Bulgaria at the helm of the EU

Editor
-
0
Bulgaria at the helm of the EU
                           

By H.E. Ms. Maya Dobreva, AmbassadorĀ of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Kingdom of BelgiumĀ and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Bulgaria took over the EU Presidency on 1 January 2018. Bulgaria may be a young EU member state (last year it celebrated its 10th anniversary of EU membership) but is one of the oldest states in Europe ā€“ more than 13 centuries old. Rich with its ancient history, strong with its traditions and historic experience Bulgaria is willing to reaffirm its position in the EU and to play a constructive role in the EU processes.

Bulgaria is situated in Southeast Europe, in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula. It is positioned on the crossroad between Europe and Asia and has been Š° meeting point for different cultures. The centuries-long tradition of co-existence and interaction between different ethnicities, religions and civilizations is a wealth that Bulgaria cherishes and is proud of.

Bulgaria is the cradle of the Cyrillic alphabet and has played a crucial role for spreading of the Slavonic literature and culture. The Cyrillic alphabet has become a symbol of Bulgarian national identity and has been a major factor for preserving this identity over the centuries. Upon Bulgariaā€™s accession to the European Union the Cyrillic alphabet became the third official alphabet in the EU. Even though Bulgaria is not yet member of the Eurozone, the Cyrillic letters can be seen on every euro banknote.

The long history of Bulgaria was marked by many difficult periods, long periods of foreign dominance, but every time the strength and perseverance of the Bulgarian people has made possible an accelerated rebuilding and development of the state. Bulgariaā€™s remarkable capacity of catching up was demonstrated in the beginning of 20th century when the country became one of the most developed industrialized countries in the Balkans after gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire.

After the collapse of the communist regime Bulgaria has embraced the democratic values. Following a period of painful reforms and transformation of its economy and state functioning, in 2007 Bulgaria joined the EU. Bulgarians continue to be very pro-European, convinced in the benefits of the European project, willing to work for its preservation and further development.

Although still lagging behind its partners in the EU in terms of GDP per capita, Bulgariaā€™s dynamic economy, offering excellent conditions for doing business sets conditions for gradually increasing the prosperity of its citizens.

Bulgariaā€™s strategic geographic location serves as a bridge between the EU and the rapidly growing markets of Russia, Turkey, Middle East and CIS countries, placing the country in the centre of transit between these regions. The country provides educated and skilled workforce – 25% of the population holds university degree and 46% speaks at least one foreign language. Bulgaria has highly developed ICT sector and communication infrastructure, 4G is operational for a few years, the internet is available everywhere and it is third in Europe and fifth in the world speed wise.

The major challenges Bulgaria will have to cope with while at the helm of the EU, are quite diverse – the future of Europe and Brexit, migration and security, financial and social development, digital progress.

For six months Bulgaria will be the main driving force for the tasks on the agenda of the Union, it will perform the functions of an honest mediator, a political leader, a representative and a coordinator.Ā  Our goal is to respond to the real needs of European citizens and turn challenges into opportunities. Ā 

Today, Europe needs more security, stability and solidarity.Ā We will work for aĀ Secure Europe, because the migration crisis and the terrorist acts over the past years have shown how vulnerable we are;

  • Stable Europe, because the citizens want to know that the European Union is taking care of their prosperity and well-being;
  • Solidary Europe, because all member states are faced with the main challenges and they can be overcome only with joint action, not at national or local level.

How are we going to achieve it? Through consensus, competitiveness and cohesion.

We are convinced that they are fundamental for the future of Europe, and for achieving them one needs courage, political vision and shared efforts. The key to attaining our common goals is unity. It is not by chance that we chose ā€œUnited We Stand Strongā€ for our slogan. This is the motto of our National Assembly and of the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Bulgaria. Ā This will be the slogan of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2018, which our country will follow in each action as rotational President. We will work for unity between the member states, as well as between the European institutions.

Tomorrow Europe will be what we make it today. Today is the time to build a stronger, more secure and more solidary European Union.Ā  The citizens of the European Union expect from us to find concrete solutions to concrete issues.

