On the picture His Excellency Ambassador András Kocsis.By Djoeke Altena.
His Excellency Mr András Kocsis, Ambassador of Hungary, invited wine experts, wine importers, leaders of Dutch hotels and restaurants, sommeliers and wine connoisseurs for the Hungary Meet & Greet, Wine Extravaganza, on 1 December 2016.
The event, organised by the Embassy of Hungary in cooperation with Diplomat Magazine, Nyenrode Universiteit and Diplomatic Card enabled the experts to experience delicious flavours from Hungary.
For additional Robert Huiberts’ pictures, please open the following link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157677949996555Manon Krapels, Community Marketer from Nyenrode Universiteit, Helga Gál, H.E. Ambassador Andras Kosis, Manolis Arvanitis, Diplomatic Card’s General Manager and Sebastian Della Frattina, Community Marketer, Nyenrode Business Universiteit.
The event started with a few remarks by Ambassador Kocsis.
“Our aim is to reach out with our excellent wines to Dutch restaurants and hotels, and we hope that those Dutch wine traders and restaurants who distribute a variety of wines, will consider adding Hungarian products to their supply.”
Ms Helga Gál, wine expert at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, brought eight delicious wines. The wines, from different grapes, soils and areas of Hungary, gave the guests insights in the many different flavours in Hungarian wines.
Hungarian winetasting.
“Endowed with a unique geology and climate, Hungary can satisfy all demands for diversity and variety, in terms of wine production. In Europe, only Hungary and France are capable of producing both white and red wines that represent true quality, by international standards, since the ingredients required for a wide range of wines, can only be found in these two countries.”
Ambassador Kocsis, welcoming his guests.
The wine tasting started with a Prestige Brut from Balatonboglár. Followed by three white wines: a 2011 Olaszrizling from Balatonfüred-Csopak; a 2009 Furmint from Somló; and a 2009 Kéknyelű from Badacsony. Ms Gál also brought two red wines for the guests to try: a 2011 Kékfrankos-Görögszó from Szekszárd; and a 2009 Kopár from Villány. The last two wines the honourable guest got to taste were dessert wines both from the Tokaj-region: a 2007 Furmint, late harvest and a 2007 Aszú, 6 puttonyos.
Hungarian bites prepared by chef Janos Klimaj. Diplomats Meet and Greet at Carlton Ambassador Hotel – Hungarian Winetasting
After the wine tasting there was a buffet with delicious Hungarian bites prepared by the Hungarian embassy’s chef, Mr Janos Klimaj during which there was the opportunity to network and meet with other wine experts and representatives of the Hungarian embassy.
IOM’s collaboration with the United Nations has always been close, but became even more so when IOM joined the UN in September. As the leading inter-governmental agency in its field of specialization, IOM can now work in partnership with the United Nations on a broad range of migration-related issues.
This will help ensure that the issues surrounding the world’s international migrants are well addressed, including issues in the humanitarian, development, human rights, climate change and peace and security domains.
At the United Nations Summit on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants which took place on 19 September in New York, IOM Director General William Lacy and UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon signed a document linking IOM to the UN as one of its related organizations. This event signalled the culmination of a process that began in earnest in June 2016 when IOM Member States unanimously endorsed the process to join the UN.
“The signature of this historic agreement brings the leading global migration agency, International Organization for Migration (IOM) – into the United Nations – the culmination of a 65-year relationship. For the very first time in 71 years, the UN now has a ‘UN Migration Agency’,” Ambassador Swing said, adding, “This is a singular honour for our Organization – and a genuine success for migrants and Member States and indeed for this Summit.”
The Embassy of the Argentine Republic is pleased to inform you about the following tender:
The Government of the Povince of Misiones, together with the Port
Administration of Posadas and Santa Ana and the SAPEM Posadas Industrial
Park (PIP SAPEM), call any potential parties interested in operating the
below mentioned facilities.
• Port and Bonded Warehouse
• Posadas Dry Dock
• Santa Ana Port
The objective is to expand the port infrastructure of Posadas and Santa
Ana to boost the development of the Province of Misiones and promote the
development of the economic activity.
The information about conditions and specifications to participate in
the tenders is available on the following website:
http://www.industria.misiones.gov.ar/appsa/
Please notice that the term of the public call as reported by the
Government of the Povince of Misiones was extended (please do not take
into account the date October 31, as mentioned in the document).
