The Embassy of India informs with deep sorrow that former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away on August 16, 2018. As a mark of respect to the departed leader, seven days of state mourning has been declared from August 16, 2018 to August 22, 2018. A book of condolences will be opened for signing at the Embassy of India, (Buitenrustweg 2, 2517 KD, The Hague). All members of the diplomatic corps and public who wish to sign the book of condolences are welcome to do so at the following times:

• Tuesday 21 August 2018, 1000 to 1300 and 1400 to 1700
• Wednesday 22 August 2018, 1000 to 1300 and 1400 to 1700

 

Picture Twitter Mark Rutte. from his twitter account. By Anton Lutter. On the 15^th of August 1945 the Second World War ended for the Kingdom of the Netherlands by the surrendering of the Japanese forces, now 73 years ago. Every 15^th of August this day is remembered at the Indies Monument in The Hague. During the Japanese occupation of the Netherlands East Indies (nowadays Indonesia), 100,000 Dutch nationals were detained in appalling conditions in internment camps for 4 years. About 13,000 of them died. Thousands attended the commemoration, among them not only the victims but also their children and grandchildren. Confirming the recent trend that especially the younger generations are interested in the circumstances of their family during World War II. The solemn ceremony began when the standard of the Regiment Van Heutsz was presented by the military in traditional uniforms of the former Royal Netherlands Indies Army. The music peace’s where performed by the Royal Military Band “Johan Willem Friso” and the Residentie Bach Ensembles choir. On behalf of the government Prime Minister Mr. Mark Rutte– his own father being interned during the WWII – and the State Secretaryfor Health, Welfare and Sport Mr. Paul Blokhuis, who has “World War II Victims and Remembrance”in his portfolio, laid a reef. The importance of the 15^th of August commemoration is reflected by a large attendance of dignitaries. Amongst them the Minister of Defense Mrs. Ank Bijleveld as well as the Commander of the Dutch Defence Force, with the Operational Commanders of the Army, Navy, Air force and Marechaussee. The presidents of the parliament (Tweede Kamer) Mrs. Khadidja Arib and the senate (Eerste Kamer) Mrs. Ankie Broekers-Knol, the vice-president of the Council of State Mr. Piet Hein Donner and the president of the Court of Audit Mr. Arno Visser.

After the laying of the reefs by the Government, Defense and City of The Hague, represented by deputy mayor Mr. Bert van Alphen, the representatives of the Embassies of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United States and Indonesia paid their respect by also laying a reef. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Bernard Bot, during WWII “a camp child”, reiterated in De Volkskrant newspaper that the Japanese occupation of the Netherlands East Indies is a part of our history that deserves attention, “the horrors of the Second World War over there where at least as big as in Europe. It is good that one has knowledge and contemplates about it”.  

