On the picture Dutch entrepreneur, Martijn Kanters, the Ambassador of Georgia H.E. Konstantine Surguladze, Jesper Zwart and Tornike Zirakishvili from Georgia National Tourism Organization.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
On November 9, the Embassy of Georgia in the Netherlands organized the “Authentic Georgia Welcomes You”event. According to a Georgian saying guests are a gift from God. The objective of organizing the event was to raise awareness of Georgia in the Netherlands and making the it a more popular tourist destination.
The event was attended by representatives of Dutch tourism agencies and representatives of the media.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157666344423969Ambassador Surguladze during his presentation.
The Ambassador of Georgia H.E. Konstantine Surguladze warmly welcomed his guests and emphasized the role of tourism for Georgia and Georgia as a tourist destination for international visitors.
During the event, a representative of Georgian National Tourism Administration, Mr Tornike Zirakishvili made a presentation about the tourism strategy of Georgia. Mr Zirakishvili took questions from the audience and elaborated on the recent undertakings in Georgian tourism industry. Tourism is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in Georgia. According to the latest figures, the first ten months of 2017, more than 6.4 million tourists visited Georgia and the Netherlands is in third position with 34.6%.
Mr Tornike Zirakishvili introduced the globally known Dutch Jesper Zwart, who happened to be the 6 millionth tourist to visit Georgia in 2016. Jesper Zwart, recounted his extraordinary trip to Georgia and the surprises that literally changed his life.
There was a lucky draw with two roundtrip flight tickets to Tbilisi, presented by Ms Lia Kewkhishuili from “Georgian Airways”. Mr.Jasper Zwart drew the names of the lucky winners: Kate Bellamy and Dr. Mayelline De Lara.
A reception followed featuring Georgian wine and traditional dishes.
In conclusion, H.E. Konstantine Surguladze thanked the audience for their participation and engagement.
Leo van der Velve from AD Dutch news reported:Georgian tourism in brief:
Georgia ranked 8th in “Top 10 Safest Countries In The World”
Georgia is in fact a four season destination, there are direct flights from Amsterdam and other European cities.
The Capital city Tbilisi has magnificent, newly restored buildings, refurbished museums and chic restaurants, Tbilisi is rapidly becoming a cultural hub. Noteworthy is the upcoming local fashion industry.
Batumi is Georgia’s summer holiday capital has sprouted new hotels and attractions.
For lovers of snow, Mestia is one of the most challenging and beautiful in Europe. Ski lift begins at a height of 1800 m. above sea level
Adventure Tourism, there is plenty of :Hiking and Trekking • 4×4 Adventure • Mountaineering • Biking • Rafting & KayakingCaving • Paragliding • Bird Watching • Hunting • Eco – National Parks • Horse Riding.
Georgian way of winemaking (in clay pots called Qvevri) belongs to UNESCO Intangible Heritage Georgia has the longest-running unbroken winemaking tradition of underground fermentation in clay vessels
Georgia has a liberal visa regime &e-visa, e-visa portal (only passport and application required) Valid Visa: The United States, EU member states and several other countries, such as Japan, Korea, UAE, may enter Georgia without a visa.
EU Pushes Forward with Future Anti-dumping Rules, While Mainland China Claims that Rules Still Breach EU’s WTO Obligations
Subsequent to the informal agreement on the EU’s new anti-dumping methodology which was struck between negotiators from the European Parliament and EU ministers on 3 October 2017, mainland China claims that the EU will continue to breach its WTO obligations after the introduction of its revised anti-dumping rules.
While on 12 October 2017 a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce of mainland China urged the EU “to strictly abide by the rules of the WTO, in good faith and comprehensively fulfil its international treaty obligations”, it nevertheless appears that mainland China will not be taking any immediate action. As stated by the spokesman, mainland China “will pay close attention to the relevant trends in the EU and, if necessary, take appropriate measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of China”.
