OPCW Statement on Allegation of Chemical Weapons Use in Aleppo, Syria on 24 November, 2018
The Hague, Netherlands — 8 January 2019 — On 24 November 2018, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) received information pertaining to an allegation of chemical weapons use in Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic, and began monitoring the situation. The Director-General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, informed OPCW Member States of the allegation and invited all parties that may have information to share it with the OPCW Technical Secretariat.
In early December, an advanced team was deployed to Syria to collect further information. Since then, consultations with the Syrian authorities have been on-going. The OPCW Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) deployed in early January to further establish facts regarding the allegation. The FFM continues to independently collect and analyse information and will report its findings to States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention. All measures continue to be taken to ensure the safety and security of OPCW experts and personnel involved.
H.E. Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in Germany, is the laureate of the Global Public Diplomacy Award bestowed upon jointly by Diplomatic Council and Diplomat Magazine. The award shall be presented at the council’s Diplomatic Gala on 1st February in Frankfurt am Main
The Hague/Frankfurt am Main/Berlin, January 12, 2019 – The Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman, is the recipient of the Global Public Diplomacy Award presented by Diplomat Magazine and Diplomatic Council. The award constitutes a recognition of his outstanding efforts to promote strategic diplomatic engagement vis-à-vis state as well as non-state actors. It will be ceremoniously handed over to him at the festive Diplomatic Council Gala which takes place on 1st February in Frankfurt, Germany.
Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman was accredited as the ambassador of Croatia to Germany in 2017. Ever since he has been undertaking outstanding efforts in strengthening the German-Croatian economic, cultural and political relations. In his function as the ambassador he especially places emphasis on the role of Croatia within the European Union; Croatia became a EU member in July 2013. Croatia is a paradigm, and proves how a relatively new EU member state can contribute to a state community in a very positive way by sharing and strongly promoting the fundamental values of the EU.
Dr. Annette Tabbara, Hamburg’s State Secretary for the European Union and Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman – Picture by Hamburg Staatskanszlei..
Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman came to Germany after his graduation from the Institut für Kaderschule (lfKS) manager school in Bern, Switzerland. In the 1990s, he was pivotal in setting up the Croatian diplomatic and consular missions in Bern, Geneva and Zurich. He further gathered experience at the Croatian diplomatic missions in Sofia and Budapest before being appointed head of mission to Germany in October 2017. Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman is a true European as his language skills prove it: he masters, in addition to his native Croatian, German, English, Bulgarian and Hungarian.
Furthermore, ambassador Grlić Radman serves as President of the Danube Commission (http://www.danubecommission.org/dc/en/) ith a sit in Budapest. His mande began in June 2017 and shall expire in June 2020.
Ambassador Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman, Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Major General Damir Krstičević and Baron Henri Estramant, Diplomat Magazine’s Diplomatic Advisor.
The Global Public Diplomacy Award will be presented to H.E. Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman by the council’s Founder, H.E. Buddhi Athauda, Ambassador of Sri Lanka (currently in France), DC President Dr. Heinrich Kreft, Ambassador of Germany (currently in Luxembourg), as well as Hang Nguyen, DC Secretary General and Dr Mayelinne De Lara, Diplomat Magazine’s Publisher. The award consists of a state-of-the-art hand-made prism with the crafted name of the recipient. The winner becomes an honourable member of the Diplomatic Council.
Diplomat Magazine (www.diplomatmagazine.eu) is Europe’s leading diplomatic magazine. The Diplomatic Council (www.diplomatic-council.org) is a global think tank that enjoys consultative status at the United Nations.
Diplomat Magazine has been the very first diplomatic magazine in The Netherlands’ history, launched by members of the diplomatic corps resident at The Hague in 2013. Since then it has grown to cover the entire Benelux region and Germany. Nowadays is the fastest growing publication of its kind in the European Union and a top international diplomatic event organiser. Diplomat Magazine is now going global following a strategic cooperation with the Diplomatic Council and an agreement with Dow Jones that will see more than one and a half million people have direct access to its content and archives. Members of the Diplomatic Council are invited to join the events regularly organised by the Diplomat Magazine.
The Diplomatic Council is a unique organisation with consultative status to the United Nations combining a global think tank, a world-leading business network and a charitable foundation. We link diplomacy, business leaders, science’s leading minds and society’s front-runners on resolving mankind’s biggest challenges. All our members firmly believe that a thriving economy bringing prosperity to mankind is one of the best guarantors of peace. Our members gain access to a global network of leaders from the highest levels of diplomacy, business and social change.
CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös – Picture by Rolls Royce Motor Cars Ltd.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars recorded its highest sales in 2018, as opulent US clients buoyed by US tax cuts splashed out on the luxury brand.
The BMW-owned luxury nameplate posted annual sales of 4,107, a rise of 22 per cent, after the introduction of its flagship Phantom vehicle and the launch of its first sport utility vehicle, the Cullinan. Its highest-selling model was the Ghost. Ultra-wealthy buyers in the US, spurred by tax cuts, helped its North American sales to reach record levels, accounting for a third of sales.
The UK also had a record year in 2018, accounting for 10 per cent of sales, in spite of a decline in the overall car market, while every other region for Rolls-Royce experienced growth. Rolls-Royce sales in China rose by 40 per cent last year, in spite of a slowdown across the wider luxury sector. About 20 per cent of the company’s business is in China, with 20 per cent in Europe, with the rest split between the Middle East and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.
Rolls-Royce hand-builds all of its cars at Goodwood on the English coast, and imports 92 per cent of its parts from overseas, leaving the company facing the potential for significant cost increases following Brexit if the UK is hit with tariffs with the rest of the world.
For further information:https://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/en-GB/home.html
Ambassador Anne-Marie Descôtes, PM Édouard Philippe and Premier Armin Laschet – Picture by Land NRW, Mark Hermenau.
Thursday, 10 January 2019, Bonn/Köln, NRW, Germany: Premier of NRW Armin Laschet received France’s head of government, Édouard Philippe at Bonn’s Palais La Redoute for a discussion on bilateral issues, and likewise cultural affairs as Premier Laschet is since 1 January 2019 serves as German Plenipotentiary for Cultural Affairs according to the treaty of Franco-German cooperation.
Prime Minister Édouard Philippe paid a visit to the École de Gaulle-Adenauer, whence Édouard Philippe received his baccalaureate. Later in the evening the French delegation travelled to Cologne wherein Prime Minister Philippe was guest of honour at the new year’s reception of Cologne Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Premier Laschet took up particularly the issue of a more intensive joint programmes for artificial intelligence. More precisely he spoke about a “Montaunion” in the spirit of the Coal and Steel Community that was born seventy years ago in the Rhein and Ruhr regions, nonetheless, focusing on artificial intelligence and placing data to the service of European citizens.
IHK New Year’s reception – Picture by Land NRW, Hermenau.
Another political topic of European relevance is the signing of the “Aachen Treaty” on 22 January between President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Dr. Merkel in the presence of Premier Armin Laschet. The former treaty shall not replace the Elysée Treaty of 1963 but rather clarify contemporary issues of more integration and cooperation between France and Germany. Both treaties are to be treated on equal footing concerning international law.
French Ambassador to Germany, Anne-Marie Descôtes, accompanied Prime Minister Philippe throughout his official visit.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Hague, 18 December 2018. On the occasion of 40 Year of cooperation between Yemen and the Netherlands, the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Yemen H.E. Ms. Irma van Dueren and the Ambassador of Yemen in the Netherlands H.E Ms. Sahar Ghanem organized a seminar on Integrated Water Resources Management in Yemen.
Adjacent to the seminar venue was a photo exhibition by photographer Thana Farouq and a reception. Taking the current state of Yemen into account, the event was kind of sober yet practicable. The attendance was a very mixed one with Diplomats, Dutch- and Yemeni personalities from past and present.
Sitting on the panel were:
Yemeni Deputy Minister for Water and Environment – Mr. Tawfiq Abdul Wahid Al – Sharjabi.
Dutch Foreign Affairs – Deputy Director General for International Cooperation Ms. Reina Buijs.
Yemeni water specialist Eng. Musaed Aklan.
Dutch Water Specialist Mr. JobKleijn.
Leading Panel Discussion – Ex Ambassador for Yemen Mr. Harry Buikema.
The main focus was on the water, rather the scarcity of water on the present water situation and options for the future.
Yemen 40 Anniversary of cooperation with the Netherlands.
After an introduction by Mrs Reina Buijs, Director General of International Cooperation, Deputy Minister of water and environment (Yemen) Tawfeq Al-Sharjabi, Water specialist Musaed Aklan and Mr Job Kleijn former first Secretary to the Dutch Mission in Yemen gave presentations. The session was followed by followed by a vivid panel discussion and Q&A.
