South Sudan to Join Chemical Weapons Convention

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South Sudan to Join Chemical Weapons Convention
South Sudan announced today December first, that it “has all but concluded the process of joining the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)”. Upon joining the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), countries become Member States of the OPCW and enjoy the full benefits of the Convention. H.E. Mr Moses M. Akol Ajawin, the Director General for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of South Sudan, while speaking on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Mr Deng Alor Koul, delivered a statement to the Twenty-Second Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP) to the Chemical Weapons Convention taking place in The Hague. Ambassador Akol Ajawin emphasised that “the images of victims of chemical weapons make us all the more appreciative of the goals and objectives of OPCW.  As such, we, in South Sudan, would unreservedly like to associate ourselves with the noble goals and objectives of this great organisation”. He further updated the CSP that the Council of Ministers of the Republic of South Sudan, acting on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (and based on the presentation made to it by the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs), resolved on 25 August 2017 to “approve membership in the OPCW”. He continued to state that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Cabinet Affairs; and the Defence and Veterans Affairs remain seized with the implementation. Ambassador Akol Ajawin concluded, “South Sudan has no reason to sit on the fence . . . and South Sudan looks forward to becoming the newest and youngest State Party”.  Ahmet Üzümcü, OPCW Director-General. The Director-General of the OPCW, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, welcomed the anticipated accession of South Sudan to the Convention: “Today, we are one step closer to universal membership. I urge the other nations that have yet to join the Convention – Egypt, Israel and North Korea – to unite with the rest of the world in eliminating all chemical weapons forever.”

Conference of the States Parties Opens to Review Progress and Chart Direction for OPCW in 2018

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Conference of the States Parties Opens to Review Progress and Chart Direction for OPCW in 2018
On the picture we can see the Deputy Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Mr Hamid Ali Rao, Director-General of the OPCW, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü and H.E. Ambassador Abdelouahab Bellouki, from Morocco. Photography by Kim Vermaat. Remaining vigilant and strengthening the international norm against chemical weapons in the face of their continued use was the main message from the opening day of the Twenty-Second Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP-22) to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), taking place from 27 November up today 1 December in The Hague.
The Conference is chaired by Permanent Representative of Morocco to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Ambassador Abdelouahab Bellouki, who assumes the duties from outgoing Chairperson, H.E. Ambassador Christoph Israng of Germany. Ambassador Bellouki invited: “delegations and all participants of this Conference to be guided by the spirit of cooperation, respect and consensus,” and highlighted that “we are all united by the primary aim of the Chemical Weapons Convention – the achievement of a world free of chemical weapons. A world with less fear, a world with less terror. A better world.” During this week, States Parties will discuss and make important decisions on issues ranging from the global implementation of the CWC to the OPCW’s budget and programme for 2018. In his opening statement, the Director-General of the OPCW, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, looked back at 2017 as “a landmark one for the OPCW that has given us the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on our achievements of the past two decades”. He stressed that the international community continued to be confronted with the on-going and systematic use of chemical weapons. “It is vital, and in the interests of all States Parties to the Convention, that the long held international norm against chemical weapons remains strong and the perpetrators held accountable,” declared the Director-General. Ambassador Üzümcü’s speech gave prominence to the progress in eliminating declared chemical weapon stockpiles, including this year’s major milestone of the Russian Federation completing the destruction of its chemical arsenal under OPCW verification. The Director-General affirmed the importance of continuous engagement with the chemical industry and scientific community, and of strengthening cooperation with the OPCW Member States in Africa. For a series of Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the link below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157688841987392
H.E. Yun Young Lee, Ambassador of Korea.
On a more personal note, the Director-General reflected on his eight years at the helm of the Organisation as his tenure completes next year and stated, “In approaching the conclusion of my tenure, I consider myself extremely fortunate. I will leave an Organisation that is strong, vibrant, and efficient”. Looking to the future, he stressed: “The OPCW is and will be what its States Parties want it to be. I am confident that your continued commitment to the goals of the Convention will further strengthen this essential pillar of international security.” Participants at CSP-22 also honoured the recipients of the 2017 OPCW-The Hague Award on 27 November at an awards ceremony held at the World Forum.  The joint recipients, the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) from Algiers, Algeria, and the International Master Courses in Protection Against CBRNe Events at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, are institutions that make an outstanding contribution towards the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Award was established in 2014 from the monetary prize accompanying the Noble Prize for Peace and is supplemented by the City of The Hague. On 30 November, the Conference appointed Ambassador Fernando Arias of Spain as the new Director-General of the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW. Ambassador Arias will start his four year term on 25 July 2018. During the week-long Conference, States Parties, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the OPCW Technical Secretariat will provide a range of side events and exhibits showcasing topics related to the CWC. This year, 135 out of 192 States Parties are convening in The Hague along with Israel as a Signatory State and South Sudan as a non-Signatory State.  Additionally, representatives of ten International Organisations, 49 NGOs and three chemical companies are in attendance and will make statements to the CSP.

