Panama Expands its Doors to the World

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Panama Expands its Doors to the World
In commemoration of the inauguration of the Expanded Panama Canal on June 26th, 2016, the Embassy of Panama to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Mission to the European Union, held on June 22nd at the Sofitel Europe Hotel in Brussels, Belgium, the event ¨Panama Expands its Doors to the World¨ cohosted with Belgian Companies: Jan De Nul Group, DEME, Tractebel Engie and IMDC. The event consisted first of an intimate conversation with representatives of the Belgian companies, Jan De Nul Group, DEME, Tractebel Engie and IMDC, who each shared their experiences working on the expansion project.  The conference began with welcome remarks from H.E. Dario Ernesto Chirú, Ambassador of Panama, who started by mentioning the implications and impact the new set of locks will have on Panama and the world. He also shared briefly history of the Canal, including its transition to Panamanian control on December 31st, 1999; and precedents of the expansion project, which started on October 22nd, 2006,  when through a referendum the Panamanian people made the decision to build the third set of locks of the Panama Canal, which started its construction on September 7th, 2007. The Ambassador concluded his words stating that on June 26th, 2016, after nine years of hard work, we will open the third set of locks, and forever change global transit and trade. DSC_0136 The floor was then handed to Mr. Jan Groeninckx, Product Director for Ports and Waterways of Tractebel Engie, who shared the role his company and their subsidiary IMDC, took on optimizing the usage of energy and water for the operations of the Canal. Mr. Wouter Borghijs, Senior Manager of the Americas for DEME followed with an explanation of the various stages and type of materials encountered in the dredging works for the expansion project, in which millions of cubic meters of sediments and volcanic rocks had to be dredged.  Jan de Nul Group, Mr. Dirk Van Rompaey, Director Civil Works took the stage as the final guest speaker, and explained his company´s dredging and excavation works for the construction of the locks as a member of the Grupo Unidos por el Canal Consortium and the management of the environmental impact, especially the conservation of flora and fauna of the area. Guests were afterwards invited to attend the photo exhibition and cocktail reception in celebration of the Inauguration of the Expanded Canal. For more information:  Panama Canal Expansion: https://micanaldepanama.com/expansion/      

TTIP dialogue in Hamburg for Ambassador Gardner

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TTIP dialogue in Hamburg for Ambassador Gardner
Hamburg’s First Mayor, Olaf Scholz and Ambassador Anthony Gardner – Picture by Hamburg.de 15 June 2016, Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Germany: US Head of Mission to the EU, Ambassador Anthony L. Gardner, paid a business visit to Hamburg in order to discuss details of the ongoing negotiations towards the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with German partners in Hamburg. During the visit Ambassador Gardner paid a visit to the city’s First Mayor Olaf Scholz, and met the Senate’s Plenipotentiary Counsellor for Foreign Affairs, Wolfgang Schmidt. Hamburg is known for its long hanseatic tradition of promoting unhindered global trade.
Plenipotentiary Counsellor of the Hamburg Senate for Foreign Affairs, Wolfgang Schmidt showing the city to Ambassador Gardner - Picture by Hamburg.de
Plenipotentiary Counsellor of the Hamburg Senate for Foreign Affairs, Wolfgang Schmidt showing the city to Ambassador Gardner – Picture by Hamburg.de
Ambassador Gardner likewise met with the élite of Hamburg’s business community including the Managing Director of Berenberg Bank, Silke Krüger or the Executive Partner of E.H. Worlée & Co. GmbH & Co., Reinhold von Eben-Worlée.  For more information:  US Mission to the EU (The Hon. Ambassador Anthony L. Gardner): http://useu.usmission.gov First Mayor of Hamburg (The Hon Olaf Scholz): http://www.hamburg.de/senat/2815136/olaf-scholz/ TTIP: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/in-focus/ttip/ Hanse Office to the EU (Director Claus Müller): http://www.hanse-office.de  

