On the picture H.E. Alexander Shulgin, Ambassador of Russia.By Joe Ray.February 10 occupies a special position in the Russian diplomatic calendar. Since 2002, it has been celebrated as Diplomats’ Day, an opportunity for the nation to celebrate its foreign service and recognise the work carried out by Russian diplomats around the world.To mark Diplomats’ Day 2016, H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin, Russian Ambassador to the Netherlands, and his wife Mrs. Natalia Shulgina hosted a reception at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in The Hague. For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157664544139446H.E. Ambassador Alexander Shulgin, Natalia Shulgina spouse of the Ambassador and H.E. Mr. Ahmet Üzümcü, Director-General, OPCW.Attendees included the Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Brazil, India, Kazakhstan and South Africa, as well as the Director-General of the OPCW and senior legal figures from The Hague’s international courts and tribunals, among others.Ambassador Shulgin began his welcoming remarks by offering guests an insight into the history of his country’s diplomatic corps. The foundations of Russian diplomacy were laid more than a 1000 years ago, he explained, when a delegation from Ancient Russia led by Princess Olga successfully conducted negotiations with the Byzantine Empire.Natalia Shulgina, H.E. Alexander Shulgin and H.E. Piragibe Dos Santos Tarrago Ambassador of Brazil.“Today,” continued the Ambassador, “we know that the world is not safe. We are faced with many problems and challenges, among them the rise of terrorism, the dangers of climate change and the existence of multiple conflict hotbeds around the world. Diplomats of all countries must work intensively to face these challenges together and to jointly address the world’s problems.”“We are very proud to have contributed, in close cooperation with our colleagues from other countries, to achieving the historical agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme; carrying out Syrian chemical disarmament; and signing the international agreement on climate change. But some problems are still waiting to be addressed.”“We are very concerned about the Syrian crisis, and we are still awaiting the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. There is a long road ahead when it comes to dealing with these problems. We hope that international cooperation will proceed in a civilised way, with each country taking into account the interests of other countries. We should proceed on the basis of international law with respect for the central role of the United Nations.”H.E. Mr. J.S. Mukul, Ambassador of India, his spouse Mrs. Mita Mukul.“We believe we should cooperate on an equal footing and on a mutually beneficial basis. And indeed, if we proceed from both these premises, we are certain that we will be able to overcome all of these difficulties and together meet the world’s many challenges. We have no doubt that this noble goal may be achieved by our common efforts.”Following the Ambassador’s speech, guests enjoyed an evening of fine Russian cuisine and traditional music performed by Irina Pozdnyakova and Arkadiy Gankin.Information:Embassy of the Russian Federation in The Hague http://www.netherlands.mid.ru/
On the picture H.E. Ahmet Üzümcü Director-General OPCW.OPCW Day 2016 (2-4 May) “Chemical Safety and Security in a Technologically Evolving World” – Conference now open for registrations.
At its twentieth session held in 2015, the Conference of the States Parties adopted a decision to designate 29 April – the date of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention – as the “International Day for the Foundation of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)” or “OPCW Day”.
In order to mark this important occasion, the Technical Secretariat is organising an event to celebrate the inaugural OPCW Day from 2 to 4 May 2016 at OPCW Headquarters. The theme for the event will be “Chemical Safety and Security in a Technologically Evolving World”. The OPCW Day 2016 is the first event in a series of Conferences and Exhibitions, which the Technical Secretariat will be organising in the coming years, to commemorate the foundation of the Organisation.
“As we celebrate the foundation of the OPCW, we create a vision for its future in a technologically evolving world. Most importantly, the event will help us build new and better partnerships and to harness the power of innovation to meet new and emerging challenges,” said OPCW Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü.
This year’s event seeks to gather stakeholders from across relevant communities to discuss three themes – chemical safety and security, technology foresight, and future scenarios – that are relevant to the work and the future of the Organisation.
In addition to theme-specific panel discussions, workshops and briefings, the Conference will feature a dedicated exhibition area and poster sessions. The exhibition will include companies in the field of CBRNE-related equipment or products, developers of emerging and enabling technologies with chemical applications, and the designated laboratories of the OPCW.
