In Malta, the 28 members of the European Union have announced an ambitious package of 36 EU-initiatives to foster healthier, cleaner, safer and more secure oceans. More than €6 billion have been committed by public and private actors at the EU-hosted “Our Ocean” conference 2017 in Malta on October 5-6, to better manage the oceans. On behalf of the EU, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella announced on October 5 over €550 million of EU-funded initiatives to tackle global oceans challenges. At the conference, First Vice-President Frans Timmermans announced that the European Commission would phase out by end 2017 all single-use plastic cups in water fountains and vending machines in its buildings in Brussels. Furthermore, Development Commissioner Neven Mimica reaffirmed on behalf of the EU and its African, Caribbean, and Pacific partners their commitment for sustainable ocean governance. Maltese host, Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat welcomed all attending guests and speakers. Prominent support from the cause was at hand with the participation of HM Queen Dowager Noor al-Hussein of Jordan, HRH The Prince of Wales and HSH The Sovereign Prince of Monaco. ———– For further information: https://ourocean2017.org ———– Picture by European Union, Matthew Mirabelli 2017    

The celebration of the National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) was hosted by the Taipei Representative Office in the Netherlands on 4 October with a stylish reception in the Marriott Hotel in The Hague. The reception attracted plus three hundred guests, including dignitaries, Members of Parliament, residing Diplomats and the Taiwanese community in the Netherlands. After a hearty welcome, H.E. Ambassador Tom Chou revealed in his speech that Taiwan will invest about 14 billion Euros for the development of the wind power industry, setting the goal to cover 20% of Taiwan’s total energy need by renewable energy by 2025.

In the area of green energy, Taiwan will invest 14 billion euros for the development of its wind power. “I hope that we can find a strong European partner helping us to achieve our goal, of course my favorite partner is the Netherlands.” “In the past 70 years Taiwan encountered more challenges than averaged countries, including military threat, poverty and natural disasters. However, the adversities do not overshadow Taiwan, but make it stronger.” Said Amb. Chou. “It is the 18^th largest trading nation in the world and world’s leading manufacturer of  IC products. It ranks 20^th in purchasing power parity among 229 nations. Moreover, Taiwan has one of the most advanced technology in dealing with earthquakes and typhoons. It has donated US$6 billion for humanitarian aid to countries in need since 1996.” H.E. Chou concluded with lauding Taiwan for being listed as one of the top ten countries recommended by Rough Guide UK this year to tourists to visit for its beautiful landscape, rich cultures, delicious food and friendly people. Direct flight services are provided from the Netherlands by Taiwan’s China Airlines and EVA Air. Dr. Frans Engering, President of the World Trade Center The Hague and former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), focused on the trade and economic relations between Taiwan and the Netherlands. “Although in Asia there are some giant countries, Taiwan is for the Netherlands the 4^th export market in Asia while the Netherlands is the biggest European investor in Taiwan..  Bilateral trade grew by 35% in 2016. For Taiwanese investments in Europe, the Netherlands is, together with Germany and the UK, the most important host country in Europe.  There are around 200 Taiwanese companies in the Netherlands mostly working around Eindhoven, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.  As a champion in high-tech, 90% of chips in the world are produced in Taiwan or by Taiwan companies”, Dr. Engering said. At the reception there was also a showcase of high-tech Taiwan made bicycles Giant and Darfon E-bikes. The Giant bicycle of Tom Dumoulin, the first Dutch male cyclist who won the Giro d’ Italia in May, was displayed and attracted the special attention of cyclists and bike lovers among the audience. Luster was further added to the reception by live music performances of traditional and modern Taiwanese songs by the Cheng String Quartet and by a flash mob choir performed by CEOs of the Taiwanese business community in the Netherlands. In return, the Dutch guests also contributed their share and showed their talents by jointly singing along a popular Dutch song. All this added a cozy and pleasant ambiance to the party. A lavish buffet composed of many food stations winded up a successful National Day celebration that lasted long after the official closing time with friends of Taiwan in The Hague. ——- Taiwan is a modern and democratic country, with 23 million inhabitants and 36,000 square kilometers in size. —— Photography Catherine Dailey.

