OPCW Praises Complete Destruction of Libya’s Chemical Weapon Stockpile
The Hague, Netherlands — 11 January 2018 — The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, applauded the complete elimination of the Category 2 chemical materials removed from Libya and transported to Germany for destruction at ceremony hosted by the Government of Germany and held on 11 January at the chemical weapons destruction facility operated by GEKA mbH in Munster, Germany.
In attendance were high-level Libyan and German officials, including: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Libya, H.E. Mr Mohamed Taha Siala; State Secretary, German Federal Ministry of Defense, Dr Katrin Suder; Deputy Federal Commissioner for Disarmament and Arms Control, German Federal Foreign Office, Ms Susanne Baumann; as well as the Permanent Representatives to the OPCW for Libya, Dr Ali Gebril Werfeli, and for Germany, H.E. Ambassador Christine Weil.
The Director General stated in his remarks: “Today’s event marks a historic occasion for disarmament and international security. It heralds the end of Libya’s chemical demilitarisation process and another step towards fulfilling the core goal of the Chemical Weapons Convention – the complete and permanent eradication of all chemical weapons.”
He further expressed that “the removal and destruction of approximately 500 metric tonnes of Libya’s Category 2 chemical agents was an extraordinary operation that necessitated agility, creativity, and above all close international cooperation”. The Libya operation represents “a prime example of the OPCW’s motto – working together for a world free of chemical weapons – in action”.
During the ceremony, the Director-General presented a certificate to the Libyan government in recognition of the complete destruction of all its declared chemical weapon stockpiles.
GEKA’s highly-capable specialised facility in Munster was designated to destroy the chemical weapons stockpile removed from Libyan territory in an international operation coordinated by the OPCW in 2016. The OPCW verified the completed destruction of these materials at GEKA on 23 November 2017.
Rwanda new adress
On the picture H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of Rwanda.
The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in The Hague will move on 1st February 2018, to their new premises on Parkstraat 15-25, 2514 JD Den Haag (4th Floor). All landlines, Mobile Phones and Emails shall remain the unchanged.
New Ambassador of Pakistan Presented Credentials to the King
Newly appointed Ambassador of Pakistan to the Netherlands, H.E Ambassador Shujjat Ali Rathore formally presented his Letter of Credentials to His Majesty King Willem Alexander on 10th January 2018, in an impressive ceremony at the Noordeinde Royal Palace in The Hague followed by a short meeting with the King.
President Varela will launch 2018 Panama Invest and Panamafest in Amsterdam
H.E. Willys Delvalle, Ambassador of Panama.
On the 22nd of January, the President of the Republic of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, will open the 2018 Panama Invest and Panamafest Conference Amsterdam 2018.
Prominent Panamanian authorities will attend the conference including: the President of the Republic of Panama, the Vice President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Also the Minister for Canal Affairs-General Director and President of the Board of Directors of the Metro de Panamá, S.A., Minister of Agricultural Development, Minister of the Maritime Authority of Panama, General Manager of Tocumen International Airport.
“Over the past decade, Panama’s strategic location and its integration into the world’s economy have converted the country into the fastest growing economy in Latin America and the Caribbean; transforming it into the ‘Hub of the Americas’.” The country seeks to continue being competitive by amplifying services and forming clusters to improve the interconnectivity between all sectors.
“ Our country has been working very hard in several key areas and sectors; building a future of opportunities for our people, developing a Government Plan that is in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and which is supported by a Strategic Plan of Public Investments totalling more than 20 billion dollars in areas such as health, education, security, logistical infrastructure and housing, this will allow us to have the platform in order to achieve the goals that we as a country need for the future.” Said His Excellency Panamafest in the Netherlands.
Panama Invest
The conference will provide insight to one of the fastest growing economies in the world and showcase a range of possibilities to companies of the Netherlands looking for business opportunities in Panama, among others; investments in the public and private sectors, developments in commercial and tourist areas and financial management services.
Panamafest
Panamafest is a festival celebrating Panamanian culture by presenting local food, agricultural products, music and videos, promoting Panama as a great tourist destination.
“Our history encompasses a land of commerce and transit, and above all, Panama is a nation of a welcoming dialogue aiming to open its doors to visitors”, Explained Ambassador Del Valle.
