F.l.t.r. Jürgen Linden, Speaker of the Board of Directors, Charlemagne Prize, Armin Laschet, Premier of NRW, Javier Solana, Felipe VI of Spain and French President Emmanuel Macron.
10 May 2018, Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: French President Emmanuel Macron was awarded the International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen “in recognition of his vision for a new Europe.”
German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel greeted Macron outside Aachen’s landmark cathedral just before the celebrations got under way.
Awarded by the city of Aachen, the first city in western Germany to be liberated during the Second World War, the prize honours work performed in the service of the European community. It has been bestowed upon meritorious recipients since 1950.
Emmanuel Macron and Donald Tusk – Picture by EU.
It is named after Emperor Carolus Magnus, or Charlemagne, ruler of the Franks; who united large territories of modern-day France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and Germany. He was buried at Aachen.
Other personalities who have received the prize include incumbent European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, Bishops of Rome, Franciscus and Ioannis Paulus II, former European Parliament president Martin Schulz, EU founding father Robert Schuman, former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, former UK prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, the entire European Commission in 1969 and in 1986 the people of Luxembourg.
In Aachen, President Macron also partook in a meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Western partners are eager to discuss with Poroshenko the progress of reforms in Ukraine.
The Republic of Slovenia, on the initiative of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association, initiated procedures in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)in 2015 to declare the World Bee Day.
On 20 December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly in New York unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming 20 May as the World Bee Day. The resolution was adopted with co-sponsorship of 115 countries from all regions of the world.
The World Bee Day will be observed for the first time on 20 May 2018 and on this occasion, International Ministerial Conference will be held in Slovenia with participation of the FAO Director-General, the EU Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and the African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture among others. The goal of the observation of the World Bee Day is to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators for agriculture, the environment and the mankind.
Bees and other pollinators are priceless when it comes to ensuring the global food security. Every third spoonful of food depends on pollination. An international study estimates that the annual global food production that depends on pollination is worth between USD 235 and USD 577 billion. By pollinating agricultural plants, bees are an important source of employment and income for farmers, particularly for small family farms in developing countries. Bees also have a positive effect on the entire ecosystem, help preserve natural biodiversity and are good biological indicators of environmental conditions.
As part of the awareness-raising campaign, Slovenia designed an interactive exhibition entitled The Bee World. The pavilion was first presented to the public at the headquarters of the FAO in September 2016 and subsequently on other locations, including the Berlin’s International Green Week and the United Nations in New York in December 2017. Slovenia also launched the so-called honey breakfast. It was first organized in 2006, when Slovenian beekeepers offered children in kindergartens and schools honey for breakfast, and has since been held in many European and other countries.
Furthermore, Slovenia was among the first countries to join the initiative by the Netherlands and sign the Declaration on the Coalition of the Willing on Pollinators at the Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity in Mexico in December 2016.
Slovenia is a nation of beekeepers –with five beekeepers per 1,000 inhabitants, it stands in the front ranks globally – and beekeeping has always been an important agricultural activity with a long tradition. Slovenian beekeepers are known worldwide for their professionalism, advanced beekeeping technologies, unique Slovenian historical features, such as painted beehive front panels, apiaries and traditional beehives, and the famous Carniola bee, which is an indigenous Slovenian subspecies of honey bee and the second most widespread subspecies in the world.
The pioneer of modern beekeeping, Anton Janša (1734-1773), whose birthdate is 20 May, was one of the greatest experts in this field. He was the first teacher of modern beekeeping in the world and was appointed by the Empress Maria Theresa as a permanent teacher at the new beekeeping school in Vienna. Today, Slovenia intends to establish an international beekeeping school where beekeepers from all over the world will be educated, thereby spreading the knowledge of bees and beekeeping also in developing countries. Slovenia is the first country in the EU to have introduced legal protection for its honey bee.
Situated in the heart of Europe, Slovenia is a country between the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, the mysterious Karst with more than 11,000 karst caves and the Pannonian Plain, rich in healthy water springs. Slovenia is the first EU country to include the right to drinking water in its Constitution. Moreover, as a green, active and healthy country, Slovenia is dedicated to the preservation of nature, environment and cultural heritage. It is the first country in the world to be declared a green destination by the Dutch Organization Green Destinations. In addition, the capital of Ljubljana was awarded the European Green Capital 2016 title.
Join us at the Slovenian Pavilion at the Embassy Festival in The Hague on 1 September 2018, where you will learn more about Slovenia and get a taste of Slovenian honey products.