The future of Europe and of the young people ā€“ economic growth and social cohesion

Economic growth and social cohesion are key to the future of Europe. There is some good news for the Union in the forecasts ā€“ the European economy is speeding up, more jobs are being created, investment is growing, public finances are becoming stronger. Still, there are some challenges ā€“ high levels of debt, small increase in salaries. We shall overcome these challenges together.Ā  It is important that the member states’ economies continue to grow, it is important that all EU states participate in the debate on the reforms of the Eurozone as equals, regardless of whether they are members of the latter or not.Ā Ā 

The future of the Union is to continue the efforts for social cohesion. The Cohesion Policy provides a real added value for EU citizens and is a proven example of a working instrument for reducing the differences between us, which guarantees the success of the European model.Ā  This is why our Presidency will work for an active and constructive debate on the Multiannual Financial Framework.Ā  We are aware that the world is changing, and overcoming the challenges requires resources.Ā  We are convinced that we have to look for a balance between the new funds and the already existing ones, between the financial instruments and the grant financing.

Security and stability in a strong and united Europe

Security and migration policies are some of the topics on which we need consensus and joint efforts. The Bulgarian Presidency will work towards long lasting and fair solutions in the area of asylum policy, for efficient policies for return and readmission, for a balanced approach between short and long-term measures aiming at the source of migration, not only at the consequences thereof. European citizens need security and stability and without these, European values are difficult to attain. This is why great emphasis in our efforts will be given to security, whereby we will focus on strengthening the border controls, on the exchange of information between the various bodies, and on prevention. It is important to work towards efficient, fast and fair justice.

European Perspective and Connectivity of the Western Balkans

When talking about united Europe, we should not forget that the Western Balkans need a clear European perspective and connectivity between them and with the member states. Ā The ambition of the Bulgarian Presidency is to achieve a clear action plan with each of the countries, without creating unrealistic expectations, but with concrete steps. This is the way to have long lasting peace, security and prosperity in the region. The goal is to provide connectivity to the Western Balkan countries ā€“ transport, air, energy, educational and digital.Ā  Bulgaria invests consequent efforts in this direction, for example by promoting the digital policies of the EU among the countries in the Western Balkans through gradual reduction of roaming charges and by increasing the possibilities for broadband internet access. Ā 

Digital economy and skills for the future

Europeā€™s role in the rapidly developing world is directly linked to the competitiveness of the European economy.Ā  The single digital market, the access to innovation, the link between education and the requirements of the future labour market are at the basis of technological development. It is not by chance they are a major element of the programme of the Trio of the Presidencies – Estonia-Bulgaria-Austria and a priority of the Bulgarian Presidency. Electronic communication, providing transboundary services particularly to the SMEs, copy rights, e-privacy and cyber security are some of the items on the agenda that need to be decided upon.Ā  Linking the education of the young people with learning ā€œthe skills for the futureā€ is the way to achieve a competitive, flexible and successful Europe. Ā 

The focus of all our action will be young people. We are responsible to them where we are leading our Union. They are our common investment in the future; they should be given the opportunities of education and development. Fostering early childhood development, modernization of the European educational systems and curricula, strengthening social inclusion through formal and informal learning ā€“ these are some of the tasks that should not be put off. Today, in the time of information and communication technologies, more than ever before it is aĀ conditio sine qua nonĀ for these technologies to be widely introduced at all levels of the educational system.

Although Bulgaria is gaining popularity, the country remains an unknown place to be discovered. Apart from the numerous historic, cultural, architectural sites to be visited, Bulgaria presents a unique combination of varied natural beauties. The terrain is varied with large mountain massifs, fertile valleys, eternal meadows and a beautiful coastline along the Black Sea. Bulgaria boasts 200 healing mineral springs, making the country an ideal place for spa tourism.

Bulgaria will be in the spotlight in these six months and is eager to show the best of its capabilities, its potential, natural beauty, culture and historic heritage, as well its talents and creativity.

