On the picture Commissioner Věra Jourová, and Eurojust President, Michelle Coninsx.Two years after her first visit in June 2015, Commissioner Věra Jourová, the Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, and a high-level delegation from the Commission, returned to Eurojust to meet with the College Presidency and the College of National Members for insight into its operational work, specifically in the areas of terrorism, cybercrime, illegal immigrant smuggling and cooperation with third States, and to meet with staff members.Commissioner Jourová set out her priorities in the field of criminal law, including the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). She has received positive feedback from Member States on the work of Eurojust. Two strong pillars, Eurojust and the EPPO, working together, is the Commission’s goal. The presentations given by the President and National Members illustrated the coordinating role of Eurojust in the recent terrorism cases and in some large and complex cybercrime cases and provided insight into how Eurojust cooperates with specialised practitioners’ networks, Europol and third States. One of the Liaison Prosecutors hosted at Eurojust explained what their presence at Eurojust entails, including casework and participation in practitioners’ network meetings. Two milestones in 2017 are the move to the new Eurojust premises and the reorganisation of the Administration to ensure day-to-day support to operational work.Commissioner Jourova said, ‘I am happy to visit Eurojust today. Its role in guaranteeing smooth and efficient judicial cooperation in criminal matters is crucial for Europe’s security. I praise Eurojust for achieving high marks in the three ‘r’s: reputation, respect and results. With the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Eurojust will become an even more important partner in the fight against terrorist threats or other crimes such as drug and human trafficking.’President Michelle Coninsx said, ‘Cross-border cooperation, speed and trust are essential. Eurojust is a bridge-maker among Member States, practitioners’ networks, JHA agencies and third States in the fight against serious and organised cross-border crime and terrorism. We were delighted to meet with Commissioner Jourová to discuss our operational work in supporting and coordinating cases in a timely and result-driven manner.’
On the picture Ambassador Shulgin with the members of the Krasny Oktjabr history reenactment group.
On May 9, 2017 a commemoration ceremony to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the Victory over the nazi Germany in the Second World War took place at the “Rusthof” cemetery in Leusden (the province of Utrecht).
The event was organised by the Embassy of Russia in close cooperation with the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands and the local authorities of Leusden and Amersfoort. A valuable assistance was provided by the “Russisch Ereveld” Foundation, which takes care of the graves of Soviet servicemen buried there.
“Today we honour the memory of 865 men and women lying here at the “Russisch Ereveld”, who died abroad defending their Motherland. Among them are Russians, Byelorussians, Ukrainians, Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Georgians, Azerbaijanis, Armenians and many other nationalities, since the names of many buried still remain unknown” – Ambassador of Russia, H.E. Mr Alexander Shulgin said in his opening speech.
Ambassador Shulgin and his spouse with a Russian veteran from the Hague.“We commemorate the 6 million Jews, who were murdered in the Nazi concentration camps. We commemorate the servicemen of our Western allies, whose representatives are with us today” – he added.
Mr Shulgin also explained why the countries of the former USSR celebrate the victory day on May, 9. This change of dates occurred “due to the fact that the German Instrument of Surrender was signed late in the evening of May, 8 when it was already May, 9 in Moscow” – the Ambassador noted.
During the official part of the ceremony wreaths were laid by Heads and representatives of diplomatic missions, including the diplomatic missions of former Soviet republics, the US, the UK, Germany and Israel, the Dutch Foreign Ministry, the local governments of Leusden and Amersfoort, and NGOs.
Ambassador Shulgin and the other representatives also paid the tribute to the Allies at the “Cross of Sacrifice” Monument and to the Dutch soldiers at the “Dutch Monument”.Ambassador Shulgin and his spouse with a little soldier.
The Ceremony itself was not limited to the official part. Several hundred people came to participate and bring flowers to the “Russisch Ereveld”. Besides ordinary civilians there were the veterans, the clergy and the military. Representatives of the orthodox clergy performed a short religious service “for the peace of the souls” of the buried.
Additionally, an annual international action “The Immortal Regiment” was organised by Russian compatriots. About 150 Russians and former Soviet citizens living in the Netherlands took part in it this year. The participants marched to the Monument at the “Russisch Ereveld” and honoured the memory of the 865 people buried there.
The “Immortal Regiment” emerged as a civil society initiative and has been organised in Russia every May 9 since 2012. People whose relatives fought and died in the Great Patriotic War print out their pictures and march with them along the streets. Sometimes participants wear replicas of Soviet soldier uniforms of 1941-1945. The movement is getting increased support among Russian compatriots and other former Soviet citizens around the globe.