Prosecutor Serge Brammertz.The Hague, 9 May 2018– MICT Prosecutor Serge Brammertz will be in Belgrade from 9 to 11 May 2018, as part of preparations for his regular biannual report to the UN Security Council (UNSC).
The Prosecutor will meet with President Aleksandar Vučić, Minister of Justice Nela Kuburović, War Crimes Prosecutor Snežana Stanojković and members of diplomatic community.
It is expected that Prosecutor Brammertz will present his next report to the UNSC in early June.
Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, CEO of Qatar Museums, Ambassador Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani – Picture by The Peninsula.
25-26 April 2018, Berlin: The New York Times brought together a select group of the world’s most distinguished art experts and influencers; from dealers and gallery owners to architects, museum directors and curators, from auctioneers and collectors to art industry advisers and corporate executives.
The economics and dynamics of the art market are changing faster than ever before; driven by new buying habits, an increasingly global clientele, and ever-higher pricing led by shifts in supply and demand. Devised specifically with art and cultural leaders at its core, the Art Leaders Network programme defined and assessed the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the industry today.
Chairperson Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint- amad Al-Thani and CEO Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud Qatar Museums. Picture by The Peninsula.
Through provocative interviews and riveting discussions, senior New York Times journalists explored myriad topics, from the impact of economic events on the arts to the outlook for galleries in the age of the mega-dealer, as well as the future of museums and the undiminished fascination with contemporary art. This invitation-only gathering took place in Berlin, a city whose story of renaissance and reinvention mirrors the essence of this ground-breaking event.
The Art Leaders Network coincided with Gallery Weekend in Berlin.
Sheikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa – Picture by INJAZ Bahrain.
25 April 2018: Her Highness Sheikha Hessa bint Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King of Bahrain’s Personal Representative, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, was granted the “Person of the Year” award in her capacity as chief executive of INJAZ Bahrain for her promotion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at the Sheraton Hotel in Manama. The award comes as a recognition for Her Highness’ efforts with INJAZ Bahrain, which span over two decades.
Sheikha Hessa has been active in youth-empowering initiatives and developmental projects, which have contributed in boosting voluntary work. Her positive activism efforts are directly responsible for Bahrain’s status on the regional and international map as a leader in youth empowerment and community stability.
INJAZ has implemented several entrepreneurial programmes across the kingdom that span through intermediate, middle, high school and higher education. Sheikha Hessa bint Khalifa recently held an allocution during the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference hosted by Kingdom University highlighting INJAZ’s accomplishments in Bahrain and across the Gulf region.
NJAZ Bahrain is a non-profit organization that was established in 2005 as part of Junior Achievement Worldwide with the aim of empowering young people to own their economic success and be prepared for today’s business challenges. With the help of its partners and volunteers, INJAZ Bahrain impacts thousands of students every year bringing them closer to the real world and opening their minds to their own potential.
Sheikh Hessa bint Khalifa holds a Master of Science from London School of Economics, is a Permanent Member of the Board of the Supreme Council of Women led by HRH Princess Sabika bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, First Lady of Bahrain, since 2004.
On the picture the Ambassador of Iraq, H.E. Dr. Hisham Al- Alawi and Consul Mr. Saad Al-Johashi.By Guido Lanfranchi.On Tuesday May8th, H.E. Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi, Ambassador of Iraq to the Netherlands, updated the press and diplomats from other Embassies about the current situation in Iraq, the country’s preparation for the upcoming elections, and the bilateral relations between Iraq and The Netherlands.
Just a few weeks after the presentation of his diplomatic credentials, H.E. Dr. Al-Alawi is already fully active in representing Iraq in The Netherlands. In a press conference held on Tuesday morning at the Iraqi Embassy, the Ambassador updated the press and the diplomatic community of The Hague on three main issues: the current political, economic, and security situation in Iraq; the preparation for the upcoming elections of May 12th, and the bilateral relations between Iraq and The Netherlands.
The Ambassador opened the press conference with an update of the current situation in Iraq. Concerning security issues, he stressed that “no single village or town is now under the control of Daesh,” and that this “victory in Iraq against Daesh is a victory for everyone,” and not only for the Iraqi people. H.E. Dr. Al-Alawi also mentioned the stabilization and reconstruction efforts, which have been estimated to amount to US$ 100 billion. In doing so, the Ambassador welcomed the help pledged by the international community during the recent Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq, which took place in February 2018.
However, H.E. Dr. Al-Alawi stressed, in order to effectively tackle the root causes of terrorism, Iraq and the region need not only security and reconstruction efforts, but also a broad, comprehensive socio-economic strategy. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi recently promoted such a strategy in a regional tour, during which he visited his counterparts in several countries in the region.
