Amazing Thailand Health and Wellness Showcase 2017

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Amazing Thailand Health and Wellness Showcase 2017
Thailand, the premier destination for health and wellness tourism. By Roy Lie A Tjam. The Tourism Authority of Thailand organized the Amazing Thailand Health and Wellness Showcase conference, which took place on 11 August 2017. The event unveiled Thailand’s latest innovation on Functional and Regenerative Medicines – a globally emerging health trend that focuses on the restoration of the structure and function of damaged tissues and organs. De facto, Thailand is the first and only country in Asia that has institutions, such as Better Being Hospital and MALI Hospital, which specialize in functional and regenerative medicine. Moreover, it has 58 JCI accredited hospitals, thus ranking highest in Southeast Asia, and has become an anti-aging center with the largest number of American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine-certified medical professionals, tallying a total of 500 doctors, in Asia. The objective of the Amazing Thailand Health and Wellness Showcase 2017 conference was to promulgate Thailand as a destination indisputably befitting for Health and Wellness Tourism. This one day conference, at Centara Grand Bangkok Convention Centre, demonstrated the potentiality and readiness of Thailand’s health-service products. Top level Thai health service providers made good use of the opportunity to present their services to international buyers. The conference and annex fair presented health innovative services for healthy longevity such as:
  1. Regenerative medicine
  2. Anti-aging medicine
  3. Cosmetic dentistry for beauty and anti-dental aging
  4. Cosmetic surgery
  5. Cell therapy
  6. Health check-up innovation
Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Mr. Noppadon Pakprot, Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business, delivered the opening speech in which he cordially and warmly welcomed all to the 4th Amazing Thailand Health and Wellness Showcase. Mr. Pakprot went on to announce general hospitals, dental clinics, laboratory checks, regenerative functional clinics and regenerative functional medicine hospitals – just to name a few – as the top 44 Health and Wellness providers in Thailand, as selected by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). All are ready, he said, to discuss prospective business deals. Moreover, Mr. Pakprot is convinced that the event will get prospective buyers up to speed on Thailand’s generous offering on health-and-wellness tourism knowledge and products. He then concluded his address by remarking the following, “We hope that this event will further strengthen the awareness of Thailand as the premier destination for health and wellness tourism.” The event proved to be very successful, providing ample opportunity to rub shoulders with high-level medical doctors and specialists as well as one-on-one conversations between stakeholders. There was also time for presentations, examinations, digital information and so much more. Some of the hospitals and clinics had even arranged to shuttle prospective buyers for visits to their respective institutions. As a renowned tourist destination, Thailand and its people are well known for their hospitality. It has been recognized among the top level Wellness and Health providers in the world. According to a report by, the independent consultancy, VISA and Oxford Economics, Thailand has once again been confirmed as one of Asia’s top medical tourism destinations. The Thailand Authority for Tourism is aspiring to widen out on the fusion of tourism wellness and health. It has been proven beyond all doubt, the capacity and motivation Thailand possesses towards taking up that challenge. As a major highlight, the event confirmed people’s conviction of Thailand being a “Paradise for Longevity”.
The organisers during the conference.
The government of the Kingdom of Thailand has implemented new medical tourism policies – extending the visitor-stay period to 90 days for citizens of the integrated CLMV countries and the Republic of China – in order to accommodate medical tourists traveling to its shores. Additionally, the long-stay visa preferentially offers an extension of 10 years to Australia, Canada, Japan, Denmark and other European countries. The conference got international media coverage with media delegations from Belgium, France, and the Netherlands being present. Under the auspices of TAT France and the Royal Thai Embassy in The Hague, an educational tour, to selected health-and-wellness facilities, was organized after the conference, in order to provide first-hand experience. Royal Thai collaboratively with Tourism Authority of Thailand offices, around the globe, will eagerly assist interested parties in obtaining further information on Thai health and wellness tourism.  

