On the picture the President of Eurojust Baroness Michèle Coninsx and H.E. Ambassador Christian Lepage, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the International organizations in The Hague. Michèle Coninsx president of Eurojust since 2012, has been appointed by the UN Secretary-General as Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate. After moving from The Hague to the New York City UN headquarters in early November, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres confirmed her appointment at the Assistant Secretary-General level. Ms. Coninsx’s resume is extensive. Ms. Coninsx began her career at Eurojust, the Judicial Cooperation Unit of the European Union, in 2001, when she served as Deputy Prosecutor General. Following, Ms, Coninsx became the National Member of Belgium to Eurojust in 2002. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Coninsx was appointed as Vice-President and held a position of the Presidency team. From 2009 to 2010, she served as President of Eurojust, and also held the position of Chair in Eurojust’s Counter Terrorism Team and the Task Force on the Future of Eurojust.

Prior, to joining Pro-Eurojust, Ms. Coninsx was appointed as a National Prosecutor in 1997, serving as Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Public Prosecutors Office in Brussels (1990-1997). As an expert to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and instructor on anti-terrorism in the air, she was in charge of training aviation security in several countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, Japan and New Zealand. Additionally, Ms. Coninsx was assigned by the Belgian National Aviation Security Committee to head anti-terrorism training related to aircraft sabotage and hijacking. Ms. Coninsx worked in the judiciary sector for almost 25 years. From 1997 to 2001, just before joining Eurojust, she was one of the three Belgian national prosecutors in charge of coordinating the fight against organised crime and terrorism at country-wide level, with full jurisdictional powers over the 27 Belgian chief prosecutors. She holds two master’s degrees, one in law and the other in Criminology, from the University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel — VUB).  She received the Aggregation higher secondary education (Law) and is specialized in air law.  She was an Auditor of the High Studies Security and Defence at the Royal Higher Institute for Defence in Brussels (2005-2006), and a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe (since 2016).  She is also the Visiting Professor at the School of Law, Queen Mary University of London (since 2015) and honorary Fellow of Law and Criminology at VUB (since 2014). Ms Coninsx is author of several publications, including “Private Security Companies,” “The search of persons at airports,” “Judicial Handbook for Aviation Police Officers,” “Air Law for Air Traffic Controllers,” and “The Fight against Terrorism in the Air.” She was also keynote speaker at several international aviation security conferences dealing with terrorism in the air, airport security, human resources management and aviation security training for airport personnel.    

                            Holding a magnificent piece of adras, the Uzbek silk,  H.E. Konstantine Surguladze,  Ambassador of Georgia, H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan H.E. Heidemaria Gurer, Ambassador of Austria, H.E. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of Kosovo, H.E. Andrea Gustovic Ercegovac, Ambassador of Croatia and  H.E. Mr Youn Yun Lee, Ambassador of Korea.   The Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Brussels, surprised The Hague’s diplomat community with a grandiose reception to celebrate its 26^th Anniversary, an example of the traditional Uzbek hospitality.

The Senator Room of Carlton Ambassador was filled with an abundance of ambassadors, diplomats and judges from embassies and International organisations. Additionally, business people, Dutch officials, parliamentarians, academics and friends of Eurasia came from different Dutch Ministries and universities to celebrate and meet the Ambassador-designate H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, who would soon present credentials to King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands. Ambassador Khakimov took office in Brussels early September and is also credited to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. For additional Roy Strik’s picture, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157688334725641 Early in the morning, the Uzbek team from the embassy in Brussels arrived to Carlton to start the preparation of the venue under the direction of Ambassador Khakimov. Uzbek diplomats and their spouses, artist, dancers and the chef transformed the elegant Senator Room in a welcoming place full of colors, flowers and music. Mr. Karomiddin Gadoev, Counsellor and Charge d’affaires, presented the audience with a detailed speech on Uzbek economy and the already 26-year-old diplomatic relations established between Uzbekistan and the Netherlands. Mr. Azim Mukhamedjanov, second Secretary, Press Official and the driving force of this Meet and Greet, initially planned for this event to take place last autumn but cancelled due to President Islam Karimov’s passing.

 

The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Brussels maintains its presence in the Netherlands by regularly attending lectures at Leiden University, meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomat Magazine events in The Hague, and business conferences in Amsterdam. The Embassy actively participated in the Hanos Gastronomic Festival in Delft and organised media trips. Diplomat Magazine has been invited recently twice to visit Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, first as part of the international team of observers for the presidential elections and secondly to cover the International music festival XI Sharq Taronalari.

