‘ 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.’    

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.

“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”.

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.

A musical interlude by the Terra Nova Collective directed by Mr. Vlad Weverbergh was part of the program.

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.                 .   .  

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.

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.

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.