Pictured President Pavlopoulos and Philippe Couvreur, Registrar of the International Court of Justice. Official visit of the President of the Hellenic Republic to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, 4-5th July, 2016By Elizabeth Naumczyk.
The President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos, accompanied by his wife Mrs. Vlassia Pavlopoulou, paid an official visit to the Netherlands on Monday 4 July and Tuesday 5 July 2016.
It is more than twenty years since the last visit of a President of the Hellenic Republic. This high profile visit will contribute to the further strengthening of the bilateral relations and will underline the beneficial cooperation between Greece and The Netherlands.
For additional Henry Arvidsson’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157670136845482Mr. Win Weijland, Director of the National Archeological Museum in Leiden and Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos, President of Greece at the Hellenic residence during a visit to The Hague, Netherlands. A bust of Artistotele was presented to the University of Leiden
The President of the Hellenic Republic started his visit with an official ceremony followed by lunch at the Nordeinde Palace with H.M. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima.  He then visited the Senate and met with President of the Senate, Ms Ankie Broekers-Knol, and the President of the House of Representatives, Ms Khadija Arib.  This was followed by a guided tour at the Mauritshuis house and a visit to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Late afternoon, a special ceremony at the Greek Residence in The Hague was organized by the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mrs. Teresa-Paraskevi Angelatou for H.E. Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos to present and offer a first copy of a bust of philosopher Aristotle to the Director of the National Archeological Museum in Leiden Mr. Win Weijland as a gift from the Greek State to the Kingdom of The Netherlands.
President of Greece Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos at his arrival the Hellenic residence in The Hague.
The President explained to guests mainly from the academic and civil society that this event was not only important to Greece and The Netherlands but also for our common European civilization. We are celebrating 2,400 years since the birth of Aristotle declared by UNESCO as âAristotle Anniversary Yearâ.âAristotle, like no one else has influenced the history of the human spirit from philosophical thought to science. He had been a teacher to Alexander the Great. Aristotleâs contribution was unique. He took information and experience and turned it into knowledge, into science and subsequently into wisdom. Aristotle is the true founder of science. We are indebted to him for the philosophy of science and law and formal logic. Even today, there are many followers of Aristotlean ethicsâ.
The copy is of a Roman-era bust of Aristotle from the first century AD found in 2005 during the excavations for the construction of the new Museum of Acropolis, in the area of Makriyianni. According to ancient sources it is a very faithful and high quality depiction taking into account his nose, his curly hair and bread. The copy was made using the most advanced technological means by the Acropolis museum under the supervision of Professor Dimitrios Pandermalis, President of Acropolis Museum whom he thanked.
President of Greece Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos at the Hellenic residence during his official visit to the Netherlands.
âSo on the occasion of my visit to The Netherlands and especially here, the Greek State wishes to offer this portrait of Aristotle to an emblematic museum, the National Archeological Museum in Leiden, a city which has one of the oldest universities, a city where Rembrandt was born and a city which took part and is still taking part in classical studies. We are very happy that this will now find its place in Leiden.â
Guests were offered refreshments and snacks during the ceremony.  The evening concluded with a dinner at Catshuis hosted by Prime Minister Mr. Mark Rutte.
On the second day of his visit, the President of the Hellenic Republic visited the Department of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies of the University of Amsterdam, the Social and Economic Council (SER) and YES!Delft, the incubator that unites students and entrepreneurs with innovative ideas.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The South China Sea issue and the Arbitration initiated by the Philippines against China implicate a score of complex legal issues.
This has prompted the Wuhan University Institute of Boundary and Ocean studies and the Leiden University Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies to organize a seminar on the South China Sea Arbitration and the International Rule of Law.
This event was held at the Hilton Hotel in The Hague on the 26th June 2016. Chinese and international scholars shared their academic views regarding issues relevant to the Arbitration. A press briefing was then held on the 27th June at the Hilton Hotel where a forum, composed of some of the scholars mentioned here below briefed the media and answered some questions.