Summer of Photography/Cities and (Velo)cities

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Summer of Photography/Cities and (Velo)cities
On the picture the Visegránd group ambassadors credited in Brussels: H.E.  Artur Harazim (Poland),  H.E. Jaroslav Kurfürst (Czechia), H.E. Zoltán Nagy (Hungary) and H.E. Stanislav Vallo (Slovakia). Brussels, Friday, 17 June 2016: The Czech Centre in Brussels in cooperation with the Polish Cultural Institute and the Balassi Institute-Cultural Service of the Embassy of Hungary in Brussels, worked together on an exhibition from the Visegrád group countries focusing on contemporary photography under the title “Summer of Photography”. All four ambassadors to Belgium partook at the vernissage. 
Summer of Photography - Picture by Czech Embassy to Belgium
Summer of Photography – Picture by Czech Embassy to Belgium
The exhibition which is a part of the cultural activities organised by the Czech presidency of the Visegrád group will last until the end of August 2016 at the Czech Centre in Brussels.  For more information: Czech Centre Brussels: http://brussels.czechcentres.cz Visegrád Group: http://www.visegradgroup.eu

Colombia Embassy Dazzles on its National Day Celebration at Diligentia Theatre in The Hague

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Colombia Embassy Dazzles on its National Day Celebration at Diligentia Theatre in The Hague
Colombia Embassy Dazzles on its National Day Celebration at Diligentia Theatre in The Hague. On the picture H. E. Juan José Quintana and spouse, Maria Rosario Navia.   By Viviana Knorr. On Wednesday, 20 July at 7 p. m., H. E. Juan José Quintana, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to the Netherlands and Maria Rosario Navia transformed Diligentia Theatre in The Hague, into an intimate setting for Colombian Jazz to celebrate their national day. Ambassador Quintana remarked in his welcoming speech the importance of this year’s celebration as the country is about to end its war against FARC, “Something many Colombians for five generations are really looking forward to end.” For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157668583554294
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H.E. Mr. Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godinez, Ambassador of Costa Rica with the Ambassador of Colombia and spouse.
The concert’s program directed by Juan García-Herreros with the performance of his Colombian Jazz ensemble explored for the first time in the Netherlands, their own new arrangements transforming the evening into an original one surrounded by a distinguished audience as the Ambassadors from Mexico, Peru,  Chile, Ukraine, El Salvador, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Malaysia, Costa Rica and many others.
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H. E. Juan José Quintana, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia.
The ensemble opened up with a colourful lively performance called “Pequeña Samba” by García-Herreros. The following piece “Amo” by  Juan José Quintana, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia literally breathed life and sentiment. Through the entire performance the musicians gave an outstanding show capturing the audience emotion as each musician played with an almost tangible energy transmitting it to the spectators.
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Ambassador of Colombia and Maria Rosario Nava welcome Dr. Natalia Tymoshenko and H.E. Mr. Olexander Horin, Ambassador of Ukraine.
The next pieces were a mixed of mellow slower tempos with unique rhythmic variations. A highlight of the evening was the mini-duet between the bass and drums yet all musicians made creative use of each instrument playing as one. In the piece, “Balada para mis hijas,” García-Herreros flexed his own playing abilities where listeners could be seen enjoying the rhythms. The voice, flute, and organist also gave an impressive solo each one. The audience was surprised with a far from smooth transition into the “Colombian National Anthem” to wrap up the show as it opened with a flawless performance by Juan García-Herreros and his bass teasing the audience with quick changes in tempo and rhythm, repeatedly speeding up, and then slowing only to give the anthem rhythm. Truly an exciting performance. Overall the celebration was full of sentiment, colourful, and musical, but that should be expected in a Colombian National Day. A finger food reception followed the show.
Colombian faces at Diligencia.
Colombian faces at Diligentia Theatre.
   