On the picture Mr. Luk Lemmens, Alderman for culture in the Province of Antwerpen, Mr. Walter Rycquart, head of the Province of Antwerpen Department of Culture and H.E. Mr. Chris Hoornaert, Ambassador of Belgium. By Roy Lie A Tjam.
On 22 April 2017, the fifth edition of Art at The Residence was launched at the beautiful mansion of Belgian Ambassador with contemporary art from the Province of Antwerp on display. The theme of the exhibition is Antwerpen.NL
The Art at The Residence is a program of the Embassy of Belgium in The Hague. It’s objective is to promote Belgian art and culture by means of exhibitions. Through art, the audiences gain a sense of the quality, scope, and diversity of the Belgian art and culture.
H.E. Mr.Chris Hoornaert Ambassador of Belgium and Mr. Luk Lemmens alderman for culture in the Province of Antwerpen jointly delivered the welcome remarks. At the same time Mr.Walter Ryequart, head of the Province of Antwerpen Department of Culture, introduced the Antwerpen.NL exposition.
Panamarenko – Pepto Bismo.
A musical interlude by the Terra Nova Collective directed by Mr. Vlad Weverbergh was part of the program.
Terra Nova Collective .
There was a huge turnout, guests from Belgium, the Netherlands including some Ambassadors and a former Minister.
The artworks are on display on the ground- and first floor of the residence.
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By Linda Zin.
On Tuesday 9th May 2017, ASEAN Ladies Circle (ALC) The Hague together with their ASEAN Ambassadors have gone on a cycling trip around Den Haag.
ALC, The Hague President, Mdm Linda Zin and its committee members co organized this activity with Diplomat Magazine and The Hague Bridge as part of the 50th ASEAN Anniversary celebration.
For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157683743931855
The activity was joined by 30 members from the Embassy of Malaysia, Indonesia, The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
It was a fun and sunny outing to cycle around The Hague and learned the city’s iconic attractions and its hidden gems.
On the picture Queen Maxima, President Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, King Willem-Alexander and Ms Mercedes Peñas Domingo.
On Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 May, the president of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, will be in the Netherlands for a working visit. The president will be accompanied on the trip by the First Lady, Ms Mercedes Peñas Domingo.
The purpose of the visit is to further strengthen bilateral ties between the Netherlands and Costa Rica, with a particular focus on economic relations. Some of the main issues on the agenda are logistics (including maritime logistics), sustainable agriculture, and energy and climate. The president will be accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Agriculture, along with an economic delegation.
Queen Maxima and Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera.
On Wednesday 10 May, President Solís will visit the ports of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. That evening, Prime Minister Mark Rutte will host the president at the Catshuis for a working dinner.
The theme of the dinner will be logistics and sustainable economic cooperation. Other dinner guests will include Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for the Environment Sharon Dijksma and representatives of the Dutch business community and knowledge institutions.
King Willem-Alexander and Ms Mercedes Peñas Domingo.
On Thursday morning, President Solís will be welcomed to the Senate by the presidents of the two houses of parliament, Ms Ankie Broekers-Knol (Senate) and Ms Khadija Arib (House of Representatives).
In the afternoon King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will have an audience with the president and Ms Peñas at Noordeinde Palace. Following that, the King and Queen will host a lunch for the president and his partner.
On Thursday the president will visit a number of locations, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), and he will deliver a lecture on climate change and inclusive development for the University of Amsterdam at the Agnietenkapel.
On 11 May 2017, H.E. Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, President of the Republic of Costa Rica, visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) to meet with the President of the Court, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, and the ICC Registrar Herman von Hebel.President Fernández expressed the Court’s gratitude for the visit of President Solís Rivera and his country’s strong and long-lasting support for the ICC, recalling that “Costa Rica plays an active role in raising awareness of the Court in Latin America, including by hosting a regional seminar on cooperation with the ICC in July 2015.” The President added that “the support and cooperation of States is truly central for the ICC to effectively deliver justice to victims of grave crimes.” ‘I wish to congratulate the magistrates, authorities and officials of the International Criminal Court for their careful and continuous work, which has brought this tribunal in a few years after its inception, to operate in a full and professional way’ President Solís Rivera stated during the visit. ‘But in order to consolidate the Court and offer the victims of the most heinous crimes an effective access to justice, it is up to the States Parties to strengthen our efforts to achieve universality and guarantee its financial sustainability. Costa Rica pledges its full support to these efforts.’The visit of President Solís Rivera to the ICC highlights Costa Rica’s support to the Court and the joint efforts deployed in the fight against the impunity of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes that affect the international community as a whole.
