On the picture Dr. Olga Galiardo Azzarello, H.E. Francesco Azzarello and H.E. Ankie Broekers-Knol, president of the Senate. By Roy Lie A Tjam.
On Wednesday, June 1st, 2016, H.E. Francesco Azzarello Ambassador of Italy in the Netherlands invited fellow Ambassadors, friends, the Italian diaspora and many others to celebrate Italy’s Republic Day (Festa Della Republica) with him.
This day marks the founding of the Italian Republic 70 years ago.
For additional Hester Dijsktra’s pictures, please open the following link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157666889216414H.E. Francesco Azzarello Ambassador of Italy welcome H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Abdullah Abohaimed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The actual date is June 2nd.The response to the invitation has been outstanding as diplomats and guests packaged the residence until late. It was Ambassador Azzarello’s last Republic Day celebration as Head of Mission in The Hague.
He will be leaving the Netherlands very soon. Interesting to note the Italian Embassy participates in a European Police cooperation, aimed at working closer in tackling issues as international human trafficking, illegal migration, drug trafficking. Etc.
Ambassador Azzarello and H.E. José De Bouza Serrano, Ambassador of Portugal.
Upon leaving the reception, guests could select from a number of interesting Italian publications including a cookbook “Pure Italian Cuisine” by Roberto’s –Terra, 1001 Italiani Storiae Storie di Italian nei Paesi Basi by Daniela Tasca, realized by the Embassy of Italy in cooperation with the Italian MFA and International cooperation.
Festa della Republica, The Hague
ICTY President Carmel Agius today spoke before the United Nations Security Council on the achievements of the Tribunal over the past six months and the challenges faced in the completion of its mandate. President Agius reported that all cases scheduled for completion in the current reporting period have been delivered on time, including the trial judgements for Radovan Karadžić and Vojislav Šešelj and the appeal judgements in both the Stanišić & Simatović case and the ICTR case of Nyiramasuhuko et al. As a result, only two trials and two appeals remain pending before the Tribunal. Judgement in the Stanišić & Župljanin appeal has been scheduled for delivery on 30 June 2016, and the ongoing Mladić trial and Prlić et al. appeal remain on target. In the Hadžić trial, stayed for an indefinite period due to the poor health of the accused, the Trial Chamber is soon to rule on a motion filed by the Prosecutor to formally terminate the proceedings.
Referring to a pending contempt of court case against Jojić et al., President Agius informed the Security Council that the arrest warrants issued against the three accused over 16 months ago are yet to be executed. He expressed disappointment at the recent rulings of the High Court in Belgrade, which held that the conditions for surrendering and arresting the accused had not been met and that Serbia has no duty to cooperate with the Tribunal on matters of contempt. President Agius described this as “a grave step backwards in matters of cooperation with the Tribunal and an unacceptable disregard of the primacy of Tribunal law over the domestic law of Serbia as intended by the Security Council”.
President Agius also addressed the challenges facing the Tribunal during its final biennium. In particular, he called upon the Security Council to assist the Tribunal in implementing strategies to retain staff until the completion of its mandate. The President paid tribute to the tireless efforts of Judges and staff to ensure that cases are finished on time, adding, “Given the Tribunal’s results in the last reporting period, any concerns about the Tribunal’s commitment to concluding proceedings by the end of 2017 should be put to rest.”
The President thanked the members of the Security Council and the UN Secretariat for their continued support. Underscoring the joint efforts to bring to justice those responsible for the most atrocious crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia, he said, “Even if more than two decades have passed, and even if it has been a time-consuming and laborious process, we must and we will continue to fight against the culture of impunity and for accountability and justice.”
Pictured H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.Lawyer Caroline Buisman trivializes the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis commemorations.
Monday 06 June 2016, will be recorded in history as another sad and bitter date for Rwandan survivors of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis, in particular those living in the Netherlands. On this date, at The Hague District Court, in the extradition case “Dutch State Prosecution vs Jean Claude Iyamuremye and Jean Baptiste Mugimba, indicted suspects on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity”, Lawyer Caroline Buisman, mocked the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda calling it a ‘political manipulation’.
The Dutch Prosecution filed a case against the accused, requesting the Netherlands to extradite both suspects to Rwanda for their alleged role in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis.