After greetings and speeches, the famous Uzbek singer Botir Qodirov entertained the audience with warm melodies that captivated the attention of all, irregardless of the language barrier. Then, Maryam Agisheva, a professional dancer studying choreography in Paris concluded the entertainment engagingly, as many joined her dancing. Immediately after, a wonderful traditional buffet of delicious food was presented. This buffet featured rice prepared in Kazahstan, mouton, patir-non, and various sorts of stuffed pockets of dough, salads, and sweets. Uzbekistan Diplomats Meet & Greet was organised with the support of Diplomatic Card, Carlton Ambassador and Diplomat Magazine.

                            H.E. Ambassador, Ms. Jana Reinišová, Joane McNamara and Hans van Bemmelen. By Roy Lie A Tjam. H.E. Ambassador, Ms. Jana Reinišová, of the Czech Republic in the Netherlands celebrated the Czech Wenceslas National Day 2017. For additional Roy Strik’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157689136336904  

St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech, was a Prince. Unfortunately, a power struggle eventually resulted in his murder. Wenceslas was born in 907 and was apparently murdered on September 28 in 935 by his younger brother Boleslav at the entrance to the church Stara Boleslav.

An Oldtimer, a TATRA build by the renowned Czech Slovakian car designer Hans Ledwinski, caught the attention of the guests. The Tatra was parked on the lawns of the Ambassador ‘s residence. It is alleged that the this particular Tatra was once used by a former Czech Slovakian President.

A good number of Ambassadors, friends and government officials came to join Ambassador Jana Reinišová on 27 September 2017 in celebrating the historical day. ———- Photography by Roy Strik.

The time has come to say ‘until next time’ to a brilliant, dedicated and effective diplomat, who leaves behind many great accomplishments and a plethora of newfound friends. Diplomat Magazine celebrated Ms. Abir Ali, Charge d’Affaires of Lebanon for her successful time in the Netherlands by awarding her a Certificate of Merit. The event was packed with colleagues, ambassadors, and personal friends. The room filled to the point of needing more chairs, hugs and gifts were exchanged, and many congratulated Ms. Ali for her wonderful work while in The Hague. After the playing of the Dutch and Lebanese national anthems, H.E. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Ambassador of Morocco, took the floor to analyze the deeper meaning of Abir’s name in different cultures and her outstanding career. Additionally, he mentioned her exceptional performance in The Hague and emphasized their personal friendship. “What a task?”, said Ambassador Bellouki “Definitely it is a bitter occasion. A painful event. It is not an easy moment, because we are here today to bid goodbye to a charming, nice and kind person. A person we do not wish to depart. As someone said in a similar occasion: “We started with a simple hello but ended with a complicated goodbye.” For additional Roy Strik’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157687140778322  

“Abir is the personification of class and grace, of elegance and style and even glamor. Educated, wise and full of charm. She is the person you hope to be seated next to her at a dinner party. A distinguished representative of her country, the beautiful Lebanon. Abir is known for her dedication to her job and engagement for positive endeavors. Her sterling qualities force respect and consideration. She is gifted by humane and professional qualities. Even though she is one-person embassy, she succeeded in making the voice of Lebanon heard in the Netherlands on many fronts.” Ms. Ali’s personal qualities and overextended network deemed worthy of a second speaker, this time the Cameroon Ambassador and dear friend of Abir, H.E. Odette Melono. Ms. Melono took to the floor to praise Ms. Ali’s contributions to the diplomatic community of the Hague. Ms. Melono stated, “Well, what can I say about Abir? As soon as I met her when she arrived in February 2013, I realized how special she was. Abir is not only a friendly, elegant lady, she is someone who really connects to people on a personal level.” “You have been a successful diplomat but also a wonderful representative of the Lebanese  culture, hospitality and cuisine. We are all going  to miss your warm and well organised parties.”