Ambassador Sahar Ghanem expressed her gratitude to all who made the event happened and to those who attended. All panel members have presented flower bouquets.
Asked about how he feels after the seminar Deputy Minister Tawfeq Al-Sharjabi responded, “I am pleased and look forward to the talks I will be having with Dutch water experts”. Mr Job Kleijn beliefs the war will be over soon, “so let’s look ahead, at how we will solve problems”.
A jazz trio and an Oed/Ut playing duo added to the pleasant atmosphere at the seminar.
On the picture Mr. Jozef Verbruggen, director Untamed Travelling, Ms. Nathalie van Polanen, Petel-Ottens, Travel Counsellors – Dutch travel agent, Mrs. Claudine Rubagumya, strategic market specialist Rwanda Development Board and H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador for the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the Netherlands.
For the 10th time Visit Rwanda is showcasing its divers tourist attractions at the Vakantiebeurs tourism exhibition, taking place this week until Sunday 13th of January in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The exhibition kicked of with an industry day for the Dutch travel professionals and travel media.
Rwanda is among the 160 countries that participate at the Vakantiebeurs, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors. Visit Rwanda at the Vakantiebeurs is about getting inspired about the country and everything Rwanda has to offer.
First, by getting in touch with the local specialists from Rwanda and hearing the stories and experiences from first hand. Representatives from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Embassy of Rwanda in The Hague, Amahoro Tours, Wildlife Tours Rwanda and WOLF DMC are available at the Visit Rwanda stand in hall 12 during the five-day event.
Then, cultural inspiration will come while enjoying a traditional dance performance by the Rwanda dance group, followed by a culinary experience served by the barista on the Rwanda stand, serving specialty coffee and tea from the land of thousand hills.
On behalf of the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, invited the Dutch tourism professionals and travel media to the Visit Rwanda network reception, which was co-hosted by Dutch tour operator Untamed Travelling. At the end of the cocktail a raffle was organized where the travel agents could win a VIP Holiday to Rwanda. Ambassador Karabaranga and Mr Jozef Verbruggen, managing director of Untamed Travelling, were honored to pick the winner and to hand over the cheque.
RDB Tourism launches mountain biking
Following the launch of mountain biking and cycle tourism, RDB (Rwanda Development Board) invites cyclists, both local and foreign, to enjoy the world class trails across the country.
Tourists can now enjoy riding on 11 different trails across the country. The trails, which are a combined distance of 760 Km and give cyclists a chance to discover Rwanda anew, are found in every province in the country. The diverse trails cater for all skill levels, whether beginners or professionals.
To give cyclist a rewarding experience, RDB has ensured the maintenance of the different cycling trails and designed and mounted clearly understood signposts along the trails to guide cyclists. In addition, RDB has trained specialised guides and bicycle mechanics to ensure that that the cycle experience is seamless as possible. Secure campsites and other accommodation options are found on the cycling trails.
The famous Congo-Nile Trail, borders the scenic Lake Kivu, now attracts over 5,000 tourists annually.
www.rdb.rw/rdb-tourism-launches-mountain-biking/
MICE tourism in Rwanda is growing
Conveniently located close to Kigali airport, the Kigali Convention Centre offers a premium environment for regional and international conventions, exhibitions, festivals, meetings and other events. The iconic Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) is the premium events venue in Rwanda since its opening in 2016 and a hugely popular MICE destination in the East African region. Designed to reflect traditional Rwandan architecture, the centre has 18 different venues which can host more than 5,000 delegates at a time, with up to 2,600 guests in the main auditorium.
www.visitrwanda.com/meet-in-rwanda/
One&Only Nyungwe House – Nyungwe Forest National Park
One&Only Nyungwe House in Rwanda opened its doors on 1 October 2018 and is nestled within the Gisakura working tea plantation, on the edge of one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. Steeped in natural beauty with nature on its doorstep, the resort has curated a comprehensive and bespoke itinerary of activities for guests, from adventures that can be had at the resort, to those that explore the Nyungwe Forest and beyond.
www.oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-only-nyungwe-house-rwanda
Wilderness Safaris to Magashi Camp in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park
Wilderness Safaris will be expanding its ecotourism footprint in Rwanda by opening a new camp in Akagera National Park in mid-March 2019. In partnership with the Rwanda Development Board and conservation group African Parks the six-tented camp, called Magashi, will be situated in the north-eastern part of Akagera overlooking Lake Rwanyakazinga. The long-term funding support of The Howard G. Buffett Foundation to African Parks for the protection and development of Akagera has made this further investment by Wilderness possible.
