Vietnamese Embassy and Dutch – Vietnamese Businesses

Fruitful dialogue on EVFTA and EVIPA

On December 8, 2023, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands, in collaboration with the Dutch Business Association Vietnam (DBAV), organized “Meet Ambassador Ngo Huong Nam,” focusing on the themes “EVFTA: Significant Growth in Bilateral Trade after 3 Years of Implementation” and “EVIPA: A Solid Foundation for Investment Cooperation Activities of Dutch Businesses in Vietnam.”

The purpose of the “Meet Ambassador” event was to foster dialogue between the Embassy and Dutch and Vietnamese businesses. This year’s event, eagerly anticipated by many companies due to its impact on their operations in Vietnam and the Netherlands, saw the participation of Mr. Gabor Fluit, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), along with regional representatives from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), NLinBusiness, PUM, and over 50 Dutch businesses currently investing and conducting business in Vietnam, as well as Vietnamese businesses investing in the Netherlands.

The first official meeting between Vietnamese Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Ngo Huong Nam and Dutch – Vietnamese Businesses.

Ambassador Ngo Huong Nam, during the meeting, provided a comprehensive review of the highlighted activities in 2023 between the two countries, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Notable events included the visit to the Netherlands by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in December 2022 and the reciprocal visit to Vietnam by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in November 2023. The Ambassador also announced the upcoming State visit of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Máxima to Vietnam in March 2024, at the invitation of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong.

Reviewing the trade and investment cooperation between the two nations, Ambassador Ngo Huong Nam shared the significant achievements following more than three years of implementing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. Bilateral trade between the Netherlands and Vietnam grew impressively, averaging 22% from 2020 to 2022. The Netherlands has become Vietnam’s second-largest trading partner and the largest investor in the EU.

Mr. Gabor Fluit – Chairman of EuroCham in Vietnam presented the role of EuroCham Vietnam.

Ambassador Ngo Huong Nam noted that, despite the positive sentiments of Dutch businesses regarding the favorable impact of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) on their investment activities in Vietnam, the Netherlands is among the ten countries yet to ratify the agreement. He expressed his hope that Dutch businesses, through the Dutch Business Association in Vietnam and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, would convey their opinions to the Netherlands Parliament and Government for the consideration of EVIPA ratification.

Supporting the Ambassador’s perspective on the benefits of EVIPA for Dutch and EU investors in Vietnam, Mr. Gabor Fluit, representing EuroCham, and Mr. Joost Vrancken Peeters, representing DBAV, emphasized the necessity of timely action from the business community, urging the Dutch Parliament to include EVIPA ratification on their agenda.

Mr. Joost Vrancken Peeters – Chairman of Dutch Business Association Vietnam, Netherlands Chapter spoke at the event.

During the event, presentations by representatives from the Port of Rotterdam and a Dutch company exporting Vietnamese fresh fruit to Europe provided additional insights into bilateral trade activities, particularly Vietnam’s notable export growth facilitated by the EVFTA. The journey of VinFast, an electric car producer, driving from Vietnam to European countries, impressed all participants. They also acknowledged the Vietnamese government’s proactive role in maintaining macroeconomic stability, trade growth, inflation control, and fostering a favorable business investment environment for foreign investors, including those from the Netherlands.

The meeting concluded with a networking lunch hosted by the Embassy, featuring various Vietnamese cuisines.

MENA in the Context of the Gaza Crisis

Perspectives on Evolution

“The only path to a secure and peaceful future for the people of the Middle East and the entire world—for the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim populations alike—begins with the belief that every human life holds the same value and concludes with two states, Palestine and Israel, sharing the land and peace, from the river (Jordan) to the sea.”

 King Abdullah II of Jordan, speech at the Peace Conference, Cairo, October 21, 2023

By Corneliu Pivariu

In the mid-1980s, having already spent several years in a Middle Eastern country, I sent an analysis of the evolution of the Palestinian issue to my home country. I concluded that it would take decades for this issue to see resolution. Subsequently, I faced severe criticism for this opinion (I recall that during that period, Romania was, at the highest level, an intermediary/mediator in Israeli-Palestinian and Israeli-Arab peace negotiations).

As we approach the middle of the 21st century, my opinion from back then has proven correct, and I could even say that the Palestinian problem is still far from finding a swift resolution. I believe, without speculating too much, that the middle of this century will see the Palestinian issue incompletely resolved, even if I personally may not witness the confirmation of this assessment. How can a situation that has been treated the same way for over 70 years, namely through wars, progress towards a solution? To understand the situation and developments in the Middle East, especially regarding the Palestinian issue, one should start with the famous Balfour Declaration[1]. What do we observe after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent wars? All attempts, more or less sincere, to find a viable solution to the Palestinian problem have collided with irreconcilable positions from both sides.