The new EU anti-dumping methodology will be formulated in a country-neutral manner, abolishing the current distinction between market and non-market economies. Instead, a new methodology for calculating dumping margins for imports from third countries where significant market distortions exist will be introduced. This will particularly be the case where the State has a pervasive influence on the economy.
Pursuant to the future changes, EU investigators will be able to construct the normal value of exporting producers on the basis of costs of production and sale reflecting undistorted prices or benchmarks, including undistorted international prices and costs, in case it is determined “that it is not appropriate to use domestic prices and costs in the exporting country due to the existence of significant distortions”.
Under the new anti-dumping methodology, when the European Commission has well-founded indications of the possible existence of significant distortions, the Commission will produce (and regularly update) special reports describing the market circumstances in a certain country or a certain sector. When filing anti-dumping complaints, EU companies will be able to use these reports and the evidence contained therein to support their case.
In addition, the new EU anti-dumping rules will take into account international labour and environmental standards and will not place an additional burden of proof on EU companies in anti‑dumping cases.
Urve Palo, Estonia’s Trade Minister, stated that the new EU anti-dumping methodology provides “effective tools to fight dumping in important sectors such as steel”, while stating that the rules are “fair, fully in line with WTO requirements, and … will apply in the same way to all countries with whom the EU is trading”. Estonia currently holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The EU claims that it will treat all exporting countries with “significant market distortions” in the same manner, without discriminating against mainland China. However, in reality, it appears that the Commission is – for the time being – only planning to provide a report on the market distortions in mainland China. Except for the report on mainland China, there are apparently no other reports in the pipeline. The report on mainland China is expected to be available to EU companies on the day of the entry into force of the new EU anti-dumping rules.
As is well known by now in trade law circles, the reform of the EU’s anti-dumping legislation is necessary to bring EU law into line with the change in mainland China’s WTO Accession Protocol. Due to the expiry of certain provisions of the WTO Accession Protocol on 11 December 2016, Beijing insists that it should be treated as a market economy in EU anti-dumping investigations as of 12 December 2016. Mainland China challenged the EU’s current anti-dumping rules at the WTO on 12 December 2016.
The European Commission’s proposal on the EU’s new methodology to combat dumping from third countries was presented on 9 November 2016. The negotiating position of the Council was approved on 3 May 2017, and the European Parliament determined its definitive negotiating position on 5 July 2017. The trilogue talks on a final text for the EU’s new anti-dumping regulation started on 12 July 2017.
Following the informal agreement on the EU’s new anti-dumping methodology, which was struck between negotiators from the European Parliament and EU ministers on 3 October 2017, EU ambassadors endorsed the agreement on behalf of the EU Member States on 11 October 2017. One day later, on 12 October 2017, the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament approved the same political agreement, without amendments. The informal agreement was approved by 31 votes to 2 with 5 abstentions.
EU governments are expected to approve the political compromise at the meeting of the trade ministers, which is scheduled for 10 November 2017. The full-blown vote at the European Parliament’s plenary has been scheduled for the November session in Strasbourg, which will be held between 13 and 16 November 2017. Thereafter, the new dumping legislation is scheduled to enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. While some sources say that the new rules are expected to come into force before the end of the year, during the second half of December, other sources say that that rules will enter into force on 1 January 2018.
Hong Kong traders should note that, besides this new EU methodology, trilogue negotiations are also taking place with a view to the modernisation of the EU’s trade defence instruments. It is, however, unlikely that an agreement on the modernisation of the EU’s trade defence rules will be reached before the end of the year. National governments and EU lawmakers continue to disagree on two fundamental issues, namely, the dumping tariff limits (the lesser-duty rule) and the notice period before imposing anti-dumping duties.
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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.
October 25 The Hague – H.E. Ambassador Christian Lepage, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the International organizations in The Hague, organized a farewell dinner for Ms Coninxs at his residence, here in the picture around the President of Eurojust Baroness Michèle Coninsx, Mr. Ladislav Hamran, new Eurojust President elected, Mr. Jean-Pierre van Gestel, Head of the Belgian Liaison Bureau, Europol, Ms. Janet Nosworthy, Judge, Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Mr. Chris Hoornaert, Ambassador of Belgium, the host Ambassador Christian Lepage, Mr. Peter Bekx, Head of Representation, European Commission in The Netherlands, Mr. Hendrik Denys, Attaché, Assistant to the Permanent Representative of Belgium and Diplomat Magazine’s publisher Dr. Mayelinne De Lara.