————————— Picture credit byĀ  Valentin NikolovĀ 

Social Equity in the Americas: Perspectives and Proposals from the OAS

Editor
-
0
Social Equity in the Americas: Perspectives and Proposals from the OAS
Betilde MuƱozā€“Pogossian: ā€œSocial Inclusion is the process to achieve Equity in the Americasā€ Ā By Geovanny Vicente Romero. Womenā€™s empowerment, eradicating hunger and poverty, promoting the inclusion of people in situations of vulnerability, many of those often treated as second-class citizens, such as afrodescedants and indigenous people who do not have equal access to basic benefits and services, the LGTBI community, as well as protecting human rights in general. These issues are part of the life and works of Dr. Betilde MuƱoz-Pogossian and are also her passion. In this interview conducted in Washington, D.C., Dr. MuƱoz-Pogossian, Director of the Department of Social Inclusion of the Secretariat for Access to Rights and Equity of the Organization of American States (OAS) told us about the progress made and the main challenges regarding the equity agenda in the Americas. What is equity? What are the key issues in the equity agenda in the Americas? All human beings, from the time we were kids, understand how situations of inequity feel; those situations in which due to gender, race, age, migration status, ethnicity, sexual orientation or identity, a person cannot enjoy their rights and cannot have access to all goods and services in a society. We are all equal before the law. That is a basic obligation of democratic governments. But equity is something else. Equity makes evident the differences amongst all individuals, of their life trajectories that often impede equal access to opportunities. It seeks to generate conditions to level the playing field so that all can effectively have access to education, health, housing, social protection, jobs, to the benefits of economic growth and development throughout their life cycle, and ultimately, to all their human rights. Because the Americas continues to be the most unequal region in the world, the General Secretariat of the OAS has decided to prioritize its efforts to promote more equity in the region, and to contribute to ensuring more rights for more people. Apart from eradicating poverty and extreme poverty, the regional equity agenda must be focused on the social inclusion of populations in situations of vulnerability. The emphasis should be placed on promoting and ensuring the enjoyment of the rights of children and youth, afrodescedants and indigenous peoples, LGTBI people, people with disabilities, and to continue moving forward with the gender equity agenda. This is where we have had the most progress, but where there is still much to be done. This work needs to focus, on one hand, on generating conditions of real democracy where these populations can, on a comparable basis as the rest of the members of society, enjoy their civil and political rights, namely, to elect and be elected, to have influence in decision-making processes, and to have incidence in the political agenda. On the other hand, the equity regional agenda must refine the series of public policies that have been implemented so far to ensure a more equal distribution of the benefits of economic growth and development. But we must also move one step further regarding economic and social rights. More political will is needed to ensure the full socio-productive inclusion of these populations, and to ensure a life free of discrimination for all. This, in the end, has everything to do with their capacity to exercise their civil and political rights. Which person who has to provide for his or her basic needs regarding food, housing or health can effectively enter the political arena and compete for public office? The discussion regarding what to prioritize is a national one. The fact is, however, that the continued existence of socioeconomic inequities that are replicated in the power asymmetries in the political sphere have a negative impact for the stability of our democracies, and on the levels of citizensā€™ trust in political institutions. This is something that should concern us all. Ā 
Betilde MuƱoz-Pogossian
