Republic of San Marino.
An EU deal with San Marino, which will make it harder for EU citizens to hide cash from the tax man in bank accounts there, was endorsed by Parliament in a vote on Thursday. Under the deal, the EU and San Marino will automatically exchange information on the bank accounts of each other’s residents, starting in 2017.
The EU and San Marino signed an agreement in December 2016 to clamp down on tax fraud and tax evasion. The information to be exchanged includes not only income, such as interest and dividends, but also account balances and proceeds from the sale of financial assets.
The agreement ensures that San Marino will apply stricter measures, equivalent to those in place within the EU since March 2014. The agreement also complies with the 2014 global standard on the automatic exchange of financial account information promoted by the OECD.
Tax administrations in EU member states and in San Marino will be able to:
– Identify correctly and unequivocally the taxpayers concerned,
– Administer and enforce their tax laws in cross-border situations,
– Assess the likelihood of tax evasion being perpetrated, and
– Avoid unnecessary further investigations.
The agreement will enter into force on 1 January 2017. Similar agreements were i.a. concluded with Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The resolution was passed by 607 votes to 22, with 18 abstentions.
REF. : 20160223IPR15509
Full text: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160223IPR15509/Ending-EU-citizens’-bank-secrecy-in-San-MarinoFor more information:
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of San Marino, H.E. Ambassador Antonella Benedettini, EU and Benelux countries: www.esteri.sm/http://www.esteri.sm/on-line/home/corpo-diplomatico-e-consolare-sammarinese/rappresentanze-diplomatiche-di-san-marino/scheda1000033.html
Migrants crossing the border from Serbia into Hungary. Hope for a New Life by Warren Richardson.
59th World Press Photo judges have deliberated long and hard. The refugee crisis in Europe, the war in Syria, the Paris attacks, the devastating earthquake in Nepal and the clashes in the US set off by police shootings dominated the entries as well as the winning images.
The top prize goes to Australian photographer Warren Richardson with his “haunting” picture of a father passing a child under barbed wire.
All winning photographs and entries are due to be exhibited at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam in accordance to tradition for the contest.
H. E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal Ambassador of Bagladesh.By Roy Lie A Tjam.“We must do, all we can, to save our mother tongues, cultures and our unity in diversity”. Hundreds of children, men and women, from as many as ten countries, joined in a solemn pledge at Zuiderpark in The Hague, while celebrating International Mother Language Day 2016 and Immortal Ekushe organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh in the Netherlands.
It all started in1952, when members of the Language Movement raised against the occupying Pakistani authorities that wanted to impose the Urdu language on a Bangla speaking nation. A high price has been paid to retain the mother language. It was Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina government that convinced the UN to declare 21 February as International Mother Language Day.
Video by Diplomat Video Productions:
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in The Hague, Sheikh Mohammed Belal invited kindred spirit to join in the 2016 celebration of the 2016 International Mother Language Day. In the morning, the national flag was hoisted at half-mast at the Chancery premises by Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal. The Messages of the President, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs issued on this occasion were read out to the audience.
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand and Nepal Embassies joined Embassy of Bangladesh to celebrate the International Mother Language Day.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal urged to celebrate humanity in the spirit of International Mother Language Day. The Ambassador highlighted the evolution and richness of Bangla language. His Excellency also spoke on the significance of the International Mother Language encouraged spreading of linguistic diversity and cultural traditions to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.
The afternoon part of the programme took place at the Zuiderpark Pavilion on the grounds of the Zuiderpark Den Haag. Members of the participating Embassies and communities, including many children, put on a splendid cultural show.
Speeches and remarks by Ambassadors and deputy Ambassadors were an integral part of the programme. Deputy Mayor of The Hague Mr. Rabin Baldewsingh, Ambassador of India Mr. J. S. Mukul, Ambassador of Sri Lanka Mr. A. M. Sadiq, Ambassador of Thailand Mr. Ittiporn Boonpracong, Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission of Indonesia Mr. Ibnu Wahyutomo, and President of Holland Awami League Mr. Mayeed Farque took part in the discussion session.
By all means the International Mother Language day 2016 celebration was a tremendous success.
As the spouse of Ambassador Sheikh Bela, Dr. Dilruba Nasrin remarked, history has been written at the Zuiderpak Pavilion on 21 February 2016 .Mother Language Day has been taken to an elevated level.
