HM King Abdullah II of Jordan and Jean-Claude Juncker – Picture by European Union, 2018, Étienne Ansotte.
11-12 December 2018, Brussels: the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan recently agreed on a number of actions strengthening their relations on political, security, trade and cooperation matters.
The EU-Jordan long standing partnership and common challenges in the political, security and economic areas were amongst the topics discussed by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini and HM King Abdullah II as well as regional developments and their impact on Jordan. This meeting also provided an opportunity to reaffirm the EU’s strong support to the country and commitment to further broadening and strengthening EU-Jordan excellent cooperation.
During the meeting, the HRVP also reiterated the EU’s continued strong political and financial support to Jordan in facing the consequences of the Syria crisis, amounting to over €2 billion in EU assistance since the beginning of crisis. In addition to bilateral support, the EU Trust Fund in response to the Syrian crisis is particularly active in Jordan, allowing the EU to deliver on its 2018 pledges made in the 2017 and 2018 Brussels Conferences on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region.
King Abdullah II was likewise received by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker accompanied by Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, and by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk.
Earlier this month in Amman actions aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two parties were discussed during the 11th EU-Jordan Association Committee. Amongst them is notably the decision to extend the EU-Jordan Partnership Priorities until the end of 2020. The strengthened framework and the enhanced mutual commitments set up in the EU-Jordan Partnership Priorities of 2016 enables the two parties to focus on priority topics in three key areas of their relationship: economic stability and growth; democratic governance, the rule of law, human rights; security/counter terrorism. As such, the Partnership Priorities also constitute the basis of EU programming actions.
The EU and Jordan also decided to introduce a number of far-reaching amendments to the rules of origin scheme set up in December 2017 to boost Jordan’s exports to the EU, and at the same time improve access by Syrian refugees to legal employment. These amendments shall further relax the criteria required by the scheme, and will thus increase the number of companies operating in Jordan that will be able to benefit from the scheme. They will also extend the scheme by an additional four years, until the end of December 2030.
To support Jordan in boosting its economic growth and strengthening its security, a new programme worth €41 million has been adopted. The programmes will help innovative Jordanian businesses scale up their activities through better access to know-how and financing, enabling them to create more job opportunities for citizens, as well as support Jordan in controlling and managing its borders in an integrated manner, ensuring security and facilitating trade while guaranteeing respect for the rule of law and human rights.
The EU and Jordan also agreed to establish a framework for the participation of Jordan in EU crisis management operations, with a view to signing an agreement in 2019 With the conclusion of the agreement, Jordanian personnel will have the possibility of joining EU civilian and military missions and operations. Jordan will be the first country in the region to be granted this possibility.
H.E. Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov Ambassador of Kazakhstan.
Visions from Kazakhstan, a Panel Discussion
By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Hague, 12 December 2018. The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Netherlands organized a panel discussion on the theme “Global Challenges for a sustainable future: Visions from Kazakhstan”.
The venue, Grote zaal of Society De Witte. The panellists were: H.E. Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Prof. Dr. Ruard Ganzevoort– Senator of the Dutch and Dean of the Faculty of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Further, Ms. Marzhan Nurzhan– Parliamentarian for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Program Officer Czech Republic. Also on the program was the screening of the documentary movie “Where the wind blew” Director is Mr. Andre Singer.
Following a cordially welcome, H.E. Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov Ambassador of Kazakhstan, begun to highlight what he considers the seven key markers and risks of the new reality that might have the potentiality to deter a pending global cataclysm. Ilyassov made it clear that the world community must unite to address common challenges. “Our shared duty” he said “is to seek a way out of the destructive spiral of conflict that is intertwined into the global geo-economics and geopolitics. Therefore, I primarily want to focus on the key markers and risks of the new reality”.
Global Challenges for a sustainable future: Visions from Kazakhstan.
The full text of Ambassador Ilyassov’ delivery follows hereby. “First. The growing political confrontations between the major powers aggravate the instability of the current world order, making events less predictable. The so-called “post-bipolar” world order is finally receding into the past. The process is influenced by both the changing balance between global players and the growing competition between regional powers. They are still unable to overcome the fundamental differences regarding the main issue – the future format of the world order.
The aggravation of geopolitical rivalry between Russia, the United States and China is evident. Complex challenges have always existed in this strategic triangle. However, the level of their controllability has been sharply reduced in recent years. From now on, large-scale crises are possible like never before. The probability of incidents that could escalate into full-fledged conflicts increases significantly. It must be clear that misunderstandings and miscalculations in crisis situations can lead to military confrontation.