The end of ICTY

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The end of ICTY
                By Jhr mr Alexander W. Beelaerts van Blokland. In the 90’s of the 20th century the first war in Europe since World War II (1939-1945) took place. Europe was in shock. After the death of President Tito of the nation named Yugoslavia, people of that country started from 1991 onwards civil wars and formed several new, smaller countries. Some of them were at war with others as well. In several cases it happened with genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and / or violations of the Geneva Conventions. In those cases those people should be charged and should be brought to trial. But for what court ? The Security Council of the United Nations in New York decided in February 1993 to establish a special tribunal: the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and The Hague was -again- chosen as the city where this ICTY would have its offices and courtrooms, with 24 permanent judges and twelve judges ‘ad litem’, which means: just for one or more specific cases. Altogether about 300 people worked there in an earlier situation than now (see below). In the last 24 years no less than 161 accused persons were brought before their judges of ICTY, since 2007 by the Belgian head public prosecutor Serge Brammertz. The three most well known were Slobodan Milosevic (1941-2006), former President of Serbia and also of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Radovan Karadzic (born 1945), President of the so called Republika Srpska and Ratko Mladic (born 1943), former commander-in-chief of the Bosniak-Serbian army. Milosevic passed away in prison on March 11, 2006 during his ICTY-trial, Karadzic was condemned on March 3, 2016 to 40 years imprisonment and finally Mladic recently (November 22, 2017) was sentenced to imprisonment for life. My old friend, the very experienced Dutch international criminal lawyer Judge Alphons Orie (born 1947) presided that case and pronounced the verdict the day before his 70th birthday, the age at which judges in The Netherlands have to retire (as I will myself also, in September 2018). ICTY –with now only 90 people working there- will stop on December 31st, 2017. The appeal cases of Karadzic, Mladic and others will be handled over to MICT: the United Nations Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals, that also handles appeal cases of the former Rwanda Tribunal.    MICT is based in Arusha (Tanzania) and in The Hague, according to the former Secretary General of the United Nations Boutros Boutros Gali no less than ‘The Legal Capital of the World’. a.beelaerts@planet.nl ————- About the author: Jhr mr Alexander W. Beelaerts van Blokland is Justice (Judge) in the (Dutch) Court of Appeal and since 2004 also honorary Special Advisor International Affairs , appointed by the Mayor and Aldermen of The Hague            

Minister of Tolerance of the UAE

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Minister of Tolerance of the UAE
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance of the UAE. Picture by Government of the UAE
Tolerance, an intricate Emirati value By HE Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance (United Arab Emirates) The Ministry of Tolerance was initiated merely in the year 2016 yet its roots go back generations, in an effort to continue the support and celebration of our diverse country. In a time of on-going political tensions, regionally and globally, it is imperative that we encourage individuals in the UAE and from across the world to respect one another. To be able to look beyond our differences, in order to emphasise the common traits of humanity that we all share. We aim at guiding our nation forward through education, knowledge, new technologies, and openness for the world. Already in the times before the federation, the then sheikhdoms were at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia. Nowadays we remain thus and much more, as our population is a melting pot that by far supersedes multiculturalism in any Western capital. We manage to succeed, not simply get along, by our innate make-up for tolerance towards others. Over the last two decades the UAE has been one of the most socially progressive nations in the Gulf region; we have strived to attract talent from across the globe to collectively work with our citizens to improve the lives of Emiratis and foreigners alike. For our focus is not only on ourselves, as our country has significantly increased its share of humanitarian and development aid to other nations. At home, we endeavour to ensure high-quality lives for expatriates in the UAE, that they feel at home as our guests. We live in a world made up of many different cultures and opinions, if we are to proactively collaborate and solve problems regionally and globally, we must always aspire to better understand each other’s perspectives. For, if we better understand each other, we can work more effectively as a whole. Through technology and connectivity, the youth of our nation and the world are now more connected than ever before. Having access to information and knowledge instantly through social networks is a first in the history of humankind. Naturally we understand the advantages; however, we must likewise face the challenges linked to these possibilities. For misinformation is also more easily spread than ever before, our liberalised societies must be able to tackle this challenge in order to maintain social order as well as an atmosphere of tolerance and unity. As our dear founding father, the late President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, once uttered “To treat every person, no matter what his creed or race, as a special soul, is a mark of Islam”. The UAE shall remain a dynamic and forward-thinking country. Not least, for we are the first country in setting up a ministry dedicated exclusively to artificial intelligence. It is the customary kind-nature of Emiratis, the fact that we accept and respect people from all over the world, which is indeed one of the fundamental pillars to our success.    

Sidiki Kaba, La justice Internationale et la lutte contre l’impunité

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Sidiki Kaba, La justice Internationale et la lutte contre l’impunité

Conversation avec S.E. M. Sidiki Kaba, Président de l’Assemblée des Etats Parties