H. E. Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan. By Roy Lie Atjam. There is an incredible potential in emerging economies, the Republic of Uzbekistan has such an economy. The government of Uzbekistan, more particularly the Bukhara Region Government, presents prospective investors scores of opportunities to participate in the appealing and diverse region of Bukhara. The months of July and August are considered slow business months, not so for H. E. Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan in the Netherlands and Belgium. I met Ambassador Khakimov  in The Hague on 8th August 2018. His Embassy has been welcoming back-to-back, delegations from Uzbekistan for the purpose of promoting the country and its regions. This time around,  it’s a delegation from the Bukhara region under the acumen leadership of Mr. Uktam Barnoyev Bukhara region Khokim or Governor. Mr. Barnoyev is an experienced governor. He has served twice as the Samarkand region governor. Ambassador Khakimov recounts, the Bukhara region delegation first visited Turkey and is now in the Netherlands and Belgium. The primary focus of the delegation is to meet investors for the sectors Horticulture and Livestock. The sector needs technical know-how and financing. Due to the dry Uzbek soil, modern greenhouses are making use of hydroponics technology. In addition, the greenhouse organizations are looking for investors that will enhance the hydroponic technology. There is a project in place aiming at achieving the implementation of hydroponic technology on 50.000 hectares by 2023. The project finances US$. 250-500 thousand per hectare. Investment conditions in the Bukhara region are attractive, the investor obtains ownership of the entire business. At the same time the government is also encouraging the cultivation of flower bulbs. Production capacities in the textile industry The sector undoubtedly has great potential. Cotton “white gold” produces about 310,8 thousand tons per annum. Cotton fibre, 114.0 thousand tons, production of the cocoon is up to 3000 tones. Types of products: yarn, knitting- and weaving cloth, readymade garments, bed linen, kitchen accessories and decorative textile. The Hatay region is important to cotton production. The production capacity of raw silk is up to 370 tons per annum. In 2016, silk export has generated US.$100 million. It is expected to increase to US.$500 million in the coming years. Business groups are cordially invited to invest and finance the textile sector in order to take it to higher heights. The Oil & Gas sector Foreign companies carrying out oil & gas exploration works are granted certain incentives including exclusive exploration rights for a number of territories. Such companies and their foreign contractors and also subcontractors are exempted from payment of all forms of taxes and contributions to non-budget funds during the exploration period. Bukhara oil refinery. Uzbekistan is the largest gas producer in the world, 60 billion cubic perannum. Neftegaz – UNG = is Uzbek Oil & Gas is engaged in the export of oil and gas production. It intends to expand the geography and range of export. On 26th July H.E Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan called a conference to which the various heads of diplomatic missions, regional governors and stakeholders were invited. The focus was on how to promote the country further by facilitating genuine investors. Besides visa waivers, one-stop shop, incentives as tax holidays and infrastructure, the organizing of mega cultural activities was touched upon, in other words, making further use of Uzbekistan’s rich heritage. For example, events like Maqom Festival and the renowned Sharq Taronalari need further exploration. Investment and trade delegation are other means of augmenting the chances of attracting foreign capital. On August 12th 2018, on the initiative of the Dutch Government, the World Bank and the Uzbek government and by extension the Uzbekistan Embassy in Brussels, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Mr. Said Kamal Khodjaev paid an official five days visit to the Netherlands. Uzbekistan and its regions are, by all means, highly promising emerging market.      

Amazement and Togetherness at Embassy Festival DYLAN LEBLANC, OSLO FAT STRING QUARTET, IDA SAND, TABANKA, ETHNOFIL