Grand Ducal Couple of Luxembourg with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender – Picture by Cour Gran Ducale- Olivier Minaire. Wednesday, 27 September 2017, Luxembourg City: At the invitation of His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Duke of Nassau (nominally), the heads of states and their spouses of German-speaking countries met for their annual informal summit at Neumünster Abbey to focus their discussions on migration and integration from a social and cultural point of view.

More concretely two professors from the University of Luxembourg arranged the theoretic programme for the multilateral talks emphasising factors for integration such as learning the language, vocational training and access to the work market. First to arrive was the German Federal President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the latter’s spouse Elke Büdenbender who first exchanged a couple of words with their hosts before posing to the press. Other participants included the Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and spouse Doris Schmidauer, Swiss Confederal President Doris Leuthard and spouse Dr. Roland Hausin. Followed by HSH The Hereditary Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein and spouse HRH Hereditary Princess Sophie von und zu Liechtenstein and Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Belgians. Host, HRH The Grand Duke of Luxembourg belongs to the German Princely House of Nassau today known as “Nassau-Luxembourg”. The next summit is due to take place in Switzerland. For further information: The Grand Ducal House of Luxembourg: http://www.monarchie.lu/fr/actualites/evenements/2017/09/27092017-germano/index.html

H.E. Mr. Vsevolod Chentsov and spouse Dr. Natalia Melnyk, welcoming their guests.  By Roy Lie A Tjam. The Ukrainian Embassy in the Netherlands had what can be called a “double celebration”. The Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Vsevolod Chentsov and spouse Dr. Natalia Melnyk, hosted a reception to simultaneously celebrate the 26th Anniversary of the Independence of the Ukraine Republic and the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Ukraine. For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157687731655413

The festivities took place on Tuesday 26 September 2017. Many colleagues and friends of Ambassador Vsevolod Chentsov came to congratulate him and rejoice together in light of the events. In his welcome remarks, Vsevolod Chentsov exclaimed, “26 years ago, Ukraine has reestablished its sovereignty. It’s been a difficult journey so far: to overcome a Soviet legacy of mismanagement and corruption, rebuild from a broken market economy, and to reformulate a civil society and functional government”.

“2014 marked the beginning of Ukraine’s existential challenge: a hybrid war organized and sponsored by their neighboring country. Nonetheless, Ukrainians have managed not only to sustain the enormous pressure but to continue to reform our country. They’ve managed to survive not only due to the strength and resilience of their people, but also due to the solidarity and support of their friends. No doubt, the Netherlands are among them”. “This year marks another important milestone: 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries. At the same time, history of our relations is much longer.”.

“The first Ukrainian mission in The Hague – Trade Mission of the Ukrainian People’s Republic – was established almost 80 years ago during the short and dramatic period of the Ukrainian statehood in the beginning of the 20-th century. We have shared many moments together both joyful and sad, but even during hard times we’ve kept mutual trust and continued our cooperation”. “Despite all challenges within “The Association Agreement” between Ukraine and the European Union, Ukraine successfully became a part of their unity. We are grateful to all Dutch People, businessmen, politicians which never lost trust in Ukraine. I also thank all Ukrainians who has been promoting Ukraine in The Netherlands. This agreement is already bringing its fruits: we enjoy stable growth of bilateral trade and increase of investments”. “This year the Netherlands became the 2nd top foreign investor to the economy of Ukraine with the volume of investments ranging around approximately 6 billion Euros. And, I am sure, it’s only a beginning of the even stronger partnership for the benefit of our two nations and wider Europe”. The following is a welcome letter addressed in the double celebration on behalf of the Dutch people to Ukraine: Dear friends, The most precious value in this world in a human being. We appreciate a charitable nature of the Dutch people, their empathy and support. There are over 40 Dutch charitable organizations active in Ukraine, some of them – since the 1990ies. Today I have an honour to welcome Mr. Free Doomen, co-founder of HOMICO organization. Mr Doomen was distinguished by the President of Ukraine with the Order of Merit of Ukraine for his over 20-year charitable activities in our country. Before we proceed with our program, I would like to thank all who helped to organize this evening – to our sponsors, in particular, companies DTEK, NED Spice, FMO, Theeuwes-Holding, Ukraine International Airlines, Foundation of Ukrainians in the Netherlands and, last but not least all my colleagues in the Ukrainian embassy. I hope, you will enjoy a Ukrainian music, food and beverages this evening. Now I would like to invite Mr. Doomen to receive the Order. I propose to raise this toast to prosperity of Ukraine and to our friendship! Live music and an interactive chocolate demonstration by Yaroslav Pakhuchyi, animated the evening.

