This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight of 1956. On 23 October 2016, it is six decades ago that students started protesting against the communist dictatorship.
In the video below, H.E. András Kocsis, Ambassador of Hungary to the Kingdom of the Netherlands explains the importance of the Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight today and shows what makes celebrating the sixtieth anniversary in the Netherlands very special.
The worldwide commemoration of the revolution is sponsored by the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight 60th Anniversary Memorial Board. Together with various partners, the Embassy of Hungary in the Netherlands organizes various events from August to November 2016.
They will tell previously untold stories of compassion and rebellion, highlight the important historic connection between the Netherlands and Hungary and thank the Netherlands for their support given to the Hungarian freedom fighters of 1956.
Besides the national commemoration service on 23 October 2016, highlights include the premiere of a composition written by Peter Vigh on the occasion of the commemoration, the Dutch-Hungarian ZeNe music festival, a conference for Dutch secondary school teachers and a photography exhibition of Ata Kando at the Fotomuseum in Rotterdam.
The 1956 Commemoration Season is followed by Hungarian film director Csaba Bogádi. His company Lonely Film creates video short reports of the events organized by the Embassy of Hungary. The videos may be watched on the YouTube channel of the EmbassyFor information on the program please visit: http://haga.gov.hu/1956
On the picture H.E. Jaya Ratnam, Ambassador of Singapore- to the Benelux Countries and the EU. Picture by Brussels Royal Palace.Republic of Singapore to the Kingdom of Belgium: HE Ambassador Jaya Ratnam was previously High Commissioner of Singapore to the State of Brunei Darussalam between 2012 and 2016.
Presented his credentials to HM The King of the Belgians on Thursday, 15 September 2016.
http://www.mfa.gov.sg/brusselsH.E. Ambassador Sabine Monauni Tomordy, credited from Liechtenstein to Belgium and the EU. Picture by Royal Palace Brussels.Principality of Liechtenstein to the Kingdom of Belgium and the EU: HE Ambassador Sabine Monauni-Tömördy was accredited on 15 September 2016 to Belgium.
Previous to her first ambassadorial appointment she was Senior Advisor to the Minister of Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs, and Head of Unit ad interim, Equal Opportunities Unit in Vaduz between 2014 and 2016. Before that function he served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the rank of “Counsellor”.
Liechtenstein Ambassador and staff at the Royal Palace in Brussels. Picture by Belgian Monarchy.http://www.regierung.li/ministries/ministry-for-foreign-affairs-education-and-culture/diplomatic-representations/brussels-b/staff-contacts/Ambassador of Belarus, H.E. Aleksandr Mikhnevich presenting credentials to The King of the Belgians. Picture by Royal Palace Brussels.Republic of Belarus to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the EU: HE Ambassador Aleksandr Mikhnevich has been accredited to Belgium.
Before taking up his bilateral posts in Brussels he was First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs between 2012 and 2016. Between 2006-12 she was Ambassador to St James’s Court (UK) and non-resident head of mission to Ireland.
http://belgium.mfa.gov.by/en/embassy/H.E. Dr Ilze Ruse, Ambassdor of Latvia with The King of the Belgians. Picture by Royal Palace Brussels.Republic of Latvia to the Benelux countries and the OPCW: Dr. Ilze Rūse was accredited as the new Latvian head of mission accredited from The Hague to Belgium and later to Luxembourg. She is accredited to The Netherlands since September 2015.
http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/netherlandsPalau’s Ambassador Ngedikes Olai Uludong with The King of the Belgians. Picture by the Belgian Monarchy.Republic of Palau to the Kingdom of Belgium, the EU and the ACP Group: HE Ambassador Ngedikes Olai Uludong presented credentials to the King of the Belgians on 15 September 2016.
Ambassador Uludong is accredited to the EU since 17 July 2015. Likewise she serves as Special Representative for Climate Change matters.
http://palauconsulate.be/index.php/en/
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
H.E. Ambassador of Ukraine Dr. Oleander Horin and Dr. Natalia Tymoshenko hosted a reception to observe the 25th anniversary of independence which actually is on August 24.
The venue and date chosen for the celebration was the Hilton Hotel in The Hague on the bright and extremely sunny day of 12 September 2016.
For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157674192961495Ambassador Olexander Horin, the President of the Senate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Ankie Broekers-Knol and Dr Tymoshenko.
