Pictured H.E. Moazzam Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. By Zohra Moazzam. The Pakistani Embassy hosted a Mango festival at the hotel Hilton The Hague on the 4th of August, to celebrate the arrival of summer and the distinctly sweet Pakistani mangoes that come with it. His Excellency Moazzam Ahmad Khan began the evening with a statement that… “Although several countries produce mangoes in the region, the ones from Pakistan possess an incomparable flavour with its high nutritional value and kills all bitterness within us.” He continued by adding that he may be biased, but challenged the guests to try the mangoes, since “ The proof of the Pudding is in the eating”. Ever since the arrival of H.E. Moazzam Ahmad Khan to the Netherlands, he paid special attention  to the promotion of trade and investment between the two countries. This event was also part of his “Food Diplomacy”  which  he has carried out through the years and through to his final embassy event as serving Ambassador to the Netherlands. The evening was set with a blend of Pakistani Qawwali and Sufi music that created a lively atmosphere where guests were encouraged to try a bit of Pakistani culture from their music, food and mangoes. For additional Kims Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157672523670686

True to Pakistani hospitality, the plates of the guests were never empty and filled with the seasonal Sindhri Mangoes and the classic chicken and rice dish, Bhiryani, which was paired with a refreshing mango milkshake.

The Hall was filled with stalls of cartons that displayed fresh, yellow mangoes and informed guests of the variety and seasonal nature of the fruit which includes the Anwar Ratol, the Sindhri, the Chaunsa and the Dasheri.

With the mangoes only available in select local markets, it was not surprising that the festival attracted many members of the Diplomatic corps including Ambassadors from India, Iraq, Denmark, Japan, Tunisia, Ukraine, Jordan, Chile, Iran, El Salvador, Venezuela and Portugal.

The festivities were also shared with members of the OPCW Technical Secretariat and local professionals with a history of relations with Pakistan, who all attested to the unique sweet flavours of the Pakistani mango.

By Anton Lutter. During a sunny Monday the 15th of August, the end of the second world war in the Netherlands-Indies (nowadays: Indonesia) was remembered, 71 years to the day the Japanese forces capitulated before the Allied forces. The government was formally represented by the Prime Minister Mr Mark Rutte and the undersecretary Mr Martin van Rijn, who has “WWII” in his portfolio. Also in attendance were the Minister of Defense Mrs Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Minister Jet Bussemaker of Education, Culture and Science as well as the Commander of the Dutch Defence Force, with the Operational Commanders of the Army, Navy, Air force and Marechaussee. After the laying of the reefs by the Government, defence and city of The Hague authorities, also the representatives of the Embassies of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States paid their respect by laying a reef. The ceremony started when the standard of the Regiment Van Heutsz was presented by the military in traditional uniforms of the former Royal Netherlands Indies Army. The solemn musical setting was performed by the chapel of the Royal Dutch Airforce. During the Japanese occupation of the Netherlands-Indies 100.000 Dutch citizens were interned of whom 13.000 didn’t see their freedom.  

By Roy Lie A Tjam. The Bangladesh mission in the Netherlands observed National Mourning Day in a solemn ceremony at the Chancellery on Monday 15 August 2016. As of 1996, 15 August the death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared National Day of Mourning. It is marked with solemn official ceremonies. On 15 August in 1975, Bangladesh’s architect Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family were assassinated at his home by soldiers in one of the bloodiest political assassinations ever. The Bangladesh mission in The Hague in a statement said the observance of the day included the hoisting of the national flag at half-mast, the observance of one-minute silence. Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal. Messages from the President, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and state Minister for Foreign Affairs, were read out, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador to the Netherlands also addressed the audience. In his address Ambassador Belal highlighted various aspects of the life of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his contribution for the nation. Ambassador Belal narrated on how Bangabandhu laid the foundation of Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy and elevated himself to the towering personalities of a globalized world during his only 44 months long statesmanship. Accordingly, Ambassador Belal, likewise previous year, urged the Bangladeshi community in the Netherlands to contribute in this regard for establishing Bangabandhu Chair in any university in the Netherlands. . Highlighting the ongoing development spree in the country, under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Ambassador Belal shared with the audience updates on the follow up works following Prime Minister’s visit to the Netherlands in November 2015. His Excellency informed the audience that the embassy is working, for organising a single country trade fair tilted “Dutch Bangla Trade Fair 2016” in the RAI Convention Centre in Amsterdam on September 28-29, 2016 as well as a “Travel Fair” in The Hague in October 2016. Ambassador Belal also shared with the audience a list of upcoming events primarily as a follow up to Hon. Prime Minister’s visit to the Netherlands. . Roy Lie A Tjam, from Diplomat Magazine. The mission also screened a documentary on “Life and Work of Bangbandhu”. The mission’s officials, expatriate Bangladeshis and friends took part in the commemoration. At the end of the programme, prizes were distributed by Dr. Dilruba Nasrin, wife of Ambassador Belal, before her rendering vote of thanks. Lunch was served to the attendees.

  H.E. András Kocsis appointed Ambassador of Hungary to the Netherlands H.E. Mr András Kocsis has been appointed Ambassador of Hungary to the Netherlands. On 6 July 2016, he presented his credentials to H.M. King Willem-Alexander, at the Royal Palace Noordeinde in The Hague. Ambassador Kocsis joined the foreign service of Hungary in 2003. Previously, he held various positions in the Foreign Ministry and overseas. More recently, Ambassador Kocsis was Head of Cabinet of the Deputy State Secretariat for European and American Affairs. Between 2012 and 2015, Mr András Kocsis was Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Hungary in The Hague.  Ambassador Kocsis completed his Master’s Degree in Law (LLM) at the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest (2003). He is married and has one child. Mr Kocsis speaks English, Dutch and French.