By John Dunkelgrün.On May 9th many European countries celebrate Europe Day, the day on which in 1950 the French Minister Robert Schuman signed a plan for a supranational European organisation. It started with an agreement between France and Germany to have joint management of all their coal and steel production. Other European countries were invited to join . Six countries, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg and the Netherlands formed the European Community for coal and steel (EGKS). This in time would develop into the European Union. It has resulted in the longest period in history during which Europeans lived in peace and prosperity. In the midst of all the tensions and problems of recent years it is good to remember this factMr. Eduard Slootweg, Ms Kleice Gonzaga Carneiro and Mr. Peter Bekx.In The Hague this was celebrated in the “Europa Huis”, next to the The Hague Historical Museum. It was organised by the European Commission and the European Parliament in the Hague, both of which have their offices there. The hosts were Mr. Peter Bekx, who leads the Representation of the European Union in The Netherlands, Mr. Eduard Slootweg, in charge of the European Parliament Information Bureau here, and his wife, Ms Kleice Gonzaga Carneiro in a stunning kobalt blue dress.Mr. Bekx opened the afternoon briefly commemorating the achievements of the EU. He stressed that as culture is as important as economics the guests would be treated to a recital of songs by different European composers who, fittingly, composed these Lieder in a European country other than their own! The singer, Ms. Caroline Spanjaard.The singer, Ms. Caroline Spanjaard, is a very versatile Dutch soprano who in about half an hour presented a musical tour of ten European countries with compositions spanning nine centuries. She has performed as a soloist in the most demanding Requiems and Passions, in many Lieder concerts and as an opera singer. She was most beautifully accompanied on the piano by Ms. Alison Black from Britain. Ms Black, who now lives in Holland has an impressive career as an accompanist to soloists and choirs. She also plays the organ in several churches. It was a pity that the quality of the piano was no match for her virtuosity.All European member states were represented as well as most members of the G20 and other important international partners.Most noteworthy was the presence of the British ambassador who quite literally gave “acte de présence”. Britain may be in a Brexit procedure, but is still and will always be a European nation, geographically as well as culturally.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.Freedom Day is an annual celebration of Mzansi – South Africa’s first non-racial and post-apartheid democratic elections of 1994. Today it’s a National Public Holiday in South Africa.
This year, H.E. President Jacob Zuma has led the 23 years of National Freedom Day celebrations in Manguzi in KwaZulu-Natal. Senior government officials, including Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, attended the event.
South Africa has established 3\three functional arms of the state; the executive, legislature and the judiciary which work to enable South Africans to enjoy their rights which are enshrined in the constitution.
April 26th 2017, on the heels of the 20th anniversary celebration of the OPCW , H.E. Bruce Koloane Ambassador of South Africa in The Hague, gathered with fellow Ambassadors, representatives of the different(international) communities and the diaspora at the Marriot Hotel The Hague. The occasion was to celebrate Freedom Day 2017. The atmosphere was merry. Attendees not only appreciated the screened documentary showcasing South Africa’s beauty, but also the fabulous South African cuisine, assumedly prepared by a master chef.
In his welcome remarks, Koloane made mention of the decades-long positive bilateral relationship between the two sovereign states. He referred to the very recent visit of Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders to South Africa. Minister Koenders sees many opportunities for closer economic cooperation in particular, in areas such as water management and agriculture.
Furthermore, Ambassador Bruce Koloane availed himself of the opportunity to express his country’s gratitude vis-à-vis the scores of Dutch individuals for relentlessly supporting South Africa’s freedom battle.
H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda, H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, hosted an informal luncheon for Friends of Rwanda at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel in The Hague, it took place on Wednesday May 3rd 2017. The idea of hosting such an event was born during a regular Embassy staff meeting. The objective is to demonstrate appreciation to the many longtime friends, current contacts and many good wishers of Rwanda in the Netherlands. Some two dozens or so friends have attended the lunch.
During the approximate past twenty years, Rwanda has surged ahead. Progress has been made in all domains, from economic development to gender equality. The undeniable assistance from abroad has certainly had a significant impact.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157680534014693Mr. Roy Lie A Tjam, Editor and Dr Mayelinne De Lara, Publisher of Diplomat Magazine, Ms Hetty Franzani and her sister.