By Diplomat Magazine. Quelles sont les réalisations les plus marquantes de votre mandat ? Au cours de mon mandat, je me suis attaché à promouvoir le raffermissement de la relation entre la Cour pénale internationale et l’Afrique ainsi que la complémentarité. Je me suis efforcé d’encourager un dialogue franc et constructif entre les Etats africains ayant des griefs envers la Cour et l’Assemblée des Etats Parties de la CPI. Il était nécessaire de répondre aux sources du malaise qui existe entre la Cour et certains Etats africains qui l’accusent de néocolonialisme. À ce propos, je me réjouis que l’Afrique du Sud et la Gambie aient renoncé à se retirer du Statut de Rome, le traité de la Cour, et aient réaffirmé leur attachement à la CPI. Toutefois, nous devons poursuivre le dialogue pour raffermir davantage les rapports entre la Cour et ses Etats Parties en général. S’agissant de la complémentarité, je me suis engagé à promouvoir ce principe essentiel auprès de tous les Etats, qu’ils soient Parties ou non au Statut de Rome. En effet, la complémentarité doit être l’épine dorsale de la lutte contre l’impunité car la justice pénale internationale ne prime pas sur le droit national mais complète ses faiblesses lorsque les systèmes judiciaires nationaux ne disposent pas des capacités nécessaires ou n’ont pas la volonté pour juger ces crimes de masse. La CPI apparaît donc comme un recours contre l’Etat qui faillirait à ses obligations internationales et il est donc souhaitable et avantageux que les Etats remplissent leurs obligations parce que la répression nationale est la règle, la répression internationale l’exception Quelles sont, selon vous, les principaux défis auxquels est confrontée la Cour ? Alors que la Cour atteint l’âge de la maturité, 2018 marquera le 20e anniversaire de l’adoption du Statut de Rome. Elle doit maintenant asseoir son statut de juridiction indépendante et notamment répondre à deux grands défis : la coopération et l’accusation de politisation. La coopération des Etats Parties est primordiale alors que la Cour ne dispose pas de force de police. Sans coopération, la Cour ne peut s’acquitter pleinement de son mandat de rendre justice aux victimes et de mettre fin à l’impunité pour les crimes graves qui choquent la conscience humaine. Quant à la perception d’une institution politisée, il faut y répondre. Certes, comme toute œuvre humaine, la CPI n’est pas parfaite mais une imperfection juridique reste toutefois préférable à un vide juridique, d’où la nécessité et la pertinence incontestable de cette institution pour répondre à l’exigence de justice et de réparation des torts subis par les millions de victimes d’atrocités. C’est pour cela que la Cour, lorsqu’elle est saisie, doit aller au bout de sa mission qui est de rendre la justice, à l’abri des influences politiques, avec l’assurance de la coopération de tous les États Membres. Que peut-on faire pour continuer d’avancer sur la voie de l’universalité alors que le nombre d’accession au Statut de Rome stagne ? Ma conviction reste que la ratification universelle du Statut de Rome et son incorporation effective dans les systèmes internes, ainsi que la coopération des Etats parties et non parties, sont d’une importance capitale pour la lutte contre l’impunité. La promotion de l’universalité du Statut de Rome doit s’appuyer aussi bien sur les Etats Parties que sur les Etats non Parties mais aussi sur les organisations intergouvernementales, la société civile. Il est aussi aujourd’hui nécessaire d’atteindre la ratification universelle du Statut de Rome, de rendre la Cour compétente partout dans le monde afin de lutter efficacement et effectivement contre l’impunité des crimes graves relevant de sa compétence. Pour cela, la tenue régulière des réunions de coordination avec tous les acteurs et l’élaboration d’un plan et d’une stratégie d’action pour les prochaines années, impliquant tous les Etats, tous les acteurs y compris les ONG et la société civile aux séquences d’exécution de ce plan est une nécessité. Le dialogue avec les Etats asiatiques, continent le moins représenté au sein de l’Assemblée, doit aussi se poursuivre avec l’appui de la société civile afin de promouvoir les valeurs et principes du Statut de Rome qui sont au service des victimes. Lors de la négociation du Statut de Rome, en tant que membre de la FIDH, vous avez beaucoup œuvré pour la reconnaissance des droits des victimes. Comment voyez-vous la place des victimes aujourd’hui au sein de la justice pénale internationale ? La participation des victimes est primordiale dans la justice pénale internationale car il ne peut y avoir de paix sans justice. La question de l’aide et de la protection des victimes nécessite à cet égard une attention toute particulière et appelle un engagement politique, l’implication de tous les acteurs concernés au niveau national, régional et international mais aussi des organisations de la société civile et les organisations de victimes, une formation des acteurs de la justice mais une cohérence dans l’action. Les communautés fracturées par les conflits ne peuvent pas se reconstruire si les victimes ne sont pas entendues lors des audiences. La Cour pénale internationale est la première juridiction pénale internationale à donner une voix aux victimes en permettant leur représentation lors des audiences et est également la première juridiction pénale internationale à accorder des réparations aux victimes. Ainsi, la Cour constitue une réponse à l’exigence de justice et de réparation pour les victimes des atrocités. ———– Sidiki Kaba S.E. M. Sidiki Kaba est élu Président de l’Assemblée des Etats Parties de la Cour pénale internationale en décembre 2014. Garde des Sceaux et ministre de la Justice du Sénégal depuis 2013, il est nommé Ministre des Affaires Etrangères et des Sénégalais de l’extérieur en 2017.    