In October during the ASEM forum in Brussels, the President of the Kazakhstan Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev spoke about the perils of this international situation, similar to the Caribbean crisis of the early 60s. His proposal was that the great powers, especially the United States, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China and the EU countries, should always take great responsibility in addressing the issues of the international agenda through the prism of the future of humanity. They should find new formats of dialogue, if we are talking about the fate of our civilization.
The panellists Prof. Dr. Ruard Ganzevoort, Dutch Senator and Dean of the Faculty of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, H.E. Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov Ambassador of Kazakhstan, and Ms. Marzhan Nurzhan– Parliamentarian for Nuclear Non-Proliferation during the panel discusion: Global Challenges for a sustainable future: Visions from Kazakhstan.
After the First World War, the powers created the League of Nations. Then, after the Second World War – the United Nations. It is obvious that to settle the arising confrontations is a difficult challenge. Nevertheless, Mr. Nazarbayev proposed Astana as a platform for these four parties to discuss the problems in the sphere of economics, politics and security.
Second. Increased confrontation challenges the effectiveness of global development institutions and security in general. The current key trend is “shattering” of the foundations of strategic stability. The situation regarding the agreements on the elimination of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles (INF) is becoming critical. The extension of the Treaty on the Reduction of Strategic Offensive Arms, which is valid until 2021, remains suspended. The collapse of the INF and the problems with the extension of the Treaty on the Reduction of Strategic Offensive Arms will essentially bring down the arms control system.
Global powers may return to an arms race. Here in The Hague we witnessed the consequences of this confrontation. This year become a hot season for the OPCW. Kazakhstan position was and is that and any functions of the OPCW, as well as the possibilities of expanding its mandate, should be considered and implemented with the participation and support of all States Parties to the Convention.
We are of a view that the UN Security Council is the highest and only authorized body in determining responsibility for unlawful actions. The role and prestige of the UN should be supported by all its member-states.
Third. Economic confrontations have escalated to a phase that many experts openly call trade wars. One of them is between the USA and China, which account for a third of the global economy, 20% of global exports, and more than a third of direct investment. This will decrease the growth of the world economy and, as a result, will lead to a deterioration of the situation in developing countries. Trade wars cannot settle global trade imbalances. Solutions need to be developed at the negotiating table under the auspices of the World Trade Organization in a multilateral format.
Visions from Kazakhstan.
The Ministerial Meeting of this Organization will be held in Astana in 2020. We see a way out of the situation in the development of common fair rules for trade and investment cooperation. It requires unconditional recognition of intellectual property rights, development of transparent, flexible and effective technology transfer rules. In addition, the solution to the problem of trade wars must be sought in reforming the WTO. The agreements governing the activities of this Organization should include mechanisms that increase the price of non-compliance with the rules.
Forth. One of the most “explosive” regions is the Middle East. The instability is caused by the crisis in Syria, the ongoing political tension in Iraq, the civil war in Libya, and internal development challenges in Arab countries. Next year, the tangle of unsolved problems may become even more complicated, returning the specter of a big war to the Middle East. 1) Kazakhstan has contributed by hosting peace talks on the Syrian conflict in our capital Astana and calls for constructive consultations and tireless search for mutually acceptable solutions for the benefit of the people of Syria. 2) Two month ago 120 Kazakh peacekeepers sent to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for deployment as part of the forces of the joint Kazakh-Indian battalion.
This is our country’s real contribution to strengthening peace in the region and in the world in general. I must mention that both Kazakhstan and the Netherlands have included the settlement of regional conflicts among their priorities of work in the UN Security Council. Resolving the Afghan problem is of particular important for us in the light of ensuring long-term stability and security in the Central Asian region.
Kazakhstan forum, Societait De Witte.
In September, the Regional Conference on “Empowering Women in Afghanistan” was convened successfully in Astana. Among the practical results of the Conference, I want to mention the decision of Kazakhstan to allocate within next 2 years an additional scholarships for Afghan women, as a continuation of Kazakhstan’s effective initiative to train 1000 Afghan civilian specialists in the amount of $50 million. We are grateful to the EU for its willingness to support and allocate funds for the implementation of the pilot project on women’s rights.
Fifth. All these are worsened by the breakdown of the nuclear agreement with Iran, which was a challenge to achieve. The world community, including Kazakhstan, was conducting long-term work on this document. Our country has proved the whole world that the possession of nuclear weapons is not a panacea for ensuring security. Having renounced these weapons, Kazakhstan earned the trust of the international community. More details on that process will be shared with you by our later speaker.