The Ukrainian tenor Mr. Gabor Balint, a Royal conservatory The Hague and Budapest alumnus gave a live rendition of both the Dutch and Ukrainian national anthem.
The choir “Chervoni Korali” (Red Corals) sang Ukrainian traditional folk songs a capella.
Several persons had the honor to receive a medal. The head of Dutch foundation ProForKids, Mrs. Barbara Tschorn-Eckardt, received the State Decoration “Order of Merit 3rd class” and her husband Mr. Klaus Eckardt received the Medal “25 Years of Independence of Ukraine”. ICJ Judge, H.E. José De Bousa Serrano, Ambassador of Portugal, the Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia, H.E. Ilze Ruse and H.E. Brett Mason, Ambassador of Australia.
Despite the many challenges Ukraine has faced, despite external aggression in eastern Ukraine and the illegal occupation of Crimea, Ukraine has endeavored to work steadily to build stronger and more effective political, economic, and cultural institutions. These efforts have required perseverance and sacrifice
Ambassador Horin, Mrs Nadine Rushdy, spouse of the Ambassador of Egypt, Dr Tymoshenko and H.E. Taher Hanafi Farahat, Ambassador of Egypt.
Ukraine will also press for full implementation of the Minsk agreements to end Russian aggression in Donbas and return the international border to Ukrainian control.
Ukraine will remain steadfast in her refusal to recognize Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea.
The Ambassador of Cameroon, H.E. Odette Melono, Mrs Leona Beeldstroo and the spouse of the Ambassador of Ukraine, Dr Natalia Tymoshenko.
On the picture H.E. Ambassador Joseph Cole & Mrs. Bernardina Cole.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The celebration of the National Day of the Republic of Malta has taken place on Monday 19 September 2016. H.E. Ambassador Joseph Cole & Mrs. Bernardina Cole organized a reception at their smartly decorated Embassy. The reception was very well attended and it was a nice mixture of Diplomats, Dutch officials, Maltese and friends.
In his address Ambassador Cole, stressed that the National Day is especially valued in Malta. ‘It’s as a symbol of unity that brings together all Maltese, irrespective of their age, religion or place they currently live in.’
According to Cole, National Day is also an excellent occasion to highlight that this year Malta celebrates the 450th anniversary since the foundation of the capital city Valletta. Quoting the former British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, the city of Valletta was built by gentlemen for gentlemen.
For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157670844827873Ambassador of Estonia, H.E. Peep Jahilo, Ambassador of Hungary H.E. András Kocsis and the Ambassador of Luxembourg H.E. Pierre-Louis Victor Lorenz.
Further in his delivery Cole indicted that in 2018 Valletta together with the Dutch city of Leeuwarden will jointly serve as the European Capitals of Culture.
As for 2017(January) Malta will be assuming the Presidency of the European Council for the first time since joining the European Union in 2004.
H.E. Judge Carmel Agius, President of the ICTY and Ribiao Cheng, Minister counsellor at the People’s Republic of China.
‘Malta, will be assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU at a time when the very sustainability of the EU will be put to the test, as it is set to face one of its most delicate and fragile times.
Issues to be faced by Malta during its Presidency will include:
The outcome of the UK referendum;
The elections in France, Germany and The Netherlands;
The rise of populism in Europe;
Boosting economic opportunities; and
Dealing with conflict on Europe’s borders.’
The role of the Presidency is not simply ceremonial. Malta will have the opportunity to shape the EU priorities. This is not about governing the EU for six months but it is about highlighting issues that Malta deems essential.
During its Presidency, Malta will also have the opportunity to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, a truly iconic moment and unique achievement in its own right.
Ambassador Joseph Cole thanked his staff and also his wife (laughter) for putting together the event. The guests were invited to stay on, enjoy the company, snacks and drinks.
The Ambassador of Chile H.E. Maria Teresa de Jesus Infante Caffi with H.E. Odette Melono, Ambassador of Cameroon.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
H.E. Mrs. Maria Teresa Infante Ambassador of the Republic of Chile in the Netherlands opened the doors of her residence to welcome guests in order to celebrate Chile’s Independence Day. Back home in Chile, Independence Day is celebrated on the 18th September and is part of what is referred to as the Fiestas Patrias.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157673995579996The Ambassador of Chile and H.E. Juan José Quintana Aranguren, Ambassador of Colombia.
The Independence Day reception took place on the sunny afternoon on the 16th September 2016.
