ByHenri Estramant.
Kingdom of Bhutan: HE Ambassador Pema Choden with residence in Brussels is Bhutan’s new top envoy to The Netherlands, the OPCW, Belgium, the EU, Spain, Sweden and Finland.
She presented credentials before the King of the Netherlands on Wednesday, 15 June 2016, the ceremony was also attended by her staff as it was during her presentation of credentials at the Royal Palace at Brussels on Thursday, 26 May 2016. Before the EU she is fully accredited since Friday, 1 July 2016.
Ambassador Pema Choden and her staff greeting King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands – Picture by ANP, Bart Maat.Ambassador Pema Choden arriving at the Royal Palace in Stockholm with diplomatic presenter Bengt Lundborg – Picture by Kungahuset.se.
On Wednesday, 6 July, Ambassador Pema Choden was once more in The Hague to present her credentials to the OPCW Director-General H.E. Ahmet Üzümcü. Bhutan ratified the OPCW convention in 2005.
Since Thursday, 2 June 2016, she is likewise accredited non-resident ambassador to Sweden. The accreditation took place a few days before the Swedish Royal Couple embarked on the very first State Visit of by a Swedish monarch to the Kingdom of Bhutan on 8 June 2016 for three days.
Ambassador Pema Choden and President Donal Tusk – Picture by EU.
Before being appointed to her ambassadorial post in Brussels, Ambassador Pema Choden was the head of mission at the Embassy of Bhutan in Bangladesh, concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan and South Korea.
She was born in 1965, and has served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1989. She holds a bachelor’s degree and has studied French and international relations, including at the ENA in France.
Minister Counsellor Tenzin Rondel Wangchuck greets the VII King of the Belgians as Ambassador Pema Choden looks on at the Royal Palace in Brussels – Picture by the Belgian Royal Palace.For more information:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bhutan: http://www.mfa.gov.bt
On the picture Ambassador Eloy Cantú Segovia, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, ambassador’s wife – Picture by Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg.By Henri Estramant. United States of Mexico to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: HE Eloy Cantú Segovia presented his credentials to HRH The Grand Duke of Luxembourg on Thursday, 9 June 2016. He is non-resident head of mission with seat in Brussels, and also leads the missions before the EU and the Kingdom of Belgium.
Luxembourg and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1947. http://www.embamex.euArgentinian Ambassador to the EU, Mario Raúl Verón Guerra and President Tusk – Picture by EU.Argentine Republic to the European Union: HE Ambassador Mario Raúl Verón Guerra presented credentials to President of the EU Council, Donald Tusk, on Friday, 1 July 2016.
Prior to his ambassadorial appointment he was Head of the International Economic Relations Secretariat at the Argentinean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
https://www.mrecic.gov.ar/representaciones/repre/129Ambassador Ata SERDAROV and King Philippus of the Belgians – Picture by the Belgian Royal Palace.Turkmenistan to the Kingdom of Belgium: HE Ambassador Ata Serdarov presented his credentials before the VII King of the Belgians at the Royal Palace.
The mission of Turkmenistan is accredited to the three Benelux countries, the OPCW as well as the EU.
Ambassador Francisco Tilman Cepeda presenting his credentials to the King of the Belgians.Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the Kingdom of Belgium and the EU: HE Ambassador Francisco Tilman Cepeda presented his credentials to the King of the Belgians on Thursday, 26 May 2016 and on Friday, 1 July 2016 to the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk.
H.E. Francisco Tilman Cepeda , Ambassador of Timor-Leste and President Donald Tusk – Picture by EU
Previous to this appointment Ambassador Tilman Cepeda was Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The mission based in Brussels is accredited to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg. The Netherlands are handled by the East Timorese mission in London.
Join our clothes swapping day and revitalize your closet in a climate-friendly way!
Following the success of our first clothes swapping day, we are happy to announce the second RE-DRESS Clothes Swapping Day in the Swedish Residence on September 24.
Bring your own fresh, clean clothes in good condition and swap them for new ones. Clear your wardrobe of perfectly good clothes that you no longer use. Bring them to Re-dress and leave with an equal number of new clothes (maxium of 7 items per person), completely free of charge.
It couldn’t get any better, for you or for the environment.