Climbing up the stairs

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Climbing up the stairs
By H.E. Mr Edgar Elias Azar, Ambassador of Mexico to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 1969, being recently appointed as a judge, one morning climbing the staircase of the Mexico City Court where he served, Edgar Elias Azar promised to himself that one day he would become its President. Since that moment, he prepared academically and professionally in order to achieve his goal, which was to change the Court of one of the largest cities of the world so to assure a better administration of justice for its nearly half a million users. He was born in Acapulco, Guerrero, on 1946, and an obtained his Law degree at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 1970. Those were difficult times; times of social struggle all around the world, including Mexico. During those years, Elias Azar became very aware that Mexico needed a change; a change that had to be sufficiently big as to modify the bases of government and politics and to become closer to the people; it had to become more democratic, open and efficient. During the years in between his first judicial appointment and his presidency, Elias Azar served his country in many different offices: as a judge, as a politician and as a public administrator. In 1987, he was appointed Minister of Finance at his own home State where he served for 5 years and then went back to the judiciary. Nearly 35 years had passed between his first appointment as a judge and the achievement of his dream. In November 2007, he was elected, by a great majority of his peers, President of Mexico´s City Supreme Court of Justice. In 2013, he also became the President of the Local Supreme Courts National Assembly, where he actively promoted political and legal reforms, which helped to modernize the judicial procedures in the country, broadening the protection of women rights, as well as the fundamental rights of all individuals. Since the very beginning of his career he has been a convinced liberal. The defense of rights, democracy and freedom constructed an ideological and political tendency that has lasted all his life. This same ideological framework was the one that later would become the flag of justice; the one that served as a base in Mexico redesign the judicial system and assure its transparency through the development of a robust system of indicators approved by the designed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Office. During his presidency at the Court, Elias Azar improved all judicial procedures, proposed more than 50 substantial legislative amendments to secondary law and to the Constitution concerne with making justice closer to people as well as more efficient and effective. His administration was guided by three main principles: a robust defense of judicial autonomy, the preservation of the judicial independence and the democratization of justice. To protect and secure the autonomy of all judges was a hard task. Protecting them from any external influence – political, media or economical – so they can really decide according to the law and to their conscience. Under this perspective, Elias Azar changed the whole procedural system, making it more democratic, respectful of human rights and transparent. He implemented oral procedures in all the judicial areas. The independence of the judicial power was assured in two ways: by achieving to maintain other Powers away from the judicial decisions and by assuring that the judicial budget was not subject of political decisions. Regarding the democratization of the judiciary, Elias Azar focused on tackling three issues: Assuring that judges view people take them as humans and not as files; promoting legal culture among citizens and combatting “procedural violence”: difficult procedures, legal procedures which are hard to understand, and the lack of resources to pay for a legal representation, are some of the difficulties that people face when they want access to justice. The Mexican judicial situation started changing in the 2008, when the Constitution received several amendments. Most of them were directed to change the essence, the structure and the perspective of justice in Mexico. For instance, the Constitution explicitly binds the judiciary with the protection of human rights. Definitely, this does not mean that before judges were not obliged to protect and respect them, but this obligation is now strongly stressed in our Constitution and judges are not only obliged to protect all the rights stipulated in our constitutional text, but they are also obliged to protect all the human rights contained in the various international treaties and conventions. These amendments, no doubt, change the role of the judges as those who are in charge of taking care of the validity of legal norms and the protection of democracy. The adjudication of the law was improved drastically, and the Country keeps on seeing the benefits of these legal modifications. In 2017, the President of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, named Elias Azar as Ambassador of Mexico to the Netherlands and as permanent representative to the OPCW. With this new assignment, Elias Azar has the opportunity to spread out his vision about the law, about human rights and democracy in an international level. ——– Photography by Rene Gonzalez de la Vega.            