The Ambassador of Mexico, H.E. Eduardo Ibarrola, H.E. Maria Teresa de Jesus Infante, the Ambassador of Brazil, Piragibe Dos Santos Tarragô and Fabiola Soto.‘The Embassy of Chile welcomes you all to the celebration of an independence journey initiated more than 200 years ago. It is an occasion to share emotions and recognize those who are our friends, colleagues, members of an already consolidated Dutch- Chilean community. I cannot forget the presence of students who forge a future to render more livable our land.’Our daily duties and meetings do not make us to forget the place that personal contacts play in our lives and the need to continue cultivating these relationships. I invite you to enjoy our wine and empanadas, to make new friends and to share a vivid conversation. The music will be offered by Eduardo López and a choir of artists from the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Enjoy, disfruten!!’ expressed Her Excellency Ambassador Maria Teresa Infante, a musical intermezzo followed.
The Concerto vocale consisting of: Sofia Pedro (soprano), Deborah Saffery (Alto), Francisco Espinoza (Tenor), Rutger van Oeveren (Bass) and Eduardo Lopez (Conductor) entertained the many guests.
Ambassador Infante Caffi and H.E. Ahmet Üzümcü, Director General of the OPCW.
Throughout the afternoon there was a constant flow of the famous Chilean empanadas and drinks.
EU Ambassador Dimitris Eliopoulus, H.E. Rosa Makena Murichi, Ambassador of Kenya and H.E. Haifa Haissami Madah, Ambassador of Venezuela to International Organizations.
Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum: Since July 2015, Taco Dibbits is general director of the Rijksmuseum as successor to Wim Pijbens who now heads the recently opened Voorlinden Museum at Wassenaar (https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2016/09/14/museum-voorlinden-a-treat-indoors-and-out/). Taco Tibbits has been working and and off for the Rijksmuseum since 1995. Dibbits was deemed as instrumental in developing the architectural layout of the renewed Rijksmuseum.For further information:Rijksmuseum: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl
The Mayor of Berlin, -Michael Muller. Picture by Tip Berlin.de18 September 2016, Berlin: The governing Mayor of Berlin City (itself also a Bundesland), Michael Müller, won the Sunday elections. Ca. 2,5 millions electors out of a population of 3,4 million were called to elect the regional parliament as well as the twelve local councils (Bezirke). ‘In spite of voters’ losses the Social Democrats (SPD) came out as the victor swith about 22% percent of the ballots. Berlin as all other German Bundesländer keeps a representation in Brussels headed by Dr. Volker Löwe.For more information:Representation of Berlin before the EU (Director Dr. Volker Löwe): https://www.berlin.de/rbmskzl/europa/berlin-in-europa/berliner-buero/
ICC Trial Chamber V(B) refers non-cooperation of the Kenyan Government to the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute
Today, 19 September 2016, Trial Chamber V(B) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a decision finding that the Republic of Kenya had failed to comply with its obligations to cooperate with the ICC and referred the matter to the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute (ASP) which, according to the Trial Chamber, “would be best placed to address the lack of cooperation, in order to provide an incentive for the Kenyan Government to cooperate with the Court”.
On 29 November 2013, the Prosecution had filed an application for a finding of non-cooperation against the Kenyan Government, alleging that the Government had failed to comply with a request to produce records relating to Mr Uhuru Kenyatta. On 3 December 2014, Trial Chamber V(B) rejected the application for referral of the matter to the ASP. The Prosecutor appealed this decision on 20 March 2015. On 19 August 2015, the ICC Appeals Chamber reversed this first decision and remanded it to the Trial Chamber.
After receiving further observations from the ICC Prosecution, the Legal representative of victims and the Government of Kenya, and in light of the guidance provided in the Appeals Chamber’s Judgment, Trial Chamber V(B) recalled that it found, on 3 December 2014, that the approach of the Kenyan Government fell short of the standard of good faith cooperation required under the Rome Statute and further noted today that this situation had persisted even following a period of active judicial supervision and that the cooperation proceedings had reached a deadlock.
The Trial Chamber also noted that despite the passage of a further 18 months and notwithstanding the Kenyan Government’s continuing statutory obligation to comply with any cooperation request from the Court, it appears that no further progress has been made in implementing the Prosecutor’s request. Trial Chamber V(B) concluded today that the Republic of Kenya has failed to comply with its statutory obligations to consult with the Court and to take all reasonable steps to execute a request for cooperation from the Court, including by not providing clear, relevant and timely responses or taking any meaningful steps to compel production of requested information. According to the Chamber, the non-cooperation has prevented the Court from exercising its functions and powers under the Statute.