Which progress should we celebrate? Which challenges should we prioritize? One of the most important achievements in the last few years has been to have moved the scale in favor of the gender equity agenda. Womenā€™s right to vote is today the norm in all countries of the Americas, and legal frameworks guarantee their right to be elected. According to data from ECLAC, the average number of national female legislators went up from 9 to 25% between 1990 and 2015. Today practically all countries of the region have implemented quota or parity reforms, and some have even legislated in favor of targeted political financing for female candidacies. This has been manifested in greater representation of women in national legislatures, in ministerial cabinets, and although in 2018 we will only have one woman directing her countryā€™s future in Trinidad and Tobago, we have had a number of women as heads of state in a few Latin American countries. The challenge that we must prioritize is actually a historic debt that we have as a region.Ā  We have about 200 million afrodescedants and 50 million indigenous people in the region. These populations are generally in the most vulnerable situations: 90% of these populations in the countries of the region live in poverty or extreme poverty, and in many cases, do not enjoy universal access to health, education, housing, and potable water. This perpetuates a situation of political underrepresentation. At the same time, this translates into the formulation of public policies that do not consider the ethnic specificities of these populations, which again affects the representativeness of the decisions that emerge from the political system, and peopleā€™s trust in democracy. What is the OAS doing to promote the equity agenda in the region? At the OAS Secretariat for Access to Rights and Equity, and its Department of Social Inclusion, we strive to give our support to Member states in their efforts to address inequality in all its forms using an integral, inclusive and sustainable approach. We base our work in the commitments established in the OAS Charter, the Social Charter of the Americas, the Interamerican Democratic Charter, the Protocol of San Salvador, and the numerous interamerican juridical instruments on human rights. The OAS work on the equity agenda is organized along three key strategic lines:
  1. Supporting intersectoral dialogue processes at the highest level to capitalize national capacities, both human and institutional, as well as to promote the exchange of lessons and solutions that contribute to the full exercise of all human rights by the people of the Americas.
  2. Promoting and strengthening efficient cooperation strategies and the generation of alliances amongst countries of the region to promote social inclusion and the exercise of economic, social, and cultural rights, to contribute to the eradication of poverty and extreme poverty in particular, and to revert situations of inequity, and discrimination.
  3. Accompanying countries of the region to fulfill obligations contained in the interamerican normative frameworks regarding development, social inclusion and no discrimination of groups in vulnerable situations, to ensure the effective protection of their human rights.
We at the OAS understand equity as the goal, and social inclusion as the process to achieve it. Promoting more rights for more people is our strategy to tip the scales in favor of equity in the region. At the end of the conversation with Dr. Betilde MuƱoz-Pogossian, it is clear that, although there is much to do, there has been important progress made in our region to ensure more social and political equity. It is also clear that we have the tools to do it. Via legislation, administrative measures, and public policies with a rights-based perspective, we can reverse situations of inequity. The work is monumental, urgent, and difficult because we are dealing with people who are in highly vulnerable situations. The work, however, is worth it because it brings us closer to having better democracies and better societies. ——————— Note: Opinions are personal. They do not represent the views of the OAS). Betilde MuƱoz-Pogossian is Venezuelan. She has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, FL and a Masterā€™s degree in International Relations at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, FL. Her more recent publications include the volume Equity and Social Inclusion: Overcoming Inequalities towards more Inclusive Societies (2016), and Women, Politics and Democracy in Latin America (2017) from the ā€œCrossing Boundaries of Gender and Politics in the Global Southā€ series, Palgrave McMillan (NY, NY). Following her tenure of more than a decade in the political-electoral secretariat of the OAS, in 2015 Dr. MuƱoz-Pogossian assumed the leadership of the work on Social Inclusion at the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States. Twitter: @BeticaMunozPogo ————————- About the author:
Geovanny Vicente-Romero.
Geovanny Vicente RomeroĀ is the founder of the Dominican Republic Center of Public Policy, Leadership and Development (CPDL-RD). He is a political analyst, international consultant and lecturer based in Washington, D.C. He writes a column for El Diario La Prensa (N.Y.), La Opinion (L.A.) and El Nuevo DĆ­a. Reach him on TwitterĀ @geovannyvicentr  