Ms. Abir Ali’s farewell words were dedicated to her colleagues, the Hague’s international institutions including the ICC and the OPCW in which she played a powerful role, the Netherlands as a host country, and Diplomat Magazine. “Four years and eight months later, I can say that we do have warmer relations and better knowledge of each other. Indeed, the last years witnessed a strengthening of the ties between our countries. For the past years, Lebanon has been facing an unprecedented burden caused by the Syrian refugee crisis. Lebanon and the Lebanese did not shy away from their responsibilities and opened their homes and hearts to their (our) brothers the Syrians. But this did not come without a cost…

The values of tolerance, pluralism, openness, and acceptance of one another make Lebanon a model country where people of different religious denominations know that once they resort to dialogue and not war, all conflicts can be resolved and people can live peacefully together. The history, culture, art, and cuisine that give Lebanon its unique place in the Middle East, and the world. With the limited means at my disposal, material and human, I tried to showcase the best of Lebanon and to introduce Lebanon to the Dutch by organizing business events, art exhibitions as well as wine tasting event, and everything in between. I would like to give special thanks to the Embassy staff and the Residence staff for their help and support.”

The reception was a tremendous manifestation of friendship among colleagues from every continent. A guest described the atmosphere as a ‘salon was full of love.’ To preserve the memory, group pictures with all ambassadors together were taken. However, instead of lining up in U.N. order, the ambassadors simply gathered in enthusiasm wearing smiles on their faces. The merriness continued as teary-eyed participants joined together to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ Apostolic Nuncio, H.E. Aldo Cavalli, who was completely taken by surprise. The music of Fayrouz and Paolo Conte, favourites of Ms Ali started, filled the room. Guests shared an enormous delicious cake made by Marta Orban, an exclusive creation for Ms Abir Ali. It featured the Lebanon flag, pastel colors and enormous bouquet of sugar flowers representing her attachment and loyalty for her country, her joy and her beauty.

Many thanks to Diplomatic Card and Carlton Ambassador Hotel.  

The Deputy Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Mr Hamid Ali Rao, during his official visit to Mexico. Here at National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).  THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 8 November 2017 — The Deputy Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Mr Hamid Ali Rao, underlined the need for robust preparedness against chemical emergencies and the importance of peaceful uses of chemistry during his official visit to Mexico on 6 November.

Mr Jeffrey A. Apperson, Chairman, IIJE. Today, several international leaders in the field of justice announced the establishment of the International Institute for Justice Excellence (IIJE), a nonprofit institute. The Institute will be headquartered in the international city of justice – The Hague, Netherlands. The International Institute for Justice Excellence (IIJE) will hold an event to recognize our world’s continuing effort to serve humanity’s goal of justice, an “International Justice Excellence Day’” to be celebrated on November 14, 2017, and a “Justice Administration Excellence Award,” to be announced at the International Justice Excellence Day ceremony. On November 14 it will also be celebrating the justice administration legacy of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, which closes at the end of 2017, in the Great Courtroom in the Peace Palace, The Hague, Netherlands. Objectives of the IIJE The Institute will strive to work with national and international communities to:

• Assist in the development of the effective administration of justice
• Contribute with all members of the international community to achieve the goals of access to justice, fairness of judicial process and the attainment of the Rule of Law.

The Board of Directors of the International Institute for Justice Excellence, will collectively announce their establishment as a non-profit organization and their dedication to serving the above-stated goals. The specific mission of the Institute is: “To establish a nonpolitical, nonprofit, international institution dedicated to developing a collaborative approach to improving, globally, the administration of justice more uniformly and efficiently by promoting and providing:

1. Research;
2. Education; and the dissemination of international best practices and procedure related to the field of court management. And “To establish the ability to review practice outcomes as meeting international guidelines set by IIJE in all essential justice administration fields.”

The Hague Conventions outlined norms for the conduct of war, which remains a continuing challenge. However, the overarching goal of justice and peace as an intervention to war must be the primary global objective. Attaining justice requires a a more cohesive and informative generational approach to building our institutional capacities – both within our governments and in our collective society. Society is transformed by establishing and maintaining a strong foundation of justice that internalizes the Rule of Law. Martin Luther King referred to building “The Rule of Justice.” The Supreme Court of Pakistan refers to the same principle as “Rule Among the People with Justice.” No matter the language, the goal remains the same: establish, honor and maintain the Rule of Law. The IIJE will strive to provide an institutional forum in several languages for the dissemination of best practices in justice administration. The forum will include practice to advance the areas of:

• Institutional governance;
• Information technology;
• Human resource management;
• Court administration;
• Case management;
• Public and media access; and
• Strategic planning.

The overarching aim of the Institute is the improvement of access to justice. Launching our publication of an International Guideline for Justice Administration Practice and Procedure will be an immediate goal. Such guidance will accelerate the ability of nations to take a more cohesive and informative approaches to building the capacity of their national justice systems.