The OPCW Day 2016 will also feature poster sessions and an interactive poster competition. The posters, which will be on display at the Conference, should showcase the participants’ work in areas of relevance to the OPCW and the CWC. The three best posters – identified through a vote by conference participants – will be awarded a prize.
Participants are invited to register on the conference website by 31 March 2016. The deadline for submission of abstracts for the poster sessions is scheduled for 31 March and requests for the reservation of exhibition booths can be submitted until 29 February.
Additional information about the event, including the provisional agenda, the reservation of exhibition space, and the submission of abstracts for poster proposals, is available at the designated conference website: http://www.opcwday.org/. The conference team can be contacted at: opcwday@opcw.org.
Photography by OPCW.
On the picture HE Ambassador Lidija Topić with European Council President Donald Tusk. Picture by EU By Baron Henri Estramant.Brussels, 15 February 2016: Bosnia and Herzegovina has formally applied to join the 28 member states European Union.Bosnia’s move comes more than two decades after it emerged from a three-year conflict that cost about 100,000 lives, when Yugoslavia fragmented. Integration with Europe is seen as a way to help Bosnia’s economy and overcome its reputation for corruption that scares off investors.Last March 2015, EU foreign ministers and Bosnia and Herzegovina signed a “Stabilisation and Association Agreement” that had been on hold since 2008, paving the way for the application.Dragan Čović, chairman of Bosnia’s tripartite presidency, submitted the application to Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, whose country currently holds the six-month EU rotating presidency. Tough the application has been submitted, it is sure that Bosnia and Herzegovina will not join the EU within the next few years. Moreover a new expansion cannot take place before 2019. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a mission to the EU in Brussels led by HE Ambassador Lidija Topić, one to The Netherlands represented by HE Ambassador Ahmet Halilović in The Hague, and to Belgium and Luxembourg in Brussels with an incumbent Chargé d’Affaires, Minister Counsellor Nemin Mešinović.
For more information:Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Belgium and Luxembourg: www.bhembassy.be/Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Netherlands: http://eng.bhembassy.nl/naslovna.php
On the picture HE Mme Michaëlle Jean Secretary-General of La Francophonie.By Jure Kralj.
Thursday, 11 February 2016, Press Club, Brussels: The initiative comes as a response to a dwindling use of the French language in European institutions, and in particular in press communications and documents made available to journalists.
The opening event was opened by the Secretary-General of La Francophonie, HE Mme Michaëlle Jean accompanied by La Francophonie’s Permanent Representative to the EU, HE Ambassador Dr.Stéphane López. Other prominent speakers included the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, or French bilateral ambassador to Belgium, HE Ambassador Claude-France Arnould. French Ambassador Claude-France Arnould
Amongst the prominent attendees were the US Head of Mission to the EU, HE Ambassador Anthony L. Gardner (himself a Francophone), the Permanent Representatives of France to the EU, HE Ambassador Pierre Sellal as well as a plethora of ambassadors from the countries members of La Francophonie.
The President of the European Commission stressed the cultural dimension of languages, transcending aspects pertaining purely to the transfer of information, and has stated that spokespersons were given instructions concerning the use of the three working languages of the European Union.
For more information
La Francophonie and its permanent representations: http://www.francophonie.org/Representations-permanentes.html
Permanent Representation of La Francophonie to the EU (HE Ambassador Dr. Stéphane López): http://www.francophonie.org/inauguration-Club-presse-francophone-Bruxelles-46717.html
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Pictures by French Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium
On the picture Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete. Implementing Energy Union: The Commission presents energy security package.The European Commission today unveiled a package of energy security measures to equip the EU for global energy transition to address possible energy supply interruptions.
Energy security dimension is one of the cornerstones of the Energy Union strategy, a key political priority of the Juncker Commission.
The package sets out a wide range of measures to strengthen the EU’s resilience to gas supply disruptions. These measures include moderating energy demand, increasing energy production in Europe (including from renewables), further developing a well-functioning and fully integrated internal energy market, as well as diversification of energy sources, suppliers and routes. Further, the proposals bring more transparency to the European energy market and create more solidarity between the Member States.