The general view of the seminar is that any verdict by the Arbitral Tribunal on the South China Sea will be of no legal validity. Simply because the related parties have not all entered into an agreement to authorize the Hague-based arbitration body to handle the dispute.
Composition of the forum:
Chair: Lingjie Kong; Mr.Hu Dekun , Dean at Wuhan University China, Mr. Abdul G. Koroma, former judge of the International Court of Justice. Mr. Sreenivasa Rao Pemmaraju, an international lawyer who has served as a chief legal adviser in India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Sienho Yee; Mr. Michael Sheng-ti Gau; Professor of International Law at Institute for the Law of the Sea, National Taiwan Ocean University in Keelung; LL.M. (Cantab.); Ph.D. (Leiden).
Mar Hu Dekun, stated, the tribunal is incompetent, inconsistent and not diligent to take the case. Moreover, it does not respect Chinaâs intentions. How will it all end? I canât make predictions says Hu Dekun, it is a legal matter.
Judge Koroma highlighted how the tribunal has to ascertain what the very nature of the question submitted for arbitration is (prima facie case?) A non-binding advisory opinion could be given to parties concerned. Judge Koroma also added: The tribunal is not entitled to give binding advice. The South China Sea issue is very complex, so many littoral states are involved. A peaceful solution seems to be the best option with the possibility that the tribunal could maybe advise parties on methods for negotiations. I hope wisdom will prevail.
During the Q&A, the representative of China Central TV noted: the view of China is that the tribunal has no jurisdiction, so China will not participate.
According to Mr. Michael Gou of Taiwan, The Philippines only talks about the surface, about symptoms. He illustrated his view on the South China Sea issue by comparing the situation to a customer in a casino. The customer will not go to play at a table if it is obvious that those at the table are corrupt. China is in such a situation it will not recognize the tribunal. Unfortunately, the South China Sea issue is deadlocked.
Mr. Sreenivasa Rao Pemmaraju, notes how a consensus should be reached. ASEAN might be able to play a role in this as negotiation remains an important option. Mr. Sionho Yee also called for negotiations and the need for a consensus to be reached. He highlighted how this should be possible between good neighbors.
By Elizabeth Naumczyk.
On the 24th of June, 2016 The Ambassador of Japan H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata hosted a reception to commemorate the Self-Defense Forces Day at his residence.
The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic community, the armed forces and civil society.  Despite the inclement weather guests found themselves in a welcoming and convivial environment sheltered from the elements.
The Ambassador welcomed guests and also made reference to the 1st of July 2016 which will mark the 62nd anniversary of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.  Japan since the end of WWII has been committed not only to working to secure peace in the world but also in assisting in the development of the international community as âa peace-loving nationâ.
The Ambassador said Japan has gained the trust and confidence of the international community through activities such as the Official Development Assistance (ODA), providing financial assistance to developing nations worldwide.
Japan has taken the policy of âProactive Contribution to Peaceâ based on the principle of international cooperation, introduced by the Abe Administration in December, 2013.
âThe legislation for Peace and Security came into effect in March this year. The new security legislation has historical signiÂficance in further ensuring the peace and security of Japan through making more proactive contributions to the peace and stability of the region and the international community.â
A video in the room called Peace â for tomorrowâs Smile (available on You-Tube) explained the destabilizing factors and security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. The aim of the video is to provide a better understanding of the recent legislation on Peace and Security including its guidelines.
The Ambassador clarified any misunderstandings about what had occurred regarding the above developments.  Japan has in no way changed its Constitution to become a military power and its Self-Defense Forces are limited to participating in UN peace-keeping operations.  They will not engage in combat cooperation on any foreign soil except in self-defense.
Japan is ready to respond to changes occurring in the global security environment, using diplomacy and active participation in international peace keeping activities.
Since 1992 when the Government dispatched the Japan Self-Defense Forces to Cambodia for the first time, the country has participated in some thirty international peace cooperation missions, including its current engagement in South Sudan.