King Willem-Alexander and Ms Michèle Coninsx, President of Eurojust during the unveiled ceremony. The President of Eurojust, Ms Michèle Coninsx, hosted October 4th,  the official visit of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander for the opening ceremony of Eurojust’s new premises in the International Quarter of The Hague. His Majesty was accompanied by Mr. Jaap Smit, King’s Commissioner in the Province of South Holland, and Mrs. Pauline C. Krikke, Mayor of the City of The Hague. His Majesty was introduced to Eurojust staff and attended parts of an operational coordination meeting, followed by a debriefing with the College. At the conclusion of the session with the College, His Majesty attended the opening ceremony and unveiled a commemorative plaque, followed by a reception in the lobby. The new building of Eurojust is a joint project of the Municipality of The Hague, the Ministry of Security and Justice and the Central Government Real Estate Agency of the Dutch government, Heijmans and Eurojust. It was designed by Mecanoo-Haskoning-DS and consists largely of glass panels. Eurojust’s new building has four hundred workplaces and accommodates national representatives of the 28 EU Member States and three third States, supported by an Administration.

Eurojust was founded in 2002. It has the task of promoting and strengthening coordination and cooperation among national authorities in the fight against terrorism and serious cross-border crime affecting the European Union. As a judicial centre of expertise, its goal is to support national authorities in bringing criminals quickly and efficiently to justice.

On the picture pianist Raul Sunico. By the Philippines Embassy in The Hague. The Ambassador of the Philippines, His Excellency Jaime Victor Ledda and Mrs Gina Ledda hosted a piano concert by The Philippines’ multi-awarded pianist virtuoso Dr Prof Raul Sunico in The Hague on 28 September 2017.

Dr. Raul Sunico, a world-renowned pianist and former President of Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) successfully performed a piano concert held at the Diligentia Theater which included timeless classical pieces of Rachmaninoff, Chopin and Debussy; much-loved Filipino classics, Kumintang and Bato sa Buhangin; and folk-pop pieces by Gershwin. Prof. Sunico’s masterful eloquence on the keys and his unique musicianship delighted the more than 200 guests who came on a cool autumn night to watch and listen to him play. Prof.  Sunico’s rendition of Dutch’s own Vader Abraham’s Het kleine café aan de haven and Tante Lien’s Naseng Goreng were very much appreciated by the audience.

In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands His Excellency Jaime Victor B. Ledda humbly expressed delight in organizing this concert in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Philippine Embassy in Paris and the Philippine Consulate General in Milan bringing both pride, honor and prominence to Philippine world-class artists in Europe.

A reception followed the 90-minute program which allowed the members of the audience to meet and greet Prof. Sunico, while at the same time relished the night’s offerings of Filipino delicacies, coffee and distilled spirits.

     

On the picture His Excellency I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. By Roy Lie A Tjam September has been an eventful month for the ASEAN countries in The Hague. On September 1st, Her Excellency Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa hosted a reception on the occasion of the 72nd Anniversary of the National Day of Vietnam. On 14 September 2017, an ASEAN Business Forum was in session in cooperation with VNO-NVW-MKB Nederland as a part of ASEAN 50th Anniversary celebrations.  

