Pictured H. E. Willys Del Valle, Ambassador of Panama.  By Viviana Knorr. This year on 24 May at the Dutch port of Rotterdam in the installations of Nhow, H. E. Willys Delvalle Ambassador of Panama, visited Panama Invest Rotterdam 2016 event. “Our history encompasses a land of commerce and transit, and above all, Panama is a nation of a welcoming dialog aiming to open its doors to visitors”, —H. E. Willys Del Valle Ambassador of Panama. Investment and promotion of business potential in Panama was the aim that gathered specific Dutch sector investors with Panama’s government to impulse participation in potential ventures in the Central American nation. For additional Kim Vermaat pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157668819471626   Further H. E. Willys Del Valle Ambassador of Panama highlighted about the dynamic tourism activities that since long have been an imperative pilar of national interest for growth during his speech. CFO Phillips Herman Hanssen not only stressed the importance to attract Dutch investment with the Panamanian government as fruitful exchange for job opportunities, but also provided information and further viable developments to be able to handle investments successfully. Mr. Hanssen shared about the experience of Phillips building its regional hub with local certified talents. Panama Invest Rotterdam 2016 had a schedule of live panel sessions providing information also on technological and institutional innovation for potential investors and traders on logistics and multimodal services, maritime and auxiliary services, the Panama Canal, as information on the Colon Free Zone. Apart from learning about some of the latest trade developments in the Central American nation, there were also opportunities to questions and answers, a networking lunch and drinks sessions to get a glimpse on the consensus on a one-on-one view and know further about the locations where Dutch investment could develop as a fantastic opportunity to learn first hand, from the delegates, speakers, and exhibitors.    

Pictured ambassadors of Thailand, Russia, Hungary, Pakistan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, India, Afghanistan, Sweden, Peru, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Turkey, together with the Mayor of Delft, Hanos General Manager and Diplomat Magazine publisher. By Viviana Knorr. On Saturday 21 May at midday, under Dutch spring sunshine, fifteen embassies and their world-renowned cuisines gathered to spark up their grills, woks, and hotplates, at HANOS Food Wholesaler installations in Delft for the 1st Diplomats Gastronomic Festival. Ambassadors, diplomats and invitees appeared to savour a unique food scenery full of festive delights initiated by Diplomats Magazine’s publisher Dr. Mayelinne De Lara together with Hanos General Manager, Frans Kieftenbeld, Marloes Mos, Manager and their team. For a complete album from our photographers Hester Dijsktra and Marian van Noort, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157668866183135 Video by Mirza Kamram ”I’m honoured because the ambassadors of Afghanistan, Argentina, Chile, Hungary, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, supported our idea and made possible the first-ever Diplomats Food Festival in The Netherlands.  I’m proud because today we are building -Diplomat Magazine and the embassies working together with the private sector,- an event that will mark a new way of commercial diplomacy in this country.”, said Dr. De Lara before presenting the fifteen ambassadors to the public.

During the opening ceremony, Mr Kieftenbeld made a visual presentation of Hanos and its multiples departments ”enriched by 116,000 products coming from more than 34 countries”. The Mayor of Delft Mr Bas Verkerk also welcomed everyone to his city and expressed how impressed he was by the authentic attention of the ambassadors and the quality of food exposed. Each ambassador presented their cuisine, talked about their unique products and invited the guests to seize the opportunity to taste their food and exchange impressions with their chefs.

Cooks and chefs surrounded by plenty chairs and tables with attendees enjoying their freshly made dishes were the perfect frame making the event the place to be for an unparalleled Saturday foodie-fun afternoon. ”It is the highest standard of international gastronomic festival  we have ever experienced in the Netherlands, regarding the quality of food, presentation and venue”  said a group of attendees.

HANOS 1st Diplomats Gastronomic Festival was overwhelmingly good where participants were walking around and comfortably sample the fantastic dishes that each of the fifteen nations had to offer. Traditional drink bars were busy with attendees who could sit away and soak up the delicious atmosphere.

