By the Honorable Rose Gottemoeller, Deputy Secretary General of NATO.
For 50 years, NATO has called Brussels home. During that time, NATO helped bring the Cold War to a peaceful end, we put a stop to wars in the Balkans and worked to ensure Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for international terrorists.
Our Brussels headquarters is also where, after the terrorist attacks against the United States on 9/11, the Alliance took the historic decision to enact Article 5 of our founding Washington Treaty, which states that an attack on one is an attack on us all.
Proud as we are of our history, NATO is a forward looking Alliance and the time had come to move from what was supposed to be a ‘temporary’ building to our new, state-of-the-art headquarters. I knew it was time to move when I narrowly avoided electrocution during last year’s winter storms when rainwater poured down the walls and onto my printer!
The new NATO Headquarters, like the Alliance itself, is fit for the challenges of the 21st century. When seen from above, the long wings of the building resemble the interlaced fingers of two hands. This image represents the friendship and solidarity of our Allies and the strength of the transatlantic bond.
Rose Gottemoeller, Deputy Secretary General of NATO.
The building itself meets the highest levels of environmental sustainability. It uses geothermal energy from deep beneath the earth to heat and cool the building. It is designed to maximise natural light, while its great sloping roofs collect rain water for plumbing and to water the plants.
Throughout our history, all Allieshave beenbased within the same building. The same is true now. This is rare among large international organisations. With so many democratic nations, each with their own histories and culture, it is inevitable that we do not always agree. But by being co-located, able to meet daily, to bump into each other in the corridor, at lunch or while getting a coffee, NATO has anesprit de corps unmatched in the international community. This significantly contributes to the unity and cohesion of the NATO Alliance.
The new headquarters is also designed to widths and the most modern of challenges, not least cyber-attacks. NATO is constantly bombarded with cyber-attacks but it has the systems and the people in place to maintain effective operations and command and control whatever happens.
Today, the countries of the NATO Alliance face many challenges, including from Russian aggression, terrorism and hybrid warfare. NATO is adapting to face these challenges, becoming faster and more nimble, strengthening our military forces and our political will. The new Headquarters reflects these changes.
The new NATO headquarters is not only a spectacular building, it is also a place where we can get things done and ensure the safety of the almost one billion citizens who depend on us for their security.
By Alain de Muyser, Deputy Secretary General of the Benelux Union.
Launched in 1944 as a Customs Union, the Benelux cooperation was formally institutionalized in 1958 by a treaty setting up a “Benelux Economic Union”. In 2008, the treaty was expanded to sustainable development and security matters, thus becoming a “Benelux Union”.
As the initiator of the European common market, the three Benelux countries have played a significant role in the shaping of the European integration. Constantly adapting to new realities, the Benelux cooperationevolved from a thematic collaboration to encompass topics related to the welfare and security of its citizens, notably trans-border mobility, social cohesion, police cooperation and fraud prevention. Thus, in 1985, at the helm of European integration, and together with France and Germany, the Benelux initiated the Schengen agreements.
The Benelux “raison d’être” and added-value – both politically and economically – remains more relevant than ever.The Benelux countries, building on 60 years of shared experience, constantly prove that many of the challenges of our time need a flexible and pragmatic approach based on sharing and trusting.
Although not always in agreement, but always guided by an open minded approach, it is together that we can work out pragmatic and sustainable solutions to new “borderless” challenges, in the interest of the whole of Europe.
And with our leitmotiv “being greener and younger”, we demonstrate our responsibility towards future generations :
– Green mobility: we want the obstacles to be removed so that alternative fuel and electric cars can freely circulate everywhere. Furthermore, we worktowards the emergence of a real modal split – rail, road, air – both for individuals as for freight.
– Climate change : through table-top simulations, the Benelux Union analyzes the consequences of these phenomena, seeks cross-border solutions, concerning public health, transport and energy.
– Circular economy : extending the life of products not only saves raw materials and energy, and reduces waste. Plus we need a change of mentalities and education to sustainabledevelopment and to the principles of circularity play an important role.
Benelux cooperation looks towards the future. We aim at solving nowadays questions which have a transnational impact and strive for concrete results and durable achievements that have a direct impact on the prosperity and security of all our citizens.
Alain de Muyser, Deputy Secretary General of the Benelux Union.
– An agreement on the automatic recognition of higher education diplomas allows for a better mobility and an uniform level playing field for students and workers.
– An agreement on cross-border ambulance and emergency services saves lives and promotes the development ofmedical assistance without borders.
– An agreement on joint cross-border police operations reinforces the fight against organized crime and human trafficking.
– A decision on a Benelux digital consignment note pilot project facilitates road transport, reducing administrative work and savesup to € 300 million per year for Benelux freight carriers .
– A co-operation treaty allowing for common road inspectionsof freight carriers increases the security and safety of all road users, truck and car drivers,and promotes fairnessin between entrepreneurs.
And yet, the Benelux seems to be better known outside than within its own region, mainly due to the political weight of the Benelux and its engaged vocation to inspire and revive European integration, especially when centrifugal and populist forces threaten European solidarity and cohesion. Benelux seeks region-to-regioncooperation, be it with France and Germany or beyond with the Baltic States, the Nordic Council, the Visegrad countries, or even further.
Through its combined action, the Benelux Union plays a decisive role as a model for future European integration, and is the perfect laboratory to sustainably complete the EU single marketand strengthen the European areaof freedom, security and justice.
These are all some of the challenges that can find concrete answers at regional level and then serve and applied across the whole EU. That role is enshrined in the DNA of the Benelux Union since 60 years.
The Benelux still has a bright future ahead.
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For further information:
www.benelux.int
By H.E. Fernando Bucheli, Consul General of the Republic of Ecuador.
The Human Rights Council of the United Nations at its 26th session in July 2014 in Geneve, decided to establish an open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights, whose mandate shall be to elaborate an international legally binding instrument to regulate, in international human rights law, the activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises.