Al-Abadi’s strategy consists of five main points, namely: enhancing regional cooperation; strengthening people to people relations; looking after the youth; promoting sustainable development in the region; providing the right environment for minimizing the need for foreign intervention.
Re-shifting the focus more specifically on Iraq, H.E. Dr. Al-Alawi also described the Iraqi government’s efforts to recover from the 2014 economic crisis, reducing state expenditure and starting a process of diversification of the Iraqi economy.
H.E. Dr. Al- Alawi talking to one of the guests after the conference.
In order to break its dependency from oil revenues, the government has been trying to promote developments in other sectors, such as agriculture, industry, tourism, and in general it has been creating favourable conditions for the growth of the private sector. In particular, the Ambassador stressed Iraq’s potential as an attractive site for tourists, for both religious and historical purposes, and he repeatedly emphasized his optimism regarding the country’s future.
H.E. Dr. Al-Alawi then moved on to the topic of the forthcoming parliamentary elections, which will take place in Iraq on May 12th. He stressed the high level of political pluralism and participation in Iraq, as the country’s political scenario sees hundreds of political entities and tenths of political coalitions. For the upcoming elections, more than 6,000 candidates, at least one third of them being women, will be running for the 329 seats of the Council of Representatives, set to become a “representative, accountable Parliament” at the service of the Iraqi people. While over the past three weeks the candidates have been engaged in a serious, tough campaign, the Iraqi citizens will soon be in charge. On May 10th and 11th voters from abroad will cast their ballot, followed by their fellow citizens in Iraq on May 12th.
In The Netherlands, H.E. Dr. Al-Alawi and the staff of the Embassy will be in charge of granting the possibility to vote to the approximately 60,000 Iraqis living in Holland. While during previous elections the voters were allowed to cast their ballot only in one city, in the upcoming elections voters will be able to choose among four different locations: The Hague, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, and Groningen. Each location will have multiple voting stations, for a total of 21 stations over the whole country. Moreover, staff from the Iraqi government and from the Independent Electoral Commission will be deployed at the ballots, in order to help the voters while at the same time ensuring the fairness of the electoral process.
Over the past weeks, H.E. Dr. Al-Alawi illustrated, the staff of the Embassy has traveled across The Netherlands and organized several seminars and meetings on the upcoming elections. Iraqi citizens all over the country have responded positively, actively participating to the events and showing their interest. In the light of this manifestation of interest and of the increase of the voting stations across the country, the Ambassador expressed his wish that the turnout in the upcoming elections will be higher than that of the previous ones, during which approximately 5,000 Iraqis voted from The Netherlands.
Finally, the Ambassador decided to close the press conference by praising the good bilateral relationships between his country and The Netherlands. He stressed the importance of The Netherlands as a relevant player at the European and at the global level, especially in specific fields such as water management and counter-terrorism policies. In these two areas, the Ambassador praised the positive role played by two institutions based in The Netherlands, namely, the Institute for Water Education and the International Center for Counter-Terrorism, both very active in advising the policies of government worldwide.
As for economic issues, Dr. Al-Alawi also praised the good economic relationship between Iraq and The Netherlands, symbolized by the annual US$ 2 billion of trade between the two countries, and by the activity of Dutch private companies such as Shell and Philips. Concerning political matters, the Ambassador stressed the increasingly close relationship between Iraq and The Netherlands, highlighted by the high number of high-level meetings between the officials of the two countries. For instance, in July H.E. Ms. Sigrid Kaag, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, is expected to visit Iraq, hopefully paving the way for a later visit by the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Stephanus Blok.H.E. Dr. Hisham Al- Alawi, Ambassador of Iraq.
After the speech of the Ambassador, journalists were invited to ask questions. Different journalists and diplomats of other Embassies asked several questions, touching upon a variety of topics. Among the many, the Ambassador answered questions concerning: women and youth participation in the electoral process; the declarations of Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani regarding the upcoming elections; the security and socio-economic situation in different regions of Iraq; the concerns of human rights advocates on the trials of former Daesh members; the potential effect on Iraq deriving from the evolving international disputes concerning Iran. At the end of the press conference, H.E. Dr. Al-Alawi invited all the audience to enjoy a tasty reception kindly prepared by the Embassy.
A few days ahead of the opening of the ballots, Diplomat Magazine and the diplomatic community of The Hague wish the best of luck to all the Iraqi people for the upcoming elections!