Sixth. Global security continues to be threatened by international terrorism and extremism. According to the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, there were approximately 10 thousand terrorist attacks in the world in 2017, killing more than 26 thousand people. Poverty and unemployment is a good foundation for terrorism, migration and separatism. This is exactly the situation in Afghanistan, where the ongoing war has led to such drastic consequences as drug trafficking, terrorism and extremism.
This year on the margins of the UN General Assembly 73rd Session Kazakhstan made a proposal, namely a Code of Conduct towards Achieving a World Free of Terrorism, which aims to bring about closer regional and international coordination in the fight against terrorism. It is noteworthy that the Code was launched based on an initiative by our President N. Nazarbayev, which he proposed in his statement to the UNGA in 2015. Currently more than 70 countries have signed up to the Code of Conduct. Unfortunately the EU countries has not signed such important document.
Seventh. 2018 has convincingly shown that cybersecurity is becoming a completely new dimension of global stability. The clash between the major powers is transferred to this space. In the coming years, the safety of nuclear and other strategic facilities that can be disrupted by cyber technology will be more relevant. Cyberspace is a field where international interests, threats and challenges intersect. Greater connectivity also brings with it greater risk, not least the risk of losing trust and confidence in the networks we rely on, and the risk of losing trust and confidence in our ability to communicate securely. The loss of such trust and confidence undermines the benefits of Internet computer technologies as an enabler of global social and economic development.
In conclusion, I would like to add that the Kazakhstan, by being part of a huge Eurasia, has always been in favor of an open dialogue and adopted a peacekeeping policy, making efforts to reconcile the conflicting parties, and often achieved success in this matter. In the current global world, there are no bilateral conflicts that hurt only its participants. Everyone can feel the impact today I mentioned political, economic, UN related challenges, Middle East, Iran Nuclear Program (nuclear weapons in general), Terrorism and Extremism, Cybersecurity and Spiritual Values.
By consolidating efforts, we can contribute to conflict resolution and increase the well-being of peoples not only on the Eurasian continent, but throughout the world. I believe that if we want to save the planet for future generations there is no other alternative”
The second speaker at the conference was Prof. Dr. R. Ruard Ganzevoort who delivered an eloquent discourse. In part, this was his contribution: “enumerating the challenges our world is facing, the role of religion and politics could be instrumental in averting an impending catastrophe”. According to Dr. Ganzevoort, both religion and politics are not satisfied with the status quo of the existing world and its realities. Both believe that the world could be different from what we see today. Both are built on a vision that transcends the deterministic and cynical realism we see so much around us. But both can be perversions of this as well.
“We need to tackle the fundamental problems and menaces of our time: war, inequalities, and climate change.” Ganzevoort continues, “we need to eradicate war and remove its causes. Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si championed social and ecological initiatives, similar to those proposed by the ecumenical patriarch Bartholomew. We are impelled to build new societies in which we are in harmony with each other and with the earth. For that reason, we urgently need the voices of politics and religion, as well as of course art, science, and everything else. We need leaders who are robust and brave enough to admit that our traditional styles of politics and religion have wreaked havoc and have led us into this world of war and inequalities. We need leaders who understand the signs of the times and the urgency of radical steps towards peace, social equality, and ecological harmony. Politics and religion are the pivots to inspire such leaders and to make them successful for the common good.
But I don’t want to be naively optimistic. I immediately have to admit that both politics and religion often fall short of this visionary approach. Politics is often reduced to power games or negotiation of vested interests. Religion is often limited to self-absorbed and absolutist ways of bolstering group identities. Even stronger: religious leaders and institutions usually see themselves as only positive whereas, in fact, they are often part of the problem rather than of the solution.
Religious dissension is also a factor to reckon with. In conclusion, religions are in my view by definition ambivalent and can be used for good and for bad, to bring peace and lead to war, to grow love and to instil hate. As someone who is active in the worlds of politics and of the academic study of religion, I am deeply aware of their shortcomings, but I am also convinced of their potential. I, therefore fervently believe that it is incumbent on us to avert the dark sides and to foster their visionary potential.”
A third speaker was Ms. Marzhan Nurzhan , she delivered an in-depth expose on the total abolition of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, she is actively involved in campaigns for the abolition of nuclear weapons as an educator and lobbyist. Ms. Marzhan Nurzhan quoted former UN SG. Ban Ki-moon who once remarked, ” the world is over-armed and peace is under-funded”. In 2017 Ms. Nurzhan was to address nuclear disarmament to the United Nations General Assembly on the International Day.
