H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the EU and the Benelux countries.
Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia, a region that lies at the heart of the Eurasian continent. Uzbek people have a rich history, culture, art, and literature. Among the array of values that characterize the Uzbek society, family definitely plays a major role. The people believe that a strong family is the basis of a strong society, and therefore they assign to it a great value when making their choices, both in the personal and the political sphere.
For instance, Uzbekistan declared the Preservation of the Family Institute as one of its priorities, and the government has invested a lot of money and efforts to create favorable conditions for mothers to care about their families. In order to do so, a number of state programs have been recently implemented in the country, focusing for instance on the improvement of medical services for the population, and specifically for women and children.
In addition, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has lately directed his efforts at improving the system of preschool education, thus positively impacting the lives of the 2.45 million Uzbek children in preschool age. Moreover, it is planned that in 2017-2021 the country will implement a special state program for construction and reconstruction of kindergartens. Вy 2018 alone, the plan envisages an investment of about $100 million for reconstruction of 427 kindergartens.
The state is also taking care of women in need of social protection and psychological support. For instance, the State Women’s Committee, chaired by the government’s Deputy Prime Minister, who is in charge of women’s affairs, has been a focal agency to coordinate nationwide programs in this regard. Besides, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been championing further enhancement of state’s efforts to protect women’s rights, and to provide them with additional opportunities for realizing their potential.
For instance, the latest Presidential decree mandated the establishment of “Oila” (Family) Scientific and Practical Research Center under the Cabinet of Ministers. The aim of this newly established think-tank is to identify and address a range of problems affecting women, and to provide support to families on the ground.
Specifically, in 2017 the Center provided family and marriage-related consultations to over 5 million families, thus preventing 22,000 divorces, employing 36,000 women, and allocating preferential loans to 14,500 people.
As for the employment, Uzbek women make up 45.5% of the country’s whole workforce, and 34% of the whole number of private company managers. Besides, women hold an array of relevant positions in Uzbek society: 500 of them are doctors of sciences and academicians, 15 are Heroes of Uzbekistan, 17 are senators, and 16 are members of the Lower house of the Parliament.
The government and the people of Uzbekistan believe that, in times of globalization and mutual penetration of cultures, the preservation of national cultural and moral values is an important matter. And, in this process, the family is a major pillar. To this end, the country is currently drafting a Concept of Strengthening the Family Institute: this institute will identify the main priorities for all stakeholders in the process of making the family a primary cell of society, in order to preserve the traditions of the Uzbek people.
Despite being different countries in different parts of the world, Uzbekistan and the Netherlands are somewhat similar in terms of protecting and empowering women. On the one hand, the Dutch are well known for their values of freedom, protection, and tolerance. On the other hand, Uzbekistan can be proud of its accomplishments in this regard, especially among fellow Central Asian countries and in the Islamic world at large.
To closely observe Uzbekistan’s achievements and explore opportunities for cooperation, Diplomat Magazine is currently planning a visit to Uzbekistan in July this year. Women ambassadors accredited in the Netherlands and a number of women leaders from business and industry would be invited to this trip.
In light of vast transformations which are now underway in Uzbekistan, interaction between women leaders from various countries might well lead to a broader dialogue on the very important issues, such as preservation and strengthening of family values. Diplomat Magazine is proud to facilitate this process, and to be part of this interesting and relevant initiative.
Dr Ekaterina Trendafilova, President of the Specialist Chambers.
Recently, the Judges of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers convened in The Hague on the occasion of the third Plenary.
Following the adoption, review and entry into force of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence during the first and second Plenary in 2017, the Judges created conditions for the Specialist Chambers to be fully judicially operational in July 2017. As the Rules are yet to be tested in practice, it was not necessary at this point in time to propose and discuss any amendments.
During the Plenary, the Judges were informed about activities performed by the Registry throughout the past year, further ensuring the smooth implementation of the mandate of the Specialist Chambers. In their discussions, the Judges focussed on the milestones ahead.
In accordance with the Law on the Specialist Chamber and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, all Specialist Chamber Judges form part of a Roster, but receive no remuneration or benefit from this mere fact. In addition, they are only present at the seat of the Specialist Chambers as necessary at the request of the President, to exercise functions requiring their presence.
This is the case for Plenaries, the purpose of which is to allow for discussions between Judges, which usually take place in their presence at the premises of the Specialist Chambers.