Etapas del desarrollo, crisis vitales y familias migrantes 1/4

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Etapas del desarrollo, crisis vitales y familias migrantes 1/4
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 biología y de la sociedad y atraviesan la estructura familiar. La familia, entonces, combina el entrecruzamiento de las etapas de crecimiento de cada uno de sus miembros con las etapas y el movimiento propios de ella misma. Las etapas vitales Individuales comunes a todos son Infancia, adolescencia, adultez , vejez. Las Etapas comunes familiares son: Matrimonio sin hijos , Proyecto de procreación , Crianza, Emancipación de los hijos, Nido Vacío. Estas etapas producen cambios a los que deberá adaptarse la organización formal (o simbólica) de una familia. Son cambios de composición que exigen una reorganización de los roles y las reglas. El desarrollo familiar demanda una gran disposición simultánea para poder responder, plenamente, a los cambios en uno mismo y en los otros. Desde luego que, a menudo, resulta difícil responder a esta demanda. Así, cada uno de los miembros de la familia se ira deslizando de una etapa a otra atravesando las distintas crisis (cambios) que hacen posible el crecimiento. Para la mejor comprensión de las familias en tránsito es imprescindible situarse en la multiplicidad de variables que nos permite esta conceptualización. Uno de los rasgos distintivos en las familias migrantes es que estas crisis perfectamente normales y esperables, aunque no por eso fáciles , son vividas como si fueran causadas por las sucesivas mudanzas y no como crisis que todos deberíamos esperar. Claro que, en el caso de estas familias, también se suman las crisis propias de los traslados. Me ha tocado escuchar muchas veces a padres de adolescentes muy preocupados por conductas “inquietantes” de sus hijos, que, ellos suponían, se debían a los traslados. Sin embargo, en realidad no eran más que conductas típicamente adolescentes. Comprender como son estas crisis y como se entrecruzan con las crisis propias de los arraigos y desarraigos inherentes a las mudanzas ayuda a los padres y a los hijos a atravesarlas. Claro que los efectos de un traslado serán diferentes para cada grupo familiar y según la etapa que estén atravesando sus miembros: no será igual para los niños, si éstos son bebés o pre-púberes, y no será lo mismo para las parejas, si éstas están recién casadas o tienen veinte años de matrimonio. También los efectos diferirán si se trata de la primera mudanza o la quinta. De cualquier manera, siempre habrá algún integrante familiar más afectado que otro. Dependiendo de la etapa del ciclo vital en la que se encuentre, la mudanza los afectará de una manera especial. Infancia De alguna manera se podría pensar que los niños pequeños tienen más facilidad para las mudanzas ya que su mundo es su familia de origen. Entonces, lo más significativo, lo más referencial, se muda con él. Lo que habrá que tener en cuenta, sobre todo en los más peque-ños, es el estado de ánimo de los padres, sobre todo el que pase más tiempo con él, de cómo éste experimente la mudanza. Esta vivencia será trasmitida inevitablemente al niño. De esta manera, el pasaje del niño pequeño de un país a otro, estará estrechamente ligado a cómo los padres hagan frente al estrés que el traslado provoca. En los distintos relatos de adultos que en su infancia fueron niños de familias en tránsito, el recuerdo negativo de algún país siempre coincidía con el hecho de que a los padres nunca le gustó ese destino o tuvieron muchas dificultades para adaptarse a él. También es fundamental tener en consideración el grado de comunicación que existe hacia los niños. Como las mudanzas “no son cosas de niños” sucede muchas veces que los padres no creen conveniente, no saben o no pueden hablar abiertamente con sus hijos de los traslados. Hay ocasiones en que los padres les tienen mucho miedo a sus niños y sienten que con “esta vida” les están causando un mal terrible. Entonces, esta preocupación por ellos los lleva a ocultarles cosas, por lo que la incertidumbre de los niños será aún mayor que la que viven los padres. Estos, preocupados en no preocuparlos, les crean una inquietud más grande. Mariano de 3 años comenzó a ver que en su casa se vendían y regalaban cosas. Claro que a él nadie le había informado qué pasaba. Cuando regalaron al perro, se acercó muy preocupado a su madre y le preguntó si a él también lo iban a regalar. El crecimiento en la infancia entraña en todos los niños un júbilo por lo nuevo, por explorar y descubrir, también supone tristeza y ambivalencia por la pérdida de su omnipotencia: descubren que hay cosas que ya no logran hacer, ya sea porque no pueden (se lo impide su estatura o falta de fuerzas) o porque sus padres no los dejan. Supone, a la vez, la ganancia de lo nuevo y la pérdida de lo viejo. Esta dimensión importantísima del proceso evolutivo se halla, en los niños en tránsito, subrayada por las pérdidas y las ganancias geográficas y de contexto (colegio, vecinos, amiguitos). Los niños pequeños no tienen la misma capacidad de anticipar que los más grandes. Por ejemplo, el niño, en los primeros meses de vida, cuando la madre sale, llora desesperado, porque no sabe que va a volver, no puede anticipar el regreso. La madre se va y es el vacío. Por ello, la mudanza sin palabras ni explicaciones puede transformarse para el niño pequeño en solo pura pérdida. Una tropa de hombres con uniforme que vienen a embalar toda la casa puede ser una experiencia amenazante y violatoria para un niño, si se mira desde afuera sin ninguna palabra o gesto que medie, explique y contenga. —–

La autora Silvia Korenblum, nació en Buenos Aires y es Licenciada en Psicología, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Tiene un Post grado en terapias de familias y parejas, además de un Magister en psiconeuroendocrinologia. 

