Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
Washington—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) today announced the briefing:
The International Tribunal and Beyond: Pursuing Justice for Atrocities in the Western Balkans
Between 1991 and 2001 the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, made up of six republics, was broken apart by a series of brutal armed conflicts. The conflicts were characterized by widespread and flagrant violations of international humanitarian law, among them mass killings of civilians, the massive, organized and systematic detention and rape of women, torture, and practices of ethnic cleansing, including forced displacement.
In 1992 the U.N. established a Commission of Experts that documented the horrific crimes on the ground and led to the 1993 creation of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). This month, after more than two decades of persistent, ground-breaking efforts to prosecute the individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in the former Yugoslavia, the ICTY is concluding its work. As it prepares to close its doors, this briefing will assess the tribunal’s achievements and limitations, and most importantly, what still needs to be done by the countries of the region to seek justice in outstanding cases, bring greater closure to victims, and foster greater reconciliation among peoples.
Panelists will discuss these questions and suggest ways that the United States, Europe, and the international community as a whole can encourage the further pursuit of justice in the Western Balkans.
Panelists:
Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
Nemanja Stjepanovic, Member of the Executive Board, Humanitarian Law Center (from Belgrade, Serbia, live via video)
Diane Orentllicher, Professor of Law, Washington College of Law, American University
Bettina Orlopp – Picture by Commerzbank AG.
For the very first time in its 147 years old tradition, Germany’s second largest bank, Commerzbank, shall appoint a lady to its Board of Directors, namely Bettina Orlopp (45).
She shall be in charge for Compliance, Staff and Law, that is, in charge for main salespeople and securities traders whilst implementing staff downsizing. Hitherto she serves as Executive Vice-President for Group Development and Strategy.
Commerzbank was founded in 1870 in Hamburg, then German Empire.
For further information:https://www.commerzbank.com
Swarovski Tiara designed by Dolce&Gabbana – Picture by Dolce&Gabbana through wiener-staatoper.atViennese State Opera House: Presentation of Swarovski’s newest tiara as designed by Italian couple Dolce&Gabbana. Dolce&Gabbana drew inspiration for the richly detailed headpiece from Mozart’s opera Le nozze di Figaro, in particular, the words sung in the eighth scene of the first act: “Giovani lieti – fiori spargete!” (“Happy maids, scatter flowers!”). This image has been poetically reflected in the floral design of the tiara, where delicate blossoms meet organic curved leaves created using 702 Swarovski crystals and “Xirius Chatons” in Crystal and Golden Shadow shades as well as six rose-colored enamel flowers.Swarovski’s creative partnership with the famous Vienna Opera Ball has existed since the 1950s. Organised by the Viennese State Opera, the event is the cultural highlight of the Viennese ball season. For further information:https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/staatsoper/news/detail/news/dolcegabbana-designed-the-swarovski-tiara-for-the-debutantes-of-the-vienna-opera-ball-2018/https://www.facebook.com/wiener.staatsoper/videos/10159684579100717/
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Foto: Davide Gallizio / Dolce&Gabbana
Romania’s Government has decreed three days of national mourning, namely 14, 15 and 16 december leading to the burial of the country’s hitherto last monarch.
On Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at 11.00 a.m., His Late Majesty King Michael’s coffin will arrive at Otopeni Airport, whence it will be conveyed by hearse to Pelesh Castle. The event will take place in the presence of the new Head of the Royal House of Romania, Margareta, Custodian of the Crown, and the members of the Romanian Royal Family, representatives of the Romanian Government and of the Orthodox Church and members of the Royal Household. The press will have access to the ceremony. Members of the public will not have access.
From 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, the King’s coffin will lie in state in the Hall of Honour at Pelesh Castle. During this interval, the Custodian of the Crown and the Royal Family will be in Sinaia. The timetable for officials visiting Pelesh Castle to convey their condolences is as follows:
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: The Presidential Institutions of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, members of the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Moldova, members of the Parliament of Romania and the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Representatives of institutions of the Romanian State (National Bank, city and town halls, schools and universities, central and local institutions).
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, the European Union, N.A.T.O., and international organisations.
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Representatives of the Romanian Academy and the State Academy of the Republic of Moldova, the Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church, and other religious institutions.
Access to Pelesh Castle will be on the basis of the lists communicated in advance to the Royal Protocol by the aforementioned institutions by e-mail at ofiter.protocol@palatulelisabeta.ro.
Members of the public will not have access to the Hall of Honour while the coffin lies in state at Pelesh Castle. The press will have limited access to the Hall of Honour.
Wednesday December 13, 2017, at 6.00 p.m., His Late Majesty’s coffin will be taken from Pelesh Castle and from 8.30 p.m. will lie in state in the Throne Hall of the Royal Palace (Calea Victoriei, nos. 49-53). The ceremony of the arrival of the coffin in the Throne Room will be private. The press and members of the public will not have access.