The panel discussion ended with a Lunch at the restaurant of Society De Witte.
H.E. George Sharvashidze, new Ambassador of Georgia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Permanent Representative of Georgia to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has assumed his position on December 1, 2018. He presented his Letters of Credence to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander on December 19, 2018.
The Ambassador most recently served as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. Prior to his posting as the Deputy Minister, he enjoyed a successful 11-year career in private sector. He worked for JSC Sarajishvili, one of the oldest iconic Georgian brandy manufacturing company, holding a position of Deputy Executive Director and COO.
In 2005-2006 Ambassador Sharvashidze worked at the Department of International Relations of the Ministry of Interior of Georgia, in 2004-2005 he served as an International Relations Manager at the Center of Democracy, and in 2002 he held a position of International Relations Coordinator at the Office of the Governor of Imereti Region, Georgia. He started his career in 1996 in Kutaisi, Georgia by establishing a youth newspaper “Isrimi” at the Saint Nino High School and chairing its editorial board.
George Sharvashidze holds Master’s Degrees in Business Administration by the East China University of Science and Technology (2011, Shanghai, China), in International Management by ICN Business School (2010, Nancy, France) and Universitа Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (2010, Milan, Italy), and in International Relations by Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (2004, Tbilisi, Georgia). In 2002, he graduated from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University with a degree of Bachelor of International Relations.
George Sharvashidze is 38 years old. He speaks fluent English and Russian. The Ambassador and his wife, Ketevan, have two children – Natalie and Ioane
By Guido Lanfranchi.In his recent trip to Europe, Bureau of Energy Resources Assistant Secretary Francis Fannon visited Prague, Budapest and Zagreb to discuss European energy security. The United States – Mr. Fannon reiterated – remains committed to support European energy differentiation and to reduce its dependency from Russia.
In a moment of increasing tensions between Russia and the West, Bureau of Energy Resource Assistant Secretary, Mr. Francis Fannon, recently traveled to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Croatia in order to discuss European energy security. This trip was part of a broader outreach effort , which led Mr. Fannon to travel also to Ukraine, Poland, Greece and Portugal earlier this year.
While European energy security has beena “longstanding strategic priority” for the US, such issue is currently all the more important in the light of the current tensions in the Azov Sea – A/S Fannon stressed – which have proved once more the unreliability of Russia as an international actor. As Russia tries to severe the links between Ukraine and Europe, for example through projects like the Nord Stream 2 and the Turkish Stream pipelines, the US and its European partners should swiftly react.
Mr. Fannon specifically lashed out at the Nord Stream 2 project, which is set to provide a new route for Russian natural gas to flow into Europe without transiting from Ukraine.
He described the project as a “direct affront to the transatlantic energy security relationship and our [US and Europe] shared national security goals,” and he called on European countries involved, such as Germany and Denmark, to use their leverage to halt the project. Moreover, while refusing to provide details on potential measures, A/S Fannon reminded that the US “has the ability to sanction Russia energy export pipelines”, and that firms involved in this sector might be exposed to sanctions risks.
Mr. Fannon also called upon the EU to move forward with its energy diversification efforts. In a moment of abundance of energy supplies, not only in the gas sector, but also in the renewable and nuclear ones, the EU should aim at differentiating its supplies and create real market competition dynamics.
A/S Fannon reiterated the US readiness to support such approach, and praised ongoing European efforts such as the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector Pipeline, the Krk Island LNG Project in Croatia, Lithuania’s floating storage and regassification unit, as well as the project of the Midcat Pipeline.
To use the words of A/S Fannon in his concluding remarks, “We have to stand together, and we very much support the continued energy diversification and energy security goals that advance our shared transatlantic values.”
By Jochebed Kastaneer, MSc.
On Friday 14th of December, the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Kingdom of the Netherlands in collaboration with Diplomat Magazine and Diplomatic Card, hosted an exclusive Venezuelan Chocolate and Rum tasting.
Via chocolate and rum, invitees experienced a guided sensory journey through the most beautiful regions of Venezuela, while physically remaining at the luxurious Crowne Plaza Hotel in the Hague.
Awaiting the arrival H.E. Ms. Haifa Aissami Madah, Ambassador of Venezuela Permanent Mission to the International Organisations in The Hague, Mr. Wilhen Diaz Lara, Chargé d´Affaires a.i., and his colleagues personally and warmly welcomed all guest; ratifying that the best of Venezuela is the warm and friendly Venezuelan.