Es Especialista en problemas de desarraigo y adaptación, ha ejercido su práctica clínica en diversas instituciones clínicas y hospitalarias. Ha trabajado dictando seminarios y coordinando talleres de orientación a padres de niños y adolescentes atravesados por la problemática de la migración, en diferentes países. Es Autora de numerosas ponencias y artículos sobre su especialidad y del libro Familias en Transito, Lumen humanitas 2003. Casada desde hace 25 años con un diplomático. Actualmente vive en Bruselas, ejerciendo su practica clinica, terapia y coaching on line. ———– Fotografia Pablo Grinspun.

Who believes that NATO is not the world’s most powerful military organization?

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Who believes that NATO is not the world’s most powerful military organization?
By Corneliu Pivariu. The end of the Cold War marked also the beginning of a campaign in which there were voices, mostly coming from Moscow but also European ones (not very many or very important, yet there were) saying that NATO is an outdated organization and once the Warsaw treaty disappeared it should disappear, too. I wrote, indeed, ever since the beginning of the 1990s and argued about the necessity of NATO’s existence and of its importance for a peaceful and democratic evolution in Europe and in the world. I wrote as well about the organization’s special capacity to permanently adapt and improve starting even with the 12th NATO Summit in Rome (7-8 November, 1991) when the Alliance’s New Strategic Concept that mirrored the deep changes taking place on the European continent was adopted. Here’s how almost three decades passed since then and the alliance proved copiously not only its necessity but also its capacity of being permanently present. We consider that NATO’s essential pillars are the transatlantic component and Article 5. That’s why mainly on these two elements it’s being tried to induce publicly certain doubt and incertitude factors for undermining the confidence and creating suspicions about the alliance’s capacities and possibilities. Even Donald Trump’s election as the new American president, was used as an opportunity to this purpose without obtaining the anticipated result and we may say that, on the contrary, the result was the opposite as NATO and the USA proved again the capacity and the resolution of acting in accordance with NATO Charter. At the end of the first weeek of November, the yearly meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence took place and, on that occasion, new decisions concerning the continuous adaptation of the organizations to the challenges it is confronted with were made. One of the important components of this adaptation is that of a robust and agile command structure which, according to the statements of NATO’s Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, “lies at the foundation of strengthening the deterrence and defence as well as the ability of projecting stability beyond NATO’s frontiers”. It has been decided that two new NATO headquarters be established, one for the Atlantic – having as its main mission to ensure that the maritime communications lines between Europe and North America remain unobstructed and secure. The second new headquarters will have as its mission improving the movement of NATO troops on the European continent and strengthening the logistic within NATO’s command structure function. As NATO’s Secretary General said, it is about not only of mobility but also about the ability of rapidly moving troops and equipment with appropriate means of transportation and using the adequate infrastructure. Conclusions and steps to that purpose will be presented upon February 2018 meeting of ministers of defence. The importance of the cooperation in this field with the European Union was stressed and it has been appreciated that the military mobility may be a pilot element of NATO-EU cooperation. A NATO’s important member, both by its geopolitical position and by its military capabilities is represented by Turkey. The 2016 summer supposed military coup attempt and Ankara’s rapprochement to Moscow (including initiating the actions of acquiring the Russian missile system S-400), the reactions concerning the German military presence at Incirlik military base and Berlin’s decision of moving its military contingent there to Jordan were presented as a possible Turkey’s intention of quitting NATO and even proposals that Turkey be excluded from NATO were circulated. The fact that Turkey cooperates with the French-Italian consortium Eurosam for producing the surface-to-air missiles system based on SAMP-T missiles that was initiated in July, 2017, was less reported. Turkey’s quitting NATO is out of the question. Indeed and not the least, the last meeting of NATO defence ministers addressed the development and strengthening of cyber missions and operations considering that cyber will be part and parcel of any potential military conflict. So, the answer to the question of the title is very clear: really NOBODY, yet there are forces wishing to promote this idea. And that without taking into account that such an idea makes NATO more determined in accomplishing its missions of developing the collective defence of all its members. ———————————————————————————— 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.  