How does it work?
•Bring items of clothing you no longer need or want (max. 7 items p.p.). We only accept fresh and clean garments in good condition. Accessories (e.g. bags, shawls) in good condition are also accepted.
•You will receive a ticket for each garment you leave (max. 7 items p.p.), which will entitle you to pick out another piece for you.
•Garments that are left over at the end of the day will be donated to a local non-profit organisation or second-hand store. Clothes will not be returned to the previous owner.
•Clothes may be dropped off throughout the event.
•Swedish fashion clothes are extra welcome! But any brand will be accepted.
A Must! A must try, taste, experience and savour it’s coffee and treats, by Swedish chef Marcus Jansson, can be purchased for € 1.
Information:
On the picture H.E. Vusi Bruce Koloane, Ambassador of South Africa together with Dutch and South African students at the Embassy.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
To mark the beginning of a new era of Netherlands-South African cooperation, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Johannesburg has invited teams of Dutch and South African students to work together on finding solutions to Johannesburg’s water, energy, health, agriculture and transport challenges.
This has resulted in collaboration between the embassy, companies and education centers, students from the University of Johannesburg, Wits Business School, TU Delft and VU University Amsterdam.
The multidisciplinary teams presented their projects to an audience including Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, the Mayor of Johannesburg, Mpho Parks Tau, and a delegation of 75 companies during a Dutch economic trade mission to Johannesburg in November 2015.
Subsequent to that promising event in November 2015, under the direction of H.E. Vusi Bruce Koloane, Ambassador of South Africa, a group of Dutch and South African students met at the Embassy of South Africa in The Hague. The objective was to take the COCREATEMYCITY project a step closer to implementation.
The meeting was highly productive. Ms. Ellen van Andel of TU Delft, held an expose in which she elaborated on the current status of the initiative as well as its short and long term aspirations. Ambassador Koloane furnished the students with useful advice and encouragement.
Student presenting COCREATEMYCITY project at the Embassy of South Africa.
The participating visiting students were Naweed Khan (University of Johannesburg): Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Refilwe Lediga (University of Johannesburg): Masters in Civil Engineering, Xolani Sikhakhane (University of the Witwatersrand): Masters in Entrepreneurship, Ezekiel Nyoni (University of Johannesburg): Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, and Mpho Sefalafala (University of Witwatersrand): PhD candidate for Entrepreneurship.
The students from TU Delft were Tessa Leferink and Door van der Wiel. The lecturers were Ms. Nickey Janse van Rensburg (University of Johannesburg, Ms. Chimene Chetty (University of the Witwatersrand) and Dr. Jennifer Kockx (TU Delft). Also present was Ellen van Andel, project coordinator and trainer in entrepreneurship and Africa.
The students have had a busy but interesting week in the Netherlands. The cocreatemycity project is soaring ahead – a splendid and encouraging demonstration of cooperation between embassIES, universitIES and a city.
Pictures by the Embassy of South Africa in The Hague.
Pictured H.E. José De Bouza Serrano, Ambassador of Portugal to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Association for the Furtherance of Peace as represented by Their Imperial and Royal Highnesses, Archduchess Herta Margarete of Austria-Tuscany, President, Archduke Sándor of Austria-Tuscany, Vice-President and Baron Henri Estramant, Adviser, presented the “Flame of Peace Award” to two most deserving as well as prominent recipients at the city of peace, The Hague, namely Portuguse ambassador José de Bouza Serrano and Carnegie Foundation Chairman, Dr Bernard Bot.
The conferment took place inside the quarters of the Carnegie Foundation which manages the Peace Palace in The Hague, on Friday, June 17. Among the prominent guest was the former Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment, Ms. Sybilla Dekker.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157668757616464Her Imperial and Royal Highness, Archduchess Herta Margarete of Austria-Tuscany, H.E. José De Bouza Serrano, Dr Bernard Bot, Baron Henri Estramant and His Imperial and Royal Highness Archduke Sándor of Austria-Tuscany.