It must be recalled that during the Genocide, the accused, Jean Baptiste Mugimba was the Secretary General of CDR, the extremist political party, which was at the forefront of the assassinations, killings and extermination of Tutsis in Rwanda. According to the indictment, Mr. Mugimba is alleged to have distributed arms in Nyakabanda Cell and he incited militias to exterminate Tutsis.
On the other hand Jean Claude Iyamuremye a.k.a. Nzinga is accused of having taken part with the infamous genocidaire militias Interahwamwe, in the mass killings of more than 3,000 Tutsis who had sought refuge at Ecole Technique Officielle (E.T.O. Kicukiro) during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis .
In her statement, willfully, Ms. Caroline Buisman, legal counsel of the 2 accused genocide fugitives, while at The Hague District Court during the hearing of the case, stated that “Government of Rwanda uses 1994 Genocide against Tutsis commemorations for its political agenda and is a manipulation”.
The Government and People of Rwanda are dismayed to hear a lawyer calling commemorations and remembrance events of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi a manipulation by Government.
Ms. Caroline Buisman’s statement doesn’t only anger and offend survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis living in the Netherlands but is also an insult to the people of Netherlands who have stood firmly with the Government and People of Rwanda, genocide survivors, the UN and with the international community during past commemorations events worldwide.
In particular Ms. Caroline Buisman’s statement is an insult to the people of The Netherlands who have vowed never to make the Netherlands a safe haven for suspects or perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis and other crimes against humanity.
Ms. Caroline Buisman as a lawyer is well aware of the fact that the ICTR Trial Chamber concluded, on 2nd September 1998, that “genocide was, indeed, committed in Rwanda against the Tutsi as a group” and that the Appeal Chamber confirmed, on 16th June 2006, that it is a “fact of common knowledge” that “there was a genocide in Rwanda against the Tutsi ethnic group”. This should at least serve as a basis for all of us to desist any attempt to deny or trivialize facts of genocide, as well as to minimize its scale.
Furthermore, Ms. Caroline as a lawyer is well aware that on 23rd December 2003, UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/58/234 designating the 7th April every year as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda. In addition, the United Nations Security Council in April 2014, unanimously Adopted Resolution 2150 (2014), in which, The Security Council resolution confirmed that, the 1994 genocide in Rwanda will be referred to globally as the Genocide against the Tutsi (http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11356.doc.htm) and the Security Council Called for Recommitment to Fight against Genocide.
This resolution condemns without any reservation any denial of the Genocide against the Tutsis and calls upon states to investigate arrest, prosecute or extradite and end impunity for those individuals accused of genocide crimes who may be currently residing in their territories.
With all those precedents on commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis of Rwanda, it is absurd for Ms. Caroline to state that commemorations events of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis by the Government and People of Rwanda and by the Embassy of Rwanda in The Kingdom of The Netherlands is a manipulation and that it is done for political gains.
It is our belief that Ms. Caroline Buisman used the platform as an attack on the Government, the people and Embassy of The Republic of Rwanda for her own interests.
The Embassy of The Republic of Rwanda in The Kingdom of The Netherlands strongly condemns Ms. Caroline Buisman’s statement which is trivializing the pain and suffering of our victims including the survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda. Ms. Caroline Buisman’s remarks in court should not be looked at as a professional mistake, but rather it was a planned attack against the Government and the people of Rwanda.
The Embassy of The Republic of Rwanda in The Netherlands believes that such malicious behavior and statements trivializing commemorations of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis, one the darkest chapters of human history, should not only be condemned by the Government and the People of Rwanda, but also by the international community.
Embassy of the Republic of RwandaThe Hague
By Roy Lie A Tjam
The Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic Brussels, hosted a concert by the Folk Ethnographic Theater Ordo Sakhna. The theatre, under the direction of Ms.Colpon Djaparova strives to enhance popularize and consevate Kyrgyz folk heritage for posterity and at the same time propagate it around the world.
The event consisted of a concert “Silk Road Nomad Music” which was subsequently follow by an Exhibition of Decorative applied Art and Fashion show of traditional outfits. The designer is Ms.Guljan Iresh.The art works on display were by Mr. Arstnbek Myrzaev, painter ornamental panels’ handmade embroidery. The other participating artists are Mr. Sheraly Sooronbai, artist leather panels. And Ms.Aidai Asangulova works with felt, Ms. Altynay Osmoeva, designer of the collection Altai.
The function was held at the Music Academy The Hague, Berlage-Huis on 2 June 2016.In his opening remarks, H.E Asein Isaev, Ambassador unequivocally stated the music and instrument are authentically Kyrgyz.