Today’s energy security package is presented in the light of the new global and universal agreement on climate change, adopted by world leaders on 12 December 2015 in Paris. The Paris agreement sent a strong signal to businesses and policy-makers placing clean energy on an irreversible pathway and setting the scene for a global energy transition.
Vice-President responsible for Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič said: “The Energy Union Strategy, launched one year ago, promised to provide all Europeans with energy which is secure, sustainable, and competitive. Today’s package focuses on the security of our supply, but touches upon all three overarching goals. By reducing our energy demand, and better managing our supply from external sources we are delivering on our promise and enhancing the stability of Europe’s energy market.”
Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete said: “After the gas crises of 2006 and 2009 that left many millions out in the cold, we said: ‘Never again’. But the stress tests of 2014 showed we are still far too vulnerable to major disruption of gas supplies. And the political tensions on our borders are a sharp reminder that this problem will not just go away. Today’s proposals are about a reliable, competitive and flexible system in which energy flows across borders and consumers reap the benefits. They are about standing together to protect the most vulnerable. And they are about securing our clean energy future: I can assure that our commitment to a clean energy transition is irreversible and non-negotiable.”What does the package adopted by the Commission consist of?
Security of Gas Supply Regulation
Gas plays a role in the transition to a low-carbon economy and remains important in the EU energy mix. However the existing external dependence requires the EU to strengthen the resilience of its markets when confronted by gas supply disruptions. To reap full benefits of liquid and competitive market it is necessary to enhance the transparency on EU gas market. To address this fragility of the system, the Commission proposes a shift from national approach to a regional approach when designing security of supply measures. Further, the proposal introduces a solidarity principle among Member States to ensure the supply of households and essential social services, such as healthcare, in case their supply was affected due to a severe crisis.
A decision on Intergovernmental Agreements in energy
The EU needs to ensure that intergovernmental agreements signed by its Member States with third countries and relevant to EU gas security are more transparent and fully comply with EU law. To that end it introduces an ex-ante compatibility check by the Commission. This ex-ante assessment makes it possible to check compliance with competition rules and internal energy market legislation before the agreements are negotiated, signed and sealed. The Member States will have to take full account of the Commission’s opinion ahead of signing the agreements.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas storage strategy
Europe is the biggest importer of natural gas in the world. Europe’s overall LNG import capacity is significant – currently it is enough to meet around 43% of total current gas demand (2015). However, significant regional disparities as regards access to LNG remain. The Commission sets a liquefied natural gas (LNG) strategy that will improve access of all Member States to LNG as an alternative source of gas. The central elements of this strategy are building the strategic infrastructure to complete the internal energy market and identifying the necessary projects to end single-source dependency of some of the Member States.
Heating and Cooling strategy
The heating and cooling of buildings and industry consumes half of the EU’s energy. Further, it is 75% powered by fossil fuels. The proposed Heating and Cooling strategy focuses on removing barriers to decarbonisation in buildings and industry. It also stresses that increased energy efficiency and use of renewables will have an impact on energy security. Looking into this sector more strategically is crucial as the EU wants to improve its interdependence from external suppliers.
Background
One of the priorities of the Juncker Commission is the creation of a resilient European Energy Union with a forward looking climate change policy. The goal of the European Energy Union, as set out in the Framework Strategy[1] of last February, is to give EU consumers – households and businesses – secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy. This will require a fundamental transition of our energy landscape. It provides an opportunity for further innovation in the sector, thereby contributing to creating jobs and growth in the EU and protecting our environment. The Commission makes a strong call to the European Parliament and the Council to turn today’s proposals into legislation very quickly as a matter of priority to increase Europe’s resilience to potential energy disruptions.
Security of supply is one of the five interlinked and mutually dependant dimensions of the Energy Union. Key drivers of energy security are the completion of the internal market and more efficient energy consumption, but the EU’s energy security is also closely linked with the energy policy choices of its neighbours.
