Action against an organised criminal group involved in thefts of luxury carsOn 11 October, a joint action day run by French and German police authorities, and supported by Eurojust with a coordination centre, succeeded in stopping an international organised criminal group (OCG) involved in thefts of luxury cars.The modus operandi of the OCG shows that the suspects broke into car owners’ private homes to steal their car keys. The suspects played different roles in the OCG, ranging from stealing the cars, forging identity documents, and driving the vehicles to Germany.The investigation started in June 2016, when a Roma camp was dismantled in northern France. The investigation revealed links to other cases in which the French authorities of the Tribunal de Grande Instance (TGI) Le Havre investigated two car thefts, and discovered that the cars were stolen in France and sold to customers in Germany for low prices. Between 2012 and 2015, 17 car thefts were under investigation by JIRS Lille, France. The OCG is allegedly involved in the theft of an estimated 100 cars meant for resale in Germany.Eurojust provided support at various stages of the investigation, offering the opportunity for France and Germany to discuss and elaborate a common judicial strategy and find the most efficient response. Two coordination meetings were organised by and held at Eurojust in 2016. A joint investigation team (JIT) was formed between France and Germany in January 2016, with Eurojust providing funding for the JIT, enabling long-term cooperation and coordinated covert operations, which eventually led to the planning of the joint action day. Europol supported the action day by being present in Germany and France.Eurojust’s support proved crucial in dismantling the OCG, speeding up the entire operation and facilitating information exchange between the authorities involved.Figures at a glance:
By Joe Ray.Food, music and the autumn sunshine were enjoyed by thousands on 3 September as the annual Embassy Festival returned to Laange Voorhout in The Hague. For additional Roy Strik’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157675051434175Ambassador of Russia, H.E. Alexander Shulgin, Ambassador of Vietnam, H.E. Nguyên Vãn Doàn, H.E. Ittiporn Boonpracong, Ambassador of Thailand, H.E. Willys Delvalle, Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Dziunik Aghajanian, Ambassador of Armenia, the Ambassador of Japan H.E. Hiroshi Inomata, EH.E. Dr. Brett Manson, Ambassador of Australia, the Ambassador of Burundi, H.E. Vestine Nahimana, Judge Alexander Belaers, H.E. Tony Aidoo, Ambassador of Ghana, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Abdulaziz Abohaimed and Deputy Mayor Ms Ingrid van Engelshoven.The 2016 edition of this vibrant international event was bigger and more animated than ever. The festival strives to bring a wave of global culture to The Hague, and this year’s festivities did not disappoint.Video by Mirza Kamram:
Forty-three embassies participated, each proudly showcasing the best of their national cuisine and culture. More than 50 artists performed across three stages, while dozens of national costumes formed a moving patchwork of colour beneath the trees.
Throughout the day, the famous boulevard heaved with visitors – some 35,000 came to enjoy the occasion.
Crowds thronged cheerily from stand to stand, enjoying ice cream from the Philippines or pausing to sample wine from Azerbaijan.
Hundreds gathered to appreciate an energetic display of traditional Rwandan dancing, while visitors to the Russian stand were treated to authentic pastila sweets from a traditional recipe unchanged for centuries.
In the afternoon, ambassadors and dignitaries gathered in a function room of the splendid Des Indes Hotel for a reception.
His Excellency Dr Brett Mason, Ambassador of Australia.
His Excellency Dr Brett Mason, Ambassador of Australia to the Netherlands, delivered a short address to guests in which he highlighted ‘Aussie Oktober’ – an embassy initiative which celebrates the close Australian-Dutch relationship and marks 400 years since Dirk Hartog became the first European to land on the West Australian coast.
The Ambassador added that Australians and Dutch enjoy shared futures and dreams, and that the countries’ bilateral relationship is strong and enduring.
Deputy Mayor of The Hague Ingrid van Engelshoven observed in her remarks that the Embassy Festival continues to grow each year. As well as providing entertainment, she explained, the festival helps promote The Hague’s ideals of peace and justice, which begin with people getting to know each other.
Mrs Ingrid van Engelshoven, Deputy Mayor of The Hague.
Following the reception, invitees returned to the Laange Voorhout where the festival continued into the evening.
This October, the Australian Embassy is bringing Down Under to the Lowlands!
AussieOktober will be a month of events in The Netherlands commemorating and celebrating Australia’s historic links to The Netherlands and marking 400 years since the Dutch Skipper, Dirk Hartog, and his crew become the first Europeans to make a recorded landfall on the West Australian coast.
You Join upcoming events around The Netherlands in October!
For information please contact:austemb_thehague@dfat.gov.au
Consul Pascal Van Dieren, Ambassador Claude-France Arnould, Mayor Bart de Wever.
Friday, 23 September 2016, Flanders: France’s novel Honorary Consul in Antwerp, Mr Pascal Van Dieren, presented his exequatur at a reception in his honour at Antwerp’s City Hall.
