H.E. AndrĂĄs Kocsis appointed Ambassador of Hungary to the NetherlandsH.E. Mr AndrĂĄs 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 AndrĂĄs Kocsis was Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Hungary in The Hague. Ambassador Kocsis completed his Masterâs Degree in Law (LLM) at the Eötvös LorĂĄnd University in Budapest (2003). He is married and has one child. Mr Kocsis speaks English, Dutch and French.
In the presence of ambassadors and noted international relations researchers, the Netherlandsâ first Public Diplomacy Award was launched on 24 June 2016 in The Hague. The award constitutes recognition of the efforts of heads of diplomatic missions and other dignitaries to promote strategic diplomatic engagement with non-state actors.
The inaugural award was bestowed upon H.E. Gabriel Edgardo Aguilera, Ambassador of Guatemala, in a ceremony at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel. The Ambassador was commended for his extraordinary engagements with Dutch civil society, and the instigation of successful foreign cultural programmes in the Netherlands.
The Public Diplomacy Award will recognise both career diplomats and other members of the international community in the Netherlands; in charge of the selection of the laureates are a group of members of the diplomatic corps and Dutch academia.
The award was presented jointly by Elizabeth Naumczyk of Diplomat Magazine; Olivier Ribbelink, Senior Researcher at the T.M.C. Asser Instituut and Associate Professor at Utrecht University, School of Law and  Hilde Cadenau, LL.M, Programme Director of the International and European Law Bachelor Programmeof The Hague University.
The award consists of Dutch state-of-the-art hand-made symbols with the crafted name of the recipient. Diplomat Magazine is the European press voice to promote the prize at the national and international level.
PicturedEmperor Akihito of Japan.By Baron Henri Estramant.Monday, 8 August 2016: His Imperial Majesty The Emperor of Japan, the world’s only remaining monarch bearing an imperial title, addressed his people in a 11-minutes pre-recorded allocution for national television. This occasion was but his second public speech to the Japanese since the beginning of his reigning era (Heisei) on 7 January 1989. The first address took place in 2011 after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami as well as the Fukushima I nuclear reactor subsequent crises. The Reigning Emperor hinted at his desire  to step down due to the fact that he “struggles with age and poor health”. Hence he is unable to cope with his duties as ceremonial head and symbol of the state. The move was rather unorthodox for a monarch who is not permitted to intervene in politics yet in principle he pleaded to the nation for a change in the Imperial Household Law of 1947, which does not foresee abdications. Therefore the Diet must amend the latter law in order to allow The Reigning Emperor to abdicate in favour of the Crown Prince. Such an amendment could also reopen the discussion on allowing female succession as the Crown Prince sired but a daughter, HIH The Princess Toshi.  According to the current constitution the Emperor is “the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people”, nevertheless, he lacks in political or sovereign powers.  For more information: Imperial Household Agency (message from HIM The Reigning Emperor): http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/page/okotoba/detailEn/12#41   Â
On the picture H.E. Abdelouahab Bellouki and spouse Mrs Najat Bellouki.By Roy Lie A Tjam
On the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the accession of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the throne, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco H.E. Abdelouahab Bellouki and spouse Mrs Najat Bellouki invited collegues, friends and others to a reception.
H.E. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Najat Bellouki and the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Sayyid Muhammed Harub Al Said.
The venue Hotel Hilton The Hague on 1 August 2016. Every year Morocco celebrates the monarchâs enthronement with a day of celebrations. His Majesty Mohammed VI became King of Morocco in 1999 following the demise of his father King Hassan II.For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157671113956020Â Reem Al Mufleh, H.E. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Najat Bellouki and H.E. Ahmad Al Mufleh, Ambassador of Jordan.
Many accepted the invitation and came to the Hilton Hotel to congratulate the Ambassador and his spouse on this special day. 2016 has seen another successful Throne Day celebration
Natalia Shulgina, H.E. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Najat Bellouki and H.E. Alexander Shulgin, Ambassador of Russia.
Pictured H.E. Anniken Krutnes and Ms MichÚle Coninsx, President of Eurojust.
