The 11th edition of Thailand Grand Festival 2016

Editor
-
0
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

Editor
-
0
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

Editor
-
0
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

Editor
-
0
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

Editor
-
0
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.”

Kwibohora22

Editor
-
0
Kwibohora22
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 Rwandese dancers 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. Kwibo 22 C “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”.
Kwibo 22 D
Kwibo 22 D
  Photography courtesy of the Embassy  of Rwanda

Venezuela National Day 2016

Editor
-
0
Venezuela National Day 2016
H. E. Ms. Haifa Aissami Madah  and Mr. Wilhen Díaz Lara. By Roy Lie A Tjam. The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in The Hague, celebrated the country’s two hundred and fifth year of its Independence. Venezuela was one of the first Spanish-American colonies to declare independence. The Chargé d’Affaires Mr. Wilhen Díaz Lara, of the Venezuelan Embassy, organized a reception at the Marriott Hotel on 5 July 2016 to commemorate this very significant event. For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157668022639293
IMG_3838
H.E. Agung Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia, the Ambassador of Malasia, H.E. Ahmad Nazri Yusof, the Ambassador of Algeria, H. E. Nourredine Ayadi, H.E. Taher Farahat, Ambassador of Egypt and Mrs Abir Ali, Charge d’affairs du Lebanon.
Large numbers of ambassadors, diplomats, Dutch civil servants and many others, came out to congratulate Chargé d’Affaires Mr. Wilhen Díaz Lara and H. E. Ms. Haifa Aissami Madah of the Permanent Mission of Venezuela to the OPCW-ICC. on this memorable day.
IMG_3833
H.E. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Ambassador of Morocco, H. E. Karim Ben Becher, Ambassador of Tunisia and the Ambassador of Algeria, H. E. Nourredine Ayadi.
The Venezuelan duo, singer Elena Gil and guitarist Enrique Pinto, again stole the hearts of the audience. The repertoire consisted of popular Venezuelan and international songs.
IMG_3846
The Ambassador of Australia, H.E. Brett Mason, H. E. J. S. Mukul, Ambassador of India and H.E. Petar Vico, Ambassador of Serbia.

DM Fostering FDI in Manitoba

Editor
-
0
DM Fostering FDI in Manitoba
National and international entrepreneurs subscribed with Diplomat Magazine in the Netherlands, will start fostering missions and business envoys to southern Manitoba, Canada to invest in Aboriginal First Nation lands. The move encloses the support from the Government of Canada as well as provincial authorities, the private sector and aboriginal chiefs.  

New DM Printed Edition

Editor
-
0
New DM Printed Edition
By John Kennedy Stewart. Discover the state-of-the-art publication on international relations and diplomacy in the Netherlands. Welcome to our recent printed edition available at no charge on PDF:   https://issuu.com/diploflying/docs/dm.summer.2016 Diplomat Magazine has been  recognized by key European universities and marketing strategists as the fastest growing diplomatic publication in Europe, reaching so far 70,000+ clicks per month on this Online version, apart from its top quality printed-luxury version. The magazine recently received the recognition from four Dutch academic centers specialized in diplomacy and social sciences, for its outstanding contribution to research on international relations.  As per recommendation of Dr. Eugenio Matos G, one of our diplomat founders and researchers, the magazine has offered the opportunity to non-diplomats (including Dutch citizens without international relations background, students and NGOs) to be introduced to members of the diplomatic corps. The gesture has allowed them to develop their own business projects, to be hired by embassies or international organizations, enhance their CVs or better achieve their academic or personal goals. In June, 2016, members of the staff of Diplomat Magazine celebrated its 3rd anniversary at The Hague Marriot Hotel. First contributing writers founders of Diplomat Magazine were:
 H.E. Carlos Jose Arguello, Ambassador of  Nicaragua, Dean of the Diplomatic corps. H.E. Roberto Canzadilla, Ambassador of Bolivia, vice-Dean of the Diplomatic corps. H.E. James Lambert, Ambassador of Canada. H.E. Huynh Minh Chinh, Ambassador of Vietnam. H.E. Martin Valentino, Ambassador of Malta. H.E. Yasumasa Nagamine,  Ambassador of Japan and  Dr. Eugenio Matos Gomez, DM’ strategist and project manager, Charge d’affaires a.i. of the Dominican Republic Embassy,  (currently Minister Counselor in Buenos Aires, Argentina). —— The author is an international relations researcher. 

President Pavlopoulos Official visit to the Netherlands

Editor
-
0
President Pavlopoulos Official visit to the Netherlands
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,  4-5th 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
President of Greece Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos at the Hellenic residence during a visit to The Hague, Netherlands. During the visit a replica of a bust of Artistotele was presented to the University of Leiden
Mr. Win Weijland, Director of the National Archeological Museum in Leiden and Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos, President of Greece at the Hellenic residence during a visit to The Hague, Netherlands. A bust of Artistotele was presented to the University of Leiden
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.
President of Greece Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos at the Hellenic residence during a visit to The Hague, Netherlands. During the visit a replica of a bust of Artistotele was presented to the University of Leiden
President of Greece Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos at his arrival the Hellenic residence in The Hague.
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.
President of Greece Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos at the Hellenic residence during a visit to The Hague, Netherlands. During the visit a replica of a bust of Artistotele was presented to the University of Leiden
President of Greece Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos at the Hellenic residence during his official visit to the Netherlands.
“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.    
1...648649650...894Page 649 of 894