On the picture H.E. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. By Roy Lie A Tjam. On 11 May 2017, H.E. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia in the Netherlands launched an Indonesia made Guitar in the Netherlands. The launching took place at the prestigious edifice of the Embassy of Indonesia in The Hague. The guitars are jointly produced by the Dutch company Homestead Neheem International and PT. Genta Trikarya in Bandung, the city of music. Robin van de Poll from Homestead told the audience about the collaboration which started in 2012. He had read about the high-quality guitars produced in Bandung in a magazine for guitar enthusiasts so he decided to visit the company. For additional Roy Strik’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157683936546476 At first, he was not thinking about a business venture, however afterward the team decided to collaborate in the production of a high-quality brand guitar for the European market. Ambassador Puja in his remarks commended the collaboration between Homestead and PT Genta Trikarya. It’s a fine business example involving businesses from the two countries. He added that the high-quality guitars might further inform the Dutch public about one of Indonesia’s high-end finished products, such as guitars from Bandung. “I am confident that this collaboration will also enhance people-to-people relations through musical instruments as I believe that music is a universal language”, said Ambassador Puja. Talking about music being a universal language, reference was made to the phenomena known in the Netherlands as Indo Rock. Youngsters from the so-called Indo community developed a peculiar style of music(Indo rock) Some exponents of the indo rock epoch(1960s – 1990) were: Tielman Brothers along with their sister Jane, The Blue Diamonds and several others. De-facto, Indonesian musical influence in the Netherlands stretched over many decades. A representative for the Indonesian company, PT. Genta Trikarya, Mr. Awan Nasution, told the audience through video call, that the team in Bandung is proud of the fact that they have produced guitars for the musicians in the Netherlands. Homestead Guitars products are produced in Bandung based on fine Indonesian timbers such Javanese Rosewood, Javanese Mahogany dan Makassar Ebony. The products will be marketed not only in the Netherlands, but also to wider European Union market. The climax of the event was when Ambassador Puja presented the first guitar to the legendary Dutch guitarist, George Kooymans. Mr. Kooijmans has been a member of the band, Golden Earring, renowned in the 1960s and 70s Furthermore, guitars were presented to other well known. Dutch musicians: Mr. Henny Vriente, known from the Band Doe Maar in the 1980s and also to musician Mr. Boudewijn de Groot, A concise number of media representatives witnessed the event. The recipients of the guitars(trio) created a new band called “Vreemde Kostgangers” They tried out the guitars and played some of their songs. “Mooi” they extolled. The guitars had been specially build to meet the demands of the trio Homestead Neheem International, is ready to serve the Dutch- and European market with a piece of sterling Indonesian artistry.                                  

Peter van der Vliet, Director and Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announces The Netherlands’ voluntary contribution of €200,000 for the individual and collective reparations awards in the Katanga case. Trust Fund for Victims decides to provide $1 million for the reparations awarded to victims in the Katanga case, welcomes earmarked donations of €200,000 from the Netherlands On the second day of its 16th Meeting, occurring from 16 to 18 May 2017, the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims (“the Trust Fund” or “TFV”) at the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) decided to provide $1,000,000 USD to pay for the individual and collective awards for reparations ordered by Trial Chamber II in the case of The Prosecutor v. Germain Katanga. This means that the full amount of the costs of the reparations awards ordered by the Trial Chamber on 24 March 2017 will be initially provided by the Trust Fund. For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157680917141254

“The Rome Statute’s innovative inclusion of the potential to award reparations to victims following a criminal conviction underscores the victim-centred approach of the entire Rome Statute system. As established by the Court, ‘reparations oblige those responsible for serious crimes to repair the harm they caused to the victims’. Reparations therefore are a critical part of the reparative justice afforded to victims under the Rome Statute. “In light of Mr Katanga’s indigence and while recalling that he nonetheless remains liable for the reparations ordered against him, it is our sincerest hope that the Trust Fund’s complement of $1,000,000 USD to the payment of the awards for reparations will ensure that the victims in the Katanga case receive the real tangible benefits of these awards and that they are received in a timely manner.”,  Statement from the Trust Fund’s Board of Directors. The Trust Fund will now present to the ICC judges – by 27 June 2017 – a plan for implementing the individual and collective reparations in this case, describing the projects it intends to then develop. The Trust Fund’s resources come mainly from voluntary contributions from States Parties, foundations, and individuals. In order to ensure that it has adequate resources for its assistance mandate activities and to complement the payment of awards for reparations that may be ordered in currently ongoing or future cases, the Trust Fund also solicits and encourages donations specific to ordered awards for reparations, which permit it to avoid depleting its reparations funds reserve.