The Hague – “Back and Beyond” takes a close look at IOM Netherlands’ Migrant Assistance work through six real-life portraits and an in-depth interview with one of the mission’s twenty counsellors.Back and Beyond includes stories and many pictures produced by migrants themselves. It thus presents migrants as masters of their destinies and decisions and it clearly illustrates there is no such thing as ‘THE migrant’ – all are different and in need of tailor-made support.Having assisted a record of 4,634 migrants with their voluntary return and reintegration in 2016, IOM had to remain flexible whilst working under pressure and without compromising their attentive care to each case. Following the closure of the Balkan route, the Turkey statement, changes in Dutch return policy and recent interceptions in Libya, IOM’s caseload fell to 1,532 in 2017.
However, the number of complex cases, mostly involving vulnerable migrants, increased that year, requiring more 360-degree counselling and tailor-made approaches. Following Dutch policy decisions, excluding certain nationalities from IOM’s services, IOM worked on making sure that, irrespective of their nationality, vulnerable migrants could still access the voluntary return support they needed. Given the voluntary nature of return, IOM counsellors are reaching out and in touch with many more migrants than those actually departing – the story “Under the Radar”, illustrates this well.The mission emphasizes the importance of its predeparture counselling work also because in the wake of the last years’ mass arrivals, greater attention is now directed towards post-arrival assistance and reintegration facilities in the countries of origin.This approach is more coherent and in many ways more logical than the current practice based on each destination country’s peculiar policies and divergent reintegration packages. At least in theory, this change would finally allow for fairer access to reintegration benefits for all returnees in a given country of origin, regardless from where they were returned.Dr Martin Wyss,Having directly assisted migrants and asylum seekers for more than 30 years, Dr. Martin Wyss, IOM Chief of Mission in the Netherlands cautions that the new focus on post-arrival assistance could eclipse the importance of IOM’s predeparture care: “Personal counselling is an essential part of Migrant Protection and Assistance in the Voluntary Return process. It is important to remember this now when there is a shift towards Post-Arrival Assistance in reaction to the recent record inflows.”He concludes,“Our experience shows that jointly discussing the possible challenges with our clients is the best preparation for a smooth return and a successful reintegration. Our mission assists migrants 24/7 with a very personal and human touch. We expect that the six portraits and the interview convey this clearly to the readers and viewers of Back and Beyond.”Back and Beyond:https://indd.adobe.com/view/f21ef5ca-33cc-47f2-9696-d24d061d83a6 or
http://tiny.cc/BackandBeyond
By Corneliu Pivariu.
Some days after the American president Donad Trump announced it on Twitter, more exactly on the night of Friday to Saturday, April 14th at 04.00 Damascus time, the USA, Great Britain and France launched a missiles attack (Tomahawk and other air-to-ground bomber launched missiles) on punctual targets (one on the Damascus outskirts and two in Homs region) belonging to the chemical weapons program of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. Readers can look at a more detailed analysis in the Suplement to this issue while here we make some consideration concerning the global and regional geopolitical situation folowing this last allied attack as well as on the possible consequences.
Although there vere several guesstimates that the attack will take place at the end of April, it happened a short time after the American president’s declaration, this time probably in connection with the recent internal events in the USA. For the British prime minister Theresa May and for the French president Emmanuel Macron, too, the act represented a good opportunity for improving their favourable ratings and public appreciation.
As it was anticipated, the strike was more powerful than the April, 2017 one and proved the USA president’s resolution (and of the allies) of not tolerating the use of chemical arms by the Syrian regime as Barack Obama did in 2013, when crossing ”the red line” set by the American administration itself was not penalised.
In fact, the Syrian regime led by the Assad’s has benefited, along the history, from the lack of reaction of the international community over the attrocities perpetrated against their own population and we mention here only the February 1982 massacre in Hama when the army and the security troops killed around 40,000 inhabitants of the town that was closed, as it was destroyed in a great part, for almost a year. In this context, we consider that the 14th of April 2018 strike was not decisive in determining Assad’s regime to not further bomb its own population.
We noticed the USA’s and allies’ concern of not ”scratching any of the Russian soldiers” as some analysts appreciated after the strike. For the matter, this is better emphasized by the fact that another facility of the Syrian chemical program, situated in the mountaneous area of Lattakia region, was not hit having in mind its proximity to the Russian base in Hmeimim. We note also that, according to some sources, the radars of the Russian systems of missiles were shut down (probably for avoiding incidents). A Russian source appreciated that April 14th ”was a very good day for president Putin”, as it showedthat Russia is dealt with carefully, contrary to the declaration (that might be considered as a little too unusual for a democratic state) of the Russian ambassador in the USA according to whom the attack represented an insult to the Russian president.