Germany Continues Support for ICMP in Iraq

Editor
-
0
Germany Continues Support for ICMP in Iraq
Ms. Kathryne Bomberger,Ā ICMP Director-General. The Hague – The German Federal Foreign Office has provided ICMP with a grant of 1,178,445 Euros to continue its assistance in helping the Iraqi authorities address the vast and complicated issue of locating and identifying missing and disappeared persons from decades of conflict, human rights abuses and other causes. This grant builds upon earlier contributions made between 2010-2017 for Iraq and allows ICMP to expand its work through 2018. Between 250,000 and one million people have gone missing in Iraq from decades of conflict and human rights abuse. Although the country has taken steps to address the issue through legislation and the establishment of institutions, including signing the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in 2010, these efforts have been severely constrained by continuing and chronic instability. The inability to deal adequately with the missing persons issue has undermined attempts to address the legacy of past and present violence. Failure by the authorities to deal with missing persons and mass graves in liberated areas is perpetuating and exacerbating grievances. With this new funding, ICMP will continue its efforts to work with Iraqā€™s regional authorities to help them build sustainable institutions capable of locating and identifying missing persons regardless of the national, ethnic, or religious origin of the missing person, and to secure the rights of all surviving families of the missing to truth, justice and reparations. The grant will specifically include efforts to improve the technical capabilities of these institutions, including the provision of cutting-edge forensic and data systems capabilities. ā€œThis important contribution will allow us to work across the country at both a national and provincial level to ensure that sustainable measures are put in place that allow for improved cooperation and which enhance Iraqā€™s technical capabilities,ā€ ICMP Director-General Kathryne Bomberger said today. ā€œICMP is enormously grateful for the continued support from the German government. Our program is consistent with the objectives of Germany and other international partners in Iraq, and will have a direct and positive impact on securing the rights of families of the missing.ā€ The new program started in November 2017 and will continue until the end of December 2018. ——— ICMP is a treaty-based international organization based in The Hague, the Netherlands. Its mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating and identifying missing persons from conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration and other causes and to assist them in doing so. It is the only international organization tasked exclusively to work on the issue of missing persons.

Etapas del desarrollo, crisis vitales y familias migrantes 4/4

Editor
-
0
Etapas del desarrollo, crisis vitales y familias migrantes 4/4
With the release of the bestseller Traslados, Silvia Korenblum, psychologist and diplomatic spouse, describe and explore the transitory migration of diplomatic life and its impact on the family. Diplomat Magazine decided to publish this powerful companion book designed for diplomats and their families, in its original language. Por Silvia Korenblum. Las etapas del desarrollo con sus crisis vitales son esperables para todos los individuos. Surgen desde la naturaleza misma de la biologĆ­a y de la sociedad y atraviesan la estructura familiar. La vejez, enfermedad y muerte de los abuelos Para la familia en trĆ”nsito esta es una etapa muy complicada que se vive llena de culpas por no estar. Es una instancia en la que es muy difĆ­cil estar lejos. En la gran mayorĆ­a de las entrevistas los momentos mĆ”s dolorosos se asocian al miedo a que eso ocurra cuando ellos estĆ©n afuera. AquĆ­ las familias que funcionan bien pueden modificar abiertamente sus lealtades ā€“sea con sus familias de origen o con su propios hijosā€“ a medida que lo requieran los cambios de su ciclo vital, en tanto que las familias disfuncionales no pueden adaptarse a estas nuevas exigencias. En general estas etapas son muy difĆ­ciles y vividas con mucha culpa sin saber bien dĆ³nde es que hay que estar. Si con los padres o con los hijos, la enfermedad de un padre teniendo hijos pequeƱos, la muerte del padre, ĀæMe quedo o me voy? Dejar a los hijos ante enfermedad del padre o madre. ā€œĀæDĆ³nde es que debo estar?ā€ La distancia, respecto de una familia extensa, hace que las relaciones cobren una dimensiĆ³n distinta. Por eso los duelos se van vi- viendo como de a capĆ­tulos, cada vez que se viaja o se tiene contacto, porque la persona ausente no formaba parte de la cotidianidad. Ā AnĆ­bal M. perdiĆ³ a su padre estando en el exterior. Cuando viajaba a su paĆ­s de origen y veĆ­a a su madre y hermanos se daba realmente cuenta de la ausencia. ā€œ… de mi padre no vi ni su deterioro, ni su muerte… Cada visita a mi paĆ­s me acercaba mĆ”s a su muerte, no porque no lo supiera estando afuera, pero el estar ahĆ­ lo hacĆ­a mĆ”s doloroso, dirĆ­a que mĆ”s real. AdemĆ”s iba muchas veces al cementerio, porque despuĆ©s no iba a poder… En lo que hace a mi madre y mis hermanos, cuando ya habĆ­a pasado algĆŗn tiempo, sentĆ­a en mi casa que mi presencia les hacĆ­a mĆ”s honda la ausencia del viejo.ā€ El duelo se extiende en el tiempo, porque la persona se enfrenta con la ausencia de una forma pausada y sostenida. Y con los efectos de esa ausencia en su familia extensa. Los duelos se viven separadamente, y muchas veces la distancia acentĆŗa un desfasaje entre los distintos miembros de la familia que puede darse simultĆ”neamente en un proceso de duelo compartido. Compartir el reconocimiento de la muerte, asĆ­ como la experiencia de la pĆ©rdida, ayuda ver en los demĆ”s ese proceso, brinda una visiĆ³n de las distintas fases de duelo por las que van pasando los otros. En un duelo privado no hay referentes. Ni del tiempo ni del momento por el que la familia estĆ” pasando. Es un duelo en la distancia y por ende mĆ”s largo, sostenido y solitario potenciado por la enorme culpa de no estar y no haber estado. ——