Ecuador leads the working group since its first session and has been working to propose a document with the elements for the draft legally binding instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights. The document was constructed in cooperation with different actors in more than 200 bilateral and multilateral intersessional meetings in Geneva and different countries. The States, workers associations, companies, academics and experts, as well as more than 1,000 non-governmental organizations have participated in several debates. So far three meetings of the working group have been held, while the fourth is scheduled for next October 2018.
The purpose of the draft document is to give elements to create an international legally binding framework that aims to guarantee the respect, promotion and protection of human rights against violations or abuses resulting from the activities of transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises (OBEs), in order to ensure civil, administrative and criminal liability regarding human rights violations or abuses.
The future Convention should include mechanisms to guarantee the access to justice and effective remedy for such human rights violations or abuses committed by TNCs and OBEs, including remediation and guarantees of non-repetition, as well as the strengthening of international cooperation between all relevant actors and obligations to prevent such adverse human rights impacts.
For Ecuador, respect for human rights is a State policy and is one of the priorities of its foreign policy. In this regard, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador, H.E. María Fernanda Espinosa, visited The Hague on November 2017 and, among other activities, maintain talking’s with the Secretary General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Mr. Hugo Siblesz, to explain the results of the meetings carried out working groups and to discuss the proposal of the Court related to designation of arbiter’s and mediators in disputes of business related to human rights.
On 14 March 2018, the Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the UN in Geneva-Switzerland, Ambassador Luis Gallegos, explained the advances on this project to the Commission of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Dutch Parliament.He also held a meeting in the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, in order to explain details of the process of construction of the legally binding instrument.
Ecuador will intensify the work in order to involve more countries, companies, workers and societies in this important matter. The international community should strengthen the support to the work that the intergovernmental working group is carrying out.
It is important to remark that, by now, there is no an international mechanism that protects the human rights of workers who face abuses from some companies. The moment is now.
H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands.By Roy Lie Atjam.
His Excellency Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal is the Bangladeshi Ambassador to the Netherlands, as well as Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW. From May 12th, 2017 to May 11th, 2018, H.E. Ambassador Belal has fulfilled the role of Chairperson of the Executive Council of the OPCW.
On May 29th, the Ambassador agreed to share some of his insights with Diplomat Magazine
Your Excellency, thank you very much for accepting this interview. As your mandate as Chairperson of the OPCW Executive Council recently came to its end, how do you evaluate your tenure?
It surely was a lot more exciting than what I anticipated at the time of assuming my duties as Chairperson on 12 May 2017. This duty taught me well on how to swim against the tide. It’s all about perseverance, tenacity, determination and will-power not to give up – especially when the things are going wrong. It vindicated, on more than one occasions that there are seeds of success in every failure, and that’s why we mustn’t quit.
My election as the Chairperson of the Executive Council was the first-time for Bangladesh to be elected in a high post in the OCPW in its twenty years of existence. It indeed manifests appreciation by the international community of Bangladesh’s continued contribution to the world peace and signifies international recognition of our efforts to attain global disarmament and stem proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Ambassador Belal is handing over the hammer to the new chairperson, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic H.E. Mrs Jana Reinišová.
As you are aware, in the Executive Council, 41 state parties work together, on behalf of 192 state parties, to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and deal with the reports of alleged use of chemical weapons or toxic chemical as weapons. The Executive Council is probably the most vital of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’s three organs-Executive Council, Conference of StatesParties (CSP), Technical Secretariat-to make sure that OPCW is on track to achieve the goals of CWC.
Coming from a coastal city named Chattagram (formerly Chittagong) in Bangladesh, I think I was resilient and tenacious enough not only to deliver what is expected of me, also to see that legacy is upheld for a world lot more liveable for our children and grandchildren than what was for us.
During my tenure, alleged uses of chemical weapons in Syria, Malaysia, United Kingdom, and discovery of huge caches of chemical weapons in Iraq etc were hugely challenging exercises to deal with. So, it was much more eventful than I would have liked it to be.
However, as we all are be holden to the tenets of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), at the end of the day, it was as human an exercise as one would expect it to be. More importantly, the conduct of the hugely challenging process of the election of a new Director General was an experience that I am going to cherish for a long time to come.
I take the privilege to convey my sincere thanks to all the Vice Chairpersons, to the Asian regional group for their confidence in Bangladesh to represent them in the OPCW, to the Coordinators of the Regional Groups in the OPCW, to the members of Executive Council, in particular, and to all States Parties of the OCPW, to the Director-General H.E. Mr Ahmet Üzümcü, for their full support in discharging my mandate as the Chairperson of the Executive Council.
Of course, I am also grateful to our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and our leadership in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for nominating me as the candidate of Bangladesh for this coveted post.
H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands. Executive Council in session.Which were the most significant events that happened under your tenure as Chairperson?
The most significant event was the unanimous nomination of His Excellency Fernando Arias, Ambassador of Spain to the Netherlands as the new Director-General of the OPCW by the Executive Council.
Moreover, during my tenure four regular sessions of the Executive Council and five sittings of the Executive Council were held, which among others, witnessed fruitful discussions on the use/ alleged use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. Adoption of the decision on “Addressing the Threat Posed by the Use of Chemical Weapons by Non-State Actors” by the Executive Council during my tenure should also be considered as an important event.
Which were the most significant events that happened under your tenure as Chairperson?
One of the highlights of my tenure was the process of appointing a successor of incumbent Director General. Using only three rounds of straw polls, we have been able to zoom in a formidable list of seven candidates into one His Excellency Fernando Arias, Ambassador of Spain as the consensus candidate as the successor of hugely successful His Excellency Ahmet Üzümcü, incumbent Director General of the OPCW.
I am extremely happy to see that the appointment process was fair, open, and transparent. One of the prominent features of this exercise was the involvement of almost all the States Parties, not merely member States of the Executive Council, through a process of continuous consultations with the regional groups and the Chairperson.
While only member States of the Executive Council were entitled to participate in the polls, but other States Parties to the CWC also have had their chances of mutual consultations with member States representing their respective regional groups in the Executive Council. As a result, the eventual nominee became a consensus candidate to be the next Director General of the OPCW with effect from July 2018.