- January 22 from 17.30 pm – 22.00 pm
- Okura hotel, Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, 1072 LH Amsterdam
- Attending the conference is free of charge / Please subscribe our website
H.E. Mr. Shujjat Ali Rathore, Ambassador of Pakistan
H.E. Shujjat Ali Rathore, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Born on April 17, 1964 in Lahore, Pakistan
Holds B.Sc. (Hons) in Marine Science from the University of Karachi
Joined Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1992
Served at Headquarters as:
- Section Officer (Middle East), (1994-1995)
- Staff Officer to the Foreign Minister, (1999-2001)
- Director (Finance), (2007-2009)
- Director General (Headquarters, Finance & Special Projects) 2015-2017
- Director General (Foreign Minister Office) 2017
Held various diplomatic assignments in the following Pakistan Missions abroad:
- Second Secretary (Political Affairs), Embassy of Pakistan, Damascus (1995-1999)
- Consul, Consulate of Pakistan, Birmingham (2001-2004)
- Counsellor (Political Affairs), Embassy of Pakistan, Jakarta (2004-2007)
- Minister (Political), Embassy of Pakistan, Washington (2009-2013)
- Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Pakistan, Beijing (2013-2015)
Married and has two daughters
H.E. Mr. Peter Hoekstra, Ambassador of the USA
On Wednesday, January 10, H.E. Peter Hoekstra presented his credentials to King Willem-Alexander to officially become the 67th U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands. Ambassador Hoekstra was driven to Paleis Noordeinde in a ceremonial state coach accompanied by his wife Diane. Upon arrival at the palace, the Ambassador inspected the Koninklijke Militaire Kapel Johan Wilem Friso, which played the U.S. National Anthem, and a Guard of Honor.Peter Hoekstra, was born in Groningen and immigrated with his family to the United States. He became a prominent politician and business executive with a long history of public service.
The Ambassador served as a Member of Congress for eighteen years (1993-2011) representing Michigan’s 2nd District. He was the founding chairman of the Congressional Caucus on the Netherlands and active throughout his tenure in promoting Dutch-American ties. He was also the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence or ranking Republican on the Committee from 2004-2011.
During this time, he was responsible for leading Congressional oversight of U.S. intelligence during its modernization to confront the threats of the 21st century and restructuring following the 9-11 Commission report. During the 2016 Presidential election, he served as Co-Chair of the Trump/Pence campaign in Michigan and was a campaign National Security Advisor focusing on intelligence, cyber, and other security issues.
Prior to his election to Congress, Ambassador Hoekstra enjoyed a successful 15-year career at Herman Miller, Inc. of Zeeland, Michigan, where he rose to become Vice President of Marketing. After Congress he was a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation and a Shillman Senior Fellow at the Investigative Project on Terrorism. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Gentex Corporation.
Ambassador Hoekstra was a member of the Executive Committee of the Netherlands American Foundation. He has written on issues of international affairs, intelligence, and security including the book, “Architects of Disaster: The Destruction of Libya” in 2015. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Hope College, an MBA from the University of Michigan, and an Honorary Doctorate from Grand Valley State University. His awards include the Order of the House of Orange from the Netherlands, the “National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal”, the CIA “Agency Seal Medal,” and the Hope College Distinguished Alumni Award.
The Ambassador and his wife, Diane, have three adult children: Erin, Allison, Bryan, as well as daughter-in-law Rebecca and a new grandchild, Elam.
Hessian princesses at Russian Imperial Court
Frankfurt am Man, Hesse, Germany, Tuesday, 19 December 2017: Under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Culture, with the support of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Germany as well as of the former Grand Ducal House of Hesse, the exhibition titled “Liebe, Glanz und Untergang. Die hessischen Prinzessinnen in der russischen Geschichte” (Love, Glory and Fall. Hessian princesses in Russian history) opened its door knitting the knots linking Russia to the modern federal state of Hesse.
In total 324 items, mostly from Russian collections located in Moscow and St. Petersburg, are on display at the Ikonen-Museum in Frankfturt am Main. All in all the exorbitant yet sad fates of four Hessian princesses are portrayed.
One begins with Princess Wilhelmine Luise of Hesse-Darmstadt (1755-1776), first wife of the then Tsarevitch Pavel (later Emperor Pavel I), only son of Piotr III and Yekaterina II the Great. She died tragically giving birth to a still-born son. In Russia was she known under the name Tsesarevna Natalia Alexeievna.
She was followed by Marie of Hesse and by Rhine (1824-1880) under the Orthodox name Maria Alexandrovna rebaptised, wife of Emperor Aleksandr II.
The story continues with “Ella” (Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine or Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia, 1864-1918) who wed Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, and lived an unhappy married life. After the latter’s assassination she became the founder and Abbess of the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent, and gifted almost all her private wealth to the poor. In 1918 she was arrested, and subsequently executed by the Soviets.
Ella’s sister, was the well-known Alix (1872-1918). As Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, was the last Russian imperial consort and has been now canonised by the Russian Orthodox Church.
The exhibition was opened by the Russian Ambassador to Germany, Vladimir Grinin in the presence of His Royal Highness Landgrave Donatus of Hesse and by Rhine, Head of the former Grand Ducal House of Hesse.
For further information:
Ikonen-Museum in Frankfurt am Main: http://www.ikonenmuseumfrankfurt.de/index.php/aktuell.html
Grand Ducal House of Hesse (Hessische Hausstiftung, HRH Landgrave Heinrich Donatus of Hesse and by Rhine): https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hessische_Hausstiftung, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatus,_Landgrave_of_Hesse
Embassy of the Russian Federation to Germany (HE Ambassador Vladimir Grinin): http://www.russische-botschaft.de
Mogherini begins 2018 in Cuba
His Excellency Mr Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister and Her Excellency Mrs. Federica Mogherini – Picture by Council of the European Union.
