By Roy Lie A Tjam.Members of the prestigious Residentie Orkest Business Circle met at the Zuiderstrandtheater on Friday 28 October 2016 for a gathering. Notably present at the gathering was the Mayor of the City of The Hague, Mr. Jozias van Aartsen and his spouse. Also present was Mr. Lingxi Zhong of Heffels-Spiegeler law firm and Ms. Justina Gabrielatyte.The evening’s program included the presentation of the new permanent conductor of the Residentie Orkest, the young talentedwhom one newspaper referred to as “a born communicator and an innovative programmer”. Members of the Business Circle also met with Mr. Sven Arne Tepl, the new artistic director as of April 2016. Sven previously worked as an artistic manager at the Dutch Philharmonic Orchestra/ Dutch Chamber Orchestra and as a deputy director of the Conservatory of Amsterdam.Furthermore, there was Ms. Maartje Broekhans who took up the position of managing director at the Residentie Orkest last September. Maartje previously worked as a freelance consultant and a managing director at the Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra. Sven Arne Tepl and Maartje Broekhans are both board members of the Residence Orchestra. Later that evening the Business Circle members attended a Residentie Orkest concert.
Under the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration from the Netherlands (AVRR-NL) project staff from the IOM offices in Iran and Somalia visited the Netherlands in December 2016.
The one week program included meetings with migrants at different reception centres, as well as meetings with the respective embassies, DT&V, MFA and network partners on the operational level.
The working visit aimed to give International Organisation for Migration, IOM’s main stakeholders in the Netherlands the opportunity to learn more about the realities related to AVRR in Iran and Somalia through first-hand information provision.
More of such visits will be organized throughout the year 2017 under the AVRR-NL project.
The President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, is starting this week her first official visit to Uganda, where she will visit victim assistance projects supported by the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV), an independent body associated with the Court. The President is also expected to meet with Ugandan authorities as well as conduct outreach activities. During her visit, the ICC President Fernández will travel together with Board Members and the Director of the TFV to several facilities supported by the TFV’s assistance projects, which offer psychological and physical rehabilitation to those who suffered harm during the conflict in Northern Uganda. While in Northern Uganda, the ICC President will also conduct an outreach session with local communities, engage in dialogue with them and listen to their views and concerns. She will also meet with the press and speak on local radio programmes. During her activities, President Fernández will underline the important position of victims in the ICC. Victims can participate in proceedings at the Court, seek reparations for harm suffered, and benefit from assistance projects of the Trust Fund for Victims. Â
On the picture Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bert Koenders, Monika Sie, Director of Clingendael and Rob e Wijk director of HCSS.
By Anton Lutter.
Tuesday at the “Glazen Zaal” in The Hague both the Netherlands Institute of International Relations “Clingendael” and The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies have presented their Strategic Monitors for 2017 to the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Bert Koenders.
The annual reports give an inside to future global political developments and thus the challenges that lay ahead of us. Both reports objection is to provide a better evidentiary base to help the Dutch government improve its strategic anticipatory ability.
Many experts have contributed to these analyses and helps us – as Mr. Koenders remarked – to better forecast the Climate (long term) instead of the Weather (short term), which is impossible considering the volatile world we currently live in.
H.E. Mr Peep Jahilo, Ambassador of Estonia and Counsellor Mr. Mr Mati Murd.Estonia’s  99th Independence Day celebrated in The HagueBy Roy Lie A Tjam.
Estonia a cozy little secret, this how NORDICA, Estonia’s national Airline refers to Estonia. H.E Mr. Peep Jahilo, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia in The Netherlands organized a reception to celebrate Estonia’s 99th Independence anniversary.
The reception took place on Wednesday 22 February 2017.
For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157678569080182Ehsan Turabaz, Honorary Consul of Afghanistan, H.E. Ms. Andrea Gustović Ercegovac, Ambassador of Croatia and H.E. Ms. Adia Sakiqi , Ambassador of Albania.Ambassador Jahilo, together with H.E. Ms BergdĂs EllertsdĂłttir , Ambassador of Iceland and H.E. Mr. Ole Emil Moesby, Ambassador of Denmark.H. E. Mr. Chris Leo Clark Hoornaert, Ambassador of Belgium, H.E. Mr. Peep Jahilo and Counsellor, Mr Mati Murd.