On the picture, Colonel Wolfgang Paulik, Commander in Chief.In 2001 CIMIC (Civil-Military Cooperation) Group North HQ (CGN HQ) was founded by establishing an operational CIMIC HQ between the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Poland for a dedicated capacity for Civil-Military Co-operation as a response to the events in the Balkans by NATOs request. Since then, the Group consisted of a deployable HQ with dedicated CIMIC units and functional specialists assigned from the nations. The Group was intended to function as a Theatre-Wide multinational CIMIC unit to be used primarily in international operations, including in NATO Collective Defence Operations.In 2003 the Group was formally activated in this function with several transformations happening during time.Although the CCOE is accredited as a NATO Centre of Excellence, its capacity and experience is also available to other international organizations like the European Union, Non Governmental Organizations and scientific institutions. The centre is financed and controlled by the Sponsoring Nations and is not part of the NATO command structure. It is the objective of the CCOE to have as many Sponsoring Nations participating as possible, because this will enlarge the knowledge and experience level of the CCOE, and will strengthen the position of the CCOE as a body for creating (future) doctrine of Civil – Military Interaction.
During the exhibition Picasso by the Sea.
Ceramics and Sculpture, at museum Beelden aan Zee, can be seen a thought-provoking English-language solo theatrical performance, Mrs. Picasso. Featured are Olga Khokhlova, from whom Picasso was never divorced, and Françoise Gilot, the only woman who ever dared to leave him. Both of these women are powerfully represented in an impassioned performance by actress Carlijn van Ramshorst.
The play explores the boundaries between art and love, madness and sanity, and leaving and staying. The third woman in this performance is Carlijn herself, who in a playful and sometimes audacious way breaks through the theatrical conventions. As writer and director Harry Piekema says ‘Carlijn could have easily been Picasso’s muse.’
In this intimate play, the members of the audience are given the opportunity to share the thoughts and emotions of the characters, and indeed to empathize with them. The debut of Mrs. Picasso in Shanghai was met with critical acclaim. Carlijn van Ramshorst also performed this piece earlier this year at the Amsterdam Fringe Festival.
The production’s theme ties in with the successful exhibition Picasso by the Sea. Ceramics and Sculpture, which can be seen until 5 March 2017 at museum Beelden aan Zee. Picasso’s sculptural ceramics play the principal role in this exhibition. Picasso created an extensive ceramic oeuvre in the period that followed World War II. There is considerable speculation as to reason why Picasso developed a great interest in this – for him new – material in the post-war years. Could it have had to do with his new young lover Françoise Gilot? In any event, the artist was attracted by the everlasting durability, plasticity and lustre of ceramics.
The exhibition Picasso by the Sea contains a large number of exceptional works on loan from the finest (private) Picasso collections in Europe. Guest conservator Jean-Louis Andral, director of the Musée Picasso in Antibes, assembled the exhibition.
Performance dates and times:
15 and 17 December 2016, 20 and 21 January 2017, 16 and 18 February 2017, at 5.30 p.m.
Tickets for the performance via www.beeldenaanzee.nl
On the picture Judge Theodor Meron, President of the MICT.
The official opening of the new premises of the Arusha Branch of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (“MICT” or “Mechanism”) was marked by a ceremony held on Friday, 25 November 2016, in Arusha, presided over by H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, who delivered the keynote speech.
Arusha Tanzania, new branch of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals.
The ceremony brought together over 300 attendees, including Government representatives from the United Republic of Tanzania, representatives of the international community and the United Nations, judges and staff of the MICT, and the media. The unveiling of the plaque at the new premises marked the official opening of the new home of the Mechanism in Arusha at the Lakilaki area at the outskirts of Arusha.
During his remarks commencing the opening ceremony, Judge Theodor Meron, President of the MICT, acknowledged the indispensable role the Government of Tanzania played in making the new MICT premises a reality. President Meron also underscored the role of the MICT in Africa, noting that: “With the Mechanism rooted firmly here, in mandate, culture, and context, it is not too much to say that this is an African court, and that in carrying out the vital mandate that it has been given, the Mechanism will serve, first and foremost, the people of this region of the world.”
Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel, delivered a message on behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. In that message, the Secretary-General observed that: “The Mechanism and the inauguration of these premises reinforce our shared resolve that those whose deeds defy the conscience of humankind will not go unpunished, and that the rule of law will prevail for everyone, everywhere.” In addition, Mr. Serpa Soares gave remarks in his own capacity.
H.E. Augustine P. Mahiga, the Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, delivered remarks and introduced Vice President Hassan. Mr. Serge Brammertz, Prosecutor of the MICT and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (“ICTY”), and Mr. John Hocking, Registrar of the MICT and the ICTY, also addressed those in attendance.