30th September 2016 at 19:00 / PROTOCOLTODAY promotes soft diplomacy through social and cultural events for business people and diplomats from different countries. The event is hosted by ProtocolToday and sponsored by Carlton Square Hotel Haarlem.
Business men, business women and diplomats working in different national and international sectors can meet & greet in a comfortable environment.
Free for diplomats.
Business people fee €12,50
Welcome to Haarlem and enjoy this event!
Arwin Paulides, General Manager, Carlton Square.
President Joachim Gauck, Germany, Grand-Duke of Luxembourg, King of the Belgians, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, Swiss President, Johann Schneider Ammann. Picture by Royal Palace Brussels.By Baron Henri Estramant.Eupen, Ostbelgien, Kingdom of Belgium, 7-8 September 2016: HM The King of the Belgians hosted the heads of state of German-speaking countries, their representatives and spouses for an informal summit held in Brussels and Eupen, capital of the Belgium’s German-speaking eastern region. The Belgian monarch was accompanied throughout the functions by HM The Queen of the Belgians. It was the first time for the Kingdom of Belgium, wherein the originally German dynasty of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (today the House of Belgium, an offshoot of the House of Wettin) reigns, to host the summit. The summit gathers annually the heads of state or their representatives from Europe’s German-speaking countries, that is, the countries wherein German can be used as an administrative language and also at courts of law. In some other European countries such as Denmark or Romania, German enjoys a status of a language for a minority group yet cannot be used within the administration or as a language at courts of law. Official welcome at the Chateau de Laeken by host King Philippus-of the Belgians. Picture by Royal Palace Brussels.The summit was attended by the German Federal President Joachim Gauck and partner Daniela Schadt, HRH The Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the Swiss Federal President Johann Schneider-Ammann and spouse Katharina Ammann as well as HSH The HereditaryPrince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg and Deputy of the Sovereign Prince (Regent) and his wife HRH Princess Sophie von und zu Liechtenstein, Duchess in Bavaria. The latter belongs to the same line of the Bavarian Royal House as the late Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians (née Duchess in Bavaria), wife of King Albert I and great-grandmother to King Philippus of the Belgians. At the informal meeting the focus topics this years were start-ups by young professionals and the hectic political situation in the EU and the Middle East. The delegations were treated on their arrival day to a dinner at the Château de Laeken, and continued the next day the political agenda at Heidberg Convent in Eupen. There the delegations were greeted by the Minister-President of the German-Speaking Community, Oliver Paasch and his strongman in Brussels, Alexander Homann. Working meeting at Heidberg Convent Ostbelgien. Picture by Royal Palace Brussels.German-speaking summits began in 2004 at Sankt Gallen, Switzerland, with the attendance of the then heads of state of the hosting country, Liechtenstein, Austria and Germany. This year Austria is not partaking because the country is yet to elect a new head of state. Since 2014 Belgium and Luxembourg are members of the group.For more information:The Belgian Monarchy: https://www.monarchie.be/language_selection?destination=<front>German Embassy to Belgium (HE Ambassador Rüdiger Lüdeking): http://www.bruessel.diplo.deSwiss Embassy to Belgium (HE Ambassador Christian Meuwly): https://www.eda.admin.ch/bruxellesEmbassy of Liechtenstein to Belgium (HE Ambassador Sabine Monauni): http://www.regierung.li/ministries/ministry-for-foreign-affairs-education-and-culture/diplomatic-representations/brussels-b/staff-contacts/Embassy of Luxembourg to Belgium (Chargé d’affaires, Minister Counsellor and Consul Jean-Claude Meyer): http://bruxelles.mae.lu/frEmbassy of Austria to Belgium (HE Ambassador Jürgen Meindl): https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-bruessel/Government of Eastern Belgium (Minister-President Oliver Paasch): http://www.dgregierung.be/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-2963/Representation of the German-Speaking Community before the Belgian Federal Government (Director Alexander Homann): http://www.dglive.be/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-1989/3283_read-30045/
During its Presidency, Malta will also have the opportunity to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, a truly iconic moment and unique achievement in its own right.
Ambassador Joseph Cole thanked his staff and also his wife (laughter) for putting together the event. The guests were invited to stay on, enjoy the company, snacks and drinks. 