The Ambassador then referred specifically to its cooperation with the Netherlands in Iraq and Cambodia. Japan is also deploying Maritime Self-Defense vessels and patrol aircrafts for conducting anti-piracy activities off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden in cooperation with other countries.  Japan intends to strengthen cooperation with the European Union (EU), NATO and European countries.
In November, 2015 the Prime Minister of The Netherlands Rutte met Prime Minister Abe in Japan whereby both leaders decided to characterize the Japan-Netherlands relations as a “Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Peace and Prosperity”. They also reaffirmed that both countries will strengthen their security and defense cooperation in this regard.
The Ambassador of Japan H.E. Mr. Hiroshi InomataâWe are looking forward to future opportunities to cooperate with the Netherlands for the sake of peace and stability in the world, as we share the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.â
After proposing a toast to a peaceful and prosperous future, guests were invited to a delicious Japanese buffet.
By Joe Ray.
On 4 July 2016, the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands hosted a seminar and VIP dinner to celebrate the 19th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Guests from the Dutch and Hong Kong business communities congregated at the Postillion Convention Centre WTC in Rotterdam to enjoy a series of special presentations from key players in the field of Hong Kong-Netherlands trade and investment. A central focus of the event was on the opportunities provided by the Belt and Road Initiative â the major development strategy launched by the Chinese Government to promote economic cooperation, increase market integration and encourage the free flow of economic factors across Eurasia.
Mr George M. Ammerlaan, Director of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands, got the programme underway. After welcoming guests, he introduced Mr Hans Poulis, Chairman of the Netherlands Hong Kong Society, who presented an overview of Hong Kong-Netherlands commercial relations.
Mr Poulis was followed by Ms Alice Choi, Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, who highlighted the extraordinary connectivity that makes Hong Kong so attractive as an investment destination. She emphasised the unique relationship that Hong Kong enjoys with mainland China, and noted the territoryâs privileged role as a major trade settlement centre for the renminbi.
Further insights into the Belt and Road Initiative were provided by Mr David Marsden, Director for the UK, Benelux and Ireland at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Mr Marsden underlined the sheer magnitude of the project, which will eventually traverse a vast area within reach of 60 per cent of the worldâs population. He added that Rotterdam, already a world class international port, stands to benefit as the termination point of the Belt and Road maritime route.
Mrs Kristina Koehler-Coluccia, Director of the Koehler Group, set out the wide array of opportunities for Dutch companies arising from the Chinese Governmentâs 13th Five-Year Plan. She explained that Hong Kong acts as a gateway for international businesses seeking to enter the vast Chinese market, and serves as a hub for the Asia Pacific more broadly.
The benefits of Hong Kongâs strategic location were reiterated by Ms Paula Kant, Senior Investment Promotion Executive at Invest Hong Kong.
Half the worldâs population is within a five-hour flight, she said, and the territory hosted some 59 million visitors in 2015. Alongside its many other attributes, Hong Kong also offers investors a highly favourable tax environment.
Following a short break for refreshments, the first of three case studies was presented by Mr Maarten Roos, Managing Director of R&P China Lawyers. Mr Roos addressed in detail some of the practical challenges faced by businesses seeking access to the vast Chinese market. He observed that the opportunities for businesses are immense, especially in retail and e-commerce, but stressed that dealing with the changing legal framework in China requires expertise and adaptability.
The next case study was presented by Ms Min Zhang, Business Manager China at Rotterdam Partners, who focused on the many opportunities for the Rotterdam region arising from Chinaâs Belt and Road Initiative. She explained that the vision underpinning the project is one of mutually beneficial cooperation, aimed at creating shared prosperity and development.
Mr Bert Gevers, International Trade, Customs and VAT attorney at Loyens & Loeff, wrapped up proceedings with an analysis of the new EU Customs Code and how it will affect trade between Europe and Asia.
After an enlightening afternoon seminar, guests made their way to the historic Maritime Museum for a networking reception and dinner.