If, by the end of the 20th century, the situation, though complex, was somewhat simplified by the existence of the Cold War and the two societies, capitalist and socialist, the collapse of the socialist system further complicated the global situation. We are witnessing a conflict unfolding amid the competition between the “Collective West” and the “Global South,” with the added interests and influences of the so-called “Big 5”[2]. The emergence and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) further complicate this evolution, especially as a nationalist/sovereigntist trend, alongside the far-right, is timidly emerging and is estimated to represent approximately 10% of the current global electorate.

How can a conflict be resolved when, for over 70 years, the only solution employed, with the same results, is the use of force? The proposition and solution of two states, Israel and Palestine, towards which the situation seemed to be evolving after the Oslo Accords[3], entered a shadow, during which Israel continued its policy of developing new settlements in the occupied territories, concurrently preventing a unified action by the Palestinians (the creation of HAMAS[4] in 1987 aligns with this direction). Only after the tragic events of October 7, 1987, triggered by the terrorist actions of Hamas in Israel, did the issue of the existence of the two states, Israel and Palestine, resurface more strongly in the Arab and international community, supported declaratively by U.S. President Joe Biden and numerous other heads of state.

It would be incorrect and unproductive to begin analyzing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict only from October 7, 2023. History is long, but it should be noted that, regarding Gaza, after its evacuation by Israeli forces in 2005, major clashes occurred in 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021, involving Israeli airstrikes, Palestinian rocket attacks, and sometimes cross-border incursions by both parties, resulting in losses on both sides[5].

How was the terrorist action by Hamas on October 7, 2023, possible?

Gaza, a strip of land approximately 41 km long and with a width ranging between 6 and 12 km, totaling 360 km2, is one of the most densely populated areas in the world (about 2.2 million inhabitants, roughly 6,100 people per km2—compared to the global average of 54 people per km2). It is also known as the “open-air prison” since both land and maritime borders are controlled by Israel, with complete Israeli control over the airspace. Furthermore, the maritime space allowed for Palestinian fishing has continuously decreased, from 20 nautical miles (Oslo II Accords, 1995) to 12 nautical miles through the Bertini Agreement in 2002, and later limited to 6 nautical miles (11 km) imposed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in October 2006.

To protect itself from terrorist attacks originating in Gaza approximately 30 years ago, Israel began constructing a fortified line, continuously perfected, known as the “Iron Wall.” Currently, it consists of four zones: a first forbidden zone with a width of 100 meters ending with a simple barbed wire fence; a second 20-meter-wide zone that includes a patrol road and ends with a barbed wire fence with electronic sensors (Hoovers A); a third forbidden zone with widths between 70 and 150 meters, where numerous motion and seismic sensors are installed, ending with a 7-meter-high electronic sensor fence, extended underground with a concrete wall, constructed using 140,000 tons of reinforced concrete (Hoovers B).

A line of watchtowers, every 2 km, equipped with radar systems, cameras, and remotely controlled machine guns, complements this fortified line. In case of an attack, remotely controlled machine guns should have intervened first, followed by patrols in armored vehicles, which were supposed to repel the aggression[6].

Israeli media quotes a former spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF): “The entire system has failed. Not just one component, but our entire defense architecture has clearly failed, failing to provide the protection that Israeli civilians needed.”

It appears that Hamas managed to gather numerous pieces of information over time (some sources mention that the operation’s preparation lasted about two years[7]), using Palestinians with permission to work in Israel. Still, they also benefited from information received from Iran and even Russia.

A reserve Israeli general, in a private conversation, stated that after inspecting several military units during his active duty, he concluded that the Israeli army is not prepared for a surprise ground attack, being complacent and excessively reliant on technology. He emphasized that they had become too arrogant, spending more time with their mobile phones than with their weapons. His report, including these findings, submitted to the defense minister, was ridiculed. After October 7, the general was urgently reactivated.

I was somewhat surprised that over 1,500 Hamas militants (some sources mention around 3,000) penetrated quite deeply into Israeli territory, and especially that they resisted, in some places, for more than 48 hours against the Israeli army’s attacks.

As a brief conclusion of the first stage of the 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict, it was possible due to Hamas’s well-prepared action, benefiting from external support. It also resulted from deficiencies at the intelligence services and the Israeli army, as mentioned briefly above.

Developments after October 7, after the Israeli army’s troop attack in Gaza until now. Short evolution predictions.