Do you think that representing a developing country has put you in a difficult position when dealing with major world powers in the OPCW?
Precisely, the contrary is the fact. Coming from a developing country, like Bangladesh, where development challenges are far more exciting than many others, the eventful Executive Council worked to my benefits. If you go back to the blood soaked pages of our history, in Bangladesh, you would know how high a price of three million martyrs had us to pay to earn our independence in 1971 under the leadership of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
So, it is in our DNA to work for peace even at the toughest of times. Bangabandhu’s mantra of “friendship to all, malice to none” was my guiding principle to deal with all issues with utmost objectivity and in a spirit of consensus.
How do you foresee the future of the OPCW in chemical disarmament?
The missions of the OPCW is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in order to achieve our shared goal of a world free of chemical weapons and of the threat of their use, and in which cooperation in chemistry, for peaceful purposes, for all, is fostered. In doing this, the OPCW’s ultimate aim is to contribute to international security and stability, to general and complete disarmament, and to global economic development.
Therefore, upholding the CWC is a promise that we are expected to uphold under any circumstances. As the chemical weapon is perhaps abhorred by each and every individual of the earth, the OPCW should strive to bring the remaining States to accede to the CWC to make the world safer from the scourge of chemical weapons. On the other hand, over 96% of the world’s declared stockpiles of chemical agents have already been destroyed and the destruction of the remaining stockpiles is expected to be completed by 2023.
However, the threat of re-emergence of such weapon in any form may not be over with the destruction of all of the declared stockpiles. In such a context, the OPCW would need to make itself a vanguard against the threat of the re-emergence of chemical weapons and the use of chemical weapons by ‘rouge’ States and the non-state actors including terrorist organisations.
I believe the Fourth Review Conference of the OPCW, under the leadership of Chairperson the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Netherlands His Excellency I Gusti A. Wesaka Puja, to be held in November this year, would duly consider the challenges the CWC is facing today and chart out pathways for the complete chemical disarmament.
Ambassador Belal at the OPCW / Executive Council in session.From Bangladesh’s viewpoint, what could the OPCW do in order to benefit the developing world?
I don’t think Bangladesh is any different from any other peace loving countries in their aspiration to see the OPCW as the vanguard of CWC.
What pains me is to see that a sinful amount of resources are being spent on how to kill than on alleviating the people from the gorges of poverty. Using a fraction of what we spent, to kill each other, we could have eradicated hard-core poverty long before. As disarmament is our ultimate goal, we should be extra cautious to see whether our efforts are shielding the perpetrators, instead of cementing the elements of CWC.
As a developing country, Bangladesh would like to expect that the OPCW is the lighthouse of innovative ways and means to provideinternational cooperation among States Parties in the pursuit of chemistry for peaceful purposes and in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including SDGs.
As the capacity of developing world is not at a level to address fully the threat of chemical terrorism, the OPCW should come forward to promote vigorous international cooperation in many areas: from sponsoring chemical research to capacity building in verification regime to guaranteeing legal assistance; from developing and improving laboratory capacity to specialised internships/fellowships, and exchange of knowledge and technology towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), etc.
Extensive outreach to younger generation, all over the world, through wider collaboration with the national authorities, to motivate them to speak out against the horror of uses of chemical weapons.
The OPCW was awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 2013 for its “extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons”. I hope the OPCW would continue to preserve this spirit to uphold our promise of “never again” to the use of chemical weapons, and foster achieving SDGs for the States Parties, especially the States Parties from the developing regions.
Wherever we arrive at a stalemate where consensus is challenging, we should take pause and look for the clues and seed of successes as we continue our partnership for world peace. I urge all to do their human part of upholding the promise of “never again” anywhere, at any time and under any circumstances and thereby saving the humanity from scourges of chemical weapons.
What would be your advice to the next Chairperson?
I would dare not advising the next Chairperson as she is competent enough to do her job. I would, nonetheless, like to urge all, in the Council, to make some space for “humour” as they deliberate on issues which are inhumanly dry and dull.
Talking about humour, I must take this opportunity to seek forgiveness of any States Parties if I unknowingly hurt anyone’s feelings and sentiments. As I stated during my concluding session that, to me, humour is part and parcel of my survival kit. It is my way of being resilient as well as humane. To me humour was and shall always be my response to the ironies that would otherwise overpower me. To the least, for me, humour helped me to make challenging moments bearable.
Humour is my way of showing to you that I tried to do this duty from my heart, not from head. As I considered, it is my human duty to remind myself and you, as a body, that life is what we would make of it.
What is life if we fail to bring an end to the mountainous climb of corpse in Syria? Iraq? In Halabja, Sardasht, and sitting there in the Ieper room of the OPCW, we will be failing as a human being, not may be as Bangladeshi or from wherever you are, if we pause and allow the rouges to unleash the venom and vapour of chemical weapon.
Allow me to quote an anonymous poem, that I recited during my concluding session at the OPCW, for your readers.
Don’t Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Success is failure turned inside out –
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
I thank you, Diplomat Magazine, and your readership for making this space for the cause of a world free of chemical weapons.
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The above is a personal reflection of Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the OPCW, in rendering his role as the Chairperson of the Executive Council of the OPCW for the period from 12 May 2017- 11 May 2018.
The spring/summer 2018 anthology, entitled Reflections, embraces moving image like never before with six distinct and cinematic films directed by Fabien Baron that are released sequentially throughout the season, over a period of six weeks.Each film will focus on different characters with an overarching narrative drawing from the brand pillars, whilst also bringing Bottega Veneta into a new chapter of luxury storytelling. Miraggio, 196.6 MHz, Utopia, Rebirth, Aurora and Vertigo allow customers to interpret the new collection “in their own way”.One of the latest instalments, Aurora, is about finding “brightness within the dark”. The film stars Ceretti walking down a dark empty street towards a flood of bright white light wearing a shimmering gown. The bright light “signals a brighter future”.Bottega Veneta is an Italian luxury goods and high fashion brand house best known for its leather goods which are sold worldwide and its men’s and women’s ready-to-wear.For further information:Spring/Summer 2018 Campaign – Aurora: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kzkd4ki1eQhttps://www.bottegaveneta.com/gb
Meeting the Chief of Palestinian Mission, H.E. Ms. Rawan Sulaiman.Recently, during a lunch at the prestigious Hotel Des Indes* in The Hague, the Chief of the Palestinian Mission to the Netherlands gave us an overview of the bilateral relations with the Netherlands, the current situation in Palestine, and an update on her upcoming projects.
