Jean-Claude Juncker and Shinzo Abe – Picture by European Commission.
8 December 2017: Japan and the European Union have finalised a paramount free trade agreement that covers 600 million people, and almost a third of the global economy. Japan and the EU traded roughly $140 billion of goods in 2016 according to EU statistics.
The EU stated that the agreement, which won preliminary approval in July, shall enhance support more than 600,000 jobs in the bloc that are tied to exports to Japan. Another half a million EU workers are employed by Japanese companies.Together, the EU and Japan account for about 30 percent of the world’s gross domestic product.
This agreement “sends a clear signal to the world that the EU and Japan are committed to keeping the world econoworking on the basis of free, open and fair markets with clear and transparent rules fully respecting and enhancing our values, fighting the temptation of protectionism,” European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe wrote in a joint statement.
For further information:http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-17-5182_en.htm
US Administration under President Donald Trump has finally taken the step to recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, which reflects a reality that the latter city is the seat of Israel’s government and that, for the Jewish state, Jerusalem will always be its capital.
Already in 1995, Congress adopted the Jerusalem Embassy Act, urging the federal government to relocate the American embassy to Jerusalem and to recognise that that city is Israel’s capital. The latter act passed Congress by an overwhelming bipartisan majority and was reaffirmed by a unanimous vote of the US Senate only six months ago. Yet, for over 20 years, every previous American president has exercised the law’s waiver, refusing to move the US embassy to Jerusalem or to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city. Jerusalem is the seat of the modern Israeli government. It is the home of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, as well as the Israeli Supreme Court. It is the location of the official residence of the president and prime minister. It headquarters many governmental ministries.
The United States are drawing a distinction between acknowledging the reality that Jerusalem has been Israel’s capital since 1949, and the need for negotiations to resolve all the respective claims that Israelis and Palestinians have, including questions related to Jerusalem. Israelis and Palestinians must resolve these issues directly and without outside interference.
There is a logic to this duality. Israel’s Government is located in the part of Jerusalem that is not contested, and there is an honesty in ending the fiction that the city is not the Israeli capital, which has gone on for close to 70 years.
For further information:
White House Statement on Jerusalem: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/12/06/statement-president-trump-jerusalem
Queen Mathilde of the Belgians was given the award in the presence of NRW’s Premier Armin Laschet – Picture by Belgian Monarchy.
Friday, 8 December 2017, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany: HM Queen Mathilde of the Belgians was in Düsseldorf, capital of the German state of North-Rhine Westphanlia, to receive a German special award for her work in sustainable development (Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis).
She was chosen for “her commitment to social and humanitarian projects”, through the Queen Mathilde Fund and UNICEF in particular. In her allocution, the Queen called for young people to be given special consideration. The Queen gave a short speech during the ceremony. “The most important elements in sustainable development are the people and tomorrow’s leaders: young people. Let’s listen to them, to their concerns, their expectations and aspirations. Their contribution and commitment are essential for a sustainable future”.
The organisers highlighted the Belgians’ Queen’s commitment to the fight against poverty, to education, healthcare and to women and children’s rights.
The work done by the Queen Mathilde Fund and her role as the Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium were also mentioned. She also makes sustainable development visible within the United Nations. Her Majesty is an UN Development Goals advocate.
German Sustainability Award was established in 2008 to encourage the acceptance of social and ecological responsibility and to identify role models in this area. It is backed up by the German Federal Government albeit granted by the foundation “Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis e.V.”. The NRW Premier Armin Laschet was present for the award ceremony.
Stéphane Dion, Chrystia Freeland and Dan Costello – Picture by EU.Monday, 4 December 2017, Brussels: The first meeting of the EU-Canada joint ministerial committee took place in Brussels.
EU-Canada bilateral relationship
The committee agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the EU and Canada. The cooperation has entered a new era with the provisional application of the strategic partnership agreement (SPA) since 1 April 2017 and of the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) since 21 September 2017.
The committee discussed in particular how to step up security and defence cooperation in areas such as crisis management and security, cyber security and responding to hybrid threats.
The EU and Canada also committed to working together on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The Committee agreed that the EU and Canada shall co-chair a Women Foreign Ministers meeting in 2018.
The committee also reviewed how to strengthen EU-Canada cooperation in third countries in regions such as Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.