For additional information:
Mr. Jack Smith, a US prosecutor with experience in both high-level political investigations and international criminal investigations, has been appointed Specialist Prosecutor after a selection process organised by the European Union.He will be succeeding David Schwendiman, the first Specialist Prosecutor and formerly Lead Prosecutor of the Special Investigative Task Force, who stepped down at the end of March when his term as a US Foreign Service Officer expired.“I am honoured and delighted to have been given this challenge and am looking forward to taking the investigation forward,” Mr Smith said.Mr Smith is currently Vice President and Head of Litigation for the Hospital Corporation of America, the largest non-governmental health-care provider in the United States, a position he has been in since September 2017.Between February 2015 and August 2017, Mr Smith served as First Assistant United States Attorney and Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Between 2010 and 2015, Mr Smith served as Chief of the Public Integrity Section of the US Department of Justice, supervising the litigation of complex public corruption cases across the United States.From 2008 to 2010, Mr Smith served as Investigation Coordinator in the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC). In that capacity, he supervised sensitive investigations of foreign government officials and militia for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.Mr Smith joined the ICC from the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, where he served for nine years in a number of positions, including Chief of Criminal Litigation and Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division. As Chief of Criminal Litigation, Mr Smith supervised approximately 100 criminal prosecutors across a range of programme areas, including public corruption, terrorism, violent crime and gangs, as well as white collar and complex financial fraud. Before becoming an Assistant US Attorney, Mr Smith served for five years as an Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office where he was a member of the Office’s Sex Crimes and Domestic Violence Units.Mr Smith has received a number of awards during the course of his career. These include the US Department of Justice Director’s Award; the US Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service; the Federal Bar Association’s Younger Federal Attorney Award; the Eastern District Association’s Charles Rose Award; the Henry L. Stimson Medal of the New York County Bar Association; and a Harvard Law School Wasserstein Fellowship. He is a graduate of both Harvard Law School and the State University of New York at Oneonta.
Grand Duke Carl Alexander of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (Saxony, 1818–1901) established his first diplomatic relations to the Empire of Japan at the 5th World Fair in 1873. During the following years, he not only engaged himself for Christian missionary work, but also promoted scientific and economic exchange. Thanks to the mediation of the Japan expert Alexander von Siebold, Carl Alexander purchased a collection of exquisite Japanese woodcuts and illustrated books, as well as a collection of Japanese weapons. They served as exemplary collections and inspired artisan craftwork in this region.
As a sign of their friendship, the then Japanese Emperor Meiji the Great (Mutsuhito) and Grand Duke Carl Alexander awarded each other their highest honours, the Chrysanthemum Order and House Order of Vigilance (Hausorden der Wachsamkeit), or the White Falcon as it was also known. The exhibition illustrates the surprisingly multifarious relationships between the Weimar Grand Ducal Court and Nippon with documents and works largely unknown until now.
For further information:
Weimar Castle: https://www.weimar.de/?id=100&tx_eventcal_calendar[event]=135733Imperial Household of Japan: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.htmlEmbassy of Japan to Germany (HE Ambassador Takeshi Yagi): http://www.de.emb-japan.go.jpGrand Duke Carl Alexander of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Alexander,_Grand_Duke_of_Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
World Trade Center Observatory—100 stories above Manhattan, New York City, USA: High over the New York skyscrapers Montblanc fêted the launch of the “Le Petit Prince” collection, special edition, inspired by the poetic story of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and its characters.
The atmosphere fascinated all guests with the magic child-like universe brought to life from excerpts of Le Petit Prince. Amongst the many VIPs partaking were Hugh Jackman, Charlotte Casiraghi, Montblanc Brand Ambassador, Milla Jovovich, Rita Ora, Chloë Sevigny, Lucky Blue Smith, Sofia Sanchez de Betak and Julia Restoin Roitfeld.
Each of the three versions of the special edition writing instruments includes a fountain pen, rollerball pen and ballpoint featuring elements from Saint-Exupéry’s original drawings that accompanied his text. A golden star is engagingly poised on the pen’s clip and a specially engraved gold nib is fitted on the fountain pens. To further emphasise the literary reference, a sentence from Le Petit Prince is laser engraved on the crown of the pen, surrounding the Montblanc emblem.
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 04: Montblanc Meisterstuck Le Petit Prince event at One World Trade Center Observatory on April 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Getty Images for Montblanc)
The sage fox character from the book plays a starring role. The Precious Resin version has a milled cap decorated with a tone-on-tone fox face pattern. Another version pairs a blue lacquer barrel with a platinum-coated cap engraved with the fox pattern. The final is embellished with a contrasting fox pattern on the lacquered cap and barrel. All have platinum-coated fittings.