The last year and a half in The Hague served as an important milestone in the career of H.E. Ms. Sulaiman, who began her function as Desk Officer for the Netherlands in the early 80’s. The Netherlands have been very supportive towards Palestine in different fields, related to water management, the rule of law, justice, human rights, state building capabilities. Moreover, the government has created several programs, such as the Dutch-Palestinian cooperation forum and the Netherlands’ food security program in Palestine, and it has contributed to the UN Relief and Work Agency’s work for Palestinian refugees and to the reconstruction of Gaza.
After the Oslo Agreements in 1994, the Netherlands was one of the first countries to decide to open a representation office in the Palestinian territories, in order to establish a partnership in development cooperation. Prime Minister Mark Rutte has visited Palestine, and his Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Koenders and Rosendal. PM Rutte has been asking on several occasions for moderation and the solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict; and still continuously receiving delegations for political consultations.
Stressing the importance of the economic sector, the Chief of Mission in The Hague said: “The economic sector is important for us, and also the exchange of knowledge and technology.” With the support of civil society organizations, the private sector, and the Palestinian Investment Agency, the Palestinian Mission is actively considering projects on water management, solar energy, IT, infrastructure improvement, and the development of import-export capabilities.
“We need to work on the economy to improve the quality of life of our people, and we are organizing a business trip before the end of the year, in order to promote the commercial exchanges between us and the Netherlands. It is true that the occupation prevents us from accessing our natural resources, and that we don’t control our borders: this is a fact. However, we are resilient people, and we are going ahead, with the help of the international community.”
Half a century of occupation
Last year, was the 50th anniversary of the 1967 War, in which Palestinians suffered the occupation of a vast amount of their land, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. “Our nation continues to suffer from the world’s longest sustained military occupation in contemporary history,” the Chief of Mission said. “It means that my people have been living under military rule, without their right to self-determination for an incredibly long time.” H.E. Ms. Rawan Sulaiman, Chief of Palestinian Mission.
70 year of Nakba
“On May 15th, 2018, Palestinians commemorated 70 years of what is known as the ‘Nakba,’ which means catastrophe, or disaster. This day marks the forced expulsion of our people from our homeland by the actions of Israeli forces and Zionist militias in 1948. It marks loss, dispossession, and injustice suffered by the Palestinian people, and this injustice still continues today. The Nakba commemorates the period in which approximately 800.000 Palestinians, at the time two-thirds of the population, became homeless and stateless refugees.” “I am a refugee myself,” H.E. Ms. Sulaiman said. “My late father was expelled from Jaffa during the Nakba and he was never allowed to return. In fact, in order to achieve peace with the Israelis, the Palestinians gave up the claim to 78% of our historic homeland, and recognized Israel. We have endorsed the two-state solution for the past 30 years, but this solution is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve as time passes.” “In response to this historic compromise, the illegal settlements on our land keep growing, our children and politicians are being arrested and imprisoned by military ‘courts’ without a fair trial. The peaceful protesters in Gaza are indiscriminately shot by Israeli snipers without mercy.”“Peace is not a piece of document that is signed between leaders. People from both sides need to see and feel the benefits of it and realise that it is a just peace. Any peace agreement that is forced on us rather than being just will be a failure. This will remain the case as long as there is no upholding of the universal standards of human dignity, and as long as there is an absence of accountability for the continued violations of international law. We still believe in the path we have chosen to claim our rights and achieve peace, that is the path of international law, even though we realise it is long and often frustrating. Now President Trump, in his own words, took ‘Jerusalem off the table’ and is planning to move the American embassy to Jerusalem. This decision disqualifies the United States from its role as mediator in the conflict, and puts it squarely in the position of bias towards and hostility against Palestinian rights and the international law.”
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*Hotel del Indes is an emblematic historic hotel in The Hague, symbol of Dutch beauty, tradition and class, charm and character, elegance and grandeur with more than 132 years of credentials: www.hoteldesindes.nl
Peace and stability can only be achieved by an honest cooperation and commitments on the regional as well as on the international level.” An interview with the Ambassador of Afghanistan, H.E. Dr. Homayoon Aziz.
By Sheila Turabaz.
His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Homayoon Azizi is the new Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Netherlands, succeeding H.E. Dr. Obaidullah Obaid.
H.E. Dr. Azizi started his career as a medical doctor in 2005. He also entered into local politics that same year as a member of the Herat Provincial Council in western Afghanistan and later as chairman. In 2010 he was appointed Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, and Provincial Governor of Kandahar in south-central Afghanistan in 2015, while ultimately entering the diplomatic world in his first foreign mission as ambassador to the Netherlands.
Dr. Azizi has presented his letter of credentials to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander on 25 October 2017. In his first interview for Diplomat Magazine, H.E. Dr. Azizi explains what his duties are as ambassador and gives us insight in to the current situation in Afghanistan as well as sharing the embassy’s agenda for 2018.
Being the ambassador to the Netherlands must be an entirely different experience for you. Reflecting upon the period since you first presented your letter of credentials in October 2017 until now, how have you experienced it thus far and what were the highlights for you personally in your role as ambassador?
This is my first overseas mission as an ambassador and I consider it to be completely different from the positions I held before. Being an ambassador of my country is a good opportunity to share my experiences and the reality of Afghanistan with my international colleagues here.