A number of key issues on the international agenda were also discussed, including the situation in eastern Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela and Myanmar/Burma.
Global issues
The EU and Canada discussed global issues, including climate change, human rights and democracy, as well as migration and counter-terrorism.
The Committee was chaired on the Canadian side by the latter’s country Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland accompanied by Canadian Special Envoy to the EU, Stéphane Dion (Ambassador of Canada to Germany) as well as the Head of Mission of Canada to the EU, Dan Costello. From the EU side, Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
For further information:Joint statement EU-Canada ministerial committee: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/31951/20171204-joint-statement-fr.pdf
On the picture Tatiana and H.E. Willys Delvalle at the National Day of Panama.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
On 21 November 2017, The Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, H.E. Willys Delvalle and Mrs Tatiana Delvalle, invited fellow ambassadors, members of the business community, Dutch civil servants, friends of Panama, the Panamanian community, representatives of the International organisations and various others to come to Hotel Marriott in The Hague to celebrate Panama’s 114th year of Independence with him.
For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the link below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157691790557165Ambassador Delvalle during the speech.
It was an exuberant gathering witch included an ongoing video presentation of Panama accompanied by (appropriate) Panamanian music. Tatiana, the spouse of Ambassador Devalle dazzled in a handmade Pollera Panameña, Panama’s national dress. Absolutely Superb. La Pollera Panameña has won several international awards.
A major take-away from Ambassador Willys Delvalle’s speech is that Panama is moving full steam ahead, not only as a country but also in the region and beyond.
The slogan The Great Connection stands among other factors for the expansion of the infrastructure pertaining to the canal. The following are extracts of the Ambassador’s speech.
H.E. Mr Edgar Elias Azar, Ambassador of Mexico, His Eminence Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Aldo Cavalli and the Ambassador of Guatemala, H.E. Mrs Maritza Ruiz de Vielman.
“We are very thankful to the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the support and cooperation they have given and the interest they have always shown for our Country. We are also very honored that our President, His Excellency Juan Carlos Varela, entrusted us with leading this Mission in the Netherlands and to further work with the Kingdom to elevate the level of friendship and trust.
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 totaling 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.
Tatiana Delvalle with her impressive “pollera Panamena” together with some of the spouses who attended the National Day of Panama reception; on the picture Mrs Gina Ledda, Philippines; Mrs Midori Inomata, Japan; Mrs. Veronique Miclea, Peru; Mrs. Jane Berger de Salvador, Argentina; Mrs. Patricia Atala Seman, Mexico and Mrs. Patricia van Oordt de Arias, Spain.
We all have heard of the Panama Canal and the recent expansion project. Well, the Expanded Canal has in one and a half year of operations surpassed even the most ambitious expectations, with over 2,000 Neopanamax vessels successfully transiting and generating revenues in excess of $1.5 billion dollars. The Panamax and Neopanamax locks combined transits have just reached a record milestone of 403.8 million tons of cargo. It is the most tonnage ever managed by the Canal since its inauguration 103 years ago.
We see a great future for Panama with the implementation of the National Logistics Strategy under the 2030 vision, with the main objective: to provide the Panama Logistics System and its “players” with a Long-Term Shared Vision of turning Panama into one of the best World Class Logistics Hubs.
Ms. Luisa Sánchez-Bravo, First Secretary Embassy of Spain and H.E. Philippe Couvreur, Registrar of the International Court of Justice.
By April 2018, we are expecting to have fully operational our Humanitarian Hub: “the Regional Logistics Center for Humanitarian Assistance” that already host the headquarters for the United Nations Humanitarian Response Repository (UNHRD) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This will allow us to be able within 24 hours to reach any disaster or crisis area in the Western Hemisphere.
Just around the corner in 2019, we are preparing our country to receive His Holiness Pope Francis to host the most important Religious event, the World Youth Day (WYD), an incredible event that unites and celebrates youth and brings together young people from all over the world for a week. And more things will happen in 2019, when Panama will have the honor to be the next Ibero American capital of Culture an important event that will showcase our culture.
we will have another milestone in 2019, the celebration of 115 years of bilateral relations with the Netherlands….a solid partnership built on a high level of trust, good faith, cooperation and commitment to international principles and values such as the rule of law, the defense of human rights and freedom … all to build a better world… for which Panama makes available its historic commitment for dialogue and mediation.”