Independent Finland: The First 100 Years

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Independent Finland: The First 100 Years
By H.E. Mr  Timo Ranta, Ambassador of Finland to Belgium and Luxembourg. Almost all countries in the world have a national day. In some countries, like Finland and The United States, that day is called The Independence Day. Finland became independent in 1917, a hundred years ago. The sixth of December was the date when the Parliament approved the independence declaration issued by the Senate. Finnish independence was recognized by most of our closest countries in January 1918. The first steps of our independence were not easy. Finland soon slid into a civil war. However, in July 1919 the first Constitution of Finland was adopted and Finland became a republic. During the Second World War, Finland suddenly found absolute national unity and remained independent. In addition to London and Moscow, Helsinki was the only European capital that was never occupied during the war. Finnish democracy functioned throughout the war. During the decades after the war, Finland sought to remain neutral. This was a relatively successful policy since Finland could gradually expand its leeway during the cold war and strengthen its economy and international ties. Independence never meant isolation for us. Finland joined the World Bank and the IMF in 1948, the United Nations and the Nordic Council in 1955, the OECD in 1969, the Council of Europe in 1989, and the European Union in 1995. Finland has always sought to be an active member in all international organizations. We are no longer neutral: we support the guiding principles of the international community: human rights, equality, rule of law, and the desire to solve all conflicts peacefully. The European Union is clearly our strongest framework. It is even enshrined in our constitution. In these difficult times, Finland wishes to strengthen the Union. We want to be part of the solution. The first hundred years of Finnish independence have been a tremendous success story. We have transformed our country from a poor agricultural backwater into a modern, democratic, prosperous, civilized and more and more digitalized forerunner. This would not have been possible without a profound belief that we can make it if we stay true to ourselves. It was true one hundred years ago and it is true today.  

Diplomats Meet and Greet

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Diplomats Meet and Greet
On the picture Sheila Turabaz and H.E.  Mr. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja. Photography by Roy Strik . By Sheila Turabaz. On the 26th of October, the Carlton Ambassador Hotel once again served as the backdrop for the Diplomats Meet and Greet. This time, the much anticipated and well-attended networking event organized by Diplomat Magazine and the Diplomatic Card was organized in cooperation with the Embassy of Indonesia. An eclectic mix of representatives from the corps diplomatique, international organizations, the business sector and others mingled that evening whilst enjoying the finest Indonesian cuisine, such as the classics nasi goring, gado-gado and rendang as well as “Sayah Liquor”, an Indonesian liquor with the unique flavour of spekkoek (an Indonesian layer cake) containing hints of cardamom, cinnamon, anise and vanilla. H.E. Mr. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, ambassador of Indonesia, welcomed guests, presenting himself as “the food and cultural curator” of the night . He considers it to be one of his favorite functions: “Food is like a chemistry. It is mixed with different elements. A single bite, will give a variety of taste and nurtures our palate. A single bite, gives us a pleasure to enter into another world. (…) Culture, like food, offers different story lines. (…) While quoting Mahatma Ghandi, the ambassador said that “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people. It provides us a clear understanding and appreciation of each other’s culture and traditions. In turn, we all become cultural enthusiasts and at peace with each other.” Guests were treated with artistic performances by InaDance, a traditional Indonesian dance group based in the Netherlands and pianist Stephanus Maximilian Harsono, who won the prestigious Prinses Christina Concours prize in 2014. Interesting conversations took place, business cards were exchanged, and fabulous food and drinks were enjoyed by all. It’s safe to say that this was yet another successful edition of Diplomats Meet and Greet.