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 26th Anniversary, an example of the traditional Uzbek hospitality.
On the picture H.E. Mr Youn Yun Lee, Ambassador of Korea and H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan.
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.
Ambassador Khakimov, H.E. Heidemaria Gurer, Ambassador of Austria and H.E. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of Kosovo wearing typical Uzbek adras, H.E. Andrea Gustovic Ercegovac, Ambassador of Croatia and the Ambassador of Korea, H.E. Yun Young Lee.The Ambassador of Georgia, H.E. Konstantine Surguladze, H.E. Soraya Elena Alvarez Nuñez and Ambassador Khakimov.
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.
H.E. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of Kosovo, H.E. Heidemaria Gurer, Ambassador of Austria, H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Dr Mayelinne De Lara, Publisher of Diplomat Magazine, H.E. Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ms. Dziunik Aghajanian, Ambassador of Armenia, H.E. Mr Mikalai Barysevich, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus and Mr Boris Zhilko, Minister Counsellor.
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/72157689136336904H.E. Ms. Jana Reinišová, Ambassador of Czech Republic.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.
Ambassador Reinišová with H.E. Andrea Gustovic Ercegovac, Ambassador of Croatia.
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.
H.E. Mr Dimitris Iliopoulos, EU Ambassador, H.E. Mr Elpidoforos Economou, Ambassador of Cyprus AND H.E. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Ambassador of Morocco.
A good number of Ambassadors, friends and government officials came to join Ambassador Jana Reinišová on 27 September 2017 in celebrating the historical day.
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Photography by Roy Strik.
Guerlain boutique at Place Vendôme – Picture by presse GuerlainGuerlain’s iconic boutique at Place Vendôme in Paris is moving out to give more space to the new Louis Vuitton store (both managed under the umbrella of the LVMH luxury group).Guerlain’s boutique on Place Vendôme deemed as a store for the highest end clients, wherein the sellers specialised in personalised one-to-one care for the clients. It will now be located but a few steps away on 356 rue Saint-Honoré (Paris 1er). For more information:https://www.guerlain.com/uk/en-uk
Mr Thorsten Strauß, Global Head, Deutsche Bank Art, Culture & Sports HRH Prince Ra‘ad bin Zeid Al Hussein.
Thursday, 19 October 2017, Deutsche Bank KunstHalle, Berlin: At the premises of the Deutsche Bank’s exclusive art centre, the extraordinary opening night for the much-awaited exhibition about the globe-trotter painter, who became an Iraqi princess par alliance took place; a night for Fahrelnissa Zeid.
2.Countess Svenja von Reichenbach, Deputy Head, Deutsche Bank KunstHalle Claus Gielisch, Honorary Consul of Jordan.Fahrelnissa Zeid (1901-1991) may well be one of the most fascinating artists one never heard of, or that is, until recently. An exhibition of the late Turkish-born, Iraqi by marriage and Jordanian by destiny artist is being exhibited in Berlin after being hosted at the Tate Modern in the UK. Thereafter the exhibition is to be taken to Beirut, Lebanon. As a larger-than-life figure The Tate sent conservator Natasha Walker to Jordan, where Fahrelnissa Zeid spent her final years, ahead of the exhibition to stabilise ten paintings from the Zeid family collection; a major lender to the show alongside with Istanbul Modern. The result is a very elegant exhibition put together to rend homage to an artist who was long forgotten, though her life and art are as eclectic and cosmopolitan as her life itself. HE Basheer Zoubi, Ambassador of Jordan to Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, Claus Gielisch, Honorary Consul of Jordan.In honour of Fahrelnissa Zeid, her eldest son, HRH Prince Ra’ad bin Zeid, former Chamberlain to HM King Abdullah II of Jordan, the latter’s spouse, HRH Princess Majda al-Ra’ad and grandson, HRH Prince Mired bin Ra’ad made their way from Amman to Berlin for the exclusive opening. HRH Prince Mired bin Ra’ad, HRH Princess Majda al-Ra’ad, HRH Prince Ra’ad bin Zeid Al Hussein.