JP Morgan relocating to Frankfurt

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JP Morgan relocating to Frankfurt
JP Morgan, the largest US American bank is relocating its seat for European Investment Banking to Frankfurt.  According to an internal communiqué by JP Morgan’s Managing Director in Germany, Dorothee Blessing, the bank is acquiring further office space at the Taunus Tower in Frankfurt’s banking centre. The latter for employees who will move in from London after Brexit. Hitherto about 450 employees work at JP Morgan in Frankfurt.   JP Morgan has banking licences in the UK, Dublin, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Madrid and Paris. All continental offices are due to be expanded yet Franfurt will be the centre for investment banking within the EU.   Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup are likewise bringing more staff to the financial centre Frankfurt. Goldman Sachs has purchased the top floors of the Marienturm wherein more than 700 employees can be housed. Morgan Stanley can also doubled its personnel at the Omniturm, and Citigroup is likely to attract further 200 from 500 employees to its Frankfurt office.     

Camões Institute gets new head

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Camões Institute gets new head
On the picture H.E. Ambassador Luís Faro Ramos and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Picture by Presidency of Portugal. Ambassador Dr Luís Faro Ramos (b. 1962), incumbent top Portuguese envoy to Cuba has been appointed to lead the “Instituto Camões” with expanded functions to promote the Portuguese language and culture abroad as axis of Portugal’s foreign policy as stated by the Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva.  Dr Faro Ramos is a career diplomat since 1986. His career includes postings at the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the International Organisations in Geneva, to the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the EU in Brussels. In 2008, he joined the government of the day as Chief of Cabinet of the then State Secretary for National Defence and Maritime Affairs, HE Ambassador João Mira Gomes, today Portugal’s head of mission to Germany.  Camões Institute was set up in 1992. They enjoy administrative and patrimonial autonomy, that, under the supervision of the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, assures the co-ordination and execution of the external cultural policies of Portugal. For further information:     

KSA to issue tourist visas in 2018

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KSA to issue tourist visas in 2018
On the picture HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage – Picture by CultureMap Houston. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia already welcomes millions of Muslims pilgrims visiting Mecca annually; now is gearing up to attract conventional tourists.
“The targets are people who want to literally experience this country and the grandness of this country” uttered HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, head of the Saudi tourism and national heritage commission, during an interview to CNNMoney’s Richard Quest.
Saudi Arabia plans to issue its first tourist visas in 2018, Prince Sultan bin Salman said. Visas were previously restricted to people travelling to the country for work or to visit its holy sites. Attracting tourists is a central plank of the country’s plan to reduce its reliance on oil. It’s aiming for 30 million visitors a year by 2030, up from 18 million in 2016, and it wants annual tourism spending to hit $47 billion by 2020. For further information : Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage: https://scth.gov.sa/en/Pages/default.aspx#3

EU drug agency to Amsterdam, banking to Paris

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EU drug agency to Amsterdam, banking to Paris
20 November 2017, Brussels: Amsterdam and Paris won the opportunity to  host the two prominent EU agencies that must depart London due to Brexit. The decision was taken at a ministerial meeting in Brussels.

The European Medicines Authority (EMA), a key player in the continent’s healthcare industry, will go to Amsterdam prefered in a tough rivalry with Milan, and the European Banking Authority (EBA) will go to Paris, winner over Dublin.