Ambassador Anniken Krutnes of Norway said goodbye to more than a hundred friends at an informal beach party at Scheveningen Beach. Among those in attendance were heads of diplomatic missions, heads of international organisations, judges from international courts, and friends from the academic, business and arts communities.
Ambassador Krutnes spent five years in The Hague, during which time she conducted important work for her country on both a bilateral and multilateral basis. In addition to political relations, Ambassador Krutnes focused on cultural relations and business links between Norway and The Netherlands. She was also accredited to Luxembourg and was responsible for bilateral relations with the Grand Duchy.
For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157672184220185ICC First Vice-President Judge Joyce Aluoch.
She worked as Facilitator for Cooperation in The Hague Working Group from 2012-2015 which primarily involved leading negotiations on strengthening the cooperation between member states and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
As Facilitator, Ambassador Krutnes also initiated seminars in Dakar, Arusha, Accra, Buenos Aires and Cotonou with representatives from over 40 countries. Her proactive work was praised by the ICC, member states and other actors involved and has led to significant results in areas like witness protection, cooperation and improving capacity.
Just weeks before leaving The Hague on July 7th, she signed an agreement on the enforcement of sentences between the Kingdom of Norway and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Under the agreement, persons convicted by the ICC may serve their sentences of imprisonment in Norway if so decided by the Court and accepted by Norway.
H.E. Ms Anniken Ramberg Krutnes presented her credentials to the Director-General of the OPCW on 10 October, 2011. There she played an important role in the UN/OPCW-led maritime operation to transport chemical weapons out of Syria.
H.E. Brett Mason, Ambassador of Australia, H.E. Karim Ben Becher, Ambassador of Tunisia, Thomas John, Principal Legal Officer at The Hague Conference on Private International Law, H.E. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of Kosovo and H. E. Maria Teresa de Jesus Infante Caffi, Ambassador of Chile.
Five wonderful and productive years flew by quickly for the Ambassador. Her farewell party took place at the beach pavilion were she used to stop after running over 10 km with her dog. The party was a delight, with wine, sangria and beers, diplomats in shorts and sandals, a great variety of Spanish tapas and many joyous anecdotes from the Ambassadorâs tenure in The Hague.
A leading ambassador in many areas, a mother and consume sportswoman, Ambassador Krutnes has been appointed Norwegian Polar Ambassador with The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo and Norwayâs Permanent Observer to the Arctic Council. Diplomat Magazine wishes her and her family all the best.
_____
Ambassador Anniken Krutnes wrote an article for Diplomat Magazine. Please open the following link to see the publication: https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2014/11/02/norway-arctic/
On the picture H.E. Mr J.S. Mukul, Ambassador of India to the Netherlands.
The Embassy of India and the Gandhi Centre, Cultural Wing of the Embassy, organised a massive event commemorating the International Day of Yoga 2016 (IDY 2016).
H.E. Mr J.S. Mukul, Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, and his spouse Mita Mukul led more than six hundred people on a Saturday morning to practice a healthy yoga session at The Hague City Hall Atrium.
Yoga has become immensely popular and is now practised by more 200 million people worldwide, including more than 100 million in India and 37.7 million in the U.S.
On arrival, guests were greeted with the almost futuristic sight of hundreds of yoga mats, all in the same colors and symmetrically positioned, filling up the huge atrium of the City Hall.
Each guest was given a healthy goody bag from the counter by the Embassy staff with two fruits, a bottle of water, a brochure on the Gandhi Centre and a t-shirt promoting International Yoga Day 2016.
For additional pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157669023268663
Dutch civil servants, business people, representatives from the Indian diaspora, yoga lovers and novices alike all got at the same rhythm into the yoga mat to breath, and stretch under the direction of Mr. Amit Khanna, the Yoga Teacher at the Gandhi Centre.
Yoga, a 5,000-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice having its origin in India, aims to transform body and mind. The word âyogaâ which derives from Sanskrit means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
H.E. Ambassador Mukul and Deputy Mayor Rabin Baldewsingh.
The United Nations recognized the universal appeal of yoga through the Adoption of its Resolution 69/131 on the International Day of Yoga.