The programme ended with a reception attended by over 300 guests from all over the Netherlands and other parts of Europe.
The European Commission published today in Brussels its Country Reports, an annual analysis of the economic and social challenges in the EU Member States.
The reports are a tool under the streamlined European Semester of economic policy coordination to monitor policy reforms and to point early on to challenges that Member States should address. Following the publication in November of the Annual Growth Survey 2016 and the euro area recommendation, which set out the priorities at European level, today’s reports shift the attention of the European Semester to the national dimension.
The reports will serve as the basis for discussion with Member States of their national policy choices ahead of their National Programmes in April, and will lead to the formulation in late spring of the Commission’s Country-Specific Recommendations.
Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, responsible for the Euro and Social Dialogue, said: “Against the background of growing external risks and increased volatility in financial markets, it is urgent to strengthen the fundamentals of our economies. The Commission’s analysis shows that reforms are being carried out on a number of policy areas, but the effort is uneven. A number of Member States still need to be more decisive in tackling persistent vulnerabilities, such as high public and private debt.”
Commissioner Marianne Thyssen, responsible for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, said: “Although we have now reached the highest employment rate since the beginning of the crisis in 2008, still too many Europeans are unemployed. Through the European Semester, we remain committed to help Member States’ efforts to get people back into jobs.”
Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, responsible for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, said: “The reports the Commission has presented today provide the most accurate and detailed picture of EU economies. These in-depth analyses will be the basis for the necessary dialogue between the EU institutions and national authorities this spring, in view of the next set of Country-Specific Recommendations. Boosting jobs and growth remains our first objective. As the EU recovery remains fragile, the Commission urges Member States to continue reforming their economies and fixing persistent macroeconomic imbalances.”
For 18 Member States identified in the Alert Mechanism Report 2016 published in November alongside the Annual Growth Survey, the Country Reports include the In-Depth Review under the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure.
Greece and Cyprus, which are currently under stability support programmes, are not covered by Country Reports at this stage.
Additional Information:
The start of the 2016 European Semester: The November European Semester package explained
The EU’s economic governance explained
Alert Mechanism Report 2016
Winter 2016 Economic Forecast
Confirmation of charges hearing in the case of The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi
On 1 March 2016 at 09:30 (The Hague local time) the confirmation of charges hearing in the Republic of Mali case of The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi will be held before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Mr Al Faqi is suspected, according to an ICC arrest warrant issued on 18 September 2015, of war crimes allegedly committed in Timbuktu, Mali, between about 30 June 2012 and 10 July 2012, through intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion and/or historical monuments, including nine mausoleums and a mosque.
If charges are confirmed, the Pre-Trial Chamber commits the case for trial before a Trial Chamber, which conducts the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.
For more information on this case, please click here.
Mme. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director International Monetary Fund.
ByBaron Henri Estramant.
Friday, 19 February 2016, Washington D.C.: The Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) extended the powers of its Managing Director, Christine Lagarde (60) for another five years as she was the only candidate up for consideration, and was backed by the UK, Germany, the PRC, and her home country, France, to stay on for another five years. The organisation’s executive board stated that her second term, which will start on 5 July, was the result of a “consensual” decision.
During her first term, Lagarde won praise from developing countries for providing greater practical support for their efforts to recover from the financial crash and backing their demands for greater representation on the IMF board.
Lagarde herself issued a statement: “The global economy is undergoing a number of important transitions and we are focused on helping our membership navigate these successfully. The Fund remains committed to its fundamental goal of helping to ensure global economic and financial stability through international cooperation.”
Queen Rania of Jordan, HH The Crown Prince of Dubai and Christine Lagarde – Picture by Office of Queen Rania of Jordan.
A few days after her re-appointment on 23 February 2016, Lagarde was honoured in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE, alongside HM The Queen of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Rania al-Abdullah by HH The Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum at the Global Women’s Forum with the “Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Medal” named after the incumbent Amir of Dubai and Prime Minister of the UAE. For more information:
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and His Excellency Minister (ret.), Ambassador Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.By Baron Henri Estramant.