All those who wish to lay flowers and to say a prayer at the catafalque of His Late Majesty King Michael I will have access to the Throne Hall of the Royal Palace on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, between 9.00 p.m. and midnight, Thursday, December 14, 2017, between 8.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m. and Friday, December 15, 2017, between 08.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m. Entry will be free for everybody. The press will also have access.
Those coming to the Royal Palace to pay their last respects to His Late Majesty King Michael I are asked to abide by the following rules:
They should be dressed appropriately, in dark colours.
They should not be carrying shopping bags, other kinds of bags, or bulky luggage of any kind.
They should not be accompanied by children below the age of seven or by wheeling pushchairs.
They should not use cameras or mobile telephones or any other electronic devices. Out of respect for the solemnity of the occasion, it will be forbidden to film or take photographs.
They should have their identity cards with them.
Members of the public will not be allowed to lay flowers at the catafalque personally. Flowers shall be laid in the garden in front of the Royal Palace or on the pavement in front of the Palace railings. The staff of the Royal Household will be on hand to advise the public.
Those coming to the catafalque are asked not to bring books, letters, postcards, stamps, documents or photographs with them. These may be sent by post to the Elisabeta Palace after the event.
It is strictly forbidden to smoke or to use mobile telephones within the precincts of the Royal Palace.
A first-aid post will be in service during the period of access to the Royal Palace.
At 10.30 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2017, a short religious service will be held in the Throne Hall of the Royal Palace.
At 10.55 a.m. His Late Majesty’s coffin will be laid on a catafalque in Royal Palace Square, in front of the Palace. A military and religious ceremony will be held. The public will have free access to Royal Palace Square, within specially marked out areas. The press will also have free access.
At 11.15 a.m., the coffin will be placed inside the hearse.
Between 11.25 a.m. and 12.15 p.m., the funeral cortege will travel at low speed along the following route: Royal Palace Square – Calea Victoriei – Unirii Square –Patriarchal Cathedral.
Between 12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m., a funeral mass will take place in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Romania. The press and members of the public will not have access.
From 2.00 p.m. to 6.20 p.m. the funeral cortege will travel taking the following route: Unirii Square – University Square – Romana Square – Charles de Gaulle Square – The Triumphant Arch – Chitila – Titu – Găești – Topoloveni – Pitești – Curtea de Argeș. The cortege will not make any stops during this journey, but will slow down when passing through towns and villages.
At 6.45 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2017, His Late Majesty’s burial service will be officiated in the New Royal and Episcopal Cathedral in Curtea de Argeș. The ceremony will be attended only by the Custodian of the Crown, the Royal Family of Romania and members of foreign royal families. The public will not be allowed past the front gates of the Park of the Curtea de Argeș Monastery.
The press will not be allowed inside the New Cathedral, either before or during the burial ceremony. The New Cathedral will be closed to visitors during the seven days following the funeral.
The Royal Family announces heavy mourning for 40 days and mourning for the first three months after the day of His Late Majesty’s passing.
For further details, please contact the Royal Secretariat and the Press Office by e-mail at secretariat-regal@palatulelisabeta.ro and by phone at +40 21 319 09 72.
Books of condolence are open from today at Pelesh Castle, the Royal Palace (Calea Victoriei), and Elisabeta Palace. The public will be able to sign the books of condolence for forty days after the date of the decease.
Jean-Claude Juncker and Shinzo Abe – Picture by European Commission.
8 December 2017: Japan and the European Union have finalised a paramount free trade agreement that covers 600 million people, and almost a third of the global economy. Japan and the EU traded roughly $140 billion of goods in 2016 according to EU statistics.
The EU stated that the agreement, which won preliminary approval in July, shall enhance support more than 600,000 jobs in the bloc that are tied to exports to Japan. Another half a million EU workers are employed by Japanese companies.Together, the EU and Japan account for about 30 percent of the world’s gross domestic product.
This agreement “sends a clear signal to the world that the EU and Japan are committed to keeping the world econoworking on the basis of free, open and fair markets with clear and transparent rules fully respecting and enhancing our values, fighting the temptation of protectionism,” European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe wrote in a joint statement.
For further information:http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-17-5182_en.htm
US Administration under President Donald Trump has finally taken the step to recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, which reflects a reality that the latter city is the seat of Israel’s government and that, for the Jewish state, Jerusalem will always be its capital.