Antwerp’s mayor Bart De Wever delivered an allocution in the French language highlighting the importance of the Port of Antwerp for France, even wittily stating that the latter is “France’s chief port”. HE Ambassador Claude-France Arnould reciprocated with a grateful speech held in Dutch, a language she masters after living for the last fifteen years in Belgium and being an educated in Germanic studies.
Reception for Honorary Consul Pascal Van Dieren at Antwerp’s City Hall.
Ms Marie-Christine Butel, General Consul of France headquartered in Brussels as well as Mr Philippe Cordery, French’s MP in the Benelux, were equally present during the reception.
For more information:
French consulates in Belgium: http://www.consulfrance-bruxelles.org/Consuls-honoraires-653
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Pictures by French Embassy of France to Belgium.
From left to right: Mr. Philippe Courard, President of the Parliament of the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, Ms. Ankie Broekers-Knol, President of the Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal (Senate), Mr. Marc Clairbois, Wallonia-Brussels Delegate in The Netherlands.The Day of Wallonia and of the Federation Wallonia-Brussels was celebrated in The Hague. At the invitation of the Wallonia-Brussels Delegate in The Netherlands, Marc Clairbois, and his spouse, a reception was held on the 29th of September in the Hotel des Indes. Among the guests figured members of the corps diplomatique, representatives of several Ministries, Dutch partner-associations and numerous Belgians working and living in The Netherlands.Speech by Mr. Philippe Courard.Mister Philippe Courard, President of the Parliament of the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, exceptionally honoured the reception with his presence.In his speech, Marc Clairbois underlined several success stories in the cooperation between The Netherlands and French-speaking Belgium.Earlier this year for example, the Minsters of Culture of The Netherlands and the Walloon-Brussels Federation signed a coproduction agreement for films. Cinematographic productions of Walloon and Brussels film directors are already well represented in the main festivals in The Netherlands.Wallonia and Federation Wallonia-Brussels’ Day in The Hague.Marc Clairbois, also mentioned exchange programmes aimed at youngsters and students. Each year, several Dutch language assistants are sent to Wallonia and Brussels, whereas French language assistants come in from Belgium. Scholarships are offered to foreign excellent researchers in the key economic sectors of Wallonia. In 2016, a group of young legal experts benefitted for the first time from scholarships for the “Summer Course in International Private and Public Law” organised by the Hague Academy of International Law. The promotion of the French language remains one of the main objectives. For this matter, a Group of Francophone Ambassadors was created in 2014. This Group was presided during two years by Belgium and the Federation Wallonia-Brussels.As a closing remark, Marc Clairbois also mentioned the upcoming state visit of the Belgian royal couple to The Netherlands in November 2016. The Regions and Communities of Belgium are actively involved in the preparations of this visit, most specifically in the economic, academic and cultural activities that will take place.The presence of a jazz band and several regional products from Wallonia ensured a festive atmosphere. The musicians paid a special tribute to the lately deceased Belgian jazz musician Toots Thielemans.
Taipei, ROC: President Tsai Ing-wen called on China to engage in constructive talks, pledging to maintain peace with the island’s giant neighbour in spite of a near five-month impasse after Beijing halted official communications with the self-ruled island. The utterances came during the president’s National Day address. The full text to her National Day address can be read at: http://english.president.gov.tw/Default.aspx?tabid=491&itemid=38133&rmid=2355——
President Tsai Ing-wen – Picture by Office of the President of the ROC (Taiwan)
By HE Mr Kuoyu TUNG, Representative at the Taipei Representative Office to the EU and Belgium.The Republic of China, the first republic in Asia celebrates its 105th National Day on the 10th October. Over the past 105 years we have witnessed the tremendous transformation and development of my country, as it has changed from an authoritarian system into a liberal democracy, and from an agricultural society into a knowledge-based economy. After a century-long endeavour, the Republic of China on Taiwan has proved to be a role model of democracy for all the Chinese people in the world.This 105th year also marks a new beginning for my country’s politics. This January’s general election led to our third-ever peaceful transfer of power, and a female president was elected for the first time. In her inaugural address on May 20th, the new president, Madame Tsai Ing-wen, committed her government to transforming Taiwan’s economic structure: strengthening the social safety net; realizing social fairness and justice; ensuring peaceful and stable development in the region, including by properly managing cross-Strait relations; and contributing to the global agenda through diplomatic outreach.In parallel with its dynamic democratic development, Taiwan’s vibrant economic performance maintains good standing, though affected to some extent by the sluggish growth of the world economy in recent years. Last year Taiwan – the 27th largest economy in the world- had a GDP of US$524.5 billion, which was similar to Belgium’s. As the 17th largest exporter and 18th largest importer worldwide, last year Taiwan’s trade with the European Union, the fifth-largest trading partner of Taiwan, reached US$46.5 billion, accounting for 9.1% of Taiwan’s total trade value. Within this, Taiwan-Belgium trade amounted to US$1.68 billion. Furthermore, a new development has provided encouraging impetus to our economic ties with the European Union. We were happy to learn that the European Commission released its new trade policy strategy for the period of 2015-2019 last October, stating that it will explore launching negotiations on an investment agreement with Taiwan. In endorsing the Commission’s strategy, in July the European Parliament adopted a resolution that urged the Commission to immediately start these negotiations. I am convinced that an EU-Taiwan bilateral investment agreement would greatly benefit us both, and move us towards an even closer partnership.However, apart from mutual economic interests between us, our strong relationship has been formed by deep-rooted likemindness, and an attachment and adherence to shared values of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, and the rule of law. Over the years, we have been deepening relations with European countries, including Belgium and Luxembourg, cooperating in an array of fields such as education, climate change, green energy, cybersecurity, homeland security, gender equality, and many others. Overall, as Taiwan and the European Union have been growing interdependent, only by working together can we adequately and effectively respond to the many crises and challenges we are facing nowadays. For further information:Taipei Representative Office to the EU and Belgium: http://www.roc-taiwan.org/be_en/index.html
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Photography by Press Division, TRO in the EU and Belgium.