On that occasion, the USA regained some of its lost role of important international arbiter and is being repositioning itself as an important player in Syria, even if the strike is not sufficient in this regard. NATO proves anew that it is an strong alliance having resources to overcome difficult moments. France will probably strengthen its position in Syria (most likely in the north-east of the country), while Great Britain will continue to be an important USA’s ally in the Middle East.
The dispute will continue with diplomatic, political and other nature means (the digital activity of the Russian trolls increased already by 2,000% 24 hours after the attack). A resolution of condemning the attack submitted by Russia was vetoed by the Security Council (with 8 votes majority with Russia, China and Bolivia only voting in favor), something that was expected indeed.
The impromptu opinion of a source in Damascus is very interesting as he said, before the attack, that the analysts had different opinions considering it to be on a small scale, big or extended or it will not be at all, while he anticipated it will be ”quite petty” and added that the Syrians have been passing through more difficult moments and manifested his trust in the future actions of Assad’s regime.
Reiterating Syria’s regional geostrategic importance and its probably ample energy reserves not harnessed yet, it is our opinion that, on a short run, the Third World War will not start from Syria.
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About the author:Corneliu Pivariu, former first deputy for military intelligence (two stars general) in the Romanian MoD, retired 2003. Member of IISS – London, alumni of Harvard – Kennedy School Executive Education and others international organizations. Founder of INGEPO Consulting, and bimonthly Bulletin, Geostrategic Pulse”. Main areas of expertise – geopolitics, intelligence and security.
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Corneliu Pivariu, INGEPO Consulting-Photographer Ionus Paraschiv.
From left to right: the Organisational Committee Members: Clemens van Steijn, Duke Michael of Mecklenburg, Princess Christine of Prussia accompanied by Berlin Entertainment Star Henry de Winter
By Duke Michael of Mecklenburg.
Once more it is time to announce that spring is knocking on our doors. That means endless fields of Tulips blossoming and more sunny days than dark ones and with that also the Tulips Ball comes closer.
This year’s edition really is setting standards high for the organisation committee. The beautiful weekend ball in Amsterdam starts on Friday 18th and lasts until Sunday 20th of May. This three-day programme promises to be a spectacular event with: A fantastic evening in the Koninklijke Industrieele Groote Club, a surprise trip and of course, the Grand Tulips Ball in the Koepelkerk.
Picture by Floris Heukensfeldt Jansen, Verkijk; Vice Admiral rtd. Matthieu J.M. Borsboom and Countess Yasmin of Schweinitz and Krain.
The main organiser Clemens van Steijn last year promised to make a big addition to the usual programme. He is very happy to state that: “We got what was missing for this year – A Polo Picnic!” The committee is positively looking forward to welcome again over 200 people from around the world to dance and enjoy Dutch Culture presented on a silver platform – Amsterdam.
Picture by Floris Heukensfeldt Jansen, Verkijk; the Dutch National Student Orchestra (Nederlands Studentenorkest) the most talented musicians in the Netherlands!.
“Last year we had a diverse group of about 200 guests reaching from academic scholars to military officers, business people and diplomats”, said Committee Member Jonkheer Thomas Stoop, “which gave the ball a perfect atmosphere”. Thus, do not miss the chance to enjoy the Netherlands on such a beautiful occasion.
If you want to know more about the past years and the upcoming ball please visit: www.tulipsball.com
OPCW Spokesperson’s Statement on Fact-Finding Mission Deployment to Douma
The Hague, Netherlands — 4 May 2018 — The initial deployment of the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) to gather facts in Douma, Syrian Arab Republic is complete.
The Director-General thanked the FFM team members for their courage and professionalism. Samples were brought to the OPCW Laboratory where they will be split and then dispatched to the OPCW designated laboratories. The analysis of the samples may take at least three to four weeks. Meanwhile, the FFM will continue its work to collect more information and material.
At this time, it is not possible to give a timeframe for when the Douma report will be issued to States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
By Sheila Turabaz.
The first few months of 2018 have already passed and thus Buren – an internationally oriented Dutch law firm based in The Hague’s diplomatic quarter – decided it was high time to update embassies and diplomatic missions in respect of the newest rules and regulations that have come into effect this year in the Netherlands.
Like previous year, the Crowne Plaza Hotel– adjacent to its office in The Hague – was the chosen venue for the annual legal seminar. Ambassadors and embassy diplomatic staff of African, Asian, European, Latin American and embassies from the Middle East participated in the seminar and engaged in discussions about various employment, corporate, commercial and tax law issues.