The opening remarks were by His Excellency Dato’s Ahmad Nazri Yusof, Ambassador of Malaysia and the chairman of the ASEAN Committee in The Hague, and Mr. Hans de Boer President of VN/ NCW followed with a speech of his own. Other speakers included: H.E. Mr. Le Luong Minh (Secretary-General of ASEAN (TBC)) and Mr. Maarten Camps (Secretary-General, Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands). A session of nationalist pride of each member state followed focused on Trade and Business Opportunity in ASEAN countries. For additional pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157689217563946 The primary aim of this event was to promote ASEAN and the Netherlands trade relations, as well as to create better awareness among the Dutch business community of the potential ASEAN could offer in trade and investment- especially with the idea of cooperating with ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) that had been announced two years ago.

The Story of Malaysia Malaysia was represented by Ms. Vimala Murugan, Economic Department Embassy of Malaysia Brussels. Ms. Munugan emphasized the following points: ASEAN opportunities, Malaysia – Netherlands Trade and Investment performances, and Malaysia’s potential contributions to ASEAN. Each member country of the ASEAN Committee followed Malaysia’s example in the presentation for their respective states. Malaysian fruits, food, and delicacies were a popular choice of the fair in Markthal, Rotterdam. There were cooking demonstrations at the residence of the  Malaysian and Thai Embassy featuring Malaysia’s  Dato chef Ismael, and chefs from Bangkok Bold Institute.

The Ambassador of the Philippines, His Excellency Mr. Jaime Victor Ledda and Mrs. Gina Ledda  hosted a piano concert of Prof. Raul Sunico in The Hague on 28 September 2017

Pasar Raya Indonesia 2017 In a space of three days (15,16 and 17 Sept.) more than twenty thousand individuals visited the Pasar Raya Indonesia (PRI) 2017 held in De Broodfabriek, Rijswijk, the Netherlands, between 15 – 17 September 2017 as a part of the Indonesian Economic Diplomacy, encouraged by the President of Indonesia. PRI 2017 is the culmination of the 72nd anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. The event aimed to strengthen the alliance of the peoples of both nations. It also aimed to promote Indonesian culture; such as kuris, culinary and various Indonesian products as textiles and handicrafts. Citizens came from all quarters of Europe, including Belgium, UK, Germany, and France. There were even some groups of Indonesian citizens from Malaysia, several members of the diplomatic corps in The Hague, such as the Ambassador of Bangladesh and Tanzania. Pasar Raya Indonesia is this year supported by several artists such as Indonesian Idol finalist, Harry Mantong and Komunitas Hong of Bandung– he introduced various dance performances to PRI 2017. Dutch artist Justine Palmelay of “Superman is Dead”, the famous band in Indonesia, also took part the concert on the night of September 15, 2017, before the official opening ceremony on September 16, 2017. A total of more than 70 culinary stands and products supported this PRI 2017. PRI 2017 was commenced by the Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Yohana Yambise; together in cooperation with the Mayor of Rijswijk, Mr. Michel Bezuijen and the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia for the Netherlands, His Excellency Mr. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja. Mayor of Rijswijk, Michel Bezuijen, expressed his gratitude over the fact that PRI this year was being held for the first time in Rijswijk. It was a surprise for Bezuijen with the splendor of the event and the immense number of visitors by exclaiming, “This is an opportunity for the people of Rijswijk to get to know Indonesia”. According to Ambassador Puja, as the head of the organizer of Pasar Raya Indonesia 2017, this year’s celebration was held in a much larger indoor space as opposed to in previous years, PRI (with the old name of Pasar Rakyat Indonesia) at Sekolah Indonesia in Wassenaar in the outdoors. Puja noted, “compared to the past years, the number of visitors is getting bigger, and this year’s venue is expected to reach visitors up to 20 thousand a 3 day-program”. A great interest from visitors may also increase Indonesia’s diaspora business in the Netherlands that accumulate the demand for Indonesian products in the Dutch market.