Mr. Wilhen Diaz Lara Chargé d´Affaires a.i., Head of Mission of the Embassy of Venezuela welcome Mr. Antonio Polosa, Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration.
Ambassadors, Diplomats, entrepreneurs, economics advisers and friends were among the guests of honour who attended the evening.
Viewing the conference style setup of the meeting room, one could already sense that a personal transformation to a higher level was about to take place. But the transformation and its altitude were nothing you could have imagined or think of, prior to attending the event.
You kind of know that by accepting the invitation to a diplomatic chocolate and rum tasting, there is a high probability that you are happily and voluntarily going to change your vacation destination to the country the chocolate and rum is coming from.
H.E. Mr. José Angel Bucarello, Deputy Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Venezuela, H.E. Ms. Haifa Aissami Madah Ambassador of Venezuela Permanent Mission to the International Organisations in The Hague and Mr. Wilhen Diaz Lara Chargé d´Affaires a.i., Head of Mission of the Embassy of Venezuela.
But at the Venezuelan tasting this was just a minor side effect; reached within 5 minutes of arrival, by tasting the hors d’oeuvre of exquisite Venezuelan dark chocolate mousse, topped with raspberry. The unfolding of the layers and layers of flavour of the cacao pleasantly elevated our palate to a new level; we immediately knew what we didn’t know we didn’t know.
We were left without words, unable to answer the simple question: how does it taste? Heaven?! Glowing skins, sparkling eyes and smiling faces revealing that the word ‘heaven’ might be an understatement.
After we hovered to our seats, the renowned Ms. Annemarie van Leggelo, CEO of the prestigious Etiquette Bureau presented the program. She explained that we were embarking on a fun and exciting Masterclass and were about to become a true sommelier du chocolat!
Mr. Wilhen Diaz Lara clarified that the masterclass was designed to make us become acquainted with the worldwide recognized Venezuelan cacao. In a way that we could distinguish the very high quality, colour, taste and smell of the Venezuelan cacao.
The good news is that we don’t have to travel to Venezuela to enjoy Venezuelan chocolate: the premium Venezuelan chocolate is available in the EU. And it’s savoured best in combination with the Venezuelan rum.
Ms. Mariana de La Rosa, chocolate and cacao expert from Venezuela.
Ms. Mariana de La Rosa, chocolate and cacao expert and founder of Puro Origen, was our honourable Masterclass professor, in charge of expanding our senses to see, hear, feel, smell and taste the Venezuelan cacao.
Ms. de La Rosa kicked-off the masterclass with a brief cacao lesson, guiding us through the different cacaos of Venezuela, and allowing us to understand the difference that each region has to offer through the discovery of each flavour. Cacao for Venezuela stands for: heritage, history, genetics, terroir, tradition, culture and sense of place.
H.E. Ms. Haifa Aissami Madah, Ambassador of Venezuela.
Venezuelan cacao is very exclusive: only Cacao Premium (15.300T/year) is produced in Venezuela, from which half of the production is consumed in Venezuela. As bugs are elemental for the pollination of the cacao, Venezuelan cacao is free of pesticides.
The unique Venezuelan cacao ‘Porcelana’ is considered the Holy grail of Cacao, being one of the rarest and most expensive of all cacao beans in the world.
To become a true chocolate sommelier, Ms. De La Rosa taught us how to master a 5 steps process of tasting fine chocolate:
See the chocolate; especially super premium chocolate looks a bit shiny;
Hear the chocolate by breaking it. The distinctive sound of the ‘snap’ when breaking the chocolate reveals information about the cacao to a true connoisseur;
Feel the chocolate;
Smell the aroma of the chocolate;
Taste the chocolate.
It then became a sacred experience to taste four of the premium Venezuelan chocolate separately; the ‘Rio Caribe’, ‘Carenero (70% cacao)’, ‘San Joaquim’ and ‘Sur del Lago (70% cacao)’; each of them an intense and unforgettable experience on its own. One could clearly understand why the indigenous ancestors of Venezuela worshiped cacao.Thankfully Ms de La Rosa gave us the words of Darin Sukha to verbalize the experience: “A good piece of chocolate is like a good piece of music. It contains something memorable that stays on your mind for the entire day”.
For the last part of the Masterclass Ms. de La Rosa appropriately introduced us to the Venezuelan Diplomático rum. Venezuelan rum is recognised as the finest rums in the world and Diplomático is a unique rum blending with unmistakable character and irresistible and subtle aromas. Can you picture combining this exquisite rum with the finest chocolate? It’s a magical ride exceeding all your expectations!
