hague, had Italian food on the menu for a week. It has been a successful phenomenon.
H.E. Ms. Rawan Sulaiman, Chief of Palestinean Mission, writing a message on Opera Guita’s guest book.
Furthermore, a sparkling opera performance by Opera Guitta, the Italian Trio Trioche has been an integral element of the Italian food festival.
Trio Trioche consists of the following performing artists: Nicanor Cancellieri,Irene Geninatti Chiolero, and Franca Pampaloni. The director is Antonio Vergamini; Opera Guitta is anything between melodrama and clownery, further, its an impassioned tribute to the greatest opera arias from Donizetti to Mozart, from Rossini to Verdi.
Italian opera singer Francesca Patane, H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony, tenor Marc Chingari and H.E. Mr. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Ambassador of Morocco.H.E. Mr. Aviv Shir-On, Ambassador of Israel and H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony, Ambassador of India at the Italian Flavours buffet.
The dinner was a combination of a sitting dinner and buffet was marvellous. To mention a few items on the menu: Rosa di Prosciutto San Daniele, Arancini and Cuoredi Cioccolato.
Italian cuisine is very popular throughout the world. The Italian Flavours soirée at the Crowne Plaza Hotel The Hague was, therefore, an enormous success.
On he picture Ambassador Najeeb Al-Bader and Ambassador Jauhar Saleem – Picture by Embassy of Pakistan in Berlin.
Thursday, 1 November 2018, Berlin, Embassy of Pakistan to Germany: HE the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Germany, Najeeb Al-Bader paid a courtesy call upon his Pakistani colleague HE Ambassador Jauhar Saleem. Issues concerning bilateral ties as well as regional and economic issues vis-à-vis Germany were discussed by the two heads of mission.
Ambassador Al-Bader was accredited on 20 September 2018 at Bellevue Castle by German Federal President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He previously served as ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia as well as non-resident head of mission to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. His predecessor in Berlin, Ambassador Monther Al-Eissa now occupies that Kuwaiti ambassadorship in Canberra.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem is at the helm of the Pakistani mission since 3 February 2016. Before his service in Germany he was Pakistan’s main envoy in Bahrain.
The MoU as an ‘evidence’ for the equal partnership, balanced input, mutual benefit and long term commitment between both countries in this field.
The ceremony was also attended by executives from the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana (OHC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (MINREX), the Ministry of Culture of Cuba (MINCULT), the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Cuba, H.E. Mrs. Alexandra Varkenburg as well as myself as the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
