By Joe Ray. The Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association hosted a Chinese New Year celebration on 9 February at the splendid headquarters of the Sociëteit De Witte  in The Hague. Guests from the fields of business, diplomacy, academia and beyond joined Mr Hans Poulis, Chairman of the Association, and Ms Shirley Lam, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, for an evening of networking and traditional music to usher in the Chinese Year of the Rooster. For additional Robert Huiberts’ pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157680901464076/with/33190615116/

In her welcoming remarks, Ms Lam highlighted the close relationship that exists between the Netherlands and Hong Kong. “We are both relatively small and externally-oriented economies,” she explained, “yet we both form an important gateway to our hinterland, and are strong on infrastructure, logistics and business services.” Ms Lam continued: “Hong Kong’s ties with the Netherlands go back a long way, since the first Dutch Consul in Hong Kong took up his duties in 1857. Today, our bilateral relations continue to flourish. There are at least 200 Dutch companies with their offices established in Hong Kong, and around 6,000 Dutch nationals reside in our city. Trade between us is strong; the Netherlands is our third largest trading partner among the EU member states, and Dutch exports to Hong Kong cover a wide range of merchandise. The Netherlands is also one of Hong Kong’s biggest investors.”

There are frequent high-level exchanges between Hong Kong and the Netherlands, and Ms Lam remarked that several high-profile bilateral visits had been made in 2016. “We look forward to further strengthening our ties with the Netherlands on all fronts in the year ahead,” she concluded.

A particular highlight of the evening for the many guests in attendance was a barnstorming performance from the Hong Kong Drum Ensemble, a percussion group of international acclaim who were visiting The Hague as part of a European tour. Led by master percussionist Mr Ronald Chin, the group displayed extraordinary vibrancy and masterful choreography in their performance, which combined a variety of drums with other traditional Chinese instruments.

Following the opening speeches and the Ensemble’s well-received performance, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and Chinese buffet.

Ambassador Eduardo Ibarrola and Mexican artist Moza Saracho. By Sheila Turabaz. The vibrant artworks of Mexican artist Moza Saracho, were showcased at the Embassy of Mexico on Thursday February 16 during the opening of the exhibition “TULIPA: As simple as Tulips”. Art aficionados were invited to attend the opening of the exhibition, which comprised 15 paintings, while being served traditional Mexican appetizers along with tequila and wine produced in Mexico. For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157677160311503

Moza, is a contemporary artist specialized in abstract art and born in Mexico City. She earned her academic credentials at New York University, Istituto Europeo di Design in Rome and École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. She focuses on “the intersection of space, reflection and color”. The artworks represent Moza’s daily life in Amsterdam viewed from her Mexican perspective and are also referred to as “molecular art”: images are deconstructed into molecules of which new abstract images are created, reflecting the essence of the original image.

Through her art, Moza aims to encourage the public to be “the author of its own compositions by imagining a group of tulips in a molecular and colorful world”. H.E. Mr. Eduardo Ibarrola Nicolín, Ambassador of Mexico to the Netherlands, opened the exhibition in the gallery of the embassy with a few words mentioning in particular the many talented and diverse artists that Mexico has to offer. Moza gave a brief introduction about the exhibition (which has been set up with the assistance of Sandra Lopez, cultural attaché at the embassy) and how it came about: “ I wanted to combine the concepts of molecular abstractions and the representation of the tulip, which (I think) is strong, with the colours of Mexico”. An evening of art gazing with a glass of tasteful Mexican wine in the hand followed. The exhibition will be displayed at the embassy until 31 March 2017. Embassy of Mexico, Nassauplein 28, 2585 EC, The Hague.

Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Minister Pierre Gramegna. 14-15 February 2017, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman: Their Royal Highnesses The Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, Guillaume and Stéphanie as well as the Minister of Finance, Pierre Gramegna, paid a visit to enhance bilateral economic ties with the Sultanate of Oman.

At the highest level they met with the Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said. Pierre Gramegna held a working meeting with the Omani Vice-Minister of Finance, HE Mr Nasser Khamis Al Jashmi and the Governor of the Central Bank of Oman, HE Mr Hamood bin Sangour Al Zadjali. Additionally he met with the CEO of Oman Sovereign Wealth Fund, HE Mr Abdulsalam Al Murshidi, to discuss the possibilities to further develop investments in Luxembourg.

The fund is indeed already present in Luxembourg through a representative office as well as several direct and indirect investments.  Minister Gramegna also met the management of the Oman Chamber of Commerce to study further economic exchanges between the two countries. Meanwhile the Hereditary Grand Ducal Couple toured the Oman National Museum. The latter’s Director General Jamal Al-Moosawi was in charge of the princely tour. For further information: https://www.gouvernement.lu/6735311/16-gramegna-oman

H.E.  Pablo Grinsoun, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic. By Henri Estramant. Argentine Republic: HE Ambassador Pablo Grinspun was accredited on Wednesday, 8 February 2017 at the Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg City.  Previous to his  appointment to Belgium and Luxembourg, he was Undersecretary for Latin American Economic Integration and Mercosur.

Turkmenistan: HE Ambassador Ata Serdarov presented his credentials on 8 February 2017. His chancery is based in Brussels. Ambassador Serdarov was previously ambassador to Turkey and Armenia.  