Recalling that all victims share the same desire “to see those responsible for the crimes against them brought to justice”, Prosecutor Brammertz highlighted that “the opening of the new MICT facility here, in Arusha, the African city of justice, is an important opportunity to promote and support accountability for international crimes more broadly”. Noting that his Office is already working to support its African partners in their fight for justice, Prosecutor Brammertz suggested “this new facility can therefore be a place for education” to “teach future generations the dangers of genocide ideology” so they can “firmly reject genocide denial at all times and in all places.”
The three buildings of the new premises – the courtroom, the archives and the office building – have been designed to serve the specialised functions of the Mechanism, which include the completion of remaining judicial work, archives management, witness protection, supervision of enforcement of sentences, and assistance to national jurisdictions.
Addressing the audience, Registrar Hocking stated that “on our official documents I am the owner of this project. But truly, the success of this project lies in its many owners. Together we built a building. Together we built a new institution. Together we built partnerships in East Africa and beyond. Pamoja tuendelee kujenga tumaini.”
The Mechanism is the first of a number of international and regional justice-related institutions that will move to the Lakilaki area.
Dubrovnik and, more precisely, luxury resort Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, have recently been recognised at the SEEbtm Awards, where they won the Best Venue for Car Launch category for SEE Europe. This is thanks to several successful events of the automotive industry held in this resort during previous years and the announced new global automotive launches, contributing to a stronger tourist turnover in Dubrovnik during off season. This also confirms the quality of Dubrovnik as an automotive destination which is rapidly growing in popularity for this type of events.
Already renowned as the location for shooting global productions such as Game of Thrones, Star Wars, the Bollywood action extravaganza Fan, the announced Robin Hood movie and many other productions, Dubrovnik is now sought after as the location for big events in the automotive industry.
In 2016 Dubrovnik hosted the global Mercedes Benz training with over 10,000 participants, the international Hyundai Eastern Europe and CIS Distributors Convention, the Bentley Distributors Convention and the Porsche event Tour of Croatia. These prestigious events contribute to better tourist turnover for Dubrovnik during the pre- and post-season, when they are generally held.
In 2017, Dubrovnik has also been chosen by Nissan for the Global presentation of new Nissan Micra that will be held at Sun Gardens Dubrovnik. According to the announcement, in addition to internal training and presentations for seven thousand delegates, the Nissan event, which will be held from early January to mid-March 2017, will bring more than 500 members of the global press to Dubrovnik.
Drug trafficking and Hawala money laundering ring dismantled by joint investigation team
An organised crime group specialised in money laundering, whose members were active in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Morocco, was dismantled last November.
An investigative judge at the Court of Marseille had been investigating since 2015 into the activities of this complex structure involved in transporting the proceeds from drug trafficking, estimated that at least 300 Million EUR had already been laundered. The drugs were sold in France where the profits were collected and then transported to Belgium and the Netherlands. The criminals’ modus operandi involved the use of cash couriers traveling by car who would pick up the proceeds from drug trafficking throughout Western Europe (collection rate of over EUR 1 million per month) and transport the cash to Belgium and the Netherlands. The cash was there laundered to Morocco via the Middle East using unregulated financial channels (the Hawala system), thus leaving no tell-tale trail evidence for law enforcement investigators.
Belgian authorities reported 23 transports from Belgium to the Netherlands in a two-month period alone in early 2016.
Eurojust was requested to facilitate the transmission and execution of Letters of Request, and to assist a joint investigation team (JIT) between France, Belgium and the Netherlands. A coordination meeting with France, Belgium and the Netherlands was held at Eurojust in May 2016.
Europol employed mobile offices to assist national authorities during the action day, which was conducted by 450 police officers. 36 arrests took place simultaneously in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Over EUR 2 622 000 in France, EUR 2 800 000 in Belgium and EUR 85 000 in the Netherlands, in total, around 5.5 Million EUR, in cash has been seized, alongside drugs, e.g. 20 kilo cocaine in the Netherlands, a quantity of gold worth EUR 800 000, eight cars in Belgium, three semi-automatic weapons (one in France, one in Belgium, one in the Netherlands) and ammunition.
In all phases of this complex investigation, information exchange among national authorities, Eurojust and Europol was essential.
“The IBF’s role is in matchmaking and facilitating,” explained Mr Jop Thissen, Project Manager at event organisers NBI International. “The forum aims to help Dutch firms find the right markets and investment opportunities abroad, while enabling embassies to promote economic activity in their respective countries.”By Joe Ray.