Hamas’s attack immediately ended internal political disputes in Israel and led to the formation of a war government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that he would destroy and completely eliminate the Hamas organization and would not stop until achieving this goal. The second main objective is the liberation of all hostages captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

The Israeli government declared a state of war, and in the first week alone, they executed airstrikes, launching over 6,000 bombs in Gaza[8]; artillery strikes were also carried out, especially in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a warning to the civilian population to move to the southern part of the Gaza Strip, while Hamas ordered the population to stay put. On the evening of October 27, the actual ground attack began in northern Gaza, in multiple directions.

The 20 days from the Hamas attack until the Israeli troops entered Gaza represent the time needed for a well-prepared military offensive and less a delay due to international pressures on Israel to refrain from sending troops into Gaza.

The action in Gaza opens a new chapter in military history due to the specifics of combat actions, especially because of the network of tunnels built by Hamas, estimated to have a total length of about 1.000 km, going to depths even greater than 30 meters. Hamas transformed Gaza, especially the city of the same name, into a heavily fortified zone. At least hundreds of buildings (generally with 2-3 floors) have been fortified and interconnected by a web of tunnels containing depots, workshops, and barracks. These seemingly inhabited buildings have their ground floors and the first floor walled and mined. From the basement, stairs lead directly to the upper floors, equipped with embrasures for anti-tank missiles (tanks can only raise the cannon barrel by a maximum of 200, so they cannot hit above the first floor) and machine guns.

When Israeli armored vehicles enter the street, Hamas observation posts sound the alarm, and fighters emerge from tunnels to their combat positions. Upon reaching the desired location, the first and last vehicles are destroyed with explosives placed under the pavement, then open fire for a few minutes, before aviation or artillery intervenes. Afterward, the fighters retreat[9].

The Israeli army counters this tactic by applying the Mosul Protocol[10], a technique practiced for several years at the Tze’Elim training ground in the Negev Desert. Although Hamas has studied how Daesh was eliminated in Mosul, and while the final result is quite clear – IDF’s success, the main unknowns revolve around the fate of hostages and the total number of civilian casualties[11].

After the temporary ceasefire expired, the Israeli army resumed bombings and attacks in the Gaza Strip. Starting from December 1, 2023, they asked residents of neighborhoods in the city of Khan Yunis (the second-largest in Gaza) to evacuate the area.

Until the present article’s date, the Israeli army has physically eliminated a significant number of Hamas military leaders and discovered and neutralized about 500 km of tunnels in the Gaza area. Recall that in the 2004-2005 period, the IDF also acted to destroy tunnels in the southern Gaza area, attempting to block the underground connection between Gaza and Egypt, known as the Philadelphi Corridor[12]. This time, Israel aims for the total destruction of Hamas, a goal it could achieve in large part, but not entirely. Certainly, the organization is likely to be severely affected and disappear for a few years from the political-military landscape of the Middle East, leaving deep traces in the consciousness of Palestinians in Gaza and beyond. The approximately 30,000 Hamas militants have families, so only the immediate relatives’ number could easily exceed 200,000. Israel is certainly aware that, in the next decade at least, it will have to confront about half of them.

Additionally, note that Israel has militarily acted outside the Gaza area, striking targets in southern Lebanon following attacks by the Lebanese Hezbollah. They also targeted the airports in Aleppo and Damascus on October 12, and on November 25, they hit the Damascus International Airport, which had just reopened, prompting its closure again.

There is a significant level of distrust between the two parties, beyond irreconcilable positions. For Israel, it is clear that only by demonstrating its ability to react forcefully can it ensure its survival, as it has succeeded in doing for over 70 years and will continue to do so. Additionally, maintaining the Palestinian and Arab world’s division will remain a significant political objective for Tel Aviv.

Regarding the Palestinian side and its supporters, they will continue to seek methods and opportunities to counter Israel’s extraordinary military and technological superiority, which I believe they will only achieve to a small extent. Currently, the Palestinians do not have a strong and unified political leadership, and the Arab world has not evolved to achieve unified action in support of the Palestinian people, which I don’t believe will be possible in the foreseeable future.

Israel’s military presence in Gaza will likely continue, at least in the first month of 2024, according to some sources, possibly until next summer, as the civilian casualties among the Palestinian population are alarmingly increasing. Israel will continue its policy, almost unhindered.

International context and main actions of major powers and regional powers to limit and cease the conflict

Why is this small area of a few hundred square kilometers so important, having no land connection with the other area under Palestinian Authority (the West Bank)? Israel was compelled and agreed to militarily withdraw from Gaza in 2005 but consistently acted to prevent it from coordinating with the Palestinian Authority. A clear example is Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statement[13] that, after the current conflict, he does not accept the Palestinian Authority taking control of the area.