As an ambassador, I can explain to the host country authorities in Netherlands what our (Afghanistan’s) needs are and explain to the political parties and civil society of the Netherlands in which fields we could cooperate and the importance of the Netherlands’ engagement in Afghanistan. It is also a good opportunity for me to explain what is currently going on in Afghanistan by focusing on the achievements that have been mad but also looking at the challenges Afghanistan is currently facing.
If we look at Afghanistan as a whole one should realize that we have made tremendous progress in various fields since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 which is not comparable with the situation before 2001. We are currently in a conflict situation and not in a post-conflict situation. A few years after the collapse of the Taliban in 2001, conflicts between groups started to arise again in different provinces in Afghanistan. We are currently in the frontline in the fight against international terrorism. Our nation has paid a lot in this regard; our national forces do not only defend Afghanistan and its people but also fight for democracy, equity, freedom and justice, which we share with all humans.
How do you assess the bilateral relations between Afghanistan and the Netherlands?
In 1965, Afghanistan and the Netherlands entered official diplomatic relations. Our bilateral relationship has intensified due to the Netherlands’ engagement in rebuilding Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Currently, we maintain good relations with the Dutch authorities; this also includes the consular section of our embassy that has good relations with the Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands.
the Ambassador of Afghanistan, H.E. Dr. Homayoon Aziz, Sheila Turabaz and the Honorary Consul of Afghanistan, Ehsan Turabaz during the interview.How do you intend to stimulate the trade relations between the two countries?
When I arrived here in the Netherlands, I started to research the possibilities of improving the trade relations between Afghanistan the Netherlands. The requirements for products to be exported from Afghanistan to the Netherlands, consists of very high standards. Unfortunately, Afghan products cannot meet these European standards. We intend to work together with the Dutch government on the long term to ensure that our products will meet those standards. We are currently focusing on exporting materials, which do not have to meet such high standards, such as raw material as well as exploring other possibilities.
How would you describe the current situation in Afghanistan (particularly in respect of security and the economy)?
The security situation in Afghanistan is not good right now unfortunately. The root of the problem lies outside of Afghanistan in the neighbouring countries. For a long time, terrorist groups have been supported and trained by neighbouring countries and sent to Afghanistan to serve their own purpose. We are optimistic to overcome the current situation and stand against any kind of terrorism.
With regards to the economy, Afghanistan is in a unique geopolitical position. We have lots of opportunities for economic growth. Afghanistan connects Central Asia with South Asia. Central Asian countries are rich in natural materials and energy. Afghanistan serves as a transit way to carryraw materials and energy to South Asia. Through this regional cooperation project, Afghanistan can improve its economy. However, these activities and projects are dependent of the security situation.
What is your vision with regard to peace, stability and ultimately, growth in Afghanistan?
I consider the security situation in Afghanistan to be multidimensional. To achieve peace we need a comprehensive approach. It is clear that our nation is a victim of proxy wars. Peace and stability and ultimately growth can only be achieved by an honest cooperation and commitments on the regional as well as on the international level.
There is a large Afghan diaspora of around 44,000 thousand people in the Netherlands, how does the embassy engage with the Afghan-Dutch community?
The Afghan-Dutch community in the Netherlands have established many social organizations throughout the Netherlands. We work closely with these organisations. At the same time our consular section works closely with all Afghans regarding public administration. Moreover, our cultural department regularly organizes cultural eventsand holidays such as Nowrooz and our national day in cooperation with the Afghan-Dutch community.
Which brings me to my next question: a significant part of this community consists of young and ambitious Afghans who have spent the majority of their lives in the Netherlands. How does the embassy encourage the younger generation to stay connected with their roots and how can they help secure and develop Afghanistan?
During the four decades of war in Afghanistan, many Afghans were forced to emigrate abroad. The younger generation who have grown up outside of Afghanistan gives us hope for the future due to their many talents and knowledge that can help us rebuild Afghanistan. We have set up programs aimed towards these young and high-educated Afghans who want to work and use their knowledge for the benefit of Afghanistan.A notable example of this is the KEIHAN Academic Medical Exchange program. Since 2001many Afghans living in European countries such as the Netherlands have visited Afghanistan and contributed their knowledge in various fields. Furthermore, the embassy has compiled a list of young Afghan-Dutch professionals and has reached out them, encouraging them to spend some of their time in Afghanistan and to actually work inside the country.
You have been an avid supporter of cultural and civil society organizations as well as establishing an organization on your own, the Afghanistan Islamic Civil Partnership Assembly in 2009. How do you plan to stay socially involved during your stay in the Netherlands?
In Herat, the city where I was politically involved,various civil society organizations areactive. I have created the Afghanistan Islamic Civil Partnership Assembly, which is an umbrella organization to help these civil society organizations to come under this umbrella in order to have a stronger voice than a voice of just a single organization.
The aim of this assembly is partnership: all of these organizations should work together in order to have more influence and participate to achieve their common agenda. I am still involved in this assembly, which is led by elected board members. When I visit Afghanistan, I participate in various gatherings of the assembly.
The Hague, which has been dubbed “The International City of Peace and Justice” and the “ World’s Legal Capital” is home to many international organizations. What is your view with regards to Afghanistan’s membership and participation in international organizations?
If you look at the history of Afghanistan, it becomes evident that Afghanistan has always respected international law. Afghanistan has joined many international treaties and organizations. Two of these organizations are located in The Hague, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the International Criminal Court (ICC). We believe that a secure and peaceful world is a common goal that we hope to achieve for the future generations and therefore we support such initiatives.
What has been and what will be on the embassy’s agenda for 2018?
The first thing on our agenda is to manage our trade mission in the Netherlands. Secondly, we intend to work with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish a sister organization of the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education to train Afghan civil servants as part of capacity building. Third on our agenda is meeting with the Nederlandse Vrouwenraad–an umbrella organization for Dutch women’ s rights – in order to gain new insights with regards to improving the position of women in Afghanistan. Lastly, we intend to set up a political agreement with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to define our relations in different sectors for the long term.
Lastly, what would you like to share with our readers about Afghanistan, which most people are unaware of?