Diplomats and businesspeople convened in Hengelo on 27 October for an afternoon of networking and investment promotion at the 14th International Business Forum (IBF).
The annual event matches companies with embassies to promote cross-border investment and support international trade.
The well-attended event was based on a selective networking format, resulting in a highly targeted forum featuring some 150 one-to-one meetings between embassy representatives and prospective investors from around the Netherlands.
HENGELO – 20161027 – International Business Forum bij het World Trade Center Twente.
Guests at the World Trade Centre Twente included several ambassadors and numerous embassy trade officials, together with a variety of Dutch business figures interested in outbound investment opportunities.
“It’s important for us to highlight the investment opportunities in our country,” commented His Excellency Mr Tadeous Tafirenyika Chifamba, Ambassador of Zimbabwe, who had travelled from Brussels for the event. “This forum gives us a real opportunity to identify areas of interest for Dutch enterprises either looking for outward investment opportunities or marketing their products.”HENGELO – 20161027 – International Business Forum bij het World Trade Center Twente.
One notable success story from IBF 2016 was the news that Dutch company Aircrete would be investing in a major new plant in Argentina – a USD 20 million project facilitated by the Embassy of Argentina in The Hague whose investment manager was present in Hengelo to help seal the deal.
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Photos courtesy of NBI International.
On the picture Ambassador Adia Sakiqi; Her Excellency explained in her welcome remarks that the display could be considered a visual archive of Albanian history. “So much history has been played out in the Albanian part of the world,” she observed. “In this exhibition we see the normal, the vulnerable and the real – all through the eyes of an artist. It is a privilege to be surrounded by these extraordinary pictures.”By Joe Ray.
Diplomats and friends of Albania gathered at the Foam Photography Museum in Amsterdam on 25 November 2016 for a memorable Albania National Day celebration hosted by Her Excellency Ambassador Adia Sakiqi.Guests celebrating 104 years of the nation’s independence were treated to a remarkable display of Albanian photography dating back more than a century. The exhibition, entitled Dynasty Marubi – A Hundred Years of Albanian Studio Photography, featured a selection of photos from the archive of the Albanian photo studio Marubi (1856-1959).Three generations of photographers made portraits of a wide variety of people, ranging from the urban bourgeoisie, shepherds, the Ottoman emperor and King Zog, to criminals and famous actors and painters. Museum guests were struck by the humanity of the images, which conveyed their subjects – young, old, living and deceased – candidly and without prejudice.
In this intimate play, the members of the audience are given the opportunity to share the thoughts and emotions of the characters, and indeed to empathize with them. The debut of Mrs. Picasso in Shanghai was met with critical acclaim. Carlijn van Ramshorst also performed this piece earlier this year at the Amsterdam Fringe Festival.
The production’s theme ties in with the successful exhibition Picasso by the Sea. Ceramics and Sculpture, which can be seen until 5 March 2017 at museum Beelden aan Zee. Picasso’s sculptural ceramics play the principal role in this exhibition. Picasso created an extensive ceramic oeuvre in the period that followed World War II. There is considerable speculation as to reason why Picasso developed a great interest in this – for him new – material in the post-war years. Could it have had to do with his new young lover Françoise Gilot? In any event, the artist was attracted by the everlasting durability, plasticity and lustre of ceramics.
The exhibition Picasso by the Sea contains a large number of exceptional works on loan from the finest (private) Picasso collections in Europe. Guest conservator Jean-Louis Andral, director of the Musée Picasso in Antibes, assembled the exhibition.
Performance dates and times:
15 and 17 December 2016, 20 and 21 January 2017, 16 and 18 February 2017, at 5.30 p.m.
Tickets for the performance via www.beeldenaanzee.nl 
In 2016 Dubrovnik hosted the global Mercedes Benz training with over 10,000 participants, the international Hyundai Eastern Europe and CIS Distributors Convention, the Bentley Distributors Convention and the Porsche event Tour of Croatia. These prestigious events contribute to better tourist turnover for Dubrovnik during the pre- and post-season, when they are generally held.
In 2017, Dubrovnik has also been chosen by Nissan for the Global presentation of new Nissan Micra that will be held at Sun Gardens Dubrovnik. According to the announcement, in addition to internal training and presentations for seven thousand delegates, the Nissan event, which will be held from early January to mid-March 2017, will bring more than 500 members of the global press to Dubrovnik. 