The Wakawaka sustainable solar project is a tangible example of positive cooperation between Rwanda and a foreign company. Whole regions are now benefitting from this project.
Among the friends who attended the friendly luncheon were:
Mr. Rob van Mierlo, Eindhoven Brain park who has worked in Rwanda.
Mr. Rene Feller, a sports trainer – football, worked many years in Rwanda. He presented Ambassador Jean Pierre Karabaranga a copy of a book he wrote on his Rwanda stint.
PUM, as in the past, PUM services remain available to Rwandese businesses in need of Dutch expertise.
Shirley Hutter, Cornerstone has been active in Rwanda since 1996, currently working on a hospitality project.Training Rewanees for the tourism sector.
Dr. Mahadew Managing Director at Dutch Council for International Business (DCIB) DCIB facilitates Dutch businesses in finding investment partners in Rwanda and elsewhere. DCIB will be conducting a Rwanda seminar in The Hague on 16 May 2017.
Leontine van Hooft — Green Dream Company
‘The Rwandan Embassy is one of the most progressive and modern Embassies we know. Close to the business, close to the people, dedicated to nowadays Rwanda and to the future. Seeing the potential of the country and eager to bring Rwanda closer to a better future for all. And well integrated into the Dutch formal and informal society.’
Mr. Evert Jakobs, Marketing Director, Mountain Gorilla Safaris; WildlifeGolf; RedRocks Rwanda
‘When I touched the soil of Rwanda for the first time, some 14 years ago, I felt as if I had returned home! The country is so beautiful and the people are so friendly. To me this was paradise. The people of Rwanda worked and studied hard in order to build a future for themselves, for their family as well as for their country.’
Make Africa Work, Mr.Leander Petit makes mention of this program. Spurred by the political parties CDA and SP this new entity named, Make Africa work will be launched in the foreseeable future. The focus will be matchmaking, Dutch businesses with African counterparts, providing them a (starters)incentive. Making Africa Work envisage assisting innovatieve Dutch entrepreneurs with ambitions to do business with Africa.Hetty Franzani, ‘Just after my retirement in 2010, I applied for a job as Education Leadership Adviser (ELA) at VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas), During my whole life, I had this dream: to share my skills with colleagues in Africa. Besides training and workshops for teachers, head teachers, and Sector Education Officers I developed popular Time Management Training which was a pilot for the whole country and even the National Police Training in Kigali was one of my customers.I am impressed by the way Rwanda put itself together to survive the horrendous past. I think the country is on the right way but there are a lot of things to do and a lot of problems to solve before the time comes that all the goals are reached.’
As indicated above, Rwanda is moving fast, it strives to become the Fin Tech hub in Africa. Rwanda is looking at the future unfazed.
By Corneliu Pivariu, CEO INGEPO Consulting, MG (two stars general – ret.)
A fulminant ascent of the French political stage of this young men, 39 years old, the founder and the candidate of En Marche! movement, established on April the 6th, 2016 only who won the first round of the French presidential elections and who is designated by all public opinion polls as winner of the second round (May the 7th) at a great distance from the second place, Marine Le Pen – the candidate of the National Front.
At the second round, he won with 66,9% against 33,1%, becoming the 8th President of France during the Fifth Republic.
A graduate of the National School of Administration (ENA) in 2004, he worked as inspector of taxes with the French ministry of finances (where he met Jaques Attali – with whom he maintains verry good relations), then for a period (2008-2012) in the banking system (Rothschild&Cie -Investments), from where his fortune originated. In 2012 he was appointed by the president François Hollande (both of them fellows at ENA and who knew each other since 2006) as the latter’s economic advisor and deputy general secretary at Élysée, and, in 2014, the prime minister Walls appointed him as minister of economy and industry, a position he resigned from in August 2016.
In November the same year, he declared he will run for the presidency as candidate of the movement he established, En Marche!, (a movement which, according to recent declarations, numbers already more that 200,000 members). Macron declares he belongs to the centre and there are enough voces reproaching him of betraying François Hollande when he saw the latter has no chances for a second mandate.
Emmanuel Macron is a product of the System (we consider that under this denomination there is a group of interests, mainly of economic and financial nature having objectives that differ from those of the existing political parties and that brings together personalities of the most important fields of the economic, banking, defense and security system and media life as well as of other important fields), who found a candidate able to coalesce the options of the electorate dissatisfied with the entire spectre of the political class and wins the position of France’s president.