Cookery masterclass demonstrations followed after the speeches of each of the ambassadors whose dishes where present: Argentina’s savoury stewed empanadas, Thailand’s elegant night meal Beef Massama by the renowned Iron prized chef Chef, Assoc. Prof. Dr Surachai Jewcharoensakul, Mexico’s rich culinary heritage was delivered by chef Edwin Méndez with a world known Xocolatl mixture established as Mole Poblano.

Turkey followed with an Ottoman favourite nutty Adana Kebab & kunefe, to finally wrap up, with Peru’s delights distinctive touch to highlight thanks to the vastness of the country and its Ceviche by chef Alberto Lara. Dutch gin from Schiedam, Sweden’s salmon dishes prepared by chef Marcus Johansson, Russian pastries and vodka, Hungary’s millenary wines, sausages, paprika and Quark’s dessert transported us from pre-columbian dishes to current modern fusion flavours thanks to the magic of the ingredients served. Never the least, Afghanistan, Argentina, Chile, Hungary, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Vietnam had an unparalleled array from top wines and the very best of world-know delicacies, to new recipes to discover.

One of the objectives of HANOS 1st Diplomats Gastronomic Festival is to impulse the channels of importers and distributor exchanges between some of the world’s culinary cultures and the Dutch market. This great event was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and Diplomatic Card. Looking forward our Second Diplomats Gastronomic Festival 2017, on Saturday May 20th.  

           

Pictured President Theodor Meron. By Roy Lie A Tjam. On the bright day of 24 May 2016, the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT) hosted a well attended briefing for the Diplomatic Community in The Hague. After the briefing the panel took a few questions. A press release issued by the MICT, is hereto attached. The Hague, 24 May 2016 – The Principals of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) today held a briefing attended by approximately 100 members of The Hague and Brussels diplomatic community. President Theodor Meron, Prosecutor Serge Brammertz and Registrar John Hocking outlined the Mechanism’s role and functions and briefed representatives on recent activities.

The Principals underlined the fact that the Mechanism is currently in a period of intense judicial activity, handling a number of cases stemming from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), including one case currently at pre-trial (Stanišić and Simatović) and two cases on appeal following their respective ICTY trial judgements (Karadžić and Šešelj). The Principals also discussed the future of the Mechanism’s operations, especially in light of the approaching closure of the ICTY, and expressed their gratitude to States for their continuing support. President Meron first welcomed the diplomatic corps, highlighting the importance of State cooperation and support for the Mechanism. Discussing the institutional character of the Mechanism, President Meron emphasized its innovative nature, adding that “the Mechanism will be able to stand as a new model of international court: one that is leaner and more efficient, while continuing to meet the highest international standards of due process.” 

Prosecutor Serge Brammertz outlined the key priorities for his Office in the upcoming period, namely expeditiously litigating trials and appeals, tracking remaining fugitives of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), assisting national courts prosecuting war crimes, and managing the Office’s work in a cost-efficient manner. Registrar Hocking offered a status update of the activities and achievements of the Registry. Explaining how the Mechanism has remained true to the Security Council’s vision for a small and efficient institution, he emphasized how “efficiency has not just meant savings. Savings have gone side by side with the fulfillment of our goals.” 

Pictured H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal and spouse Dr Dilruba Nasrin. By Roy Lie A Tjam. The auditorium of the Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague served as the venue for a solo art exhibition from 19 to 23 May 2016. Mr. Istiaque Ahmed, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Bangladesh, welcomed the Ambassadors and other guests to the inauguration of an exhibition by Bangladeshi artist Khurshid Saleem, who has been residing in the USA for many years. For additional Jan van der Loos’ picturs, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157668470606792

Subsequently, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands, officially opened the exhibition. In his inaugural speech Ambassador Belal recounted the time he met Mr. Khurshid Saleem during his stint in Washington D.C. The Ambassador was delighted to see his long-held desire to organize an exhibition featuring Mr. Saleem finally materializing in The Hague. In his address to guests, the Ambassador introduced the rich heritage and culture of Bangladesh to the audience. Describing Bangladesh as a melting pot of races, Ambassador Belal shared his perspective on how the deep rooted heritage of Bangladesh was reflected in the country’s architecture, literature, dance, drama, music and painting. “Like a colourful montage, the cultural tradition of Bangladesh is a happy blend of many variants, unique in diversity but in essence greatly symmetrical,” the Ambassador observed.