Photography By Georgi Gotev EurActiv.com
European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management , Mr. Christos Stylianides, photography EU.EU launches new European Medical Corps to respond faster to emergencies
The European Union launches today the European Medical Corps to help mobilise medical and public health teams and equipment for emergencies inside and outside the EU
Through the European Medical Corps, EU Member States and other European countries participating in the system can make medical teams and assets available for rapid deployment before an emergency strikes – thus ensuring a faster and more predictable response.
The medical corps could include emergency medical teams, public health and medical coordination experts, mobile biosafety laboratories, medical evacuation planes and logistical support teams.
“The aim of the European Medical Corps is to create a much faster and more efficient EU response to health crises when they occur. We need to learn the lessons from the Ebola response; a key difficulty was mobilising medical teams. I thank all the Member States that have already contributed so far, and encourage others to join so the EU’s response will be able to meet increasing needs and will allow for better planning and preparation before any disaster.” said Commissioner Christos Stylianides who is hosting today’s high-level inauguration event in Brussels.
The framework for the European Medical Corps is part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism’s new European Emergency Response Capacity (otherwise known as the ‘voluntary pool’). So far Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands have already committed teams and equipment to the voluntary pool.
A key difficulty during the Ebola virus outbreak response was the quick deployment of medical staff, as well as the logistical and management challenges which increased as a result. This led Germany and France in late 2014 to propose the “White Helmets” initiative, which laid the foundations. The European Medical Corps is now part of the European Emergency Response Capacity.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism facilitates cooperation in disaster response among 33 European states (28 EU Member States, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Montenegro, Norway and Serbia). Turkey is also in the process of joining the Mechanism. These participating states pool the resources that can be made available to disaster-stricken countries all over the world. When activated, the Mechanism coordinates the provision of assistance inside and outside the European Union. The European Commission manages the Mechanism through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre.
In an effort to step up the EU’s preparedness and response to disasters, the European Emergency Response Capacity (‘voluntary pool’) was created in 2014, bringing together a range of pre-committed relief teams and equipment, for deployment in emergency response operations all over the world.
The European Medical Corps will also be Europe’s contribution to the Global Health Emergency Workforce being set up under the helm of the World Health Organisation.
ICC-Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, participated in the 52nd Munich Security Conference to discuss the contribution of international criminal justice to international security and conflict prevention.
15 February 2016 – The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC”), Mrs Fatou Bensouda, participated in the 52nd Munich Security Conference (“MSC”) held in Munich, Germany from the 12th to the 14th of February. The Conference, chaired by Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, assembled leaders from around the world to debate the state of international security and and related challenges. The MSC, the largest independent high-level forum of its kind, is attended by Heads of States, Governments and international organisations; Ministers; high-ranking members of the Armed Forces and representatives of business, science, civil society and the media.
The Prosecutor’s participation highlights the important role international criminal justice plays in international security and in supporting efforts aimed at conflict prevention and ensuring that when armed conflict does arise, it is conducted within the framework of international law.
During her opening remarks at the panel discussion on human security, Prosecutor Bensouda stressed the intrinsic links between accountability for atrocity crimes on one side, and prevention and protection of civilians on the other. “It is my firm conviction that the law can be an important guarantor of human security. The ICC and domestic judicial mechanisms have important roles to play in this regard. Accountability matters to sustainable peace and stability, and is key to averting the vicious cycle of violence and retribution” she stated.
The Prosecutor further noted that the emergence of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC, has underscored the primary responsibility of States to investigate and prosecute atrocity crimes as the first bulwark of protection of citizens during war and conflict. She further added that “[t]hrough its work, the ICC can also promote a more systematic compliance with international humanitarian law norms by all actors involved in the conflict, as well as serve as a means of protection.”
On the margins of the Conference, Prosecutor Bensouda held a number of productive bilateral meetings with senior officials from States, intergovernmental organizations and civil society to advance the work of her Office and further mainstream the mandate of the ICC, as well as to ensure enhanced coordination and mutual cooperation between her Office and relevant external partners that play a role in the management of crises and conflict. The Prosecutor met, inter alia, with H.E. Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (“UN”); H.E. Mr. Lamberto Zannier, Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (“OSCE”); H.E. Mr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (“GCC”); H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan, Chairman of The Kofi Annan Foundation and former UN Secretary General; H.E. Mr. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia along with Ministers of Defence and Justice of the Georgian government; H.E. Mr. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt; and H.E. Mr Børge Brende, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway.