Republic of Poland: HE Ambassador Piotr Wojtczak is a resident ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Before this appointment he was Permanent Representative of Poland to the EU. http://www.msz.gov.pl/en/news/piotr_wojtczak_appointed_poland_s_new_ambassador_to_the_grand_duchy_of_Luxembourg

  For further information: http://www.monarchie.lu/fr/actualites/evenements/2017/02/08022017-creances/index.html   © Cour grand-ducale / Tous droits réservés  

H.E. Mr. András Kocsis, Ambassador of Hungary. Photography by Roy Strik. By Joe Ray. Hungarian and Dutch business figures gathered at the Hungarian Embassy in The Hague on 8 February for an evening of networking and bilateral trade promotion. With the support of the Hungarian Business Network, the event attracted entrepreneurs and business leaders from The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and beyond. Members of the Hungarian diaspora were well represented and the spacious embassy function room was soon close to capacity. For additional Roy Strik’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums

Hungarian Ambassador H.E. Mr. András Kocsis delivered a welcome address in Dutch. He began by praising the strong bilateral relationship between Hungary and the Netherlands and observed that economic ties between the two countries continue to strengthen.

“The Netherlands is a significant investor in Hungary and bilateral trade has risen rapidly since Hungary’s accession to the EU,” explained the Ambassador, highlighting several major success stories in Hungarian-Dutch economic cooperation. “I believe that this event will allow us to grow closer in our friendship and to build better economic and cultural ties between our nations,” he continued. “This event provides an opportunity to be introduced to a nation’s life which may evolve into more permanent personal and professional relations.” “It may also trigger visits to the host country, and I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who has not visited Hungary yet, and of course those who have already done so, to come and enjoy the unparalleled facilities of Hungary – from our rich cultural life to the country’s natural beauty, famous spas, and much more.”

ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, participated in the 53^rd Munich Security Conference: “Rome Statute crimes undermine security & stability” The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC”), Mrs Fatou Bensouda, participated in the 53rd edition of the Munich Security Conference (“MSC”) held in Munich, Germany from the 17th to the 19th of February.  The MSC, chaired by H.E. Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, assembles leaders from around the world to debate the state of international security and related challenges. The MSC, the largest independent high-level forum of its kind, is attended by Heads of States, governments and international organisations; ministers; high-ranking members of the armed forces as well as representatives of business, science, civil society and the media. The Prosecutor’s participation once again highlights the important role international criminal justice plays in international security and in supporting efforts aimed at conflict prevention.  “Rome Statute crimes undermine security and stability, whether nationally or regionally. In certain instances, such destabilising crimes may even pose a threat to global security” stated Prosecutor Bensouda.  “The MSC provides an important forum for high-level engagement on the interplay between accountability for atrocity crimes and peace and security”, the Prosecutor added.

  In the margins of this year’s Conference, Prosecutor Bensouda held a number of productive bilateral meetings with senior officials from States, intergovernmental organizations and civil society to advance the work of her Office and further mainstream the mandate of the ICC. The Prosecutor met, inter alia, with H.E. Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan; H.E. Mr. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia; H.E. Mr. Haider al-Abadi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq; H.E. Dr. Ziad Abu-Amr, Deputy Prime Minister of Palestine; H.E. Mr. Teodor-Viorel Melescanu, Foreign Minister of Romania; H.E. Mr. Linas Antanas Linkevičius, Foreign Minister of Lithuania; H.E. Mr António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations (“UN”); H.E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States; H.E. Mr. Zeid bin Ra’ad Zeid al- Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and H.E. Mr. Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya

ICC Registrar Herman von Hebel, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Argentina Susana Mabel Malcorra, ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi and ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda ©ICC-CPI On 20 February 2017, Ms Susana Mabel Malcorra, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Argentine Republic, visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) to meet with the President of the Court, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, the Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, and the Registrar, Herman von Hebel. The President of the ICC thanked Foreign Minister Malcorra for Argentina’s strong support of the Court, as evidenced among other things by the conclusion of a cooperation agreement last November relating to the protection of witnesses. The President briefed the Minister on the Court’s current work, including achievements and continued efforts to enhance the Court’s efficiency, both in terms of judicial proceedings as well as administration. Various challenges were also discussed, particularly the importance of promoting universal ratification of the Rome Statute. “The strong commitment of States Parties is essential for the success of the Court and I look forward to Argentina’s continued active role in ‎this respect”, said President Fernández. Minister Malcorra expressed that “the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court are one of the most notable achievements of multilateral diplomacy.” She added that “Argentina acknowledges the ICC as cornerstone of a universal system in order to fight impunity and protect the victims of the most serious crimes of international concern. Therefore, my Government is increasing the cooperation with the institution and will intensify its support.”

President Ilham Aliyev and the VII King of the Belgians – Pictures by the Belgian Monarchy. Monday, 6 February 2017: The IV President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, was in Brussels for bilateral and multilateral meetings.  Concerning Belgium, President Aliyev called upon the country’s monarch, King Philippus, to symbolically invite Belgian companies to invest in Azerbaijan. Likewise to highlight the relevance of Belgo-Azerbaijani ties in order to improve the relations with the EU at large. Azerbaijan being a strategic partner in securing energy supplies to Europe. 

To continue his multilateral agenda President Aliyev held talks with Commissioner Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk as well as with Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and the Commissioner for Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič.  For further information: President of Azerbaijan: http://en.president.az Embassy of Azerbaijan to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg (HE Ambassador Fuad İsgəndərov): http://brussels.mfa.gov.az