A fashion show was an integral part of the evening, featuring a fabulous authentic Kyrgyz fashion show. Prior to the concert and fashion show, guests caught a glimpse of Kyrgyz art; handicraft and delicacies. The event organizer was Ms. Aijan Azizova, attaché of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz she is responsible for Kyrgyz-Dutch cooperation and event organizer.
Indeed, it has been a very revealing exposure of present day Kyrgyzstan and its rich history.
By Viviana Knorr
In the evening of Thursday 2 June right from Brussels H. E. Mr. Asein Kuseinovich Isaev Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic and his team welcomed ambassadors, diplomats and public in general to a moving concert titled Silk Road Nomad Music by the Folk Ethnographic Theater Ordo Sakhna group at the Music Academy of The Hague installations in The Hague. H. E. Ambassador Isaev is very active in the host country where he is accredited though the mission’s base is Brussels.
After expressing some words of appreciation for the support given by the Dutch, international audience and his diplomatic colleagues, H. E. Ambassador Isaev, H.E. Abdulaziz Abdullah Abohaimed, Ambassado of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Moazzan Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan and his spouse Mrs Leena Salim Khan, H.E Mikalai Barysevich, Ambassador of Belarus and his spouse Tatsiana Barysevich, Mr. Paul Duclos, Minister Counsellor and Mr Lucas Ottero First Secretary, Embassy of Perou, Mr Andranik Grigoryan, Attaché to the Embassy of Armenia, Mr Yury Uraksin, First Secretary, Embassy of the Russia Federation and few more, enjoyed the captivating and passionate performance full of originality, beautiful melodies and songs by the musical group and their interpreter from the small in size rich in culture Asian nation.
The group of professional musicians consisted of graduates of the conservatory and laureates of international and regional contests that the ethnographic theatre «Ordo Sakhna» created in 1999 in an effort to further develop and spread Kyrgyztan’s folk heritage around the world.
Artists have originally revived ancient dances as those of BakshyBiy and ShyrdakBiy with melodies and dastans (small epos) not only with enthusiasm but with a deep study of the spiritual culture of the Kyrgyz people. The careful thought has helped them to successfully recreate beyond traditional costumes, mannerisms and symbolism of gestures to portray a realistic and honest ethnographical picture of Kyrgyz culture.
The concert was preceded by a display of a beautiful array of original decorative applied artwork made with leather by artist Sooronbaev Sheraly, clothing and tapestry made by members of the Nomaden Tapijten organisation in the Netherlands, and a large table with some of the nation’s culinary delicacies as their aromatic cognac, honey, and pastries. Dutch Kyrgyz Business Council (DKBC) provided translation support.
Adding to the amenity of the entertainment was a traditional fashion show with models wearing outfits made with different types of fabric that still to our days inspire modern designers as those from native Altai Osmo that were part of the entertainment.
Felt is one of Kyrgyz’s traditional textiles which is said to be the oldest textile in the world and which was moulded into various shapes and used in contemporary applications in fashion and home decor. The fashion show was an eclectic mixture of Osmo’s designs combining traditional techniques with a modern twist resulting into elegant creative pieces.
Some traditional designs were from the rural regions of the country where women wear scarves and men a distinguished type of hat as that from natives of Kyrgyzstan’s capital who are known for their overdressed preference for daily fashion, wearing crisp clothing with eye catching accessories and high heels even that streets are rough.
Uzbekistan is chairing at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization at present. Active preparations for conducting the meeting of the SCO Council of heads of state and other events on the highest level are underway in Uzbekistan. Ambassador of Uzbekistan H.E. Vladimir Norov.By Vladimir Norov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU Brussels.
It is deeply symbolic that this conscientious mission concurs with the 15th anniversary of foundation of the SCO. Mass-scale and consistent works, carried out in Uzbekistan, during the period of chairmanship serves to increase the authority of this organization, improving its activities, strengthening peace and security in the region.
It should be noted that in Uzbekistan ever-changing times the role and impact of the SCO in solving topical issues, ensuring security, stability and sustainable development has been growing. It is noteworthy that in the summit meetings of the SCO a particular attention is paid to strengthening mutual trust and good neighborliness among the member-countries of the SCO, developing close collaboration in political, trade, economic, scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian spheres, in ensuring peace, security and stability in the region.