Although the people of Afghanistan have been living through four decades of war, the family and social structure is still considered the basis of their society and plays a major role. Despite having lost so much throughout the years, Afghans continue living their lives, ensuring their family stays together throughout the conflicts.
Tatiana Delvalle always brings Panama in her heart, wherever she goes. In this article, Ms. Delvalle talks with us about her life and duties as the spouse of H.E. Mr. Delvalle, Ambassador of Panama to the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is your first destination abroad as a diplomat’s spouse. Does your experience here live up to your expectations?
Life in The Hague has been wonderful, much better than anticipated. We feel very fortunate to be posted in a city that offers an incredible variety of Dutch and international experiences. We appreciate the Dutch’s open mind, joyful and straightforward character as well as the opportunity to meet very interesting and friendly people from around the world, which makes the experience of living in The Hague, very unique and extraordinary.
The city of The Hague has a blend of nature, urban, and cultural environment.When we arrived in October 2014, we were surprised to see how beautifully the forest and beach embrace the city. We enjoy very much the possibility to cycle and walk around the city to admire the architecture, historical sites, and cultural and gastronomic offer.All of this decorated with beautiful canals, flowers and trees in a very organized and efficient way of living.
In addition, our experience is complemented by everything that The Hague offers as the city of peace and justice. It is amazing how this city welcomes so many international organizations and how important they are for the whole world. We have to take in account that all these international organizations have also made important decisions for the international agenda.
Last but not least, being able to be part of the presentation of Ambassador’s Willys Delvalle letters of credence to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander has been one of the most exciting experiences of my life. It is a ceremony full of details such as the travel to the Noordeinde Palace in the state coach, drawn by two horses, followed by the national anthem played by the military band upon arriving at the Palace. This was a truly unforgettable moment because in just a few minutes we felt overwhelmed by the pride of representing our country, full of projects and goals.
As a spouse, you surely have certain responsibilities. How do you use your position to promote your country abroad?
I feel very proud to have the opportunity to represent my country. My responsibility as the Panamanian Ambassador spouse is to support and assist my husband and The Embassy team in promoting and sharing some of our culture with the Dutch and international community.
During our last National Day, I had the opportunity to proudly wear our beautiful and sophisticated national dress: La Pollera. La Pollera, is the traditional National dress of the Panamanian woman, usually worn on special occasions to honor our heritage and traditions. This dress made by very skilled ladies who hand craft it after learning the art of sewing from generation to generation, it can take around 18 months to sew the more elaborate ones. It is composed of separate pieces that consist of a shirt, two petticoats and the pollerón, made with very fine cloth and laces. A Pollera can have very different styles; the one I was wearing is called the embroider style. This Pollera was a very special gift from my mother; it has flowers and butterflies filled with orange thread.
A very important part of the Pollera is the head accessories called Tembleques
(The term comes from the movement of the pistils of the flowers, as they should move
when dancing). Tembleques are made of pearls, crystals and other materials.
A shaking head can have between 12 and 14 pairs of flowers, depending on the size
of the head.
They are placed in pairs symmetrically on both sides of the head.
Lastly the Pollera is not complete without the beautiful gold jewelry that complements it.The jewelry consists of 7 to 12 gold necklace, each of them with a specific name and meaning.
The jewelry is full of symbolism related to Spanish heritage, religion and use.
All Panamanian women feel very proud when wearing our beautiful National Dress.
As a leading figure in The Hague’s spouse association, what are your main duties and goals?
I feel very lucky to be part of ASA, and better yet, to be part of the ASA Committee.When I first arrived, joining ASA helped me to meet other spouses, get to know the Diplomatic Community and the Dutch culture. It has definitely done a great difference in making my experience in The Hague a more fulfilled and rich one.
ASA’s mission is to promote relationships and friendship among its members and the hosting country. I have been part of the Committee for three years. At the present time I am an adviser to the Committee.The Committee works as a team.Our goal is to organize events that interests and enhance the experience of all members to make them feel welcomed.
The Netherlands has a lot to offer in terms of culture, art, logistic, agriculture, architecture, and many other disciplines.Some of the interesting places we have visited are, the Port of Rotterdam, Tomato World, Royal Flora Holland, Urban Farmers, Peace Palace, European Space Agency, Hall of knights, House of Representative and Dutch Senate, Anne Frank House, Rembrandt House Museum, among others.
In each visit we have immersed into the Dutch culture and learned how they excel.But not all is work, we also enjoying gatherings, hosted by ASA members, where we can get to know each other, share our experiences and taste delicious food offer from different countries.
But the greatest experience of all is to have met incredible interesting people and make lifelong friends.
On the picture H.E. Aviv Shir-On, Ambassador of Israel during his speech.By Guido Lanfranchi.The City Hall of The Hague hosted the exhibition “Beyond Duty,” in which the government of Israel paid tribute to the brave diplomats who helped Jewish families escaping the Nazi persecution. Speakers were; H.E. Aviv Shir-On, Ambassador of Israel to the Netherlands, the Mayor of The Hague, Ms. Pauline Krikke and the Director for Multilateral Organisations and Human Rights Department, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Peter van der Vliet.From left to right: Mr. Roger van Oordt (director Christians for Israel), Chief rabbi Binyomin Jacobs, Mayor Pauline Krikke of The Hague, MP Cees van der Staaij (SGP), and Leo Harskamp (Manager Security Leiden University).
When rules are unjust, is obedience a virtue? When innocent people are persecuted in front of your eyes, can you just stand by and look? During the times of the Holocaust, many people were faced with these questions. However, only some managed to take a firm stance in defense of the oppressed and, often in violation of the law, help Jewish families to escape the Nazi persecution.
More than 70 years after the end of the Holocaust, the Jewish people are still aware of the significance of these people’s actions, and they are still eager to express their gratitude.
In this spirit, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the organization Yad Vashem, has organized the exhibition “Beyond Duty,” paying tribute to the “righteous diplomats” who, in spite of personal risks, used their role in order to help prosecuted Jews.