Ambassador Willys Delvalle offered his guests a Panamanian lavish lunch including dessert and digestive-rum.
Mr Filippo Spiezia, photography by Eurojust.Yesterday, the College of Eurojust elected Mr Filippo Spiezia, National Member for Italy, as its new Vice-President for a three-year term. According to Article 28(2) of the Council Decision on Eurojust and Article 3(1) of the Rules of Procedure of Eurojust, the result of the election will be submitted to the Council for its approval. Mr Spiezia replaces former Eurojust Vice-President Ladislav Hamran, who was elected President in October.Mr Spiezia, a public prosecutor for 28 years, started his professional career as a magistrate in 1990, and served as an anti-mafia public prosecutor since 2003. He has been responsible for investigations of organised crime, money laundering, THB, corruption, drug trafficking, fraud and cybercrime, first in Italy, and then as Deputy National Member for Italy at Eurojust between 2008 and 2012, at which time he became Deputy National Prosecutor at the National Anti-mafia and Anti-terrorism Directorate in Rome, dealing with international judicial cooperation and coordinating investigations of organised crime and terrorism. He returned to Eurojust as National Member in January 2016.The author of many publications on legal issues, Mr Spiezia also trained judges, lectured and chaired working groups and teams dealing with analysis of criminal, legislative and strategic matters with the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the UNODC. In 2003, he was awarded the Falcone and Borsellino prize for his book, The trafficking and exploitation of human beings.After his election, Mr Spiezia said: ‘I am deeply honoured by this vote of confidence from my colleagues at Eurojust. I am inspired by the sense of honest and open collaboration shown by the new President, the College of Eurojust and the Administrative Director. I fully believe that a spirit of collegiality, coupled with experience, skill and enthusiasm, are the keys for Eurojust to fulfil its mission to support judicial authorities in their fight against serious organised crime and terrorism.
In the lead-up to the ICTY’s formal closure at the end of this month, a commemorative event took place yesterday in the Trusteeship Council at United Nations Headquarters in New York, focusing on the Tribunal’s pioneering role as the first international criminal tribunal established by the United Nations. The ICTY Commemoration entitled “Reflections on 24 years of fighting impunity through international courts and tribunals” was co-organised by the Permanent Missions of Italy, The Netherlands and Uruguay. All three Principals of the Tribunal took part in this event.Following welcoming remarks by H.E. Mr Sebastiano Cardi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, Mr Miguel de SerpaSoares, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel, delivered a Keynote Speech reflecting on the role of the United Nations Office for Legal Affairs in the establishment of the Tribunal and drawing the line to other accountability mechanisms today and lessons to be learned from the ICTY experience. Mr de Serpa Soares stressed that the “cooperation between different United Nations organs was instrumental for the establishment and the operation of the Tribunal” and recalled “how a perfectly orchestrated cooperation between the principal organs of the United Nations permitted the establishment of a unique institution, which has been fundamental and instrumental to the development of contemporary international criminal justice.”The ensuing panel discussion with the three Principals of the Tribunal was moderated by Mr Stephen Mathias, Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, who recalled the beginnings of the ICTY and shared some of his personal memories of this time.Reflecting on the last months and weeks of the Tribunal’s existence and the history of the Statute of the Tribunal, ICTY President Carmel Agius remarked “the success of an institution is never due only to its founding document and mandate. In reality it is dependent on the work done by the people who breathe life, purpose and meaning into the organisation, the people entrusted to carry out its mission. In order to be able to face the critical challenges I have just described and come up with workable solutions, we have had to rely on the outstanding staff, Judges, and Principals of the Tribunal, to whom I convey my heartfelt thanks and highest respects for their commitment and dedication.” Serge Brammertz, Prosecutor of the ICTY and the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals emphasised that “[T]he completion of the Tribunal’s mandate is not the end of war crimes justice, but the beginning of the next chapter. Further accountability for the crimes now depends fully on national judiciaries in the former Yugoslavia. Thousands of cases remain to be processed, particularly many complex cases against senior- and mid-level suspects in every country. So ultimately, I believe that the ICTY’s legacy is not simply measured by our own work, but by whether the countries of the former Yugoslavia build the rule of law and demonstrate they can secure meaningful justice for the victims of serious crimes during the conflicts.”As the last speaker on the panel, ICTY Registrar John Hocking stressed that in his view “The ICTY is a success. It has achieved what it was born to do: it prosecuted, with due process, those considered most responsible for the heinous