Guests will be able to view a range of wildlife on expertly-guided game drives, walks and boating trips, including buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant, giraffe, spotted hyaena, zebra, topi, roan, eland and more. The Park also boasts almost 500 species of birds including the spectacular shoebill with its implausibly massive bill and the near-endemic red-faced barbet.
www.wilderness-safaris.com
Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House – Volcanoes National Park
Singita is honoured to be opening Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House in late 2019 in Rwanda, an extraordinarily beautiful, small country where more than one third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in the high-altitude cloud forests of Volcanoes National Park. Set within a landscape of wetlands and lush meadows, there will be eight suites and a four-bedroom villa linked by volcanic rock pathways to a central lodge. Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House will be built to embody the spirit of Rwanda and offer a tribute to the lodge’s namesake – Kwitonda – a great silverback gorilla whose legend lives on in Rwanda and was known for his humility and gentleness.
www.rwanda.singita.com
Arusha, The Hague, 7 January 2019 – On Friday, 21 December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elected Judge Yusuf Aksar of Turkey to the judicial roster of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism).
Judge Aksar has been a Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration since 2016 and an ad hoc Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 2015. He is also currently serving as a Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Maltepe University in Istanbul, Turkey.
Judge Aksar was elected following the vacancies on the Mechanism’s judicial roster created by the departure of Judge Bakone Justice Moloto of South Africa and the non-renewal of the term of Judge Aydin Sefa Akay of Turkey. Judge Aksar was elected by the UNGA from the list of candidates submitted by the United Nations Security Council and following nominations from Member States of the United Nations.
With respect to the election of the second Judge to the Mechanism roster, since no candidate obtained an absolute majority after six rounds of balloting, the meeting was suspended and is expected to be resumed at a later date for another round of voting.
In accordance with its Statute, the Mechanism has a roster of 25 independent Judges who serve both branches of the Mechanism.
On the picture the Permanent Representative of Germany to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Christine Weil, and the Director-General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias.
The Hague, Netherlands — 7 January 2019 — The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has received a voluntary contribution of €1 Million from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany towards the Trust Fund for the Implementation of Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The Fund supports the Organisation’s activities in relation to assistance and protection against chemical weapons, while the German contribution aims to enhance the OPCW’s response capabilities against the use of chemical weapons to ensure a swift and effective response to OPCW Member States’ requests.
The donation was formalised with an exchange of letters by the Permanent Representative of Germany to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Christine Weil, and the Director-General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, which took place on 5 December at the Organisation’s Headquarters in The Hague.
The Director-General expressed: “I thank the Government of Germany for this important donation to strengthen the OPCW’s Assistance and Protection capacity building programmes. This support clearly attests to the strength of Germany’s commitment to the goals of the Convention.”
Ambassador Weil underlined that the contribution aligns with Germany’s intention to increase its support to the OPCW’s capacities to assist States Parties in the implementation of CWC obligations.
Since December 2018 Longines is available in Brussels at the two Yvan’s Jewerellers boutiques located at Galerie du Roi and Galerie de la Reine.
Driven by its vision “Elegance is an attitude”, Longines offers a large selection of watches for men and women, with quartz or automatic movement and in different materials.
The futustic Porsche Taycanis the brand’s first move into general-production electrified cars.
In fact, Porsche is investing more than €6 billion ($6.9 billion) through 2022 on electric mobility; by 2025, it says, half of the vehiclesPorsche produces, such as an electric version of the Macan, shall be all-electric or hybrid.
Moroever Porsche has joined with such competitors as Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Daimler AG,and Ford Motor Co.to develop fast-charging infrastructures in Europe. They are using racing such as Formula E as a testing bed to develop technology they may use in those races for electric cars they can sell to consumers.
The name can be roughly translated as “lively young horse”, referencing the imagery at the heart of the Porsche crest, which has featured a leaping steed since 1952. “Our new electric sports car is strong and dependable; it’s a vehicle that can consistently cover long distances and that epitomises freedom”, explains OliverBlume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG in a statement – link thereof below. The oriental name also signifies the launch of the first electric sports car with the soul of a Porsche. Porsche announced the name for its first purely electricseries as part of the “70 years of sports cars” ceremony.
For further information:https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/products/porsche-taycan-mission-e-name-of-series-production-electric-sports-car-electromobility-concept-study-70-years-sportscar-15602.html
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