Macron’s platform has six main elements: upholding culture and education as a condition for achieving national cohesion; modernizing the economy; job creation; reinforcing security; strengthening the democratic principles and institutions and defending France’s interests abroad as a major orientation of the foreign policy.
Here are some of the most concrete elements of the center candidate Macron’s program: cutting public expenditures by 60 bill. € yearly during the next 5 years; cutting corporate tax from 33% to 25%, a drop in unemployment from 10% to 7% and savings of 10 bill. € in unemployment benefits; increasing the defense budget to 2% of the GDP – according to NATO’s decision; reducing the number of parliamentarians by a third. In order to reinforce the national security Macron stressed the importance of developping the European defense system by setting up a 5,000 strong military force for defending the European Union’s borders.
The program provides as well for a 50 bill. € investment plan for 5 years, programes for the agriculture – for encouraging the local producers, the development of renewable energy sources, the development of the control mechanisms of the investments and orienting them towards the country’s strategic sectors. As far as migration is concerned, it proposes reducing the time of asylum granting to six months and all who are rejected must be immediately deported under escort, thus reducing the risk of the presence of foreigners without staying documents in France.
Emmanuel Macron is an opponent of the post-Brexit populists – and the vote in The Netherlands calmed the spirits in Europe, and is a proponent of France’s appurtenance and contribution to the European Union. Being approved by the banking system, Macron will enjoy its support if he continues the policies promised in this field.
How will Macron govern after the parliamentary elections of this year when, most probably, his formation will not succeed in obtaining the majority in parliament? How will he succeed in recovering France’s economy relegated to the 28th place globally as per GDP, with a continuously increase of the public debt since 2006 (64.3% of the GDP) and that reached 96% in 2016 (2,150 bill. €)? These are some questions only to which Emmanel (the God’s son in Hebrew), will have to find not only answers but to implement them too.
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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.
H.E. Mr.Chris Hoornaert Ambassador of Belgium and Mr. Luk Lemmens alderman for culture in the Province of Antwerpen jointly delivered the welcome remarks. At the same time Mr.Walter Ryequart, head of the Province of Antwerpen Department of Culture, introduced the Antwerpen.NL exposition.
The activity was joined by 30 members from the Embassy of Malaysia, Indonesia, The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
It was a fun and sunny outing to cycle around The Hague and learned the city’s iconic attractions and its hidden gems.
Dr. Mahadew Managing Director at Dutch Council for International Business (DCIB) DCIB facilitates Dutch businesses in finding investment partners in Rwanda and elsewhere. DCIB will be conducting a Rwanda seminar in The Hague on 16 May 2017.
Leontine van Hooft — Green Dream Company
‘The Rwandan Embassy is one of the most progressive and modern Embassies we know. Close to the business, close to the people, dedicated to nowadays Rwanda and to the future.
Seeing the potential of the country and eager to bring Rwanda closer to a better future for all. And well integrated into the Dutch formal and informal society.’
Mr. Evert Jakobs, Marketing Director, Mountain Gorilla Safaris; WildlifeGolf; RedRocks Rwanda
‘When I touched the soil of Rwanda for the first time, some 14 years ago, I felt as if I had returned home! The country is so beautiful and the people are so friendly. To me this was paradise. The people of Rwanda worked and studied hard in order to build a future for themselves, for their family as well as for their country.’
Make Africa Work, Mr.Leander Petit makes mention of this program. Spurred by the political parties CDA and SP this new entity named, Make Africa work will be launched in the foreseeable future. The focus will be matchmaking, Dutch businesses with African counterparts, providing them a (starters)incentive. Making Africa Work envisage assisting innovatieve Dutch entrepreneurs with ambitions to do business with Africa.
Hetty Franzani, ‘Just after my retirement in 2010, I applied for a job as Education Leadership Adviser (ELA) at VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas), During my whole life, I had this dream: to share my skills with colleagues in Africa. Besides training and workshops for teachers, head teachers, and Sector Education Officers I developed popular Time Management Training which was a pilot for the whole country and even the National Police Training in Kigali was one of my customers.
I am impressed by the way Rwanda put itself together to survive the horrendous past. I think the country is on the right way but there are a lot of things to do and a lot of problems to solve before the time comes that all the goals are reached.’
As indicated above, Rwanda is moving fast, it strives to become the Fin Tech hub in Africa. Rwanda is looking at the future unfazed. 