Outgoing Portuguese Ambassador José de Bouza Serrano was given the Flame of Place on the following bases:
Ambassador José de Bouza Serrano, is awarded the Flame of Peace in recognition of his exemplary career as a top Portuguese diplomat as well as an author in the field of diplomacy and protocol. All in all, Ambassador de Bouza Serrano has spent his career not only serving Portugal but contributing himself to the process of European unification by his arduous promotion of Portuguese culture and heritage vis-à-vis the European Union as well as in the countries wherein he served diplomatically including Spain, Italy, Denmark or the Netherlands. Not least, during his tenure as Presidential Chief of Protocol that Ambassador Serrano largely contributed to expand his country’s reputation and savoir-faire vis-à-vis foreign powers for his professionalism in handling high-level visits which included HRH The Prince of Wales or Benedictus XVI, Bishop of Rome. More important than the high calibre of the guests he received in Portugal is the fact that he through his offices served as a dialogue-maker contributing thereby to international understanding.Dr Bernard Bot.
Whereas the laudatory speech for Dr Benard Bot read as follows:
Dr Bernard Bot is bestowed the Flame of Peace owing to his exemplary service as Chairman of the Carnegie Foundation; in the latter function for implementing programmes and projects which foster peaceful conflict resolution, dialogue, and multilateral diplomacy. For following a policy of peaceful conflict resolution in spite of many challenges he faced during his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs and his career as successful top diplomat of the Netherlands, in former East Germany, Brussels and Turkey. Baron Henri Estramant.
Dr Bot also took the opportunity to express his appreciation for the award as well as to explain its meaning to him personally. In this own utterances:
“The Flame of Peace can only shine brightly if more nations are aware of the potential and the role the Peace Palace can play in settling international disputes of all sorts. Instead of trying to settle international controversial issues by means of arms, judicial settlement or arbitration is far better suited to bring warring factions and nations around the table. This is and was the message Carnegie tried to convey to the world: the Peace Palace as a true Temple of Peace. In my eight years as president of the Carnegie Foundation I have always tried to convey this message to everybody with a willing and open mind. Much has been accomplished, much remains to be done. For me the Peace Palace will always remain a symbol of hope. I am glad that your initiative will contribute once again to this lofty objective.”For more information
Association for the Furtherance of Peace: http://www.flameofpeace.org/page.php?[en]15
Carnegie Foundation at the Peace Palace: https://www.vredespaleis.nl/?lang=en
ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández Statement on the occasion of 17 July, International Criminal Justice Day18 years ago, the world took a huge step forward in committing to bring to justice those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. On 17 July 1998, nations worldwide adopted an international treaty, the Rome Statute, for the creation of the International Criminal Court. In the years since, the ICC has grown into a robust judicial institution. Convictions have been handed down for the use of child soldiers, murder, sexual violence. The Court has ensured the participation of thirteen thousand victims in its cases. The Office of the Prosecutor has opened investigations in 10 situations and is analysing many other conflicts on different continents. More than one-hundred and eighty thousand victims have benefited from the assistance programmes of the ICC’s Trust Fund for Victims. But atrocious crimes still occur. Much more work is needed. Therefore, this 17 July, on the anniversary of the Rome Statute and International Criminal Justice Day, we call again for solidarity in working to make justice effective and ensure that these crimes do not go unpunished. We need global support from states yet to ratify the Rome Statute, from states that have ratified, as well as from all those who stand against injustice. The ICC does not have a police force of its own and relies entirely on the cooperation of states and organisations to investigate and prosecute perpetrators and to ensure access of victims to justice.. The ICC needs specific and concrete forms of cooperation, including in particular cooperation to arrests suspects, gather and preserve evidence, protect witnesses, and enforce our sentences. Domestic courts of each country also need support so that they can investigate and prosecute international crimes themselves. The ICC is not a replacement for national courts; it should only step in if they cannot fulfil their duty to do it.To seriously address atrocity crimes, there must be a unified, comprehensive response from the international community. We have to demonstrate that there are consequences for those who commit genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is our duty to do our utmost to provide justice to victims of such acts. None of this can happen unless national, regional and international actors alike are aligned in their commitment to the rule of law, human rights and justice. To deter future crimes, we must establish a consistent pattern of accountability.For those who have suffered harm, and for future generations, we stand firm in our commitment to make sure that justice is done. We ask everyone to join us in this cause. Only together can we make the hopes of 17 July a reality.