Embassy Festival in The Hague opens doors to the world

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Embassy Festival in The Hague opens doors to the world
Australian Hammond virtuoso Lachy Doley & Irish pop duo Hudson Taylor are the first names to be announced. Diplomat Magazine is proud to announce that on Saturday September 3rd 2016, the fourth edition of the freely accessible Embassy Festival will take place at the Lange Voorhout in The Hague. The Embassy Festival offers visitors a journey through more than 25 different countries in only one day. Take a walk from Peru to Pakistan, cross over to Vietnam and walk around the corner to visit Kenya. The participating embassies will fill a pavilion with typical products from their countries, showcasing traditional dances or contributing to the musical program, on one of the two outdoor stages. embassy-266 - Copy At the Embassy Festival, you will come across a multitude of cultures. You will get a chance to witness performances by international talent you won’t want to miss. A variety of sensational acts, both modern and classic, will make a visit to the Embassy Festival, making it worthwhile for all music lovers. There are acts that have played at the Embassy festival, that are now thriving on big stages.
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Lachy Doley
Last year, the formation Con Brio from San Francisco played an impressive set at the Embassy Festival. It was only last weekend that they received great reviews from their performance at the renowned North Sea Jazz Festival. That is how quickly things can go, so make sure you visit the music stages on September 3rd as you might discover the next big thing. 013 - Copy Like previous years, you will be able to see surprising acts with great potential at the fourth edition of the Embassy Festival. The Australian ‘most celebrated Hammond artist’ Lachy Doley has been compared to Jimi Hendrix in his home country. Get inspired by Lachy Doley’s rock and blues sound, as well as his dark and raspy, but crystal-clear voice. The Irish pop duo Hudson Taylor have already earned recognition in Ireland with their EP ‘Battles’ hitting the charts. Now it’s time for them to conquer The Hague with their folky pop songs.
Akua Naru (Photography by Daniel Ziegert)
Akua Naru (Photography by Daniel Ziegert)
In addition to the music programme, the Embassy Festival aims to broaden our knowledge of the different cultures and their traditions through several activities that are set up in the ‘Creative Area’. There will also be a special programme for children. The ‘Country Pavilions’ offer visitors an opportunity to taste different flavours from all around the world. Feel, taste and discover an array of cultures. Experience all of this at the picturesque and stately décor of the Embassy Festival’s location, the Lange Voorhout. 180 The Hague is a truly international city. With the presence of the embassies, NGO’s and multinational corporations, the city is continuously connected to the world. The fourth edition of the Embassy Festival showcases a beautiful collection of international cultures that can be seen, heard and tasted. The Embassy Festival is organised by PROOOST, the agency that is also the driving force behind the successful ‘THE LIFE I LIVE’ festival. Diplomat Magazine has been a partner of Embassy Festival since the very first edition. The festival is financially supported by the Municipality of The Hague Economic Department and Office for International Affairs and receives the support of the official Representation of the European Commission in the Netherlands. EMBASSY FESTIVAL | SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 3rd 2016 | 12 – 8 PM LANGE VOORHOUT, THE HAGUE | FREE ADMISSION MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FESTIVAL: WWW.EMBASSYFESTIVAL.COM

The 11th edition of Thailand Grand Festival 2016

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The 11th edition of Thailand Grand Festival 2016

Ambassador Boonpracong and a Thai group during the event.