Dutch employment law was of particular interest, as evidenced by the many questions that were asked by the attendees. Suzan van de Kam, partner and employment lawyer gave a brief overview of legal matters that are a frequent topic of discussion, such as issues regarding locally recruited staff.
Furthermore, Peter van Dijk, partner and (tax) lawyer at Buren and Maja Bole, senior associate corporate law, succinctly explained the legal and tax aspects of doing business in the Netherlands by outlining the five main types of legal entities constituted under Dutch law, speaking about commercial contracting in the Netherlands and the (changing) landscape of litigation (e.g. the Netherlands Commercial Court: the establishment of a specialized commercial court to facilitate international business litigation) as well as tax measures proposed by the new Dutch government which are currently being implemented.
In addition, Jan Melissen, senior research fellow at the Clingendael Institute was invited to speak about digital diplomacy. Jan Melissen underlined the importance of this new phenomenon, stating: “diplomacy has become ‘societized’ (…) and digital technology has shifted from being anti-diplomacy to becoming the core business of diplomacy”.
Moreover, Ilja van Haaren, Executive Director at The Hague Business Agency, persuasively explained why entrepreneurs should invest and start their business in The Hague, substantiating her argument by providing examples of its attractive business climate, good living conditions, and innovative atmosphere in particular.
Afterwards, the attendees were invited for drinks and discussions at the reception.
Due to its convenient location in the heart of the diplomatic centre of the Netherlands and its well-established and good relations with various embassies, diplomatic missions, international organisations and knowledge institutions, Buren has developed an expertise in the field of international and diplomatic law and also offers a full range of legal services through its Diplomat Desk – Buren’s specialized practice area—, assisting diplomatic clients with issues regarding public and private law. On the 20th September of this year, Buren will be organizing several workshops on employment law, real estate law and all legal, corporate and tax aspects related to doing business in the Netherlands. These workshops are specifically designed for ambassadors and embassy staff.
For more information, please contact: m.loves@burenlegal.com
Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop and youth from Germany and Scotland in Berlin. Picture by Scottish Government.
Monday, 23 April 2018, Berlin: The Scottish Government External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop was on a two-day visit in Berlin, where she ceremoniously launched a new Scottish Government Hub in the city alongside Her Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador to Germany, Sir Sebastian Wood.
The Germany Hub is the latest addition to the Scottish Government network of offices outwith Scotland, adding to those in London, Dublin, Brussels, Beijing and Washington DC. The Berlin-based hub is housed in the premises of the British Embassy in the vicinities of the Brandenburg Gate. The latter office is headed by Director Dr. Alexandra Stein.
Secretary Hyslop’s engagements also included meetings with the Berlin organisers of the European Championships, to be jointly hosted with Glasgow in August 2018.
Berlin launch of the Scottish German Hub Picture by Scottish Government.
In the words of External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop: “Scotland and Germany already have many close ties. There are 30,000 Germans who live in Scotland – and Germany is our fourth largest export market. I am confident that the new hub in Berlin will help foster many more mutually beneficial links.
I look forward to a productive series of engagements, spanning business, parliamentary and sporting interests, particularly as we look ahead to Glasgow and Berlin hosting the first-ever multi-sport European Championships.
“The continued risks and uncertainties of Brexit mean it is all the more important that Scotland reaches out to our neighbours in the European Union. Therefore it is significant that we are establishing a Scottish Government presence in the capital of Europe’s largest economy.”
In summer 2018, a Parliamentary Committee for Economy and Energy from the German Bundestag is due to visit Scotland to strengthen cooperation in the two aforementioned fields.
Cabinet Secretary Hyslop likewise paid working visits to the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry, INNOGY innovation hub – which promotes new business start ups – as well as 12.18 Investment Management (new owner of Roxburghe Hotel and golf course in Scotland).
Unlike the rest of the United Kingdom, most Scots voted to remain within the European Union, and thus one priority for Scotland is to ensure the best possible ties are kept vis-à-vis the EU by staying in the Single Market as well as the Customs Union.
For further information:
Scottish Government: http://www.gov.scot/About
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop): https://beta.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/cabinet-secretary-culture-tourism-external-affairs/
The Scottish Government’s position on Brexit: https://beta.gov.scot/brexit/https://beta.gov.scot/brexit/https://beta.gov.scot/brexit/
British Embassy to Germany (Sir Sebastian Wood): https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-berlin
European Championships: https://www.europeanchampionships.com
Tuesday, 2 May 2018, Magistral Palace, Rome: Fra’ Giacomo dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto was elected the 80th Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta.
