On the picture, H. E Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of Rwanda. Kwibohora22: 22nd anniversary of liberation of Rwanda celebrated in the Netherlands The 22nd anniversary of liberation was held under the theme “Together we prosper”. On Saturday 9 July the Embassy of the Republic Rwanda in the Netherlands hosted the Kwibohora22 celebration in The Hague. His Excellency Ambassador Jean Pierre Karabaranga, his family, the Embassy team and the Rwanda diaspora committee welcomed more than 250 guests, including Rwandan nationals living in the Netherlands, Friends of Rwanda and others. For additional pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rwanda-embassy-nl/albums/72157668073729293 The program included a wide variety of entertainment, like a Rwandan music live band, traditional dance performances and a Rwandan culinary experience. In his speech H.E. ambassador Jean Pierre Karabaranga said he was honoured by everyone’s presence to celebrate the journey from a dark past to a brighter future. “A journey of socio-economic transformation, which turned what was a failed state two decades ago into a model of a successful post-conflict reconstruction”, said Ambassador Karabaranga. “the secret behind our success story can be found in three decisions that we took and that made us to be where we are today: we decided to stay together, we decided to be accountable and we decided to think big. But the most important for us in that we were and are lucky to have a visionary leadership under President Paul Kagame and the Government of Unity and Reconciliation”.

  Photography courtesy of the Embassy  of Rwanda

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,  4-5^th July, 2016 By 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/72157670136845482

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.

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 “Aristotle Anniversary Year”. “Aristotle, 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. Aristotle’s 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 ethics”. 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.

“So 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.” 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 China’s intentions. How will it all end? I can’t 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 “a peace-loving nation”. 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 “Proactive Contribution to Peace” based on the principle of international cooperation, introduced by the Abe Administration in December, 2013. “The legislation for Peace and Security came into effect in March this year. The new security legislation has historical signi­ficance 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.” A video in the room called Peace – for tomorrow’s 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.

“We 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.” 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 19^th 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 – 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 territory’s 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 world’s 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 Government’s 13^th 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 Kong’s strategic location were reiterated by Ms Paula Kant, Senior Investment Promotion Executive at Invest Hong Kong. Half the world’s 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 China’s 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.