Mr. Khurshid Saleem in his remarks thanked the audience and expressed his gratitude for having his works on display in the Netherlands – a country of many artistic masters. Mr. Saleem also thanked the Embassy for the initiative. He briefly walked through the evolution of Bangladeshi art in the modern era. “Art for me – like nature itself – is a source of hope and inspiration. By bringing this internalized experience out on the canvas, I invite my viewers to imbue themselves with the same exhilaration and promise,” he explained. Saleem, mainly deals with majestic nature in an abstract way. He finds inspiration in the tiniest details of nature: a drop of rain water, a falling autumn leaf or an stoke of white in a blue sky. He consciously depicts nature in high-pitched colours to bring a new tune, sing a new song or tell a new story. His art primarily depicts humanism in all its shades and colours. Khurshid Alam Saleem, affectionately referred to as the bimurto shilpi, is not only a recognized freelance painter based in USA, but his creative works also took him in the land of Forbidden City in 2008. Mr. Saleem represented both Bangladesh and the USA in the Beijing Olympic Art Exhibition 2008, which nominated 300 artists from 80 countries across the world as “Excellent Artists of the World.” Each artist was given an Olympic gold medal, a representation of an Olympic torch and a certificate. Mr. Saleem’s painting, “Forbidden City Colour and Olympics” made it to the final selection. The Ambassadors of Croatia, India and Palestine to the Netherlands, EU representative to the OPCW, IOM representatives, art lovers from the diplomatic corps, local dignitaries, members of the press and media and the members of the Bangladesh community were all in attendance at the reception that followed the official opening.

Pictured Agustin Vazquez Gomez, Minister Counsellor of El Salvador, H. E. Aida Luz Santos, Ambassador of El Salvador, Painter Rodolfo Oviedo Vega and Carlos Rodriguez Etcheverry Minister Counsellor of Cuba.  By Viviana Knorr. On 22 May from 15:00 to 18:00 hrs under a unified warm breeze from the South American skies, at Gallery Patries van Dorst in Wassenaar, Ambassador of El Salvador H.E. Ms. Aida Luz Santos, Minister Counsellor from El Salvador Embassy Agustin Vázquez Gomez, and Minister Counsellor from Cuba, Carlos Rodríguez Etcheverry, inaugurated Rodolfo Oviedo Vega (Salvador) and Alejandro Rodriguez Sardiñas (Cuba) vernissage.

Artist Oviedo also a traveler with a pair of suitcases packed of wonderful stories giving soul to his paintings, confessed to have toured from his native El Salvador to the heart of Chile to capture the earthy colours of nature before settling his atelier in Paris. Oviedo’s abstract images —as that of his artwork number 507 currently on display at Gallery Patries van Dorst—, portray messages of fond memories from his journeys throughout Europe and the world. Oviedo’s paintings are mixed-media collages with materials that include sand, fabrics, coconut bark, banana leaves, and red wine. His artwork focuses heavily on the shape and design.

Artist Rodriguez Sardiñas artwork offers audiences a vivid, colourful interpretation of illusive landscapes from above the sky as that from a hot air balloon, or an airplane, long before today’s technology. Such effect can be palpable is his artwork as that titled Holland, which was inspired by Amsterdam’s canals. Holland is part of current Patries van Dorst’s display. Rodriguez Sardiñas landscapes are full of life thanks to his personal technique that underlines the results of today’s encroachment on nature that gradually reclaims its rights. Both artist’s exhibition will be on display until July 15 daily at Gallery Patries van Dorst on Landgoed de Wittenburg 3, 2244 BV in Wassenaar. For additional information Please call: 06 5029 2150 or 06 5050 4809 prior to your visit.