The sixth edition of the two-day Embassy Festival in The Hague is bigger than ever this year with over 60 embassies participating. The Embassy Festivals offers visitors a two-day cultural, culinary and musical voyage of discovery. On Friday 31 August the festival will kick-off at 17.00 with two stages offering a diverse and colourful programme. The festival will fully commence on Saturday 1 September from 12.00 with four stages, the Kids Compound and the International Market. The festival highlights the cultural richness of the participating countries and inspires visitors to meet and experience each other’s culture. The Embassy Festival showcases that culture connects people and embodies togetherness and amazement. Kick-Off on Friday 31 August From 17.00 The Friday evening will mark the kick-off of the sixth edition of the EMBASSY FESTIVAL in an abbreviated setting in front of the Diligentia Theatre with performances by FOLK ROAD SHOW (AUS/CAN/NLD) – Americana-Indie-Pop with harmonic vocals, TÉMÉ TAN (BEL/COD) – Latin/African vibes blended with soul/hip hop, ONIPA (GBR/GHA) – African grooves with electronic music and RIZAN SAID & FRIENDS (SYR) – energising Syrian synthesizer sounds with percussion and guitar. Saturday 1 September from 12.00 On Saturday 2 September the EMBASSY FESTIVAL will fully commence from 12.00 with four stages, the Kids Compound and International Market. There will be a broad selection of international artists presented on the CONTEMPORARY STAGE with pop- and world music by DANDANA (GMB/NLD) – eclectic mix of hip hop, synths, and afrobeat, DYLAN LEBLANC (USA) – 70’s folk/pop blended with country and soul with a hint of Neil Young and Fleet Foxes, LES TOURISTES (CHE) – summery music with hip hop and an electronic vibe, SOFIANE SAIDI (DZA/FRA) – eclectic mix of raï, funk, synths, disco, dance and rock, and TABANKA (CPV) – a modern interpretation of funaná, the most popular dance music from Cape Verde. On the CLASSICAL STAGE we’ll have FIONNUALA MOYNIHAN (IRL) – recital centred around the music of Irish classical composer John Field, BODO QUARTET (POL) – award-winning Polish soprano AldonaBartnik will explore with her ensemble the central-European music from the interbellum, TRIO NUR (PSE) – musical journey through Western Asia, ELISE CALUWAERTS (BEL) – sensuous summer serenades, lieder and arias by Liszt, Strauss and Bernstein, OSLO FATSTRING QUARTET (NOR) – fresh interpretations and arrangements of classical and modern compositions and IDA SAND (SWE) – an intimate solo-set with the Swedish jazz-superstar re-visiting a selection of her favourites. Enjoyment and amazement will be created throughout the day at the CREATIVE ARENA and the CONTAINER STAGE with dance, music and theatre from every corner of the world. Throat singing from Kazachstanaccompanied by the Dombra (a long-necked lute), an impressive Chinese fashion show, dance performances from (amongst others) Rwanda, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and Bangladesh, drama classes by the HaagsTheaterhuis, Improv Comedy from STET and works by Writers Unlimited (preview of Winternachten). Our youngest visitors will be spoiled at our KIDS COMPOUND with a tailor-made programme that will tickle all their senses and embody pure enjoyment. Taste buds will be overjoyed at the INTERNATIONAL MARKET thanks to the most delicious wines, sausages, cakes, sandwiches, and lots of traditional bites that have been ‘flown in’ from all over the world. Chilean empanada, Finnish grilled cheese (Eipäjuusto), El Salvadorian Pupusas, Martabak, TelurBalado, Sate Ayam from the Indonesian kitchen, Panama’s arroz con pollo: in short, not your average selection of foods but a worldly feast. There will be countless demonstrationsat the International Market and naturally, there will be a lot of information about the participating countries. Background Embassy Festival It’s not coincidental that the Embassy Festival takes place in the international city of The Hague. One-third of the inhabitants in The Hague have foreign roots, which is an astounding percentage. This makes The Hague the perfect location to organise a festival that aims to bring people from different cultures together. The majority of embassies are located in The Hague and are often quite secluded. But by joining forces with these embassies, the Embassy Festival has created a festival at the Lange Voorhout that showcases the cultural richness of all the participating countries. Together, a programme has been realised with lots of dance and music; the universal language that brings us all together. Visitors at the Embassy Festival will not only be welcomed by their own culture but experience other cultures at the same time. Renowned artists from all corners of the world have been programmed together with traditional acts from several countries. In 2017 the Embassy Festival attracted nearly 50.000 from all ages. This year, expect to be taken on a trip through Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Ireland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Mozambique, Nepal, Norway, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sudan, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, Vietnam and Yemen.

Cultural Weekend Between Friday 31 August and Sunday 2 September, UIT FESTIVAL DEN HAAG, EMBASSY FESTIVAL, LE MARIE MARCHÉ and CULTUUR PLEIN will collectively kick off a jam-packed CULTURAL WEEKEND. UIT Festival offers a three-day preview of the upcoming cultural season 2018-2019. Inspired by the dreamy French markets, Le Marie Marché will have a delightful market in the heart of The Hague along the Lange Vijverberg. Stroll along the Hofvijver and soak up the atmosphere of their French market with authentic products. You can even try a game of Jeu de Boules while you’re there! The Embassy Festival is a two-day cultural world-trip on the Friday evening and Saturday, with a colourful programme full of music, dance and food & drinks from all corners of the world. On Saturday and Sunday, the Plein will be the centre stage of Cultuur Plein with performances by Balcony Players, Valentina Rose, Lotte Walda and Convoi Exceptional. The Silent Disco will be the place to show off your wicked dance moves and there will be an extensive programme with children activities. EMBASSY FESTIVAL FRIDAY 31 AUGUST | 17.00 – 23.00 HRS / SATURDAY 1 SEPTEMBER | 12.00 – 20.00 HRS LANGE VOORHOUT, THE HAGUE | FREE MORE INFORMATION: WWW.EMBASSYFESTIVAL.COM