crimes that shocked the Balkans and the world. But the ICTY also achieved much more. The ICTY made justice possible. And in making it possible, even when it seemed impossible, it cemented an irreversible demand for justice. The ICTY has created a world in which we all demand and expect justice. After the ICTY, justice for the worst acts of humankind is no longer a question of ‘if’, it is a question of ‘when’ and ‘how’.”After the panel discussion, H.E. Mr Elbio Rosselli, Security Council Chair of the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals delivered his remarks on the legacy of the ICTY for future generations. The Moderator then proceeded to open the floor for questions and comments from the audience. The European Union and the United States of America seized the opportunity to express their support for the work accomplished by the Tribunal. The closing remarks were delivered by H.E. Mr Karel van Oosterom, , Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations.The ICTY Commemoration is one of the remaining legacy events, the other two will be held in The Hague – an academic Symposium on 18 December 2017 and the formal Closing Ceremony of the Tribunal on 21 December 2017. They are the last in a series of legacy and closing events entitled ICTY Legacy Dialogues, aimed at ensuring that the Tribunal’s contribution to accountability for international crimes endures long after its doors will have closed.
On the picture H.E. Sheikh Mohamed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh.UNESCO’s recognition of the historic 7 March 1971 Speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman celebrated in the Netherlands.The Hague, 2 December 2017: The UNESCO’s recognition of the historic 7 March 1971 speech of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was celebrated in the Netherlands on 2 December 2017.
The Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague along with Bangladesh community in the Netherlands celebrated this unique recognition with due solemnity and festivity in the Chancery premises.
A large number of expatriate Bangladesh nationals living in the Netherlands and the officials of the Embassy along with their members of families joined the celebration ceremony.
The programme commenced with reciting Messages of the President and the Prime Minister issued on the occasion. The video clip of the historic 7th March speech was screened.
A discussion session followed, where the leaders of Holland Awami League and other members of the community spoke.
In their speeches, the Holland Awami League leaders and community members paid their profound tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and highlighted the visionary leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which culminated in the liberation of Bangladesh through struggles and sacrifices.
They also felt the need for publication of the historic 7th March Speech in different languages to reach out to the wider global community.
The President of Argentina hosted the official launch of the Argentine G20 presidency: the world’s major forum for economic, political, and financial cooperation.
At the official launch of the Argentine G20 presidency, President Mauricio Macri committed to “build consensus for fair and sustainable development.”
Before an audience of over 1,000 guests, which included governors, ministers, members of the supreme court, lawmakers, ambassadors, businessmen, civil society leaders and journalists, the President declared that his objective was to “lead the G20 based on the principle of putting people first.”
He also established his commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean. “We aim to be the voice for the entire region, not just our country. We want to demonstrate that our view from the south of the world can be a bridge for diversity.”
Before President Macri took to the podium, world leaders broadcast special messages of support to the Argentine G20 presidency. President Xi Xinping of China sent an official letter, while Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany conveyed their support via video address.
“An important part of what we’re doing at the G20 has to do with the major goal we have in Argentina: to reduce poverty,” he said. He then presented the three priorities of the Argentine G20: the future of work, infrastructure for development, and food security.”
The official agenda of the Argentine G20 begins today in Bariloche. “The G20 is more than just a summit”, explained Cabinet Chief Marcos Peña, “it is made up of over 50 meetings that will be held in 10 different cities, welcoming 20,000 people from over 30 countries” he declared at the launch.
This will be the first G20 presidency in South America and for Argentina an opportunity to help craft global policy. Peña explained to the auditorium’s guests, “Today’s event represents the bringing together of all areas of government, so that all our institutions and our citizens themselves feel that we are working as a team to make sure that the G20 makes a valuable contribution to the world, humanity, and to our country.
H.E. Agustín Vásquez Gómez, Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
On 17 November 2017, The Latin America Table convened at the Groene Zaal of De Nieuwe of Littéraire Sociëteit De Witte, The Hague. It has been an honor to have H.E. Agustín Vásquez Gómez, Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador and Mrs. Lidice Michelle Melara Minero, Dutch – Salvadorian artist and sociologist, as speakers.