The outcome was welcomed by European pharmaceuticals bodies. The EMA had warned that many of its staff might leave, possibly disrupting healthcare in Europe, if governments had chosen a less attractive host city, notably in the ex-communist East.

The European Commission welcomed today’s agreement at the General Affairs Council (Article 50 format) to move the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Banking Authority (EBA) to Amsterdam and Paris, respectively. Both Agencies are currently located in London.

The relocation of these two Agencies is a direct consequence – and the first visible result – of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, as notified to the European Council on 29 March 2017.

The EMA and the EBA are two key regulatory Agencies for the EU’s Single Market, and are essential for the authorisation of medicines and for bank regulation. They must continue to function smoothly and without disruption beyond March 2019, the statement said.

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Paris – Picture by Zinneke, Wikipedia free licence

Andorra, Monaco and San Marino intensify EU cooperation

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Andorra, Monaco and San Marino intensify EU cooperation
Heads of government – Serge Telle (Monaco), Antoni Martí (Andorra) and Nicola Renzi (San Marino) – Picture by Govern d’Andorra. Tuesday, 21 November 2017, Principality of Andorra: Andorran Premier Antoni Martí convened a trilateral summit in his homeland to discuss the current state of negotiations of Monaco, Andorra and San Marino vis-à-vis the EU in order to reach an association agreement. All in all, the three-hours meeting focused on finding common ground amongst the three micro-states in order to act stronger together during negotiations.
Chiefs of diplomacy of Monaco and Andorra, respectively Gilles Tonelli and Maria Ubach Font were also present – Picture by Direction de la Communication du Gouvernement Princier.
All three leaders highlighted their conviction for the European project as well as the advantages that access to the common market ought to bring to young people, to banks owing to access to liquidity as well as the elimination of tariffs and bureaucratic procedures for exports. They likewise aim at revitalising, open and diversify the markets of the three negotiating states through access to the Common Market. This summit took place in the presence of the three heads of government of the respective micro-states, namely Antoni Martí as host in Andorra, the State Secretary for Foreign, Political and Justice Affairs of San Marino, Nicola Renzi as well as the Minister of State of Monaco, Serge Telle. Also in attendance were the Andorran Foreign Minister Maria Ubach Font, the Counsellor for External Affairs and Cooperation of Monaco, Gilles Tonelli, the Director for European Affairs of San Marino, Luca Brandi, the Sammarinese Permanent Representative to the EU, Antonella Benedettini as well as the Andorran Ambassador to Monaco and San Marino, Enric Tarrado. For further information: https://www.govern.ad/afers-exteriors/item/8752-andorra-monaco-i-san-marino-intensifiquen-el-treball-conjunt-per-negociar-un-acord-d-associacio-amb-ue-que-s-adequei-a-les-especificitats-de-cada-estat

Coalition building in the German State of Lower Saxony

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Coalition building in the German State of Lower Saxony
Lower Saxon Premier Stephan Weil – Foto AG Gymnasium Melle, CC-BY-SA 3.0 (through Wikipedia im Landtag – Niedersachsen).
By Jan Eustachi.

Wednesday, 22 November 2017: Social Democratic politician Stephan Weil was re-elected during a vote at the State Assembly of Lower Saxony as the Bundesland’s premier.

Social Democrats won the Elections for the Parliament in the second largest German State located in the north-west of Germany. To form the new government in Hannover the Social Democrats have entered into a coalition with the Christian Democrats. 

After two weeks of negotiations between the acting social democratic Premier Stephan Weil and the  regional leader of the CDU Bernd Althusmann the crucial issues for the coalition’s formation were elaborated. Althusmann will hold the office of the Deputy Premier and lead the resort for Economics, Labour and Digital Affairs. As Minister of Economics, Althusmann wants, contrary to his electoral promises, to be a participant of the supervisory board of Volkswagen. The remaining ministerial posts are split evenly among the two coalition partners as follows.