Thursday, 4 January 2018, Republic of Cuba: The European Union’s top diplomat, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Commissioner Federica Mogherini met Cuban President Raúl Castro as she ended a two-day visit to the Communist country aimed at strengthening commitment to the island as the US backtracks on a fragile détente.
At a press conference, Mogherini said that EU member countries combined were now Cuba’s most important economic partner and announced a series of economic, social and development agreements.
As the US-Cuba rapprochement unfolded in 2015-2016, the EU dropped all sanctions and negotiated a political dialogue and cooperation agreement, the first between Cuba and the EU.
In February 2018, Mogherini shall preside with Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla in Brussels over the first joint cooperation meeting between the EU and Cuba.
During her visit she repeatedly criticised the US trade embargo and uttered her regrets “that the current US administration has apparently changed course with Cuba”. Yet the EU is ready to step in and fill in the blank as the country is preparing for President Raúl Castro to step down in February 2018. A successor will be chosen from the National Assembly.
For further information:
European External Action Service: https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en/37943/HR/VP%20Federica%20Mogherini%20on%20official%20visit%20in%20Cuba
Mission of Cuba to the EU (HE Norma Goicochea Estenoz): http://misiones.minrex.gob.cu/es/articulo/mogherini-cuba-no-esta-sola-frente-al-bloqueo
Eurojust – Anti mafia joint action in Italy and Germany
Today, during an international joint action day in Italy and Germany, 160 people were arrested. More are expected to be apprehended. They are suspected of participation in a mafia-type (‘ndrangheta) organised criminal group, attempted murder, extortion, money laundering, firearms-related offences and other crimes. Today’s operation is the culmination of lengthy and complex investigations, initiated and conducted in Italy by the Reparto Operativo Speciale (ROS) under the leadership of the Procura della Repubblica – Direzione Distrettuale Antimafia (DDA) of Catanzaro.
In Germany, the operation involved several Prosecutor General’s Offices and Prosecution Offices in four German Federal States (Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia), as well as numerous German police authorities, with the full and direct support of Eurojust.
The investigation revealed that a local cell of the ‘ndrangheta (a so-called ‘locale’), based in Cirò (Crotone, Italy), owned and used several businesses in Italy, including companies producing wine, oil, bread and dairy products, as front companies to launder illicit profits obtained through a wide range of criminal activities.
Telephone interceptions, together with other covert investigation measures, further revealed that a branch of the locale of Cirò was very active in Germany, where its members also intimidated owners of restaurants, pizza and ice cream parlours, forcing them to buy products from the companies controlled by the criminal group.
Eurojust ensured a comprehensive coordination at EU level and provided full operational legal assistance to all national authorities involved. Today, 160 arrests and over 250 simultaneous searches and seizures took place all over Italy and Germany. Eurojust set up a coordination centre at its premises in The Hague with the participation of representatives of the Prosecution Office and ROS of Catanzaro. Via the coordination centre, Eurojust coordinated the simultaneous execution of 10 European Arrest Warrants and 13 European Investigation Orders in four Federal States in Germany and facilitated the real-time exchange of information among all judicial and law enforcement officials involved in the joint operations.
Today’s joint operations were prepared during a coordination meeting that took place in December 2017 at Eurojust, during which representatives of the relevant judicial and law enforcement authorities of Germany and Italy discussed the best way forward in relation to mutual legal assistance and exchanged operational information resulting from the complex national investigations. They also agreed on a common operational strategy to dismantle the mafia criminal group, including deciding to organise today’s joint operation to arrest the group’s alleged members.
Nuno Brito, Portuguese “economic” diplomat of 2017
Nuno Brito – Picture by Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros (Portugal).
Lisboa, 3 January 2018: Portuguese Permanent Representative to the EU, Ambassador Nuno Brito, was honoured end of December in Lisbon with the “Francisco de Melo e Torres” award, annually granted by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP), and was delivered to him before his peers, members of the government and public administration, business people and representatives of civil society at the yearly diplomatic seminar
He was selected for his tireless work in managing Portugal’s exit from the category of countries not balancing out their budgets within the EU, but rather remarkably for skilfully pushing forward the candidature of Mário Centeno, Finance Minister, to take over the rains of the Eurogroup for all EURO countries from 13 January 2018.
He is Portugal’s Permanent Representative to the EU (Coreper I) since 2015, having previously served as his homeland’s top envoy to the USA.
The award is named after a Portuguese diplomat of the XVII century, and comes with a 25,000 EUR reward. It is given out annually to the head of mission who distinguishes him/herself in aiding to internationalise Portuguese companies, and thereby contributes to a healthy national economy.
For further information:
Permanent Representation of Portugal to the EU (Ambassador Nuno Brito):
https://www.ue.missaoportugal.