La autora Silvia Korenblum,Ā naciĆ³ en Buenos Aires y es Licenciada en PsicologĆ­a, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Tiene un Post grado en terapias de familias y parejas, ademĆ”s de un Magister en psiconeuroendocrinologia .Ā 

Es Especialista en problemas de desarraigo y adaptaciĆ³n, ha ejercido su prĆ”ctica clĆ­nica en diversas instituciones clĆ­nicas y hospitalarias.Ā Ha trabajado dictando seminarios y coordinando talleres de orientaciĆ³n a padres de niƱos y adolescentes atravesados por la problemĆ”tica de la migraciĆ³n, en diferentes paĆ­ses. Es Autora de numerosas ponencias y artĆ­culos sobre su especialidad y del libro Familias en Transito, Lumen humanitas 2003. Casada desde hace 25 aƱos con un diplomĆ”tico. Actualmente vive en Bruselas, ejerciendo su practica clinica, terapia y coaching on line. ——- Fotografia Pablo Grinspun.

Promenade Food Festivals, edition Pakistan

Editor
-
0
Promenade Food Festivals, edition Pakistan
H.E. Mr. Shujjat Ali Rathore, Ambassador of Pakistan with chefs Iftikhar Ahmad Chugtai,Ā Sido de Brabander and Muhammad Nazeer. By Roy Lie Atjam. 23 February, Hotel Crowne Plaza Den Haag ā€“ Promenade organized a Food Festivals in cooperation with the Embassy of Pakistan and Diplomat magazine, featuring in February was the unique flavours from Pakistan. The General manager of the Hotel Mr. Patrick Aarsman and Pakistan Ambassador H.E. Mr. Shujjat Ali Rathore, warmly welcome the guests. With the cutting of a white ribbon H.E. Ambassador Shujjat Ali Rathore, officially opened the Pakistan edition of the Food Festival. For additional Robert Huiberts’ pictures, please open the lnk below:Ā https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157691028684512
Ambassador Rathore with his spouse Uzma.
A team of renowned Pakistani Chefs: Iftikhar Ahmad Chugtai and Muhammad Nazeer prepared authentic dishes. The Chef of Brasserie Brut, Sido de Brabander was also part of the deal. Pakistan is the second Embassy participating in the 2018 food festival, Cuba was the first. Among the dishes served were Pakora- and Dhal Soups, muton, gorma, fried lahorifish, chicken biryani and other items. Desert consisted of assorted Barfi and jalebi. A very colorful presentation. H.E. Ambassador Shujjat Ali Rathore, and his elegant spouse Uzma, entertained the over a dozen or so Ambassadors who responded to the invitation. What is more, friends of Pakistan and diplomats, all enjoy the Pakistani edition of Promenade Food Festival with its mouth-watering flavours.
Mr. Patrick Aarsman, General Manager, Crowne Plaza.
A successful International flavour food festival, kudos to Patrick Aarsman and Hotel Crowne Plaza Den Haag ā€“ Promenade.