On  May 17,  2017, the government of The Netherlands, a State Party to the ICC and long-time supporter of the Trust Fund, announced that it will make a voluntary contribution of €200,000. This donation is earmarked for the full payment of the individual awards for reparations ($74,250) and to go towards the collective reparations awards (the remaining $925,750) in the Katanga case.

“The compensation may provide relief to the victims in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have suffered so much already and we cannot have them wait any longer” Said Mr Bert Koenders, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. “The Netherlands earmarked donation to the Katanga case victims help ensure that the reparations awarded to these victim survivors do not remain simply words on a legal document, but instead result in the victim survivors of Mr Katanga’s crimes receiving tangible and meaningful reparations to remedy the harms they have suffered and begin their journey on a path of recovery, healing, and creating a better future for them, their families and their communities. We are grateful to The Netherlands for this important donation and encourage other State Parties to join in making the Rome Statute’s promise of reparations to victims a reality by making a voluntary contribution to the Trust Fund.” Mr Motoo Noguchi, Chairman of the Trust Fund for Victims Board of Directors    

On the picture Mr. Piotr Kobza, chargé d’affaires a.i. Embassy of Poland. Constitution Day in Poland marks the declaration of the Constitution of May 3 1791(‘Swieto Trzeciego Maja)The Polish constitution was the first democratic constitution in Europe and second in the world only to the United States Constitution. The Constitution of May 3, 1791, is considered one of the most important achievements in the history of Poland.

On the occasion of the 2017 National Constitution Day celebration, the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Republic of Poland in the Netherlands, Mr. Piotr Kobza has organized a reception on the bright sunny spring afternoon of Thursday 11 th May 2017.

Apart from the Polish wine and cuisine, the many guests were entertained by piano music composed by the once Polish ambassador to the Netherlands(1790 – 1791) Mr. Michał Kleofas Ogiński. The pianist was Joanna Pietrzyk. Among the guests were three former Dutch Minsters: J-P Balkenende(PM) Piet hein Donner current vice President Raad van State and former Minister of Justice, Mr. Jan Laurence Brinckhorst former Minister of Agriculture. The tone at the reception at the Polish Embassy was cheerful.  

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Photography by the Embassy of Poland in The Hague.  

‘ A civilize society, ready to genuinely serve you” The Embassy of Japan has formally introduced the newly appointed Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Amsterdam. He is Mr. Jos ter Avest. A special ceremony was held at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan. For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157680949352123

The Master of Ceremonies: Mr. Hiroshi Nomura, welcomed the guests to the special ceremony and subsequently invited H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata to deliver his remarks. The Ambassador indicated that he deems it appropriate for a newly appointed Consul General to be formerly introduced. In fact, Mr. Jos ter Avest’s appointment took effect as of 1 February 2017.The Ambassador continued, the Honorary Consul-General forms an important bridge between the community of Amsterdam and the Japanese community. Mr. Jos ter Avest in his acceptance speech recalls the pleasant conversation he has had last year with both former Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Amsterdam: Mr. Jaap Rost Onnes and H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata. He also discussed the matter of accepting the position of Hon. Consul General with his wife. Ter Avest visited Japan with boss Mr. Gerit Zalm. They had a very tight schedule but made time to visit a fish market at 5 AM. The visit has made a lasting impression on him. Mr. Jos ter Avest is looking forward to serve as Hon. Consul General to the best of his ability. Former Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Amsterdam: Mr. Jaap Rost Onnes, served in this position or some good thirty years. At the age of 82, he thinks it’s high time to demise office. He warmly congratulated his successor Mr. Jos ter Avest. When Rost Onnes took office some 30 years ago there were only four Japanese companies, with time the number has grown to approx. 400. When asked to give a one liner on Japan he promptly replied, a civilize society ready to genuinely serve you. Polite, disciple, mutual respect, Mr. Jaap Rost Onnes traveled in HM. King Willem-Alexander patry when the King went on a state visit to Japan in 2014. Mr. Jaap Rost Onnes and his wife Mary will continue to visit Japan every year.

The guests at the solemn ceremony mainly formed the Dutch and Japanese community. Consisting of Dutch and Japanese bankers, the director of a Japanese daycare, members of the business community.

             

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.’