Hotel des Indes, Salon van Brienen, The Hague, Wednesday, 17 February 2015: The Kingdom of H.E. Mr. Taher Ahmed Hanafi Farahat is once more represented to the highest level in The Netherlands; His Excellency Minister (ret.), Ambassador Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, presented his credentials as non-resident head of mission to The Netherlands with seat in London (St. James’s Court) to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands at Noordeinde Palace.
According to Bahraini protocol the ambassador and member of Al Khalifa Ruling House of Bahrain, conveyed the greetings to the Dutch monarch from his counterpart, HM King Hamad II bin Isa Al Khalifa, the head of government, HRH Premier Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and finally of The Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
The subsequent vin d’honneur after the presentation of credentials was attended by all Gulf Cooperation Council’s ambassadors but likewise by the Grand Master of the Royal Household, drs. Jan Versteeg.
The Kuwaiti ambassador, Hafeez Al Ajmi, introduced Sheikh Fawaz Al Khalifa to the guests from the diplomatic and business life in The Netherlands including representatives of Holland Invest or The Netherlands Council for Trade Promotion.
The accrediation to The Netherlands came only a couple of days after large celebrations in Bahrain to fête 15 years of the adoption of the “National Action Charter” drawn up by the incumbent King Hamad II and Premier, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
This charter was approved by popular vote on 15 February 2001 giving more powers to parliament and extending fundamental rights, freedoms and obligations for all Bahrainis. Equally it changed the states of the country from a “state” to a kingdom.
Thomas Friis-Konst, Baron Henri Estramant, H.E. Sayyid Mohammed Harub Al Said, Ambassador of Oman, H.E. Abdulaziz Abdullah Abohaimed, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia and H.E. Taher Ahmed Farahat, Ambassador of Egypt. Picture by Husam Bako.
On the picture Foreign Minister Gilles Tonelli, Sovereign Prince Albert II and Commissioner Pierre Moscovici – Picture by Princely Palace of Monaco.
By Baron Henri Estramant.
European Commissioner Pierre Moscovici for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs paid a working visit to the Principality of Monaco, and was welcomed in audience by HSH The Sovereign Prince,European Commissioner Pierre Moscovicias well as the Governmental Counsellor for External Relations and Cooperation, HE MGilles Tonelli, who before his appointment on 23 February 2015 was Head of Mission of Monaco to the Benelux countries and the EU.
Monaco and the other European micro-states such as Andorra and San Marino are in the process of negotiation a new status vis-à-vis the EU. Hence the ordre du jour was focused on the modification of the “Agreement between the European Community and the Principality of Monaco” envisaging equivalent measures to the directive 2003/48/CE. Moreover the issues surrounding bank transparency as well as the tax evasion, and the principality’s commitment to the international standards as developped by the EU and the OCDE.
By Baron Henri Estramant.Kuwait’s National Day celebrates the end of British protectorate over the then sheikhdom of Kuwait in 1961 making it a fully-fledged independent country. Effectively the country’s hakim (ruler), Sheikh Abdullah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah, took the title of “Amir”. It was likewise under his auspices that Kuwait became the very first country in the region to draft and proclaim a constitution in 1962, followed by a parliament in 1963. For a full Robert Huiberts’ photo album, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157664797431172H.E. Haifa Issami Madah, Ambassador of Venezuela and HE Mr Hafeez bin Mohammed bin Salem Al Ajmi during the 55th Anniversary of The National Day & Liberation Day of The State of Kuwait.More properly the reception marks the success in expelling Iraqi armed forces from Kuwait after that country had invaded the former in August 1990, and annexed it briefly as a province. That is, 25 February 1991, is a fête for the end of the Gulf War, albeit the emirate had to wait until March 1991 for the return to Kuwaiti soil of Amir Jaber III Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and of the Government. The two dates were celebrated with a reception on Monday, 22 February 2016, hosted by the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Head of Mission to the OPCW, HE Mr Hafeez bin Mohammed bin Salem Al Ajmi at the Hilton Hotel in The Hague, and with the sponsorship support of Q8 (Kuwait Petroleum). H. E. Abdalla Hamdan Alnaqbi, Ambassador of the United Arab States and HE Mr Hafeez bin Mohammed bin Salem Al Ajmi. 55th Anniversary of The National Day & Liberation Day of The State of Kuwait in The Hague.A couple of large flat screens showed impressions of towns, dances and traditions typical of Kuwait. Guests included numerous Heads of Mission as well as officials from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs they were treated to a copious buffet of Arab specialities but also a large selection of juices and soft drinks.Ambassador of Russia, H.E. Alexander Shulgin and the Ambassador of Kuwait.H.E. Dr. Obaidullah Obaid, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Ambassador of Kuwait during the celebration of the 55th Anniversary of The National Day & Liberation Day of The State of Kuwait in The Hague.H.E. Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, Apostolic Nuncio and HE Mr Hafeez bin Mohammed bin Salem Al Ajmi, Ambassador of Kuwait. During the 55th Anniversary of The National Day & Liberation Day of The State of Kuwait.H. E. Ambassador Sayyid Mohammed bin Harib bin Abdullah Al Said, Ambassador of Oman and HE Mr Hafeez bin Mohammed bin Salem Al Ajmi, 55th Anniversary of The National Day & Liberation Day of The State of Kuwait.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.H.E. Ambassador Gusti Agung Wesaka Pujapresented his credentials to H.M. King Willem Alexander on Wednesday 17 February 2016. Ambassador Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja is the new envoy of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The presentation of the credentials was followed by a Vin d’honneur at Wisma Duta, the official residence of Indonesian Ambassadors in Wassenaar.Ambassador Puja hails from the island of Bali. He is married to Rusdijana Puja and the couple has two children. He graduated in 1985 from Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He also holds a Master Degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (USA), and The Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies in 1991.H.M. King Willem Alexander and Ambassador Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja.The Netherlands is Ambassador Puja’s second posting. He previously served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to the Republic of Austria, Republic of Slovenia and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna.From April 2012 to February 2016, he was Director General for ASEAN Cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Between 2006 and 2009, Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja was the Ambassador/Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the UN, WTO and Other International Organizations, Geneva.The Netherlands and Indonesia have a longstanding and deeply intertwined historical relationship, and Ambassador Puja appreciates the fact that The Hague is at the heart of many multilateral relationships too. H.E. Ambassador Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja is looking forward to closely cooperate with his fellow ambassadors and others during his tenure in the Netherlands. H.E. Ambassador Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja and guests.Photography by the Koninklijk Huis and the Embassy of Indonesia. Information:
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in The Hague http://www.indonesia.nl/
Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal urged to celebrate humanity in the spirit of International Mother Language Day. The Ambassador highlighted the evolution and richness of Bangla language. His Excellency also spoke on the significance of the International Mother Language encouraged spreading of linguistic diversity and cultural traditions to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.
The afternoon part of the programme took place at the Zuiderpark Pavilion on the grounds of the Zuiderpark Den Haag. Members of the participating Embassies and communities, including many children, put on a splendid cultural show.
Speeches and remarks by Ambassadors and deputy Ambassadors were an integral part of the programme. Deputy Mayor of The Hague Mr. Rabin Baldewsingh, Ambassador of India Mr. J. S. Mukul, Ambassador of Sri Lanka Mr. A. M. Sadiq, Ambassador of Thailand Mr. Ittiporn Boonpracong, Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission of Indonesia Mr. Ibnu Wahyutomo, and President of Holland Awami League Mr. Mayeed Farque took part in the discussion session.
By all means the International Mother Language day 2016 celebration was a tremendous success.
As the spouse of Ambassador Sheikh Bela, Dr. Dilruba Nasrin remarked, history has been written at the Zuiderpak Pavilion on 21 February 2016 .Mother Language Day has been taken to an elevated level.
The programme ended with a reception attended by over 300 guests from all over the Netherlands and other parts of Europe.
![Credentials-Dubes-RI-dengan-Raja-Willem-Alexander-300x189[1]](https://i0.wp.com/diplomatmagazine.eu/wp-content/uploads/Credentials-Dubes-RI-dengan-Raja-Willem-Alexander-300x1891.jpg?fit=300%2C189&ssl=1)
The Netherlands and Indonesia have a longstanding and deeply intertwined historical relationship, and Ambassador Puja appreciates the fact that The Hague is at the heart of many multilateral relationships too.
H.E. Ambassador Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja is looking forward to closely cooperate with his fellow ambassadors and others during his tenure in the Netherlands.