Le Petit Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s famed novella published in 1943, features unforgettable characters, a whimsical plot and often-quoted musings on life, love and friendship. Considered one of the most-translated works in the world, it transcends boundaries, gives way to creativity and poignantly states, “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.”For further information:
Uzbekistan promises to turn into one of the centers of world tourism in the coming years.
Since ancient times, Uzbekistan has been attracting the attention of the world as one of the important centers of the Great Silk Road, possessing great potential, natural, historical and cultural values, wonderful traditions and customs. At present, Uzbekistan has entered a new stage of development not only in the political, socio-economic, cultural spheres, but also in the field of tourism.
Tourists can find many compelling reasons to visit Uzbekistan. The rich historical and cultural heritage, centuries-old traditions of the Uzbek people, the unique architectural monuments of ancient cities of Uzbekistan attract many tourists from abroad. Uzbekistan has a wealth of historical monuments, not least the towns of Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand, which were the capitals of powerful kingdoms for many centuries.
History and culture – The turquoise domes of the madrassah, shining through the centuries of majolica mausoleums and ornate brickwork of the minarets of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, have an astonishing appeal.
The unique design, composition and technological solutions of ancient masters in the erection of monumental buildings amaze the imagination of spectators visiting the sights.
Taking a trip around the country brings spiritual enrichment to every traveler. Currently, Uzbekistan has a rather awe inspiring claim to fame, with about 15,000 objects of cultural, archaeological and architectural heritage spread throughout the country.
Ethnic tourism – Modern hotels are often indistinguishable from each other. Waking up in a hotel room, one does not immediately understand: Canberra or Bern? Falling asleep in the steppe under a Shanyrak – a round grid in the dome of a nomad yurt – under stars is a completely different thing.
The design of the yurt has not changed in two and a half thousand years, which cools in the heat and warms in the cold. Ethnic tourism provides an opportunity to immerse in the way of life of Uzbekistan. Various ethnographic, culinary and crafts fair festivals are held from spring to autumn, where tens of thousands of spectators from all over the world gather to get acquainted with the cultural diversity of the Uzbek people.
Leisure – The modern traveler now yearns for more than just following a guide from monument to monument. Uzbekistan offers such tourists many attractive and interesting places: the tops of Chimgan and the Charvak reservoir, the Nurata Mountains or the Aral Sea together with the plateau. For lovers of an active way of life, here is the real expanse: mountain hikes, fishing and hunting and in winter time – skiing and for the most daring – Heli Ski tours.
Ecological tourism – In a world where most larger cities have their night sky polluted, Tashkent stands out as a city with a beautiful starry night, facilitated by the proximity of the mountains. It is not surprising that in Uzbekistan many popular tourist routes pass near pristine nature reserves and national parks, teeming with animals, such as bears or golden eagles.
Recreational rest – All the more popular are trips to the picturesque mountain resorts of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is also filled with balneological resorts that offer thermal, chloride-hydrocarbonate sodium waters for both drinking and therapeutic baths and showers.
Business tourism – The successful combination of developed modern infrastructure and the availability of attractive tourism facilities have turned Uzbekistan, in particular Tashkent and Samarkand, into the favorite places for holding international and regional events of several organisations.
In Uzbekistan today, the MICE industry (meetings – incentives – conferences – events) is actively developing, which in the modern world has become an integral part of tourism.
Shopping – Tamerlane and his descendants called on ceramicists, artists and architects from all over the empire to beautify the cities of Khiva, Samarkand and Bukhara. Their mosques were adorned with the finest murals and mosaics.
Happily, Uzbekistan’s artisanal skills live on and you can pick up handmade ceramics or needlework for just a few dollars in most madrassas, which have largely been transformed into bazaars.
Jeep tours – One of the most impressive and unusual forms of tourism in Uzbekistan are Jeep tours. At any temperature or season, this is how you can feel the beauty of the hard-to-reach places of Uzbekistan. Dazzling deserts, with the ruins of ancient cities, picturesque cliffs, mountain rivers, legendary cities, encountered on the way, immerse the traveler from one atmosphere to another.
Home away home – The cities of Tashkent and Bukhara have a rather European vibe – think lakeside beer gardens, landscaped public parks, and cafés next to most of the main tourist attractions.
Easy to get – With a little planning you can squeeze your tour into a week, making this the perfect bite of Silk Road splendour. European nationals can now obtain visas through a simplified procedure. Soon an e-visa system will be introduced to make the visit to Uzbekistan even easier.
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Photography by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Brussels.