Among the attendees were Ambassadors, their representatives from all continents: from Cameroon to Ukraine, Panama to Belgium, Indonesia to Lebanon. Furthermore, Dutch dignitaries, friends, business acquaintances, NGO’s  and members of the diaspora.
There are busy times ahead for Estonia, the country will be holding the Presidency of the EU Council for the first time in the second half of 2017. The preparations for the presidency are in full swing.
It has been a well attended and very pleasant lunchtime reception.
The Nuncio Apostolic, H.E. Archbishop Aldo Cavalli.
EU Commissioner Günter Oettinger (Budget and Human Resources) and the Minister for Justice and European Affairs of the German Land of Baden-Württemberg, Guido Wolf .
Monday, 6 February 2017, Representation of Baden-Württemberg to the EU: Ca. 700 guests attended the reception hosted by the government of Baden-Württemberg to fête the beginning of the year 2017, and present typical products from Baden-Württemberg to the high-level guests from European institutions, and regional representations headquartered in Brussels.
Minister Guido Wolf after his allocution.
The Premier of Baden-WĂĽrttemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, was represented at the function by the Minister of Justice and European Affairs, Mr Guido Wolf as well as the Minister of Economy, Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut. The incumbent German Commissioner, GĂĽntherOettinger, who hails from the same Bundesland, also attended the event as did the German Ambassador to Belgium, RĂĽdiger LĂĽdeking.
Minister Wolf, who labels himself a “convinced European“, called the attention of the audience to the European position of the day, the fact that the “debt crisis might cause new conflicts. Moreover the Brexit puts the European Union in a unique situation as to the question in which manner a member state may leave the union. Not of less importance is the menace of populist movement in some European member states”.Minister for Justice and European Affairs of the Land of Baden-WĂĽrttemberg, Mr. Guido Wolf.For further information:
Representation of Baden-WĂĽrttemberg to the EU (Director Johannes Jung): https://www.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/regierung/baden-wuerttemberg-in-europa-und-der-welt/landesvertretung-in-bruessel/
Premier Winfried Kretschmann: https://www.baden-wuerttemberg.de/en/government/minister-president/
Minister Guido Wolf: https://www.baden-wuerttemberg.de/en/government/the-state-government/members-of-the-state-government/guido-wolf/
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Photography by “FK / PH”/Bundesland Baden-Württemberg
H.E. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo.By Kim Vermaat.The Hague 21st of February 2017- The Embassy of Kosovo had the pleasure to host a reception celebrating the ninth anniversary of its independence in its new stately embassy at the Koninginnegracht.For additional Robert Huiberts’ pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157678968972861 H. E. Dr. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of Kosovo to the Netherlands, mentioned in her speech the importance of international collaboration and hoped that the larger embassy facilities would help towards that goal.Ambassador Dobruna in talks with ambassador of Macedonia, H.E. Igor Popov and H.E. Peep Jahilo, Ambassador of Estonia.Ambassador Dobruna, also indicated that the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office with special jurisdiction over crimes against humanity, war crimes and other crimes under Kosovo law will soon be seated in The Hague (it is expected to begin operating sometime in 2017.)On a personal note, she made it clear that she feels privileged to live in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and that she especially feels completely at home in The Hague.The reception was well attended by more than 15 Ambassadors and many other diplomats. After ambassador’ speech the guests had the pleasure of enjoying violin & piano music by an Albanian/Kosovar ensemble. Â
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/Ms Shirley Lam, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union during her speech at the Chinese New Year 2017 in the Nieuwe of Litteraire SociĂ«teit De Witte.
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.”Chinese New Year in the Nieuwe of Litteraire Sociëteit De Witte, Plein 24, 2511 CS Den Haag, Netherlands
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.
Guests at the Chinese New Year’s celebrations 2017.
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.
Hong Kong Drum Ensemble, Chinese New Year in the Nieuwe of Litteraire Sociëteit De Witte.
Following the opening speeches and the Ensemble’s well-received performance, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and Chinese buffet.
 H. E. Dr. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of Kosovo to the Netherlands, mentioned in her speech the importance of international collaboration and hoped that the larger embassy facilities would help towards that goal.
 
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.
The exhibition will be displayed at the embassy until 31 March 2017. Embassy of Mexico, Nassauplein 28, 2585 EC, The Hague.