——————–
Photos courtesy of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands. For more information, please click here.
Wednesday 7 September, starting from 11:00 Ten ESIL Interest Groups have organised events. The conference programme lists all the groups and the venues where they will be meeting. Over the years, these pre-conference events have become a very important activities and all members are invited to attend any of the IG events.
Thursday 8 September, 13:00 – 14:30 : âMeet the Juristâ This is a new initiative of the ESIL Board, which was organized for the first time at the 2015 ESIL Conference in Oslo. Â Mentors hold 10-minute conversations with a succession of early-career professionals and academics, offering advice and sharing their experience. The purpose of the event is to give younger members of ESIL the opportunity to meet and hold short discussions with more experienced colleagues.
Thursday 8 September, 18:00 â 19:00: Conversation with the ESIL Book Prize Winner The winner of the 2016 ESIL Book Prize will be invited to hold a conversation about the prize-winning book. Â
Friday 9 September, 12:30 â 14:00: Lunch Meeting of International Law Journals Editors Any ESIL members who are editors of international law journals are invited to contact the ESIL Secretariat if they wish to be invited to the lunch meeting. Â
Friday 9 September, 16:00 â 17:30: Â ESIL General Assembly The agenda of the annual General Assembly will be sent to all members shortly. Â ESIL SecretariatEuropean Society of International Law Academy of European Law
On the picture, former CCOE Director Colonel Roel Been handing over the CCOE flag.By Viviana Knorr.
After weeks of preparation once again a time-honored military tradition took place on Thursday 30 June at 11 oâclock in the morning: the Official Ceremony of the Change of Command happened at the Civil-Military Cooperation Centre of Excellence quarters in The Hague between Colonel Roel Been (NLD) and Colonel Wolfgang Paulik (GER).
In an emotively ceremony with live music, attendees were welcome to the first Change of Command Ceremony taking place in the premises of the CIMIC Center of Excellence.
Colonel Roel Been.âDear CCOE colleagues, dear CCOE friends, yes, I am very proud of what all of you achieved last years. We have made great progress together in developing the branding and the position of the CCOE within and beyond the core stakeholder communityâ, were Colonel Roel Been opening words.“Dear Colonel Wolfgang Paulik, today I am proudly handing over to you an organization and its multinational staff which is up to speed and up to the CIMIC challenges of our times,” were Colonel Been closing words before the band played his favorite song: “That is not the Artillery song⊠Iâm sorry for that,” with a touch of humor he remarked to later cite the immortal lyrics of the Dire Straits My Brothers in Arms song.Colonel Wolfgang Paulik.In response to his new mission, Colonel Wolfgang Paulik stressed his commitment to âcontinue to promote what I call âCIMIC in 360 gradesâ. CIMIC is integral part in every kind of operation, in Stabilization Operations, in Article 3, 4 and 5 Operations, in Hybrid Warfare, in Humanitarian Support Operations, may it be in the strategic direction to the north-east or to the southâ.The change of command ceremony is rooted in military history dating back to the 18th century when organizational flags were developed with color arrangements and symbols unique to each particular unit. When a change of command took place the flag was passed to the individual assuming the command. This gesture was accomplished in front of the unit so that all could see and witness their new leader assuming his dutiful position. He who held the flag also held the soldierâs allegiance. This symbolic tradition has survived throughout military history.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 â Military Interaction.
Colleagues, family and visitors gathered indoors for a farewell lunch.