Willem van Gogh, Anneke Boeren, H.E. Andrea Perugini, Ambassador of Italy, Lelio Gavazza, Managing Director of Bvlgari Europe, HSH Princess Lilly zu Sayn Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Bvlgari Brand Ambassador, Lucia Silvestri, Axel Rüger and Fabrizio Buonamassa.
After an absence of fourteen years, the two paintings by Vincent Van Gogh that were feared lost are again on display in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The works were stolen from the collection in 2002 by thieves who needed only a few minutes for the entire operation. The theft was a major blow to the art world.
Last September 2016, a team from the Italian Guardia di Finanza stumbled upon the two paintings during a house search in the vicinity of Naples. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the Italian and Dutch authorities, the works could be released relatively soon and begin their journey back to The Netherlands.
Starting today, they have resumed their place in the museum’s collection and are on display in the state in which they were found, without their frames. They are to be on display until 14 May 2018 when they shall be sent for restoration.
‘The homecoming of the recovered paintings “Seascape at Scheveningen” as well as “Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen”, entails that the Van Gogh collection is once more complete.
The return of the paintings to The Netherlands, the research and restoration were made possible by the generous support of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the BankGiro Lottery, Van Lanschot Bank, Heineken, Kikkoman Foods Europe B.V. and BVlgari. Hizkia Van Kralingen and the Hilton Hotel Amsterdam facilitated the transport and presentation of the recovered works.
Dr. Friedrich Merz – Picture by Munich Security Conference, photographer Kai Mörk.
Tuesday, 7 November 2017, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: NRW Premier Armin Laschet has appointed veteran politician Dr. Friedrich Merz as special representative of NRW for Brexit, in order to prepare businesses in the most populous German federal state for the impact of the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Till 2002 Dr. Friedrich Merz was a prominent member of Germany’s Christian Democrats, in fact heading the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag.
For further information: https://www.land.nrw/de/pressemitteilung/ministerpraesident-armin-laschet-beruft-friedrich-merz-zum-beauftragten-fuer-die
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/72157687140778322Ambassadors from more than 50 countries came to say goodbye to Ms Abir Ali. Some of then here on the picture.
“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.”
H.E. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Ambassador of Morocco, H.E. Odette Melono, Ambassador of Cameroon, Ms Abir Ali and the Ambassador of Korea, H.E. Yun Young Lee.
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…
H.E. Odette Melono, Ambassador of Cameroon.
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.”
H.E. Fernando Arias, Ambassador of Spain and next OPCW Director General and his spouse Patricia van Oordt de Arias together with the Ambassador of Chile, H.E. Maria Teresa de Jesus Infante Caffi.
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.
H.E. Aldo Cavalli, Apostolic Nuncio and Ms Abir Ali, cutting together a festive cake celebrating the meaningful occasion.
Many thanks to Diplomatic Card and Carlton Ambassador Hotel.
Mr Tornike Zirakishvili introduced the globally known Dutch Jesper Zwart, who happened to be the 6 millionth tourist to visit Georgia in 2016. Jesper Zwart, recounted his extraordinary trip to Georgia and the surprises that literally changed his life.
There was a lucky draw with two roundtrip flight tickets to Tbilisi, presented by Ms Lia Kewkhishuili from “Georgian Airways”. Mr.Jasper Zwart drew the names of the lucky winners: Kate Bellamy and Dr. Mayelline De Lara.
A reception followed featuring Georgian wine and traditional dishes.
In conclusion, H.E. Konstantine Surguladze thanked the audience for their participation and engagement.
Leo van der Velve from AD Dutch news reported:
Georgian tourism in brief:
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 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.