Uzbekistan, which is one of the founders of the organization, as the chairman intends to strictly abide by the principles of continuity, as well as the consistent advancement of mutually beneficial cooperation that meets the interests of all members of the structure. In particular, Uzbekistan was in favor of further strengthening the role of the SCO as an effective institution on withstanding such threats for global and regional security as terrorism, religious extremism, separatism, drug and weapons trafficking, transnational organized crime.
In strengthening practical cooperation in the fight with these challenges and threats for security, our country attaches great significance to further improve the activities of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the SCO, established in 2004 in Tashkent to coordinate the collaboration of Member States in this direction.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting
Uzbekistan also supports the preservation of the chosen course of the SCO according to which its activities are not directed against the interests of other countries, and this is enshrined in the Charter and other founding documents of the organization. Stressing the importance of elimination of bloc thinking and prevent transformation of the SCO into a military-political alliance the President of our country Islam Karimov also said about it on the Ufa summit in 2015. President of Uzbekistan also specifically noted the need for further strengthening the commitment to the main principles and goals.
The tenth meeting of the Council of heads of state of the SCO member-states on 11 June 2010 took its place in the history of the organization in relation to wide discussion of these issues.
Alongside the heads of state of the SCO member-states, observers and states, invited by Uzbekistan, high-ranking officials from the UN, CIS and other international organizations took part at the meeting.
The agenda of 2010 SCO Tashkent summit included the issues of improving the activity of the organization and its bodies, further development of cooperation among member-states in political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres, in joint fight against terrorism, religious extremism and separatism, narcotics and weapons trafficking, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, in strengthening regional security and stability as well as the situation in Afghanistan.
The President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in his speech underlined that deeply thought-out, consistent and targeted process of development and increasing the authority of the SCO at an international arena, strengthening the role and opportunities of the Organization in achieving key goals- strengthening peace, stability and security, ensuring sustainable economic growth, enhancing cooperation in humanitarian and social spheres has been underway.
Establishing partner relations with international organizations has been an important step in the SCO development. The joint declaration on cooperation between the secretariats of the UN and the SCO, signed during the visit of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to our country in April 2010, became an important document, laying the foundation of interactions of the SCO with this international organization.
In the epoch of globalization and intensification of various threats, no single problem could be solved by a single state.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization
In this regard cooperation of the SCO and the UN has opened wide road for joint activities in solving significant problems for the whole humanity. Such UN bodies as the Economic and social commission for Asia and the Pacific, Office on drugs and crime, have fruitful interaction with the SCO.
Uzbekistan pays a special attention to multilateral trade and economic cooperation. In particular, the issues of transport communications have been acknowledged as a priority direction. In this regard the possibilities of Navoi free industrial-economic zone have been productively utilized. During the implementation of new joint projects in Central Asia, widening of construction of industrial enterprises, automobile roads, railways and air-transport communications, the significance of Navoi FIEZ will also rise.
Currently the main factor of sustainable development is not only extraction and processing of raw materials, but also organization of high-tech production, production of goods with high added value. In this regard Uzbekistan pays a particular attention to development and implementation of joint projects.
At the 2010 Tashkent summit of heads of state of SCO member-states, the issues of developing interaction and sharing of information among financial institutions, banks, exchanged. In order to widen the scales of regional cooperation, the participants shared views on the issues of eliminating barriers for developing trade-economic relations, supporting and stimulating direct contacts between entrepreneurs. Development of investment cooperation in transport and communications, agriculture, high-tech spheres have been acknowledged as priorities.
During the event, exchange of opinions on priority directions of multilateral strategy of cooperation within the frameworks of the SCO, minimizing negative impact and liquidating consequences of the financial-economic crisis, the issues of cooperation in economic and social spheres. Urgent regional and international issues were also high on the agenda. Participation of representatives of international organizations, alongside the heads of state of the SCO member-states and delegations of observer-states, demonstrate the importance and significance of these discussed issues.
During the meeting the situation in Central Asian region, the issues of security, including ensuring information security, joint combat again information threats, were discussed in detail.
The Tashkent declaration was adopted, the SCO rules of procedure and Regulations on the order of accepting new members to the Organization were approved at the summit. These documents are significant for development of the SCO and its members.
Uzbekistan’s determination of the SCO development strategy, its active position on many issues of international politics have yielded positive results. Wide-scale and consistent activity of Uzbekistan during the chairmanship period of the organization has played an important role in the success of 2010 Tashkent summit. Uzbekistan carried out a significant work on widening cooperation among the SCO member-states, increasing the international status of the organization. This was acknowledged by the SCO member-states. Last SCO summit held in Tashkent 23-24 June 2016.