Already in 1995, Congress adopted the Jerusalem Embassy Act, urging the federal government to relocate the American embassy to Jerusalem and to recognise that that city is Israel’s capital. The latter act passed Congress by an overwhelming bipartisan majority and was reaffirmed by a unanimous vote of the US Senate only six months ago. Yet, for over 20 years, every previous American president has exercised the law’s waiver, refusing to move the US embassy to Jerusalem or to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city. Jerusalem is the seat of the modern Israeli government. It is the home of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, as well as the Israeli Supreme Court. It is the location of the official residence of the president and prime minister. It headquarters many governmental ministries.
The United States are drawing a distinction between acknowledging the reality that Jerusalem has been Israel’s capital since 1949, and the need for negotiations to resolve all the respective claims that Israelis and Palestinians have, including questions related to Jerusalem. Israelis and Palestinians must resolve these issues directly and without outside interference.
There is a logic to this duality. Israel’s Government is located in the part of Jerusalem that is not contested, and there is an honesty in ending the fiction that the city is not the Israeli capital, which has gone on for close to 70 years.
For further information:
White House Statement on Jerusalem: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/12/06/statement-president-trump-jerusalem
Queen Mathilde of the Belgians was given the award in the presence of NRW’s Premier Armin Laschet – Picture by Belgian Monarchy.
Friday, 8 December 2017, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany: HM Queen Mathilde of the Belgians was in Düsseldorf, capital of the German state of North-Rhine Westphanlia, to receive a German special award for her work in sustainable development (Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis).
She was chosen for “her commitment to social and humanitarian projects”, through the Queen Mathilde Fund and UNICEF in particular. In her allocution, the Queen called for young people to be given special consideration. The Queen gave a short speech during the ceremony. “The most important elements in sustainable development are the people and tomorrow’s leaders: young people. Let’s listen to them, to their concerns, their expectations and aspirations. Their contribution and commitment are essential for a sustainable future”.
The organisers highlighted the Belgians’ Queen’s commitment to the fight against poverty, to education, healthcare and to women and children’s rights.
The work done by the Queen Mathilde Fund and her role as the Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium were also mentioned. She also makes sustainable development visible within the United Nations. Her Majesty is an UN Development Goals advocate.
German Sustainability Award was established in 2008 to encourage the acceptance of social and ecological responsibility and to identify role models in this area. It is backed up by the German Federal Government albeit granted by the foundation “Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis e.V.”. The NRW Premier Armin Laschet was present for the award ceremony.
Stéphane Dion, Chrystia Freeland and Dan Costello – Picture by EU.Monday, 4 December 2017, Brussels: The first meeting of the EU-Canada joint ministerial committee took place in Brussels.
EU-Canada bilateral relationship
The committee agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the EU and Canada. The cooperation has entered a new era with the provisional application of the strategic partnership agreement (SPA) since 1 April 2017 and of the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) since 21 September 2017.
The committee discussed in particular how to step up security and defence cooperation in areas such as crisis management and security, cyber security and responding to hybrid threats.
The EU and Canada also committed to working together on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The Committee agreed that the EU and Canada shall co-chair a Women Foreign Ministers meeting in 2018.
The committee also reviewed how to strengthen EU-Canada cooperation in third countries in regions such as Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.
A number of key issues on the international agenda were also discussed, including the situation in eastern Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela and Myanmar/Burma.
Global issues
The EU and Canada discussed global issues, including climate change, human rights and democracy, as well as migration and counter-terrorism.
The Committee was chaired on the Canadian side by the latter’s country Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland accompanied by Canadian Special Envoy to the EU, Stéphane Dion (Ambassador of Canada to Germany) as well as the Head of Mission of Canada to the EU, Dan Costello. From the EU side, Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
For further information:Joint statement EU-Canada ministerial committee: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/31951/20171204-joint-statement-fr.pdf
On the picture Tatiana and H.E. Willys Delvalle at the National Day of Panama.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
On 21 November 2017, The Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, H.E. Willys Delvalle and Mrs Tatiana Delvalle, invited fellow ambassadors, members of the business community, Dutch civil servants, friends of Panama, the Panamanian community, representatives of the International organisations and various others to come to Hotel Marriott in The Hague to celebrate Panama’s 114th year of Independence with him.
For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the link below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157691790557165Ambassador Delvalle during the speech.
It was an exuberant gathering witch included an ongoing video presentation of Panama accompanied by (appropriate) Panamanian music. Tatiana, the spouse of Ambassador Devalle dazzled in a handmade Pollera Panameña, Panama’s national dress. Absolutely Superb. La Pollera Panameña has won several international awards.
A major take-away from Ambassador Willys Delvalle’s speech is that Panama is moving full steam ahead, not only as a country but also in the region and beyond.
The slogan The Great Connection stands among other factors for the expansion of the infrastructure pertaining to the canal. The following are extracts of the Ambassador’s speech.