Statement of the Prosecutor correcting assertions contained in article published by The TelegraphOn Saturday, 2 July 2016, the British daily, The Telegraph, published an article erroneously asserting that my Office has âalready ruled out putting Tony Blair on trial for war crimes.â The article is being widely disseminated, aggravating the spread of inaccurate information concerning the ongoing preliminary examination carried out by my Office with respect to the Situation in Iraq. As such, I am compelled to correct the public record by providing the following clarification. First, I reiterate that all the activities of my Office, including all our preliminary examination work, are conducted with full independence and impartiality. These principles are non-negotiable in my Office. Second, it must be emphasised that my Office has not taken a position with respect to the Chilcot Report; the contents of which are yet to be released and are unknown to us at this stage. Third, my Office is currently conducting a preliminary examination with respect to the Situation in Iraq, not an investigation. A preliminary examination is aimed at determining whether there is a reasonable basis to open an investigation on the basis of all reliable information that we have independently assessed in accordance with the Rome Statute legal criteria. The Office will consider the Chilcot Report as part of its due diligence of assessing all relevant material that could provide further context to the allegations of war crimes by British troops in Iraq.  Additional details of this work are available in our latest preliminary examination report. Fourth, while the International Criminal Court (âICCâ or the âCourtâ) currently has jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, as explained to The Telegraph, the Court does not yet have jurisdiction over the crime of aggression.  Therefore, the specific question of the legality of the decision to resort to the use of force in Iraq in 2003 â or elsewhere â does not fall within the legal mandate of the Court, and hence, is not within the scope of its preliminary examination.An important distinction must be borne in mind between war crimes, which fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC, and the crime of aggression, which, at the present stage, does not. These are two very distinct crimes with their own legal elements of criminality. Suggesting, therefore, that the ICC has ruled out investigating the former British Prime Minister for war crimes but may prosecute soldiers is a misrepresentation of the facts, drawn from unfamiliarity with the Courtâs jurisdictional parameters. These parameters also require the Court to exercise jurisdiction only when a state is unable or unwilling to genuinely investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. Once a decision is made to open an investigation in any given situation, my Office may investigate and prosecute any individual suspected of committing crimes within the Courtâs jurisdiction, namely war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. We do this work without fear or favour and irrespective of the official capacity of the perpetrator(s). In accordance with the scope of my Officeâs policy, in fact, as a general rule, my Office will prosecute those most responsible for the commission of these serious crimes. The warrants of arrest issued to date by the Court have been line with this policy and principled approach. In short, the assertions about the ICC and my Officeâs work contained in the said article published by The Telegraph are inaccurate. Â
The Ambassador welcomed guests and also made reference to the 1st of July 2016 which will mark the 62nd anniversary of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.  Japan since the end of WWII has been committed not only to working to secure peace in the world but also in assisting in the development of the international community as âa peace-loving nationâ.
The Ambassador said Japan has gained the trust and confidence of the international community through activities such as the Official Development Assistance (ODA), providing financial assistance to developing nations worldwide.
Japan has taken the policy of âProactive Contribution to Peaceâ based on the principle of international cooperation, introduced by the Abe Administration in December, 2013.
âThe legislation for Peace and Security came into effect in March this year. The new security legislation has historical signiÂficance in further ensuring the peace and security of Japan through making more proactive contributions to the peace and stability of the region and the international community.â
A video in the room called Peace â for tomorrowâs Smile (available on You-Tube) explained the destabilizing factors and security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. The aim of the video is to provide a better understanding of the recent legislation on Peace and Security including its guidelines.
The Ambassador clarified any misunderstandings about what had occurred regarding the above developments.  Japan has in no way changed its Constitution to become a military power and its Self-Defense Forces are limited to participating in UN peace-keeping operations.  They will not engage in combat cooperation on any foreign soil except in self-defense.
Japan is ready to respond to changes occurring in the global security environment, using diplomacy and active participation in international peace keeping activities.
Since 1992 when the Government dispatched the Japan Self-Defense Forces to Cambodia for the first time, the country has participated in some thirty international peace cooperation missions, including its current engagement in South Sudan.
The Ambassador then referred specifically to its cooperation with the Netherlands in Iraq and Cambodia. Japan is also deploying Maritime Self-Defense vessels and patrol aircrafts for conducting anti-piracy activities off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden in cooperation with other countries.  Japan intends to strengthen cooperation with the European Union (EU), NATO and European countries.