In general, chairmanship of Uzbekistan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has a special significance for the organization’s development and further growth of its authority at international arena. This serves to strengthen and elevate to a qualitatively new level the cooperation among the SCO member-states to ensure peace, stability and progress in the region.
Ambassador Yang Yanyi during her allocution – Picture ChinaEU
Over 200 key stakeholders of the EU gathered at the China Cultural Centre in Brussels on May 25, to raise a glass at the first anniversary of China EU.
As a young yet passionate organisation with an ambitious vision in the digital future, ChinaEU has offered several exciting activities and events to promote digital cooperation as well as to connect digital leaders between China and Europe over the last year.
Ambassador H.E. Yang Yanyi, Head of the PRC Mission to the EU quoted a Chinese proverb “cast a brick to invite jade” in her speech to open up the floor. This saying also summarised well ChinaEU’s role in intensifying digital dialogue between China and the EU: the brick being one year of relentless efforts of ChinaEU and the jade being the lucrative opportunities that will result from increased cooperation between EU and Chinese business.
Entitled “China-EU partnerships in the Digital industry: with the Chinese Ambassador and Digital Leaders”, the One-Year Anniversary event was also a networking evening, bringing together over 20 MEPs with their colleagues and assistants, 40 high-level representatives from European Commission and more than 100 representatives from industries to share and exchange views on challenges and opportunities of building China-EU digital partnerships.
Ambassador Yang Yanyi, PRC Head of Mission to the EU cutting the cake for ChinaEU – Picture by ChinaEU.
Discussed cooperation between China and the EU on digital matters includes a number of domains such as:
Infrastructure, trade but also people-to-people connectivity between Europe and China, based on an open rule-based platform;
The issue of licensing and the protection and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights, which are crucial for innovation;
The development of common standards and joint research in areas such as 5G mobile communications and the “Internet of Things”, building on the dialogue between the European Commission and the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
Four selected industry representatives provided concrete examples of such cross-inseminations between China and Europe during the event.
For more information:
ChinaEU: www.chinaeu.eu
Mission of the PRC to the EU (HE Ambassador Yang Yanyi): http://www.chinamission.be/eng/
The EU will seek partnerships with third countries of origin and transit. Building on the European Agenda on Migration, the priorities are saving lives at sea, increasing returns, enabling migrants and refugees to stay closer to home and, in the long term, helping third countries’ development in order to address root causes of irregular migration. Member State contributions in these partnerships – diplomatic, technical and financial – will be of fundamental importance in delivering results.First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: “To stop the unacceptable loss of life in the Mediterranean Sea and bring order into migratory flows, we need to rethink how the EU and its Member States join efforts to work together with third countries.’High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini added: “Millions of people are on the move worldwide and we can only manage this if we act globally, in full partnership.’’Migratory pressure is the ‘new normal’ both for the EU and for partner countries and is part of a broader global displacement crisis. In the short term we will deliver compacts with Jordan and Lebanon and take steps to agree further ones with Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and Ethiopia. We also intend to increase our engagement with Tunisia and Libya.A mix of positive and negative incentives will be integrated into the EU’s development and trade policies to reward those countries willing to cooperate effectively with the EU on migration management and ensure there are consequences for those who refuse.Financial support and development and neighbourhood policy tools will reinforce local capacity-building, including for border control, asylum procedures, counter-smuggling and reintegration efforts.Breaking the business model of the people smugglers who look to exploit migrants for profit is central to tackling irregular migration. Effective returns will be crucial to this objective. It is also necessary to build on the experience of cooperating with Turkey and the Western Balkan countries and the EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia to effectively deliver results. The further deployment of European Migration Liaison Officers to priority source and transit countries will help coordinate EU cooperation. EU Cooperation Platforms on migrant smuggling will be finalised in key locations.Creating legal routes: Dissuading people from taking these dangerous journeys also requires alternative legal pathways to Europe and greater humanitarian reception capacities closer to their place of origin. The EU will support the establishment of a UN-led global resettlement scheme to contribute to fair sharing of displaced persons and further discourage irregular movements. Financial Instruments: Financial allocations devoted to tackling the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement will be increased, as will flexibility for deploying the programmes. The new Partnership approach will make use of a smart mix of short-term resources and long-term financial instruments. In the short term, the Trust Fund for Africa will be strengthened with €1 billion, consisting of €500 million from the European Development Fund Reserve and €500 million requested from Member States. In the longer term, the Commission is proposing to fundamentally reconsider the scale and nature of traditional development co-operation models. In autumn 2016, the Commission will make a proposal for a new Fund as part of an ambitious External Investment Plan in order to mobilise investments in developing third countries, building on the experience of the successful Investment Plan for Europe. €3.1 billion will be mobilised to this end, expected to trigger total investments of up to €31 billion and the potential to increase to €62 billion if Member States and other partners match the EU contribution. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is also already working on an initiative to mobilise additional financing in Africa over the next five years. The External Investment Plan will also focus on targeted assistance to improve the business environment in the countries concerned.