Social Democrats: Former Minister of Economics Olaf Lies will change to the Ministry of Ecology, Housing and Energy, whereas Boris Pistorius, Minister of the Interior will remain in his position. Grant Hendrik Tonne, former parliamentary manager of the SPD party will take over the Ministry of Education and Arts. The Ministry of Social Affairs will be led by the member of the Bundestag Carola Reiman. Last but not least, Birgit Honé, who was in the past assigned to the state chancellery, will receive her own department and become Minister for Federal and European Affairs.

Christian Democrats: The former budget policy speaker of the CDU parliamentary fraction, Reinhold Hilbers, will become Minister of Finance. The ministry of agriculture will be led by Barbara Otte-Kienast, while the North-Rhine Westphalian judge Barbara Havilza will take over the ministry of Justice. The last ministerial post for the CDU will be filled with former group-chairman Björn Thümler as Minister for Science and Culture.

For further information :

Transition to low-carbon society is gradually being in the EU

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Transition to low-carbon society is gradually being in the EU
Miguel Arias Cañete, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy.
Today, the European Commission publishes its third report on the state of the energy union. It provides an overview of the results achieved and look forward to the coming year. Along with the general report published today also 28 country files.
 
The report also confirms that no energy can be achieved if the infrastructure is not adapted to the needs of the future energy system. The infrastructure for energy, transport and telecommunications are becoming increasingly intertwined. Local networks will become increasingly important in the daily lives of European citizens, which is becoming more will switch to electric mobility, decentralized energy production and demand response.
Although significant progress has been made, problems persist, particularly in the field of electricity. To address this problem, the Commission today adopted a Communication on the target of 15% electricity interconnection 2030. She adopted the third list of projects of common interest.
Following the report said Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, verantwo orderly for energy union “Energy Union can only be successful if we all follow the same course, the goal is to fulfill our promise to complete the energy union by the end. of the Commission’s current mandate. by 2019 the energy union should not policy anymore, but a daily reality that every European citizen to reap the benefits. This requires more commitment needed from all walks of life. Therefore, I consider next year the year of action. “
Miguel Arias Cañete, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy: “The energy transition in Europe is on track: the share of renewable energy reached record highs and rapidly declining costs, but the European energy infrastructure must evolve in the same direction and at the same pace this. energy full support. Therefore, we propose to focus the new list of projects on major electricity interconnections and smart networks. the measures taken today to improve the infrastructure for clean energy, is another important step towards a sustainable, competitive and secure energy – with a real European added value “.

Opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi

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Opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, President Macron (France) and spouse, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister – Picture by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. 8 November 2017, Saadiyat Island, Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE: The United Arab Emirates fêted with much pomp and circumstance the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, already being labelled as the most pulchritudinous museum architecture worldwide.
HH Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture of Oman.
Under the patronage of President Emanuel Macron (France) and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron accompanied the French Head of State as well as the UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Emir of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Other regional sovereigns such as HM The King of Bahrain, Hamad II, HM The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as well as the ruling princes (amirs) of Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras Al-Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain, which also form part of the Emirati federation, were likewise in attendance. For additional picture on the museum collection, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157690074340005
French and Emirati ministers of Culture signing cooperation agreements – Picture by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first museum of its kind in the Arab world: a universal museum that is a cultural beacon, bringing together different cultures to shine fresh light on the shared stories of humanity. Located on Saadiyat Island, Pritzker Prize winning French architect Jean Nouvel designed a museum-city (Arab Madina) under a vast silvery dome. Therein one can walk through the promenades overlooking the sea beneath the museum’s 180-metre diametre dome, composed of almost 8,000 unique metal stars set in a complex geometric pattern.
Emir of Fujairah, King of Bahrain and Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa at the Louvre Museum.
When sunlight filters through, it creates a moving ‘rain of light’ beneath the dome, reminiscent of the overlapping palm trees in the UAE oases.
Louvre Abu Dhabi 2 – Picture by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
  Designed as a micro-city, Louvre Abu Dhabi is an archipelago out at sea. Dedicated areas entice and encourage a multitude of activities, especially contemplation. For a diverse choice of transportation, visitors can arrive by either land or sea.
Louvre Abu Dhabi – Picture by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority,
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