The exposition has been held in Jerusalem, as well as in 70 Israeli missions all around the world. In The Hague, the Israeli Embassy to the Netherlands, in collaboration with the Municipality, set up the “Beyond Duty” exhibition in the City Town Hall, in the very center of The Hague, during the first three weeks of March.
Ms. Pauline Krikke Mayor of The Hague.
During the inaugural ceremony, H.E. Mr. Aviv Shir-On, Ambassador of Israel to the Netherlands, remembered that, in spite of the Nazi oppression, “throughout Europe there were those who refused to stand aside and watch.” The Ambassador talked about the “remarkable story of government officials,” “courageous diplomats who have done what was obvious to them but still stood out from the non-action of many others.”
Mr. Shir-On praised the role played by the Dutch people, highlighting the outstanding number of 5,500 Dutch citizens recognized as “Righteous” by Yad Vashem. Among them, he mentioned the story of “Jan Zwartendijk, the Dutch consul is Kovno, Lithuania, who together with his Japanese colleague Sugihara saved thousands of persecuted Jews from Lithuania and other parts of the Soviet Union.”From left to right: the Australian Ambassador, the Ambassador of Estonia, the Swedish Ambassador, Mayor Krikke, Ambassador Shir-On of Israel, MP Cees van der Staaij, the DCM of the Russian Federation, Peter van der Vliet of the Foreign Ministry, Leo Harskamp of Leiden University, and the Ambassador of Hungary.
The state of Israel does not give away any decorations or certificates of honor apart from the medal of the ‘Righteous among the Nations’ to non-Jews who saved Jews during the Shoah, the Holocaust.
Despite the fact that the Dutch Jewish community was the one who suffered the most in Europe, more than 80 percent of the Dutch Jews were murdered, the Netherlands is the country with the second largest number of the Righteous who were honored, after Poland.
Last year the embassy of Israel organized 34 ceremonies all around the Netherlands in which 60 medals and certificates were handed out posthumously to people, issued by Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. More than 5,500 Dutch citizens were already recognized as Righteous by Yad Vashem.
“Beyond Duty” has told to its visitors the stories of outstanding people from all over the world: Captain Francis Foley from the United Kingdom, Per Anger and Roaul Wallenberg from Sweden, Vladimír Vochoč from Czechoslovakia, Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz from Germany, Sebastián De Romero Radigales from Spain. In spite of their different backgrounds and different situations, all these people found the courage to help people who were being unjustly persecuted.
Now, more than 70 years after these events, we can only look back with admiration to these people, thank them for their actions, and maybe learn from them how to build a more just world.
Acting as MC Michel Kerres, from NRC newspaper, during Q&A session, at the table Remco Breuker and Peter Potman.By Guido Lanfranchi.On Tuesday May 22nd, amid the rapid and tumultuous events occurring on the Korean peninsula, a large audience gathered at the Societeit De Witte, in the very center of The Hague, to attend the seminar: “Current Developments on the Korean Peninsula.” The event was organized thanks to a collaboration between the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Netherlands, the Asia and Oceania Department, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Leiden Asia Centre and the Clingendael Institute.
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un suddenly pledging to denuclearize, the leaders of the two Koreas meeting in Panmunjom and agreeing to work together on ending the Korean War, and Kim Jong-un scheduling a meeting with US President Donald Trump. All this in an outstandingly short amount of time.
How could someone interested in the Korean peninsula keep track of all these developments and (at least try to) understand them? With this in mind, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Netherlands, the Leiden Asia Center and the Clingendael Institute, organized a seminar on the “Current Developments on the Korean Peninsula.”Mr. Michel Kerres, NRC newspaper, Mr. Sico van der Meer, Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute, Mr. Remco Breuker, Professor of Korean Studies at Leiden University and Director Leiden Asia Centre, H.E. Lee Yun Young, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Dr. Jun Bong-Geun, Advisor on the Inter Korean Summit 2018, Republic of Korea and Mr. Peter Potman, Director Asia and Oceania, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The event, which took place during the whole morning of Tuesday, May 22nd, featured an outstanding panel of speakers. Among them, H.E.Mr. Lee Yun-Young, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Netherlands; Dr. Jun Bong-Geun, Advisor on the Inter-Korean Summit 2018; Professor Remco Breuker, lecturer of Korean Studies at Leiden University; Mr. Sico van der Meer, Research Fellow at Clingendael Institute; and Mr. Peter Potman, Director of Asia and Oceania Department at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
H.E. Ambassador Lee, highlighted in his speech the outstanding value of the Panmunjom meeting. He remembered that the meeting had been possible only because of previous diligent work by diplomats and functionaries from both sides. As for the future developments, Ambassador Lee stressed that “we Koreans have an aspiration for peace,” and that everyone in the peninsula will follow the negotiations’ developments very closely. As for the international community, he noted that international support to the talks will be more than needed in order to ensure a good outcome, which will benefit not only the Korean people, but also the whole international community.
In his lecture, Dr. Jun Bong-Geun explored a wide array of questions related to the Korean peninsula. He analyzed the different aspects of inter-Korean relations, focusing on the issues of unification, security, and peace. Also, he outlined the political and economic landscape, both domestically and internationally, in which North and South Korea have acted in recent times, before moving to the current situation.
Speaking about the recent talks, Dr. Jun Bong-Geom noted that the current negotiations are a purely political process, managed by strong political leaders, rather than a bureaucratic process. Moving then to potential future developments, Dr. Jun Bong-Geum presented four hypothetical scenarios: confrontation-containment, forced denuclearization, engagement, and peace-regime building.
He stressed that, while denuclearization was a key term in the April 27th Panmunjom declaration, there are different models of denuclearization, and it is still not clear if the many actors involved will be able to agree on one. Eschewing the idea of adopting past models, Dr. Jun Bong-Geum stressed the need of a unique ‘Korea-type’ solution, which should take into consideration both past experiences and the peculiarities of the Korean case.
The lecture of Sico van der Meer, touched upon several similar issues. Mr. van der Meer outlined the possible outcomes of the newly established negotiation track between North Korea and the United States. He stressed that the leaders of both countries seem to have a strong political will to reach a deal, but he also noted that, in case of failure, a conflict would not be anymore such an unlikely scenario.