By Elizabeth Naumczyk.
Two Royal Life Guards (Den Kongelige Livgarde) standing at the entrance of the residence of the Embassy of Denmark welcomed members of the diplomatic community and guests to celebrate the Danish National Day – “Grundlovsdag” Constitution Day.
The event was hosted by H.E. Ole E. Moesby, Ambassador of Denmark and his wife Lisbeth Lisbeth Schrøder on a beautiful afternoon on the 3rd of June 2016 in the garden.
Denmark celebrates its Constitution Day or ‘Grundlovsdag’ as it is called in Danish, on June 5. This day commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of 1849, which made Denmark a constitutional monarchy, and laid out the framework of Danish democracy. According to the Ambassador, Denmark has not changed its Constitution many times but a significant event on this day occurred in 1915 when women were granted voting rights.
2016 is also the 400 year anniversary of the death of the British author William Shakespeare. In his work Hamlet, we recall Marcellus saying to Horatio “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”. Marcellus is referring to the Denmark’s moral and political situation to which Horatio replies “Heaven will direct it”, Denmark to health and stability which implies something needs to be done.
The Ambassador then referred to the Danish flag, Dannebrog, which, according to legend, came into Danish possession during the Battle of Lyndanisse also known as the Battle of Valdemar (Danish: “Volmerslaget”) in 1219. The Danes prayed to God, and a flag fell from the sky and allowed them to defeat the Estonians. It is the oldest flag and every weekday it is lowered, and since it came from heaven, it cannot touch the ground.
Afterwards, the Ambassador spoke about the large tree in the centre of the garden which is a symbol of the Danish tradition of fairy tales. He mentioned the fairy tale of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fyrtøiet (English: The Tinderbox). This tale is about a poor soldier meeting a witch who directs him to find a magic tinderbox in a tree. He ends up keeping the tinderbox by killing the witch and marrying a princess and becoming a king.
The Ambassador light-heartedly concluded that while not all Danes end up being kings or princesses they, nevertheless, are known to be the happiest people in the world. The Constitution has made this a reality allowing people to receive free education and medical care. He then wished everyone a happy and enjoyable day.
The proved no problem with guests being treated to a “garden party” with Danish hotdogs, strawberries and cream, ice cream and refreshments including Carlsberg beer. The Carlsberg Foundation is known for its significant contributions to arts and sciences making us both “happier and smarter”. Music was provided by the Royal Life Guards who walked among the guests as well as a jazz band called Jazz Supply. The day ended with everyone singing one of Denmark’s most beloved songs I Danmark er jeg født (English: In Denmark I was born) Lyrics by Hans Christian Andersen, 1850 and Melody: Henrik Rung, 1850.
The Hague, 7 June 2016- The Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT) is now engaging in social media on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Flickr. The MICT has taken over all the remaining functions of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) since its closure in December 2015, and is already assuming a number of essential functions previously carried out by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
Follow MICT’s accounts to stay informed on the status of cases that are now under the MICT, including the Karadžić, Šešelj and Stanišić & Simatović cases, and other key developments at the MICT.
The function was held at the Music Academy The Hague, Berlage-Huis on 2 June 2016.In his opening remarks, H.E Asein Isaev, Ambassador unequivocally stated the music and instrument are authentically Kyrgyz.
A fashion show was an integral part of the evening, featuring a fabulous authentic Kyrgyz fashion show. Prior to the concert and fashion show, guests caught a glimpse of Kyrgyz art; handicraft and delicacies. The event organizer was Ms. Aijan Azizova, attaché of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz she is responsible for Kyrgyz-Dutch cooperation and event organizer.