Guerlain’s Princess Esther Kamatari in Mali

Editor
-
0
Guerlain’s Princess Esther Kamatari in Mali
Friday, 23 February 2018, Bamako, Mali: Guerlain’s Brand Ambassador, HRH Princess Esther Kamatari was welcomed in audience by the Mali’s First Lady, Keita Aminata MaĆÆga during the former’s visit to the Malian capital to expand the visibility of the brand Guerlain in the African markets. For further information: https://twitter.com/IndirahCom/status/967007623538249728/photo/1 https://www.guerlain.com/uk/en-uk

Sahel Conference in Brussels

Editor
-
0
Sahel Conference in Brussels
Heads of state of Burkina Faso, Mali, Belgium, Mauritania and Chad together with the King of the Belgians – Picture by Belgian Monarchy. Friday, 23 February 2018, Brussels: In the framework of the Sahel international donors conference, His Majesty King Philippus of the Belgians, hosted a luncheon for his fellow heads of states benefitting from the international aid. Namely the presidents of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian KaborĆ©, Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar KeĆÆta, Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, and Chad, General Idriss DĆ©by. The conference was focused on finding common solutions for local development, fighting terrorism, illegal migration as well as strategies for sharing intelligence and defence units. All in all, this high-level meeting resulted in ā‚¬414 million being pledged to support the 5,000-strong G5 Sahel Joint Force, that is, a military partnership amongst Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad designed to fight terrorism and organised crime in the region. The Sahel region, a semi-arid stretch of land that stretches from Senegal to Sudan and further east to Eritrea, has long been a base of Islamic extremist groups. In the last few years the regionā€™s problems have been exacerbated by severe drought and the worsening military conflict in Libya. Many of the regionā€™s residents have become part of the uncontrolled flow of migrants that have flooded into Europe via the Mediterranean since the summer of 2015. Belgium, France, and Germany have provided significant financial and security assistance to the Sahel region and the G5 Security forces. Paris has long taken a lead role, having deployed more than 4,000 crack troops and hi-tech military equipment to the region as part of its pan-regional Operation Barkhane anti-terror mission. The three EU stalwarts view the region as a potential threat to their own security and a source of radical terrorism. After its creation in 2014, with the support of the UN, the funding and operational capacity of the G5 Sahel Joint Force remains unclear as it remains heavily dependent on international support. For further information: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/defence-security/crisis-and-conflicts/g5-sahel-joint-force-and-the-sahel-alliance/

Armenian-EU prioritise common policies

Editor
-
0
Armenian-EU prioritise common policies
Armenian Foreign Minister, Edward Nalbandian and Federica Mogherini – Picture by European Union. Wednesday, 21 February 2018, Brussels:Ā Three months after signing the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement at the Ā Eastern Partnership Summit, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,Ā Federica MogheriniĀ and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia,Ā Eduard Nalbandyan held a joint meetingĀ to lay out the priorities for future cooperation between the European Union and Yerevan. The list of priorities for future bilateral cooperation includes strengthening i)Ā the role of public institutions; ii)Ā improving Armeniaā€™s economic development and its market opportunities; iii) increasing of peopleā€™s mobility and people-to-people contacts; as well as iv)Ā cooperation in environment and climate change policies. Moreover, the document lays the foundation for ā‚¬160 million in financial aid that the EU plans to wire graduallyĀ to Yerevan, a substantial amount for a landlocked country with few natural resources, a high dependence on the import of food, oil, and natural gas, and remittances from Armeniaā€™s vast diaspora in Russia, the US and Europe. Though Armenia is a full member of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union, which imposes certain trade limitations on third parties, the Kremlin has thus far stood idlyĀ by as more Western institutions look to court Yerevan. Armeniaā€™s own interest in re-examining its relationship with Europe likely stems from the conflict in Ukraine. Russiaā€™s support of pro-Moscow separatists in Ukraineā€™s eastern Donbass region and its annexation of Crimea has likely sent a signal to other former Soviet republics who entertain the idea of leaving Russiaā€™s orbit that the Kremlin is capable of sparking deadly wars against former close allies. For further information:Ā  http://www.mfa.am/en/press-releases/item/2018/02/21/fm_mogherini_meeting/