The declaration came after the call for the adoption of the same by Indian Prime Minister during his address to UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014 in which he stated: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature.”
Ambassador Mukul addressed the gathering on the significance of Yoga Day for India and the value of practising yoga for health and wellbeing.
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, spoke by video conference to every nation in the world celebrating Yoga Day on 18 June. Deputy Mayor Rabin Baldewsingh was also present and gave encouraging words to the hundreds of attendees before the session began.
Professor Amit Khanna, Yoga Teacher at the Gandhi Centre.
The Secretary General to the United Nations stated that through the Adoption of the UN Resolution on the International Day of Yoga, âthe General Assembly has recognized the holistic benefits of this timeless practice and its inherent compatibility with the principles and values of the United Nationsâ.Miss India Holland distributing healthy goody bags.
He further stated: âYoga offers a simple, accessible and inclusive means to promote physical and spiritual health and well-being. It promotes respect for oneâs fellow human beings and for the planet we share. And yoga does not discriminate; to varying degrees, all people can practice, regardless of their relative strength, age or ability.â
After two hours of training, professor Khanna thanked the audience and invited all to practise Yoga regularly.
Yoga Day 2016 in The Hague.
The Public Diplomacy Award will recognise both career diplomats and other members of the international community in the Netherlands; in charge of the selection of the laureates are a group of members of the diplomatic corps and Dutch academia.
The award was presented jointly by Elizabeth Naumczyk of Diplomat Magazine; Olivier Ribbelink, Senior Researcher at the T.M.C. Asser Instituut and Associate Professor at Utrecht University, School of Law and  Hilde Cadenau, LL.M, Programme Director of the International and European Law Bachelor Programmeof The Hague University.
The award consists of Dutch state-of-the-art hand-made symbols with the crafted name of the recipient. Diplomat Magazine is the European press voice to promote the prize at the national and international level.
At the event, the Ambassador said:
âTwo very old countries with a large common history, sometimes enemies but united by the sea.
âIt was a privilege to serve Portugal in this position, present my credentials to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and to be able to assist later on in the coronation of King Willem Alexander. And what a pleasure to have the opportunity to say goodbye to so many Dutch and foreign friends who helped me to accomplish my tasks â at the OPCW, in the tribunals, and all the work we accomplished together to consolidate the image of The Hague as city of peace and a centre for international justice.
âVisiting the beautiful, historical Dutch cities, always in a hurry between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, visiting Maastricht, TEFAF, the great museums of this country, going every year to Utrecht to the admission of new knights and ladies to the Order of Malta, the dinners with His Majesty the King or the Princesses of Bourbon de Parma at the Haagse Club, buying curious pieces and old books at Langevoorhout, taking tea at Des Indes or attending a concert honouring SAR the Princess Amalia at the gothic salon on her birthday.
So many dear souvenirs will stay in my memories from this, my last position as diplomat, that I can said with no doubt that I served here with the same enthusiasm as I served my first posting.â 
Just weeks before leaving The Hague on July 7th, she signed an agreement on the enforcement of sentences between the Kingdom of Norway and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Under the agreement, persons convicted by the ICC may serve their sentences of imprisonment in Norway if so decided by the Court and accepted by Norway.
H.E. Ms Anniken Ramberg Krutnes presented her credentials to the Director-General of the OPCW on 10 October, 2011. There she played an important role in the UN/OPCW-led maritime operation to transport chemical weapons out of Syria.
Dutch civil servants, business people, representatives from the Indian diaspora, yoga lovers and novices alike all got at the same rhythm into the yoga mat to breath, and stretch under the direction of Mr. Amit Khanna, the Yoga Teacher at the Gandhi Centre.
Yoga, a 5,000-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice having its origin in India, aims to transform body and mind. The word âyogaâ which derives from Sanskrit means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
Ambassador Mukul addressed the gathering on the significance of Yoga Day for India and the value of practising yoga for health and wellbeing.
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, spoke by video conference to every nation in the world celebrating Yoga Day on 18 June. Deputy Mayor Rabin Baldewsingh was also present and gave encouraging words to the hundreds of attendees before the session began.