In November, 2015 the Prime Minister of The Netherlands Rutte met Prime Minister Abe in Japan whereby both leaders decided to characterize the Japan-Netherlands relations as a “Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Peace and Prosperity”. They also reaffirmed that both countries will strengthen their security and defense cooperation in this regard.
Mr George M. Ammerlaan, Director of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands, got the programme underway. After welcoming guests, he introduced Mr Hans Poulis, Chairman of the Netherlands Hong Kong Society, who presented an overview of Hong Kong-Netherlands commercial relations.
Mr Poulis was followed by Ms Alice Choi, Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, who highlighted the extraordinary connectivity that makes Hong Kong so attractive as an investment destination. She emphasised the unique relationship that Hong Kong enjoys with mainland China, and noted the territoryâs privileged role as a major trade settlement centre for the renminbi.
Further insights into the Belt and Road Initiative were provided by Mr David Marsden, Director for the UK, Benelux and Ireland at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Mr Marsden underlined the sheer magnitude of the project, which will eventually traverse a vast area within reach of 60 per cent of the worldâs population. He added that Rotterdam, already a world class international port, stands to benefit as the termination point of the Belt and Road maritime route.
Mrs Kristina Koehler-Coluccia, Director of the Koehler Group, set out the wide array of opportunities for Dutch companies arising from the Chinese Governmentâs 13th Five-Year Plan. She explained that Hong Kong acts as a gateway for international businesses seeking to enter the vast Chinese market, and serves as a hub for the Asia Pacific more broadly.
The benefits of Hong Kongâs strategic location were reiterated by Ms Paula Kant, Senior Investment Promotion Executive at Invest Hong Kong.
Half the worldâs population is within a five-hour flight, she said, and the territory hosted some 59 million visitors in 2015. Alongside its many other attributes, Hong Kong also offers investors a highly favourable tax environment.
Following a short break for refreshments, the first of three case studies was presented by Mr Maarten Roos, Managing Director of R&P China Lawyers. Mr Roos addressed in detail some of the practical challenges faced by businesses seeking access to the vast Chinese market. He observed that the opportunities for businesses are immense, especially in retail and e-commerce, but stressed that dealing with the changing legal framework in China requires expertise and adaptability.
The next case study was presented by Ms Min Zhang, Business Manager China at Rotterdam Partners, who focused on the many opportunities for the Rotterdam region arising from Chinaâs Belt and Road Initiative. She explained that the vision underpinning the project is one of mutually beneficial cooperation, aimed at creating shared prosperity and development.
Mr Bert Gevers, International Trade, Customs and VAT attorney at Loyens & Loeff, wrapped up proceedings with an analysis of the new EU Customs Code and how it will affect trade between Europe and Asia.
After an enlightening afternoon seminar, guests made their way to the historic Maritime Museum for a networking reception and dinner.
——————–
Photos courtesy of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands.
For more information, please click here. 
Alksandras Alesejevas was the guest artist, a UK-based Lithuanian painter and sculptor, who came from London to introduce his professional works in the presence of the diplomatic corps and distinguished citizens.
The vernissage was launched after a speech overview from Ambassador Semaska, welcoming his guests to enjoy a reception with typical canapĂ©s from Lithuanianâs finest cuisine. âCultural diplomacy is essential to small countries like oursâ, says ambassador Semaska.
Alksandras Alesejevasâ academic background:
PhD student at Prince`s School of Traditional Arts, London, UK since 2010
Course of Iconography at The Fellowship of St. Luke, London, UK, 2008
Member of British Association of Iconographers since 2008
Associate Member of The Royal British Society of Sculptors since 2004
Kaunas A. Martinaitis Art School (Lithuania), Diploma of Fine Arts in 1995
Riga Marine Academy (Latvia), Bachelor Marine Engineering in 1987
Marine School (Liepaja, Latvia), Diploma in Steam Machines and Boilers in 1983
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 â Military Interaction.
Colleagues, family and visitors gathered indoors for a farewell lunch.