H.E. Mr. I Gusti Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia, Madam Rusdijana Puja,  Mrs. Linda Sim, spouse of the Ambassador of Malaysia, H.E.  Mr. Ahmad Nazri Yusof, Ambassador of Malaysia, Charge d’Affairs Mr. Pham Toan Thang,  Embassy of Viet Nam, Mr. Arjen Van den Berg, Deputy Director, Asia Department, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs,  the Ambassador of Thailand, H.E. Mrs. Eksiri Pintaruchi, Mr. Thongvut Pintaruchi, spouse of the Ambassador of Thailand and Chargé d’affaires Ms. Shirley E. Banquicio,  Embassy of  the Philippines. By Roy Lie Atjam. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN marks its 51st anniversary. It is for this reason that the Ambassador of Viet Nam, Chairwoman of the ASEAN Committee The Hague, H.E. Ngo Thi Hoa hosted an ASEAN Flag Hoisting ceremony on the premises of the Embassy of Vietnam. I was on the bright sunny morning of Wednesday 8 August 2018. ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi said, “ASEAN Day is about celebrating solidarity across borders and what this means to our people, by way of enhancing community outreach and cooperation whether economic, political-security, or socio-cultural.”

After the hoisting of the flag, Charge d’Affairs Mr. Pham Toan Thang (Vietnam) delivered his remarks followed by a photo session of Ambassadors, Charge d’Affairs and their spouses. Charge d’Affairs Mr Pham Toan Thang related, Allow me, first of all, to welcome distinguished Ambassadors and delegates to this ASEAN flag – hoisting ceremony at the Embassy of Vietnam in The Hague. We proudly look back on the persistent effort that Southeast Asian countries have gone through together in the past half century as we continue to move together toward a brighter future of the common ASEAN Community. The ASEAN Vision 2025 confirms the commitments of member states to strengthening and deepening ASEAN linkages and building a rules – based, people – oriented and people – centered community with significant contributions to the global community. As a proactive and responsible member, Vietnam will honor all its integration commitments and work together with other member states to realize the ultimate goal of an ASEAN Community.

In The Hague, ASEAN Committee continues to play an active role in consolidating solidarity and promoting ASEAN image in the Netherlands. Since its establishment in October 2015, the committee has convened regular meetings, organized numerous cultural, economic and diplomatic events in many cities in the Netherlands, thus enhancing the understanding about ASEAN as well as the cooperation between ASEAN and the Dutch- and international partners. I am absolutely positive about the prospects of ASEAN. As the global landscape is filled with changes and complexities, the outcomes of the overall ASEAN’s cooperation is a testament to the right approach of ASEAN, again for the benefit of our people and for the future of our prosperity. May ASEAN remain strong forever! May people in the region enjoy lasting peace and prosperity! May the friendship and cooperation between ASEAN and friends and partners be forever strong! ALC (ASEAN Ladies’ Circle) Chairwoman, Madam Rusdijana Puja was presented a flower bouquet. Subsequently, a musical performance with contributions from the five ASEAN Embassies followed.- Indonesia performance, Martial Arts demonstration by students of the Indonesian School.

• Malaysia performance an all-male traditional choir gave an excellent rendition of the renowned “Anak Tupaia” (small squirrel).
• The Philippines Embassy performed a popular Original Pilipino Music(OPM) piece entitled Manila, Manila, by the Filipino pop rock band “Hotdog”. The song Manila, Manila, gives millions of Filipinos who are away from their families the sounds and sights of the country’s premier and capital city, Manila sang in delightful rhythms intermixed with catchy lyrics of Tagalog and Tagalog-English or “Taglish”.
• Thailand performance, a classical folk song entitled Siam the land of smiles, composed by the legendary Thai folk singer the late Ms. Pumpuang Duangjun.
• Viet Nam performance, a song by Ms. Nguyen Minh Phuong

An ASEAN potluck reception followed, an array of tasty dishes including the famous Thai Green Curry. ASEAN Day 2018 in The Hague, was once more a demonstration of solidarity, ASEAN’s hallmark!