Questioned by the audience, Mr. van der Meer touched upon another series of issues, such as the diplomatic negotiations ahead of the US-DPRK Singapore summit, North Korea’s shift away from its Byongjin policy, and the role of regional states (such as Japan) in the solution of the crisis.
Mr. Sico van der Meer, Research Fellow, the Clingendael Institute. Current developments on the Korean peninsula. May 22, 2018 The Hague.
Professor Remco Breuker shifted the attention of the audience towards another fundamental issue regarding North Korea: the problem of Human Rights. He noted that Human Rights discussions have been often left out of the negotiations’ agenda, both in the past and in the present talks. This has often been justified on the grounds that the resolution of the Korean conflict and a transition towards more prosperous economic models in North Korea would in the long run alleviate the Human Rights related problems.
To the contrary, Prof. Breuker advocated the need for including Human Rights as a cornerstone of negotiations, if international rule of law is to have a meaning. Interestingly, he argued that the real problem is not North Korea having nuclear weapons, as in other situations in history this situation has already been handled (e.g. during the Cold War). Rather, the North Korean problem mostly lies in the country’s sociological, ideological system; therefore, he suggested, negotiators should talk about Human Rights at all costs.
Mr. Peter Potman, from the Dutch Foreign Ministry started his speech by mentioning the long-lasting interest of Dutch people for Korea.
He stressed that the Dutch government’s priority on the North Korean situation remains the issue of non-proliferation; unification, although significant, is not the primary concern. Mr. Potman voiced its support for a critical engagement aimed on the one hand at pressuring the North Korean regime to change its behavior, but on the other hand to avoid any escalations of tensions in the Korean peninsula.
Also, Mr. Potman talked about the involvement of China in the negotiations with North Korea, expressing his conviction that China is playing and will play a role in shaping the outcome of the future talks.
During the Q&A section, the audience had the possibility to ask more questions to the speakers. The questions focused on, among the many issues: the different perceptions of denuclearization held by the different actors involved; the role of Human Rights in the negotiations; the impact of sanctions on the North Korean economy and, especially, on its people.
Since the day of the event, there have been even more frantic developments and plot twists. On May 24th, the government of North Korea invited the international press to witness the destruction of its nuclear test site of Pungyye-ri, in order to show its goodwill concerning denuclearization.
The very same day, on account of a recent verbal escalation over remarks by the US State Department and the North Korean Foreign Ministry, US President Trump temporarily called off the forthcoming meeting with Kim Jong-un. After further talks between US and North Korean officials, the two leaders rescheduled the historic meeting, which will take place on June 12th in Singapore.
Observers from all over the world are keen to see what will be the outcome of this meeting. Among the many people following the developments, those who participated to the seminar on May 22nd will surely be better equipped to understand how events will unfold.
In his lecture, Dr. Jun Bong-Geun explored a wide array of questions related to the Korean peninsula. He analyzed the different aspects of inter-Korean relations, focusing on the issues of unification, security, and peace. Also, he outlined the political and economic landscape, both domestically and internationally, in which North and South Korea have acted in recent times, before moving to the current situation.
Speaking about the recent talks, Dr. Jun Bong-Geom noted that the current negotiations are a purely political process, managed by strong political leaders, rather than a bureaucratic process. Moving then to potential future developments, Dr. Jun Bong-Geum presented four hypothetical scenarios: confrontation-containment, forced denuclearization, engagement, and peace-regime building.
He stressed that, while denuclearization was a key term in the April 27th Panmunjom declaration, there are different models of denuclearization, and it is still not clear if the many actors involved will be able to agree on one. Eschewing the idea of adopting past models, Dr. Jun Bong-Geum stressed the need of a unique ‘Korea-type’ solution, which should take into consideration both past experiences and the peculiarities of the Korean case.
The lecture of Sico van der Meer, touched upon several similar issues. Mr. van der Meer outlined the possible outcomes of the newly established negotiation track between North Korea and the United States. He stressed that the leaders of both countries seem to have a strong political will to reach a deal, but he also noted that, in case of failure, a conflict would not be anymore such an unlikely scenario.
Questioned by the audience, Mr. van der Meer touched upon another series of issues, such as the diplomatic negotiations ahead of the US-DPRK Singapore summit, North Korea’s shift away from its Byongjin policy, and the role of regional states (such as Japan) in the solution of the crisis.
In his lecture, Dr. Jun Bong-Geun explored a wide array of questions related to the Korean peninsula. He analyzed the different aspects of inter-Korean relations, focusing on the issues of unification, security, and peace. Also, he outlined the political and economic landscape, both domestically and internationally, in which North and South Korea have acted in recent times, before moving to the current situation.
Speaking about the recent talks, Dr. Jun Bong-Geom noted that the current negotiations are a purely political process, managed by strong political leaders, rather than a bureaucratic process. Moving then to potential future developments, Dr. Jun Bong-Geum presented four hypothetical scenarios: confrontation-containment, forced denuclearization, engagement, and peace-regime building.
He stressed that, while denuclearization was a key term in the April 27th Panmunjom declaration, there are different models of denuclearization, and it is still not clear if the many actors involved will be able to agree on one. Eschewing the idea of adopting past models, Dr. Jun Bong-Geum stressed the need of a unique ‘Korea-type’ solution, which should take into consideration both past experiences and the peculiarities of the Korean case.
The lecture of Sico van der Meer, touched upon several similar issues. Mr. van der Meer outlined the possible outcomes of the newly established negotiation track between North Korea and the United States. He stressed that the leaders of both countries seem to have a strong political will to reach a deal, but he also noted that, in case of failure, a conflict would not be anymore such an unlikely scenario.
Questioned by the audience, Mr. van der Meer touched upon another series of issues, such as the diplomatic negotiations ahead of the US-DPRK Singapore summit, North Korea’s shift away from its Byongjin policy, and the role of regional states (such as Japan) in the solution of the crisis.