By Roy Lie A Tjam. The 11th edition of Thailand Grand Festival took place at “Plein” The Hague on 2-3 July 2016. The festival showcased elements of the Thai cultural and traditional activities such as Thai street food, Thai beverages including beers. Furthermore, traditional and contemporary music, dances; Muay Thai, handicraft and Thai wellbeing spa and herbs. Artists at the Thai Festival weekend: Akhira Thai Dance, Kru Maew, Khum Ponchai and some others. For a photo album, please open the following links: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157670724192542 https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157671390143885 https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157671282483836  
Ambassador Bompracong and a Thai group during the event.
Ambassador Boonpracong and a Thai group during the event.
  In his welcome remarks, H.E. Mr. Ittiporn Boonpracong, Ambassador of Thailand described how delighted and honored he was to welcome the audience once again to Thailand Grand Festival in the Netherlands. Several Ambassadors, friends of Thailand, Diplomats and members of international organisations, responded positively to the invitation to the Vin d’honneur to mark the opening of the 11th “Thailand Grand Festival” on 2 July 2016. The Ambassador continued, ” this is our biggest annual family event which has been held for eleven consecutive years The Thailand Grand Festival is the pride of the Thai community in the Netherlands. It serves primarily to promote people-to-people understanding between the Netherlands and Thailand as well as to strengthen the unity of the Thai community.” 13626393_1132134346838976_3633645618501530600_n[1] “The Royal Thai Embassy to the Netherlands attaches a great importance to the unity of people. There are over 20,000 Thais living and working in the Netherlands. The preparation of this event has proven that unity exists not only among Thai community in the Netherlands but also among Government’s offices overseas. In this connection, my heartfelt thank goes to the Office of Commercial Affairs in The Hague, the Office of Agricultural Affairs in Brussels and the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Paris for participating and for always being supportive of our events.” “This year is a remarkable year for Thai people as in Thailand we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of H.M. King’s accession to the throne on 9 June 2016 and H.M. Queen’s 84th birthday anniversary on 12 August altogether. Therefore, we have for you a touch of celebration, just like in Thailand, with an exhibition of H.M. King at our booth and also H.M. Queen’s color as our backdrop and the theme of the event.” 13585209_1132134333505644_6793402112511327072_o[1] Ambassador Ittiporn Boonpracong thanked all who came to join him at the opening reception of the festival. “It means a lot to me” he remarked. “I wish you stay longer to enjoy the rest of the event.” On the two days program featured: live music, Thai massage, muay Thai or Thai kickboxing show and many more cultural performances. Ambassador Ittiporn Boonpracong declared the eleventh Thailand Grand Festival open by striking a gong (Khong) A very large crowd listened to Ambassador Ittiporn Boonpracong welcome address. He wishes everyone a great day. Photography by Mr. Pornsith Pibulnakarintr and Ms. Watanya Singhasa from the Royal Thai Embassy in The Hague and Zohra Moazzam Khan from Diplomat Magazine. ​    

Al Bashir case

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Al Bashir case
Al Bashir case: ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II finds non-compliance of Uganda and Djibouti; refers matter to ASP and UN Security Council ​On 11 July 2016, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided that the Republics of Uganda and Djibouti had failed to comply with the request for arrest and surrender of Omar Al Bashir to the ICC and referred the matter to the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute and the United Nations Security Council. It is now up to them to take the measures they deem necessary regarding this matter. Omar Al Bashir is facing two ICC arrest warrants for five counts of crimes against humanity, two counts of war crimes and three counts of genocide. All States Parties to the Rome Statute have the obligation to execute the warrants of arrest against Mr Al Bashir. In two separate decisions, the Judges noted that Uganda and Djibouti did not arrest and surrender Omar Al Bashir while he was present on their territories to attend inauguration ceremonies in May 2016, thereby preventing the Court from exercising its functions and powers under the Rome Statute. Government authorities did not raise with the Court any problem they might have identified in the execution of the ICC’s requests for arrest and surrender. Decision on the non-compliance by the Republic of Uganda with the request to arrest and surrender Omar Al-Bashir to the Court and referring the matter to the United Nations Security Council and the Assembly of State Parties to the Rome Statute Decision on the non-compliance by the Republic of Djibouti with the request to arrest and surrender Omar Al-Bashir to the Court and referring the matter to the United Nations Security Council and the Assembly of the State Parties to the Rome Statute    

Strengthening European prosecution of IPR infringement

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Strengthening European prosecution of IPR infringement
On the picture Ms Michèle Coninsx, President of Eurojust.  Eurojust and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) signed on July 12, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further expand the existing fruitful collaboration to support European prosecutors working with cases concerning violations of intellectual property rights (IPRs). The MOU, signed at Eurojust headquarters in The Hague (Netherlands), will enable the further development of specific cooperation projects, such as joint seminars, training and intelligence, to support European prosecutors. In addition, the MoU reinforces the capacities of the European Intellectual Property Prosecutors Network (EIPPN) and formalises its role. The signature of this MoU coincides with the release of an EUIPO report on online business models infringing IPRs. The study shows that new business models have been developed to further exploit IPR infringement. Indeed, IPRs are systematically being misused as a way to disseminate malware, carry out illegal phishing and simple fraud to the detriment of society, businesses and the ordinary user of the Internet. Eurojust’s activities and casework in IPR, which is an EU crime priority, focused on identifying existing legal and judicial barriers within the Member States in the field of IPR. Building upon the excellent foundation for cooperation established by Mr László Venczl, National Member for Hungary and Eurojust contact point for intellectual property, Eurojust will further expand its cooperation with and support to EU prosecutors in dealing with cases involving IPR. The President of Eurojust, Ms Michèle Coninsx, said: ‘Eurojust is committed, together with EUIPO, to supporting a multi-disciplinary approach to fighting IPR, which is a growing threat to the EU and world economies.’ The Executive Director of the EUIPO, António Campinos, said: ‘The EUIPO is committed to continue investing its efforts to expand knowledge and good practices among prosecutors dealing with IPR infringement, and welcomes the development of the EIPPN created in 2015’.    