We tasted the following combinations of rum and chocolate:
Diplomático rum Mantuano (8 year- old blend) paired with Carenero chocolate (61% cacao);
Diplomático rum Planas (6-year-old blend) paired with Carenero superior white chocolate (34% cacao);
Diplomático rum Reserva Exclusiva (12-year-old blend) paired with Carenero superior chocolate (70% cacao).
Once you experience this perfection, you can’t go back. Your universe is now expanded for ever with the ‘two ambassadors of Venezuela: rum and chocolate’ as the Representant Permanent Ms. Haifa Aissami Madah, remarked in her closing address. Luckily, we reached this higher level of consciousness right before the holidays and are able to savour these beautiful treasures of Venezuela right here in the Netherlands.
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Photography by Naldo Peverelli, group of images is a courtesy of Sarai Aser.
In the middle of the busy city of The Hague, the Hof is a haven of peace, at 5 minute walk from the Bijenkorf!
The 17th century courtyard and garden lovely at any time, is particularly special when beautifully lighted and decorated for the Christmas season.
Hof van Wouw in winter.
On Saturday December 8, dressed in Dickens style, choirs sang carols and many people from the public even joined.
Hot chocolate, mulled wine, home-made soup and other goodies were part of the joy.
All the income will go to the maintenance of the garden.
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Lange Beestenmarkt 49-85, The Hague / For information: www.hofvanwouw.
“Have A Royal Winter’ is the festive winter programme of The Hague, the winter city of the Netherlands. Here’s a selection: the Royal Christmas Fair, the Grand Christmas Cirque and Carnivale, skating and toboggans rinks near the impressive Kurhaus building, shopping in beautifully decorated downtown areas, the New Year’s eve shows, concerts and museums, light art inside the Kurhaus and Ridderzaal, the bonfire and traditional Unox New Year’s dive. Everyone will have a blast regardless of age or budget. Enjoy the experience and Have yourself a Royal Winter…A CITY FULL OF LIGHT
The city of The Hague is having a bright winter season in different ways. During The Hague HighLights, enchanting light projects will take place at the Binnenhof and Kurhaus (beach side) every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 18 December.
On Saturday 1 December, the Light Air Show will premiere in the Netherlands above the Scheveningen coastline, with aircrafts and helicopters presenting an impressive light show above the sea.
During the Scheveningen Light Walk on Saturday 8 December, tens of thousands of people will take a walk along the art coast at the seaside resort. From Saturday 8 December onwards, at least 75 entrepreneurs located in The Hague’s downtown will try to claim the TINK Amazing Shop Windows award, the largest winter shop window contest in the Netherlands.
From Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 December, Madurodam will sparkle during VONK18, literally putting the Netherlands in a different light. On the beach right in front of the Kurhaus building, you are welcome to watch spectacular Winter fireworks in December (except on 30 December), and on Wednesday 26 December the Scheveningen Bonfire will be brought to life. Say goodbye to this year along the Hofvijver, joining the national countdown moment and Firework show.
SPORTS, ART & CULTURE WITH A WINTER TOUCH
Those of you wanting to be on the move all the time, are kindly invited to top-level adrenalin sports on 1 December at the Grote Markt, during Rock A Rail, the snowboard event for the low lands. As from Thursday 27 December the Carnivale festival, the famous winter fair, will welcome you all to the Huijgens Park.
Carnivale offers visitors a magical world with thousands of lights, extravagant artists, warmth and cosiness. Also this winter season, those of you visiting the city of The Hague will draw inspiration from wonderful exhibitions in one of the many museums the city has to offer, beautiful (Christmas) concerts, events and New Year Eve’s shows.
ENJOY LATE NIGHT (WINTER) SHOPPING
In November and December, The Hague’s downtown will be your perfect destination to spend a day (winter) shopping. Visit beautifully decorated department stores like Bijenkorf, at a stone’s throw from fashion boutiques and concept stores.
On Grote Marktstraat during the weekend of Saturday 15 December and Sunday 16 December, and also from Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 December, shoppers are welcome to enjoy outdoor entertainment like choirs and street theatre, and reload at the Royal Christmas Fair Food Market, with food trucks selling tasty bites. Enjoy winter entertainment in the style of the Royal Christmas Fair. From 14 December onwards, Denneweg will dedicate Fridays and Saturdays to something called the Denneweg Winter Days with a heart-warming programme.