Geely becomes main shareholder in Daimler

Editor
-
0
Geely becomes main shareholder in Daimler
Saturday, 24 February 2018, Stuttgart, Baden-WĆ¼rttemberg, Germany: Daimler has confirmed that billionaire Li Shufu, founder of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. has accumulated a stake worth about 7.3 billion euros in Daimler AG, marking the biggest investment in a global automobile manufacturer by a Chinese company. Li Shufu,Ā  acquired the 9.7 percent holding through Geely Group, a company owned by the 54-year-old and managed by the carmaker he controls. Thereby Geely has become the single largest investor in the parent of Mercedes-Benz by building up a position of just under 10 percent through purchases in the stock market in recent weeks. In December 2017, Li became the biggest shareholder in Swedenā€™s Volvo AB the worldā€™s second-largest truck-maker. In 2010, he acquired Volvo Cars from Ford Motor Co., and last year won control of British sports-car maker Lotus Cars Ltd. The Chinese firm, which controls Hong Kong-listed Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., has ambitious expansion plans for both its home market and overseas as it takes on global car majors. Geely aims at starting selling a compact five-seat SUV, currently marketed under the Lynk & Co brand, outside China from mid-2019. It is likely to look first at Europe. For further information: https://www.daimler.com/en/ http://global.geely.com —————————– Daimler – Picture licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic

Argentina and ICC sign agreements

Editor
-
0
Argentina and ICC sign agreements
H.E. Mr. Hector Horacio Salvador, Ambassador of ArgentinaĀ  and the Registrar of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mr. Herman von Hebel. Argentina and ICC sign agreements on Interim Release and Release of Persons, reinforcing Argentinaā€™s commitment to accountability and fair trial. Today, 28 February 2018, the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to the Kingdom of theĀ Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Hector Horacio Salvador, and the Registrar of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mr. Herman von Hebel, in the presence of the ICC President, JudgeĀ Silvia FernĆ”ndez de Gurmendi, signed cooperation agreements on interim release and release of ICC detained persons on the Argentine territory, pursuant to decisions of the Chambers of the Court. The interim release agreement establishes the procedure for the temporary release of a suspect or accused in the custody of the Court, following the decision of a Chamber of the Court, and based on the provisions of the Rome Statute. The agreement on the release of persons regulates the procedure for the transfer of a person released from the custody of the Court, for example in the case that the person was acquitted, and tasks the Court to make the arrangements for such release into the territory of the State. Further information on these cooperation agreements can be found on the booklet developed by the Court to promote their signature: https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/seminarBooks/Cooperation_Agreements_Eng.pdf Argentina is the second country accepting to provisionally receive ICC detained persons on its territory and the first country to sign the agreement on release of persons. With these signatures, Argentina becomes the first country to have signed four cooperation agreements with the Court, providing the ICC with successful tools for cooperation. ā€œBy signing these two agreements, Argentina reaffirms its strong support and turns to the forefront in terms of cooperation with the ICC; we are glad that it took place on a symbolic occasion such as the twentieth anniversary of the Rome Statuteā€, said Argentine Ambassador H.E. Horacio Salvador. ā€œWith the signature of these two new agreements, Argentina will become the first country to sign all four cooperation agreements with the Court. We consider these to be of fundamental importance for supporting the effective work of the Court with full respect for due process and fair trial rights. It is a great satisfaction for me that the signing of these four cooperation agreements took place during my presidency of the Courtā€ said ICC President Judge Silvia FernĆ”ndez de Gurmendi. ā€œThe conclusion of these cooperation agreements is a concrete demonstration of Argentinaā€™s commitment to the Court and its mandate, as well as a tangible way to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Rome Statute; we hope other States Parties will make similar pledgesā€, said ICC Registrar Herman von Hebel. In all of its activities, the ICC relies on the cooperation of States and International Organisations, including receiving detained persons after their interim or final release, enforcing sentences of imprisonment pronounced by the Court, or relocating witnesses. The Court may enter into arrangements or agreements to provide such cooperation. The International Criminal Court is an independent, permanent court that tries persons accused of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, namely the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.
1...486487488...861Page 487 of 861