African Sino-Japanesse Diplomacy, Seifudein Adem Christianity and Western Diplomacy: Obvious or strange bedfellows, Cecelia Lynch A Diplomats Guide to Disaster Diplomacy, Ilan Kelman International Theory and Diplomacy Current Trends and practical values, Paul Sharp Yoga Diplomacy, Umesh Muhki
On the picture Prime Minister Mark Rutte.By Joe Ray.
Hundreds of Dutch entrepreneurs gathered in The Hague on 9 September for the second annual National Entrepreneurs’ Day hosted by ONL, voor Ondernemers (Entrepreneurial Netherlands).
The day began with an international breakfast, attended by ambassadors and embassy representatives from a diverse group of countries. Guests were introduced to ONL by its co-founders, Hans Biesheuvel and Mirjam Bink, who explained that the organisation seeks to build bridges between businesses and facilitate entrepreneurship in the Netherlands and beyond.
For additional pictures, please open the following link: http://gallery.twycer.nl/album/onl-nod2016#1.H.E. Mr J.S. Mukul, Ambassador of India.
The highlight of the morning was a speech by HRH Prince Constantijn, ONL special envoy. The Prince began by observing that entrepreneurship and innovation drive the economy and create jobs for the future. National Entrepreneurs’ Day is a wonderful occasion for bridge-building, he added.
It is not easy to start or grow a business, and many start-ups do not succeed in the long term. But ONL brings the best entrepreneurs together, and arranges missions worldwide to develop networks and help entrepreneurs make the right connections.
ONL – Nationale Ondernemersdag 2016
Breakfast was followed by three masterclasses, featuring expert analysis on global economic trends and corporate social responsibility. Meanwhile, a ‘speed-dating’ session provided an opportunity for entrepreneurs to connect directly with participating embassies and organisations.
The morning concluded with a presentation on tomorrow’s entrepreneurial economy by Pieter Waasdorp, director of entrepreneurship at the Department of Economic Affairs.
ONL – Nationale Ondernemersdag 2016
After lunch the programme proceeded with a range of workshops and a presentation from Minister of Economic Affairs, H.E. Henk Kamp. There followed a discussion forum with the parliamentary leaders of four of the Netherlands’ political parties. Then came the launch of Megatrends MKB, a new book by Adjiedj Bakas and Hans Biesheuvel exploring the latest and most important trends among small and medium enterprises in the Netherlands.
Next on the agenda was the much-anticipated announcement of the National Entrepreneur of the Year 2016. This prestigious award was presented to Marco van Zijverden of Dutch Flower Group, who was congratulated on the success and continual growth of his family business since 1999.
The programme concluded with an appearance from Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who took the stage for a discussion with ONL co-founder Hans Biesheuvel before the floor was opened to questions from the audience. After a lively Q&A session with the Prime Minister, attendees enjoyed a networking reception which brought the event to a close.
Diplomat Magazine is honored of having sponsored this magnificent event, we are looking forward to see you again in 2017.
Crowds thronged cheerily from stand to stand, enjoying ice cream from the Philippines or pausing to sample wine from Azerbaijan.
Hundreds gathered to appreciate an energetic display of traditional Rwandan dancing, while visitors to the Russian stand were treated to authentic pastila sweets from a traditional recipe unchanged for centuries.
In the afternoon, ambassadors and dignitaries gathered in a function room of the splendid Des Indes Hotel for a reception.
Deputy Mayor of The Hague Ingrid van Engelshoven observed in her remarks that the Embassy Festival continues to grow each year. As well as providing entertainment, she explained, the festival helps promote The Hague’s ideals of peace and justice, which begin with people getting to know each other.