President Agius pays tribute to victims of Srebrenica genocide

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President Agius pays tribute to victims of Srebrenica genocide
President Carmel Agius is in Potočari, Bosnia and Herzegovina today to pay his respects to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide. Speaking at a solemn event to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the genocide, President Agius began by saluting the survivors and families of the victims and stressing their key role in preserving a lasting memory of the horrific events of July 1995. “A fundamental part of any reconciliation process is justice”, President Agius said, adding that “justice alone is not enough”. He pointed out that an open communication and exchange between ethnic groups are crucial for reconciliation. Members of different communities ought to jointly acknowledge the past, pay respect to victims and work together to ensure that such horrific crimes never happen again. Turning to the role of the Tribunal, President Agius underlined its significance in uncovering the truth about what happened in Srebrenica 21 years ago. “I stand before you proud that the ICTY has incontrovertibly established that genocide did occur here, in Srebrenica, in July 1995, and that it has prosecuted and convicted a number of key figures responsible for it.” He added that the Tribunal’s contribution has enabled decisive rejection of the attempts to deny what happened, strengthened determination to preserve the memory and helped efforts to strive for peace and reconciliation. “Only by fully acknowledging the past can we achieve a future of true and lasting reconciliation”, President Agius said. The victims of Srebrenica would only find peace “when they know they have not been forgotten; that their cruel and untimely death has somehow served to foster and secure a peaceful coexistence among all ethnic groups of this great country; that justice has been done; and that there is a commitment never to have another Srebrenica again”. The ICTY is the first international criminal tribunal to enter convictions for genocide in Europe. In April 2004, the Appeals Chamber of the Tribunal determined for the first time, in the proceedings against Radislav Krstić, that genocide was committed in Srebrenica in 1995, with the execution of more than 7,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys following the take-over of the town by Bosnian-Serb troops. In total, 20 individuals have been indicted by the Tribunal in relation to the events in Srebrenica and, to date, proceedings have been completed against 15 accused.

President Meron addresses Srebrenica Commemoration

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President Meron addresses Srebrenica Commemoration
The Tribunal Remembers: The Srebrenica Genocide (1995 – 2015) Arusha, The Hague, 11 July – As part of the commemoration of the 21st anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, the President of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT), Judge Theodor Meron, paid his respects to the victims and delivered remarks at the Potočari memorial in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In his address, President Meron spoke about the power of memory and recalled the role and words of Elie Wiesel, the vocal human rights advocate and Holocaust survivor, who passed away just over a week ago. Wiesel, said President Meron, spent a lifetime fighting against injustice and indifference, and viewed memory as “a sacred duty of all people of goodwill”. “[A]s we gather here, paying our solemn respects to the fathers and husbands, brothers and sons, and all of the other victims of the horrifying events at Srebrenica, we are not only paying tribute to the thousands of individuals who were deeply loved and who have tragically been lost,” stated President Meron. “By returning to this place year after year, to this stark sea of marble and remembrance, we are also building an extraordinary monument to memory”, he added.  
Judge Theodor-Meron.
Judge Theodor-Meron.
He also noted that courts like the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the MICT can also have a crucial role in preserving memory of the most heinous crimes, such as those committed in Srebrenica in July 1995. These courts create an unparalleled record of events and through their proceedings and rulings contribute to the preservation of memory. In closing, the President paid tribute to those who have done so much to preserve the memory of the genocide and their efforts “to speak out against indifference or denial, and to do their utmost to ensure that future generations shall learn from our terrible past and never again repeat it.”

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