The electing body, the Council Complete of State, the electoral body counting 54 members, convened at the Magistral Villa, one of the Order of Malta’s two institutional seats, in Rome.
Elected Lieutenant on 29 April 2017, Fra’ Giacomo dalla Torre is now elected ad vitam as the order’s Prince and Grand Master.
The new Grand Master shall be responsible for continuing the reform of the Constitution of the Order of Malta started in 2017, to adapt it to the development that the Order has experienced in recent decades. Currently present in 120 countries around the world with over 2,000 projects in the medical-social field, the Order of Malta has more than 120,000 volunteers and medical staff. The Constitutional Charter and the Code were promulgated in 1961 and partly reformed in 1997.
The Grand Master
According to the Order’s Constitution the Grand Master is the sovereign and religious head of the Order. Elected for life, he must fully dedicate himself to the development of the works of the Order and set an example of living by Christian principles to its members. He is vested with supreme authorities. Together with the Sovereign Council, the Grand Master issues the legislative measures not covered by the Constitution, promulgates government acts and ratifies international agreements. The States with which the Order has diplomatic relations recognise the Grand Master with the prerogatives, immunities and honours reserved for Heads of State.
The Grand Master resides at the Order’s seat of government, the Magistral Palace in Rome.
For further information: https://www.orderofmalta.int/2018/05/02/fra-giacomo-dalla-torre-elected-80-grand-master-order-of-malta/https://www.orderofmalta.int/government/lieutenant-grand-master/http://www.diplomatmagazine.nl/2017/03/02/order-of-malta-interim-leader-appointed/
H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal delivering his remarks.By Roy Lie Atjam.
The seminar was organized by DBCCI Dutch Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), The Embassy of Bangladesh The Hague, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the RVO Netherlands Enterprise Agency. The venue was the Hilton Hotel in The Hague, 23 April 2018.
Bangladesh is no longer a Least Developed Country but a Developing country (UN). The country aspires to become a middle income country by 2021 (Vision 2021).
Bangladesh Seminar, Hilton Hotel in The Hague, 23 April 2018.
A fifty men strong delegation made up of representatives of the Private sector, Government representatives and others flew in to promote their country and attend the Investment and Business seminar.
It has been a well-attended event with speeches, presentations, a Panel discussion with the theme Bangladesh Growing Big: Opportunities to loom large and a Q&A session. By all means, a successful day.
Notable was the presence of H.E. Kazim Aminul Islam, who is the Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Office of the Prime Minister). Also good to mention was the presence of Mr. Guido Landheer, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Economic Relations, Dutch MFA.
Mr. Guido Landheer, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Economic Relations, Dutch MFA speaking as the Guest of Honour, Bangladesh Seminar April 2018
H.E. Kazim Aminul Islam, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Office of the Prime Minister, delivered the keynote address. Mr Guido Landheer, guest of honour, Deputy D.G of the Dutch Foreign Economic Relations also delivered his remarks.
“Bangladesh, a Beacon of Opportunities”
The objective of the Bangladesh Investment and Business Seminar was to introduce Bangladesh, to promote and stimulate investment and trade between the new Bangladesh and the Netherlands.
Moreover, the seminar highlighted the investment regimes as well as business opportunities in key sectors among others, ICT, high-tech agriculture and aquaculture, dredging port development and operation, food processing, textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy especially renewable energy, jute and leather products, etc. Bangladesh High-Tech Park Authority is implementing the Bangabandhu High-Tech City at Kaliakoir. Various other locations around the country will follow.
Seminar 6-B2B matchmaking Mr Faruque Hassan and a Dutch business delegate.“Tomorrow’s Bangladesh is already here “
Bangladesh has made valiant efforts to reform her business climate.
A one-stop investor service is expected to be operational in the very near future. Bangladesh has all potential investors might require: is politically and economically stable, the workforce is young and well educated, has an enormous local market a population of 166.000.000 .
Additionally, foreign investors can benefit from various incentives, exemptions in tax and duties, no expropriation or nationalisation menace.
H.E. Kazim Aminul Islam, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Office of the Prime Minister, delivered the keynote address.
It’s interesting to note that the Hon. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received on 27 April 2018 the Global Women’s Leadership Award. The Global Summit of Women conferred the award on her for her leadership in women’s education and entrepreneurship in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal assured the Dutch investors and businesses full support in their future ventures in Bangladesh. Ambassador Belal highlighted the engrained comparative advantage that the Dutch already have as they already have a sizable investment in Bangladesh.