H.E. Mr Edgar Elias Azar, Ambassador of Mexico, His Eminence Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Aldo Cavalli and the Ambassador of Guatemala, H.E. Mrs Maritza Ruiz de Vielman.
“We are very thankful to the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the support and cooperation they have given and the interest they have always shown for our Country. We are also very honored that our President, His Excellency Juan Carlos Varela, entrusted us with leading this Mission in the Netherlands and to further work with the Kingdom to elevate the level of friendship and trust.
Our country has been working very hard in several key areas and sectors, building a future of opportunities for our people, developing a Government Plan that is in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and which is supported by a Strategic Plan of Public Investments totaling more than 20 billion dollars in areas such as health, education, security, logistical infrastructure and housing, this will allow us to have the platform in order to achieve the goals that we as a country need for the future.
Tatiana Delvalle with her impressive “pollera Panamena” together with some of the spouses who attended the National Day of Panama reception; on the picture Mrs Gina Ledda, Philippines; Mrs Midori Inomata, Japan; Mrs. Veronique Miclea, Peru; Mrs. Jane Berger de Salvador, Argentina; Mrs. Patricia Atala Seman, Mexico and Mrs. Patricia van Oordt de Arias, Spain.
We all have heard of the Panama Canal and the recent expansion project. Well, the Expanded Canal has in one and a half year of operations surpassed even the most ambitious expectations, with over 2,000 Neopanamax vessels successfully transiting and generating revenues in excess of $1.5 billion dollars. The Panamax and Neopanamax locks combined transits have just reached a record milestone of 403.8 million tons of cargo. It is the most tonnage ever managed by the Canal since its inauguration 103 years ago.
We see a great future for Panama with the implementation of the National Logistics Strategy under the 2030 vision, with the main objective: to provide the Panama Logistics System and its “players” with a Long-Term Shared Vision of turning Panama into one of the best World Class Logistics Hubs.
Ms. Luisa Sánchez-Bravo, First Secretary Embassy of Spain and H.E. Philippe Couvreur, Registrar of the International Court of Justice.
By April 2018, we are expecting to have fully operational our Humanitarian Hub: “the Regional Logistics Center for Humanitarian Assistance” that already host the headquarters for the United Nations Humanitarian Response Repository (UNHRD) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This will allow us to be able within 24 hours to reach any disaster or crisis area in the Western Hemisphere.
Just around the corner in 2019, we are preparing our country to receive His Holiness Pope Francis to host the most important Religious event, the World Youth Day (WYD), an incredible event that unites and celebrates youth and brings together young people from all over the world for a week. And more things will happen in 2019, when Panama will have the honor to be the next Ibero American capital of Culture an important event that will showcase our culture.
we will have another milestone in 2019, the celebration of 115 years of bilateral relations with the Netherlands….a solid partnership built on a high level of trust, good faith, cooperation and commitment to international principles and values such as the rule of law, the defense of human rights and freedom … all to build a better world… for which Panama makes available its historic commitment for dialogue and mediation.”
Ambassador Willys Delvalle offered his guests a Panamanian lavish lunch including dessert and digestive-rum.
Mr Filippo Spiezia, photography by Eurojust.Yesterday, the College of Eurojust elected Mr Filippo Spiezia, National Member for Italy, as its new Vice-President for a three-year term. According to Article 28(2) of the Council Decision on Eurojust and Article 3(1) of the Rules of Procedure of Eurojust, the result of the election will be submitted to the Council for its approval. Mr Spiezia replaces former Eurojust Vice-President Ladislav Hamran, who was elected President in October.Mr Spiezia, a public prosecutor for 28 years, started his professional career as a magistrate in 1990, and served as an anti-mafia public prosecutor since 2003. He has been responsible for investigations of organised crime, money laundering, THB, corruption, drug trafficking, fraud and cybercrime, first in Italy, and then as Deputy National Member for Italy at Eurojust between 2008 and 2012, at which time he became Deputy National Prosecutor at the National Anti-mafia and Anti-terrorism Directorate in Rome, dealing with international judicial cooperation and coordinating investigations of organised crime and terrorism. He returned to Eurojust as National Member in January 2016.The author of many publications on legal issues, Mr Spiezia also trained judges, lectured and chaired working groups and teams dealing with analysis of criminal, legislative and strategic matters with the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the UNODC. In 2003, he was awarded the Falcone and Borsellino prize for his book, The trafficking and exploitation of human beings.After his election, Mr Spiezia said: ‘I am deeply honoured by this vote of confidence from my colleagues at Eurojust. I am inspired by the sense of honest and open collaboration shown by the new President, the College of Eurojust and the Administrative Director. I fully believe that a spirit of collegiality, coupled with experience, skill and enthusiasm, are the keys for Eurojust to fulfil its mission to support judicial authorities in their fight against serious organised crime and terrorism.