Information:https://www.icc-cpi.int/en_menus/icc/structure%20of%20the%20court/office%20of%20the%20prosecutor/Pages/office%20of%20the%20prosecutor.aspx
On the picture H. E. Dr. Alireza Jahangiri, Ambassador of Iran.By Roy Lie A Tjam.Hundreds honored the invitation by the Ambassador of the Islamic republic of Iran Dr. Alireza Jahangiri to join him at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Thursday 11 February 2016 to celebrate Iran’s Revolution Day. The event marked the 37th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, described by the Ambassador as a glorious revolution, that ousted the Pahlavi dynasty which had ruled Iran (Persia) for decades. The evening commenced with a rendition of the national anthem of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, followed by that of the Islamic Republic of Iran. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Alireza Jahangiri subsequently took to the stage to address the assembled guests. For additional pictures on Iran 37 Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in The Hague, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157662345734924His Excellency Sayyid Mohammed bin Harib bin Abdullah Al Said Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman and H. E. Dr. Alireza Jahangiri.Part of his speech is reproduced below.“At the presidential election in 2013, the people of Iran voted for Dr. Hassan Rouhani’s approach. The heart of this approach is to create a spirit of improving sustained cooperation with the international community, in order to eliminate past misunderstandings. Two years of tough negotiations and a marathon final session on the peaceful nuclear program between the Islamic Republic of Iran and P5+1 countries, resulted in signing and adopting the agreement in July and October 2015 as well as its implementation on January 16, 2016. It was the victory of using Iran’s traditional smart power with public diplomacy and soft power and adopting a win-win strategy. Achieving this significant agreement was based on pursuing Iran’s legitimate rights including safeguarding the achievements of peaceful nuclear technology. In addition, the approval of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the abolishment of the six United Nations Security Council sanction resolutions were not only a successful example of interaction and dialogue rather than using pressure and sanction, but also well demonstrated the miracle of diplomacy. Having recognized the flourishing capacity of Iran’s trade and economic prosperity as well as its constructive role as the trusted and influential major player in the region, the international community has been instrumental in taking a comprehensive approach to strengthening relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is worth mentioning that during last two years, more than one hundred high-ranking delegations from around the world, including Europe and in particular the Kingdom of the Netherlands, have traveled to Tehran.” ”I would like to point out that the historical relations between our two countries which goes back to almost four hundred years, has entered into a new phase after the official visit by H.E. Mr. Bert Koenders, the Minister of Foreign Affairs to my country in September 2015. Due to Iran’s huge oil and gas potential, the first offshore oil and gas forum was held in The Netherlands last October in which a hundred Iranian, Dutch and European representatives have taken part to identify common capacities and areas of future cooperation in order to promote all our reciprocal business interests. Meanwhile, H.E. Mr. Kamp, the Minister of Economic Affairs whom accompanied by a large economic delegation attended the third Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Tehran and also had discussions on economic and trade cooperation with high ranking Iranian officials last November. During the year 2015, bilateral academic, cultural and tourism relations expanded due to a large number of Dutch nationals visiting various historical and ancient sites. They also observed the political, economic and social progress in my country and experienced warm hospitality. ””Having congratulated the Dutch Government on taking the presidency of the European Union, I would like to take this opportunity to announce our readiness to cooperate on the issues of priorities for the rotating EU presidency in combating terrorism and violence, solving political unrest and armed conflict, maintaining global peace and security as well as providing access to reliable sources of energy. Since the current security situation jeopardizes future economic growth and is a high priority of concern to the international community, the Islamic Republic of Iran is of the view that extremism, terrorism, Takfiri mentality and sectarianism are common challenges which threaten all of us, and require our collective response.” H.E. Mr. Jan Borkowski, Ambassador of Poland and Ambassador Jahangiri.Following the speech by H.E. Dr. Alireza Jahangiri Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, an Iranian buffet was served.Information: http://www.iranianembassy.nl/