Shops downtown are celebrating this holiday season with extended hours to make sure everyone has every opportunity to find the perfect Christmas gift. Some of the department stores in The Hague’s city centre will even welcome shoppers on New Year’s Day.
January and February will be all about refreshment and active events like the Unox New Year’s Dive on New Year’s Day. For the 12th time in a row, Cool Event Scheveningen will bring you a 600 m² skating rink called Kurhausplein on Ice. From Saturday 1 December to mid-January, a very ‘cool’ Ice Toboggans Rink and very special Ice Sculpture Show will be held on the beach next to the Pier.
A list of all the events is available on www.denhaag.com/winter
Coen Masselink, Des Indes General Manager and speaker Rem Korteweg together with ambassadors attending the conference.
In the most traditional Des Indes style, Ambassadors and heads of missions participated in a lunch conference on an extremely sensitive issue, Brexit, at a time where no one knows how this situation will evolve.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/109407424@N02/albums/72157674623421627Coen Masselink, Des Indes’ General Manager and H.E. Mr. Roman Buzek, Ambassador of Slovakia.
The “Ambassador’s Lunch” initiative is a series of lunch-conferences organized by the experienced General Manager of Des Indes, Coen Masselink, to give the opportunity to Ambassadors and heads of missions to discuss contemporary political subjects with Dutch experts.
For the Brexit conference, the guest speaker was Mr. Rem Korteweg, Head of “Europe in the World” unit at Clingendael Research department.
Mr. Rem Korteweg, Head of “Europe in the World” unit at Clingendael Research department.
After a short reception and a Des Indes signature lunch, the talks started. The theme of the conference was “Brexit means Brexit,” a concise formula that reflects the current status of the developments between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
H.E. Mr. Amgad Ghaffar, Ambassador of Egypt , H.E. Ms. Rosa Batoreu, Ambassador of Portugal, H.E. Mrs Marithza Ruiz de Vielman, Ambassador of Guatemala and H.E. Mr. Aviv Shir-On, Ambassador of Israel.
Mr Korteweg analyzed different scenarios, showing objectivity and evident knowledge.
He touched upon a wide range of topics, including the Parliament’s potential decision to fully review the text, the political approaches taken by different actors, the tensions of the financial markets, the risks associated to Brexit, the possibility of a second referendum, the complex issue of Gibraltar, the no-deal scenario, and the implication of Brexit for the credibility of EU.
H.E. Mr. Yun Young Lee, Ambassador of Korea, H.E. Mr. Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Ms. Lyndal Walker, Ambassador of New Zealand, H.E. Mr. Matthew Neuhaus, Ambassador of Australia and the Ambassador of the Republic of Malta, H.E. Mrs. Marlene Bonnici.
In the three months to come, the future scenario should take shape more clearly. March 29th will come soon, and in the meanwhile Brussels will likely wait, as the EU cannot do much.
As soon as the talk by Mr. Korteweg came to an end, the questions period started, and several ambassadors, notably H.E. Mr. Matthew Neuhaus, Ambassador of Australia and H.E. Mr. Kevin Kelly, ambassador of Ireland, participated with substantial contributions to the complex theme.
The Ambassador of Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Abdel Sattar Issa and H.E. Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi, Ambassador of Iraq.
At exactly 2:00 pm, in full compliance with the schedule, Mr. Masselink thanked the speaker and the guests and concluded the formal part of the event. Nevertheless, many guests remained in the room to exchange views with Korteweg on the issue of Brexit.
Speaking from Brussels in the midst of meetings with NATO and European allies, the US Special Representative for Ukraine, Ambassador Kurt Volker, condemns Russia for the lack of progress in resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine, as well as for the recent escalations in the Kerch Strait.
Almost five years after its start, the conflict in Ukraine shows no signs of winding down. Rather, after a long period of stall, tensions have recently soared as a result of the confrontation between Ukraine and Russia in the Kerch Strait. With both sides accusing each other of staging a provocation, the rhetoric has flared up again: Ukraine has temporarily declared martial law in ten regions, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused his Ukrainian counterpart to exploit the incident for electoral purposes.
On this backdrop, the US Special Representative for Ukraine, Ambassador Kurt Volker, is currently in Europe for consultations with NATO and European partners. The aim of all these parties – Ambassador Volker stressed while addressing the press – is to put an end to the conflict, ensuring peace and security for the Ukrainian people. In order to achieve such aim, Ukraine, the US and their partners remain committed to the Minsk agreements, however, on the Russian side there is no collaboration – the Special Representative said.