This Summer we bring a cinematic heatwave to Amsterdam with the hottest, most passionate and refreshing selection of Spanish films. Premiering Julieta, the latest work from internationally acclaimed Pedro Almodóvar, Paco León & Iciar Bollaín.www.sinfincinema.com/summer-2016-film-premieres/
Online box office : https://www.pathe.nl/film/22238/julieta
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is concluding a two-week online campaign which garnered large support worldwide, marking 17 July, the Day of International Criminal Justice. Hundreds of participants shared photographs with the scales of justice on the ICC’s temporary 17July Facebook page, adding ”a little justice to their world view”.States representatives, international organisations, civil society, women’s groups, legal professionals and scholars, children, youth and elders all over the world sent strong messages about the many ways in which #JusticeMatters to us all. The campaign’s resulting mosaic of over 220 photograph submissions from more than 90 countries, represents all regions of the world and is a symbol of the global support for all those who stand for justice. The participating photos collected over 5600 likes and more than 950 shares in total, with the 3 most liked and shared ones becoming the winners of the photo contest. The Day of International Criminal Justice marks the anniversary of the adoption on 17 July 1998 of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC, which seeks to deter people from genocide, crimes against humanity and war crime. 17 July unites all those who wish to support justice, promote victims’ rights, and help prevent crimes that threaten the peace and security of the world.
The successful exhibition The Buddha – a life story and a source of inspiration is moving to the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam. In five months the exhibition in Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden has attracted more than 70.000 visitors. From 23 September this extensive exhibition about one of the most inspiring figures in world history can be seen in the Tropenmuseum.Buddhism is hugely popular. The Netherlands alone has around 500 Buddhist centres. Everyone knows someone who has a Buddha statue at home. Why do we all fall for the portrait of the Buddha? And what do we actually know about this icon? How is Buddhism experienced worldwide nowadays? With the help of reports, impressive photos and interviews, this exhibition answers these questions.Buddhism worldwide The Buddha exhibition is a journey to important Buddhist sites worldwide. The trip takes us through Thailand, India, Indonesia, China, Myanmar, Japan and Tibet. From centuries-old Chinese monasteries and Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal to the Indonesian Borobudur. The journey also goes through our own country. Documentaries give an impression of Buddhism in the Netherlands, the so-called Tulip Buddhism.Unique international top items. About 100 Buddha statues can be seen in the exhibition. One of these is a Buddha statue from Nepal that the Nepalese ambassador gave to the museum in May this year. There have never been so many Buddha statues exhibited in the Tropenmuseum at the same time before. A rare Vessantara scroll, more than 35 metres long with scenes from a previous life of the Buddha, can also be seen. With other top items from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Museum für Asiatische Kunst in Berlin and the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore, for example, these objects tell the story of the Buddha’s life.The Buddha exhibition has been partly financed by the BankGiro Lottery, the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, the Turing Foundation, the VSB Fonds and the Mondriaan Fonds.
President Juncker appoints Michel Barnier as Chief Negotiator in charge of the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 of the TEU
Yesterday, the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, appointed Michel Barnier, former Vice-President of the European Commission and former French Minister, as Chief Negotiator in charge of leading the Commission Taskforce for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 of the TEU.
Michel Barnier will report directly to the President and will have at his disposal the best Commission experts. He will be advised by a group of Directors-General dealing with the issues relevant to the negotiations.
President Juncker said: “I am very glad that my friend Michel Barnier accepted this important and challenging task. I wanted an experienced politician for this difficult job. Michel is a skilled negotiator with rich experience in major policy areas relevant to the negotiations, namely as Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Agriculture, and as Member of the Commission, in charge of Regional Policy, Institutional Reforms and of Internal Market and Services. He has an extensive network of contacts in the capitals of all EU Member States and in the European Parliament, which I consider a valuable asset for this function. Michel will have access to all Commission resources necessary to perform his tasks. He will report directly to me, and I will invite him to brief regularly the College to keep my team abreast of the negotiations. I am sure that he will live up to this new challenge and help us to develop a new partnership with the United Kingdom after it will have left the European Union.”
Michel Barnier, as Chief Negotiator, will be ranked at the Director-General level and will take up his duties as of 1 October 2016.
Photography by bbc.co.uk