Indeed, it has been a very revealing exposure of present day Kyrgyzstan and its rich history.
After expressing some words of appreciation for the support given by the Dutch, international audience and his diplomatic colleagues, H. E. Ambassador Isaev, H.E. Abdulaziz Abdullah Abohaimed, Ambassado of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Moazzan Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan and his spouse Mrs Leena Salim Khan, H.E Mikalai Barysevich, Ambassador of Belarus and his spouse Tatsiana Barysevich, Mr. Paul Duclos, Minister Counsellor and Mr Lucas Ottero First Secretary, Embassy of Perou, Mr Andranik Grigoryan, Attaché to the Embassy of Armenia, Mr Yury Uraksin, First Secretary, Embassy of the Russia Federation and few more, enjoyed the captivating and passionate performance full of originality, beautiful melodies and songs by the musical group and their interpreter from the small in size rich in culture Asian nation.
The group of professional musicians consisted of graduates of the conservatory and laureates of international and regional contests that the ethnographic theatre «Ordo Sakhna» created in 1999 in an effort to further develop and spread Kyrgyztan’s folk heritage around the world.
Artists have originally revived ancient dances as those of BakshyBiy and ShyrdakBiy with melodies and dastans (small epos) not only with enthusiasm but with a deep study of the spiritual culture of the Kyrgyz people. The careful thought has helped them to successfully recreate beyond traditional costumes, mannerisms and symbolism of gestures to portray a realistic and honest ethnographical picture of Kyrgyz culture.
The concert was preceded by a display of a beautiful array of original decorative applied artwork made with leather by artist Sooronbaev Sheraly, clothing and tapestry made by members of the Nomaden Tapijten organisation in the Netherlands, and a large table with some of the nation’s culinary delicacies as their aromatic cognac, honey, and pastries. Dutch Kyrgyz Business Council (DKBC) provided translation support.
Adding to the amenity of the entertainment was a traditional fashion show with models wearing outfits made with different types of fabric that still to our days inspire modern designers as those from native Altai Osmo that were part of the entertainment.
Felt is one of Kyrgyz’s traditional textiles which is said to be the oldest textile in the world and which was moulded into various shapes and used in contemporary applications in fashion and home decor. The fashion show was an eclectic mixture of Osmo’s designs combining traditional techniques with a modern twist resulting into elegant creative pieces.
Some traditional designs were from the rural regions of the country where women wear scarves and men a distinguished type of hat as that from natives of Kyrgyzstan’s capital who are known for their overdressed preference for daily fashion, wearing crisp clothing with eye catching accessories and high heels even that streets are rough. 
2016 is also the 400 year anniversary of the death of the British author William Shakespeare. In his work Hamlet, we recall Marcellus saying to Horatio “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”. Marcellus is referring to the Denmark’s moral and political situation to which Horatio replies “Heaven will direct it”, Denmark to health and stability which implies something needs to be done.
The Ambassador then referred to the Danish flag, Dannebrog, which, according to legend, came into Danish possession during the Battle of Lyndanisse also known as the Battle of Valdemar (Danish: “Volmerslaget”) in 1219. The Danes prayed to God, and a flag fell from the sky and allowed them to defeat the Estonians. It is the oldest flag and every weekday it is lowered, and since it came from heaven, it cannot touch the ground.
Afterwards, the Ambassador spoke about the large tree in the centre of the garden which is a symbol of the Danish tradition of fairy tales. He mentioned the fairy tale of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fyrtøiet (English: The Tinderbox). This tale is about a poor soldier meeting a witch who directs him to find a magic tinderbox in a tree. He ends up keeping the tinderbox by killing the witch and marrying a princess and becoming a king.
The Ambassador light-heartedly concluded that while not all Danes end up being kings or princesses they, nevertheless, are known to be the happiest people in the world. The Constitution has made this a reality allowing people to receive free education and medical care. He then wished everyone a happy and enjoyable day.
The proved no problem with guests being treated to a “garden party” with Danish hotdogs, strawberries and cream, ice cream and refreshments including Carlsberg beer. The Carlsberg Foundation is known for its significant contributions to arts and sciences making us both “happier and smarter”. Music was provided by the Royal Life Guards who walked among the guests as well as a jazz band called Jazz Supply. The day ended with everyone singing one of Denmark’s most beloved songs I Danmark er jeg født (English: In Denmark I was born) Lyrics by Hans Christian Andersen, 1850 and Melody: Henrik Rung, 1850. 