Ambassador Volker firmly condemned Russia’s denial of involvement in eastern Ukraine, as well as the non constructive attitude of its Russian counterparts in the negotiations. Notably, he blamed Russia for showing no willingness to find an agreement on a series of proposals, including an exchange of prisoners with Ukraine and a United Nation peacekeeping mission proposed by the US.
Ambassador Volker also accused Russia of being entirely responsible for the current escalation in the Kerch Strait, blaming it of infringing on Ukraine’s sovereignty and breaching several provisions of international law. While a swift release of the imprisoned Ukrainian soldiers does not seem in sight, the US Special Representative welcomed the unity showed by the US, NATO and European countries in calling for the release of the servicemen.
Ambassador Volker also dismissed the rumours of Ukraine preparing for an offensive in Donetsk as “assertions made by pro-Russian entities in order to deflect attention away from what Russia is doing”. Instead, he praised the restraint showed by Ukraine in responding to Russian provocations, for instance in the Black Sea.
Questioned by the press on the potential countermeasures to be taken by the US and its allies, Ambassador Volker outlined some of the options on the table. Sanctions certainly remain a valuable tool, especially if used by a broad range of allies in a coordinated way. Moreover, Ambassador Volker stressed the need for a “multinational visible presence in and around Ukraine,” both from a political and military standpoint. Finally, he noted that the US is ready to provide foreign military financing and foreign military sales to Ukraine, and that announcements in this regard are set to come up in the next months.
While the conflict continues, engagement from all parties continue too. With the hope that the suffering of the people involved will end as soon as possible.
Over 1 500 money mules identified in worldwide money laundering sting
•168 arrested, 1 504 money mules and 140 money mule organisers identified as a result of the fourth European Money Mule Action ‘EMMA 4’, a global law enforcement action week tackling the issue of money muling.
•The action took place over the course of three months (September-November 2018).
•30 States took part in EMMA 4, alongside Europol, Eurojust and the European Banking Federation, supported by more than 300 banks.
•The joint money muling campaign #DontBeAMule kicks off today to alert the public to this crime.
Working together with Europol, Eurojust and the European Banking Federation (EBF), police forces from over 20 States arrested 168 people (so far) as part of a coordinated money laundering crackdown, the European Money Mule Action (EMMA). This international swoop, the fourth of its kind, was intended to tackle the issue of ‘money mules’, who help criminals launder millions of euros worth of dirty money.
Held over the course of the past three months (September-November 2018), this year’s version of EMMA saw the participation of judicial and law enforcement authorities from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Australia, Moldova, Norway, Switzerland, the UK and the USA.
Across Europe and beyond, 1 504 money mules were identified, leading to the arrest of 168, and the arrest of 140 money mule organisers. 837 criminal investigations were opened; many of them are still ongoing. More than 300 banks, 20 bank associations and other financial institutions helped to report 26 376 fraudulent money mule transactions, preventing a total loss of EUR 36.1 million. The wider community of global and European banks provided support where needed during the three months of action and committed to raising awareness in their countries. Once again, this action highlights the importance of a quick and coordinated response by judicial and law enforcement authorities and the banking sector.
Why do people help criminals launder money?
Money mules are individuals who, often unwittingly, have been recruited by criminal organisations as money laundering agents to hide the origin of ill-gotten money. Tricked by the promise of easy money, mules transfer stolen funds between accounts, often in different States, on behalf of others, and are usually offered a share of the funds that pass through their own accounts.
Newcomers to a State, the unemployed, and people in economic distress often feature among the most susceptible to this crime. This year, cases involving young people selected by money mule recruiters are on the rise, with criminals increasingly targeting financially-distressed students to gain access to their bank accounts.
While mules are being recruited via numerous routes, criminals are more often turning to social media to recruit new accomplices, through the advertisement of fake jobs or get-rich-quick schemes.
Although this may sound like quick and easy money — all it takes is a click to transfer money from an account to another — permitting a criminal group to use your bank account can have severe legal consequences. Mules may face lengthy prison terms and acquire a criminal record that could seriously affect the rest of their lives, such as never being able to secure a mortgage or open another bank account.
#DontBeAMule
To raise awareness of this type of fraud, the money muling awareness campaign #DontBeAMule kicks off today across Europe. With awareness-raising material, available for download in 25 languages, the campaign will inform the public about how these criminals operate, how they can protect themselves and what to do if they become a victim.
As of next week, international partners from judicial and law enforcement authorities, together with financial institutions, will be supporting the campaign at national level.
Do you think you might be used as a mule? Act now before it is too late: stop transferring money and notify your bank and your national police immediately.