Linda Zin, Promoting Malaysia, More than a Spousal Duty

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Linda Zin, Promoting Malaysia, More than a Spousal Duty
 By Diplomat Magazine. Recently we had the pleasure of interviewing Linda Zin, the wife of the Malaysian Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We strolled through The Hague, talking about responsibility, work and love. We stopped at the historical Hotel Des Indes in the picturesque Lange Voorhout neighborhood. When sitting down for a cup of tea, we decided to ask her some questions. Q1: As the spouse of the Malaysian Ambassador, how do you see your role and duties in representing you country? The role as a spouse to an ambassador is quite similar to my career back home in corporate marketing. It is simply hospitality at its best. Perhaps, the difference is that now instead of representing a corporation, I represent a country. Further, instead of translating the hospitality to dollars and cents, I translate my conduct and mannerism to the good, dignified name and positive image of Malaysia. That is my primary role and duties here, although I certainly believe that the best way to do it is just simply “to be myself” and “to have lots of fun” doing it. Q2: In the two years that you are here, how do you perceive the Netherlands? Tell us about a time before coming to your first posting as spouse, what expectations did you have at the time and how you performed together with more “experienced spouses”? The Netherlands is a liberal country with warm people and well developed economy. Recently, I had an opportunity to join my husband to Brainport in Eindhoven and learned about the city’s massive success in bringing back economic life to the city after the economic crisis in the 1990s. I think that the city of Eindhoven is the precise reflection of what the whole country is, in terms of its coordination, synergy and knowledge sharing among the Government, the universities and the industries players. All with one common goal, which is in finding what works best for their people and for the country. The Dutch are fun and united too. I joined the crowd during the King’s Day when I first arrived in 2015 and I was amazed that it takes only one color, Orange to unite the whole nation. I also feel very safe, mostly in my neighborhood in Wassenaar. For example, I feel completely safe to go for my run alone in the evening, a simple pleasure like that which I would not be able to enjoy in my neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur. Overall, I am impressed with the quality of life and the living condition here compared to other European cities that I have been to. After all, I do not have much to complain for a country which its Prime Minister cycled to see his King at the Palace to present to the His Majesty the list of the Cabinet Ministers! I consider myself as very lucky to be in The Netherlands for my first posting although my husband has been posted to the USA and Indonesia before. When we received the news that we will be assuming these roles, I did not put any expectation or benchmark to myself but I know it is going to be intricately delicate and demanding at the same time. It is well understood that being spouses to diplomats, we have certain responsibilities to fulfill and they are all back in supporting our spouses’ official duties in promoting the interest of our country. I have been blessed too, to become friends with many other spouses of the ambassadors here because of our involvement in the Ambassadors’ Spouses Association (ASA), The Hague. ASA has been an effective platform for me to connect and learn from other more experienced spouses. Q3: What have you done so far to increase Malaysia’s visibility in the Netherlands? What are your plans, how much more can be done as you perceive the future during your mandate?  I accompany my husband in many diplomatic and social functions and gatherings. I take pride in wearing Malaysian’s traditional costume, mostly “baju kurung” to these events. I would also do the same when receiving our dignitaries from home at Schiphol Airport or when I am hosting in our Residence. It is my way in expressing my patriotism and the confidence that comes with it and it is tremendously gratifying. Malaysia is also enthusiastic in gastro-diplomacy. I have organized numerous culinary events to promote Malaysian food here among the corps diplomatique, the locals, international school community and others. Recently in September we invited one of our celebrity Chefs from Malaysia for a cooking demonstration with the theme of “Street Food of Malaysia” and it was very well received by the guests. Going forward I would still keep on doing what we are doing best here but I would also like to take the opportunity in shifting the focus to learn and gain from the experiences of the Dutch in the areas that Malaysia and other ASEAN countries could improve on, for example in bridging the gender inequality and key sectors that have specific focus on women’s development. Q4: Tell us something about your involvement in ASA and the ASEAN Ladies Circle. I am the Secretary of Ambassadors’ Spouses Association (ASA), The Hague and the President of the ASEAN Ladies Circle (ALC), The Hague. ASA celebrates diversity and practices equality. Therefore, we do not have ranks in the association. My role as a Secretary is mainly administrative and to handle official correspondences and communications with the members. Together with other committee members, we would plan for activities that we deem could foster closer friendship among the members and local community. The challenge does lies in finding the right activity that suits the demographic, dynamic and interest of the members. I would really like to encourage more spouses to get more involved with ASA. Additionally, the association is reviving and all the 5 countries are responding, supporting and cooperating well with each other. At every quarter we will organize an activity which aims to encourage cordial interaction among the members. We do not look at only organizing activity within our circle but also collaborating with other organization, for example in May this year we have organized together with Diplomatic Magazine and Hague Bridge a cycling activity around The Hague which was also joined by all the ASEAN Ambassadors in The Hague. In the coming years, I hope to see that ALC, The Hague would also be thriving as ASEAN is advancing. Q5: What is your greatest strength and what you can say to the new spouses coming to The Hague to fulfill their role? You need to have a big heart full of kindness, a growth mindset and positive outlook as this role is almost philanthropic. It is also important to be involved with others beyond your community and official duties as there are many opportunities and platforms to be explored here. Q6: Is there something you would like to share with the Diplomatic community in The Hague and/or with population in general? The world today is full of endless possibilities with the advancement of humanity and technology. The world today too, is full of challenges, mistrust, confusion and uncertainties in many parts of the world. People are suffering from poverty, war and injustice. As a member of the world community we should all come together and do our part to promote peace, harmony and justice. And to me, it is not hard at all. In the simplest manner, we are all can be kind regardless of who we are. Kindness is empowering and the best place to start is in our own home. As a mother, I think that it is vital for the parents to model kindness to their children. It is the core of all the education that we could provide to our children. It is so powerful that it will further shape their character and eventually mold our societies, flourish our nations and evolve our world to become a better place for all. ———- Photography by Roy Strik.
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