Ambassador Agustín Vásquez Gómez had chosen a theme, “The art and culture of El Salvador in the world”.For additional pictures, please open the link below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157690135254591Mrs. Lidice Michelle Melara Minero, Ambassador Vásquez Gómez and Ms Sonia Meijer, Honorary Consul of El Salvador and President of the Latin American Table, at Sociëteit De Wittes.
It was as if the audience was taken on a journey by Vásquez Gómez, a highly motivated tour guide, through a cultural endeavor. Gómez delivered an eye-catching and incredibly pleasant expose. He describes his country’s culture as simple, not complex; the Salvadorians are happy, friendly, smiling people.
Ambassador Vásquez Gómez touched on every segment of the Salvadorian society such as their form of government- 14 departments and 261 municipals. Each municipality has its own cultural particularity, dance, and artisans. Income is mainly from coffee. As for the geographical layout, there exists many volcanos. San Salvador is known as the Valle de las Hamacas, “the valley of the hammocks”, because of its frequent tremors, everything swings and sways as a hammock does.
Camilo Minero
Part of the program was dedicated to the life and artistic work of Camilo Minero, a great Salvadorian artist. Mrs. Melara Minero, granddaughter of Camilo Minero, delivered a presentation on her grandfather’s legacy because it happens to be that 2017 is the year of the centenary of Camilo Minero’s birth.
Camilo Minero was a painter who embodied themes of the realities of society within his work. He was a member of the circle La Generacion Comprometida -“the Committed Generation” implying that art and politics overlap, and are “committed” to, one another.
Minero showed the shortcomings of the world, especially for the working classes, as well as the unjust world for children, without neglecting the artistic quality and demonstrating his technical skills in each of his paintings.
His paintings have been exhibited in museums of Mexico, Nicaragua, France, Guatemala, Sweden, Honduras, Colombia, Japan, Costa Rica, Germany, Argentina, United States of America, Spain, Chile, Great Britain and El Salvador among others.
Sonia Meijer & Thomas Friis- Fontz.
An collection of original paintings of Master Camilo Minero was displayed the evening of The Latin America Table. The presentations of both H.E. Vásquez Gómez and Mrs. Melara Minero concluded with Q&A sessions for each of them.
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Photography courtesy of the Embassy of El Salvador
A large number of expatriate Bangladesh nationals living in the Netherlands and the officials of the Embassy along with their members of families joined the celebration ceremony.
The programme commenced with reciting Messages of the President and the Prime Minister issued on the occasion. The video clip of the historic 7th March speech was screened.
A discussion session followed, where the leaders of Holland Awami League and other members of the community spoke.
In their speeches, the Holland Awami League leaders and community members paid their profound tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and highlighted the visionary leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which culminated in the liberation of Bangladesh through struggles and sacrifices.
They also felt the need for publication of the historic 7th March Speech in different languages to reach out to the wider global community.
A large number of expatriate Bangladesh nationals living in the Netherlands and the officials of the Embassy along with their members of families joined the celebration ceremony.
The programme commenced with reciting Messages of the President and the Prime Minister issued on the occasion. The video clip of the historic 7th March speech was screened.
A discussion session followed, where the leaders of Holland Awami League and other members of the community spoke.
In their speeches, the Holland Awami League leaders and community members paid their profound tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and highlighted the visionary leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which culminated in the liberation of Bangladesh through struggles and sacrifices.
They also felt the need for publication of the historic 7th March Speech in different languages to reach out to the wider global community.
Minero showed the shortcomings of the world, especially for the working classes, as well as the unjust world for children, without neglecting the artistic quality and demonstrating his technical skills in each of his paintings.
His paintings have been exhibited in museums of Mexico, Nicaragua, France, Guatemala, Sweden, Honduras, Colombia, Japan, Costa Rica, Germany, Argentina, United States of America, Spain, Chile, Great Britain and El Salvador among others.
Minero showed the shortcomings of the world, especially for the working classes, as well as the unjust world for children, without neglecting the artistic quality and demonstrating his technical skills in each of his paintings.
His paintings have been exhibited in museums of Mexico, Nicaragua, France, Guatemala, Sweden, Honduras, Colombia, Japan, Costa Rica, Germany, Argentina, United States of America, Spain, Chile, Great Britain and El Salvador among others.