Returning to the earlier question, I emphasize that the importance of the Gaza Strip lies in its geostrategic position and economic significance. Economically, it revolves around the discovery of the natural gas field near Gaza in 2002, known as the „Gaza Marine”. This field is located in Palestinian territorial waters at a shallow depth (approximately 610 meters) and is jointly administered by the Palestinian Authority, Israel’s Delek Drilling company, and Noble Energy from the USA. Some estimates suggest the field contains over 400 billion cubic meters of gas. On June 18, 2023, the Israeli government granted preliminary approval for its development, while simultaneously requesting security coordination with the Palestinian Authority and Egypt.

From a geostrategic perspective, its importance is derived not only from its access to the Mediterranean Sea (which would be more valuable if there were a land connection between Gaza and the West Bank) but also from its proximity to Egypt and the potential for creating an alternative maritime route to the Suez Canal, from the Gulf of Aqaba to the Mediterranean Sea[14], parallel to the current Israeli-Egyptian border.

The United Nations (UN) once again demonstrated its limitations and inefficiency. However, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres took decisive actions to seek a ceasefire in Gaza. The UN Security Council has not yet adopted a resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel, Hamas, and its allies, prompting Guterres to invoke Article 99 of the UN Charter, allowing the Secretary-General „to bring any issue that, in his opinion, may threaten international peace and security to the attention of the Security Council”. Israel immediately expressed strong dissatisfaction with this initiative. It’s worth noting that since the end of October, the UN Secretary-General had warned that the situation in the Middle East was becoming increasingly serious, calling for an immediate ceasefire and cautioning that the conflict could spread to other parts of the region. “It is important to recognize, also, that the attacks committed by Hamas did not take place in a vacuum. The Palestinian people have been subjected to a suffocating occupation for 56 years,” said Guterres, adding that Palestinians “have consistently seen their land devoured by settlements and affected by violence.” At the same time, the UN Secretary-General specified that “the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the horrifying attacks by Hamas”. On the other hand, he added that neither should the Palestinian people be collectively punished for Hamas attacks. Therefore, according to Guterres, all parties involved in the conflict should “exercise constant care in conducting military operations to spare civilians”.

As for the European Union (EU), a mid-November statement by the EU’s Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borell, emphasized that “an horror does not justify another horror”. The presence of approximately 50 million Muslim immigrants in the EU compels Brussels to adopt a more balanced position. In a joint statement, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom called for an immediate cessation of violence and condemned rocket attacks on Israel.

Initially, the United States expressed support for Israel and called on Hamas to stop rocket attacks. However, Washington gradually nuanced its position, urging Israel to respect international law and mentioning that the solution to the conflict is the creation of two independent states, Israel and Palestine. To deter potential actions against Israel, Washington deployed a significant naval military group to the eastern Mediterranean[15], in the Gaza area (just above the Gaza Marine field).

China waited a day after Hamas attacks on October 7 before calling on relevant parties to cease the conflict and insisting on a two-state solution, without naming the Palestinian armed group. After the start of bombings in Gaza, Beijing categorized them as a form of collective punishment and insisted that Israel’s right to self-defense must respect international law and not be at the expense of innocent civilians.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who took over the presidency of the UN Security Council, urged the urgent establishment of a lasting ceasefire at the end of November, stating, “Peace cannot be limited, and a ceasefire cannot have an expiration date.” A day later, President Xi reiterated support for Palestinian aspirations for an independent state, saying, “The core of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict lies in the delay of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state.”

Turkey condemned Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip and called on the international community to take measures to end the violence. Turkey also sent humanitarian aid and announced that it would continue to provide humanitarian support to the Gaza population. It seems that Ankara has good relations with Hamas[16], which it has not designated as a terrorist organization. President Erdogan promotes a foreign policy in support of his domestic policies, but I noticed that he treats the situation of the Kurds differently.

Iran maintained its known position regarding Israel but distanced itself from the Hamas attack on October 7, implying that it occurred without its knowledge.

Qatar offered its good offices as a mediator in the Israeli hostages’ crisis and for the cessation of the conflict. Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas since 2017, resides in Doha.

Russia seeks to capitalize on this conflict to achieve its goals in the war with Ukraine.

Instead of conclusions

I haven’t analyzed religious, cultural, traditions, and customs issues here because the article would have turned into a book. A friend I collaborated with for over 15 years sent me some thoughts a few days after this new conflict in Gaza, which I found fitting to include at the end of this article.

I have always wanted to believe that all people, regardless of religion and race, can have the same moral, intellectual, and empathic qualities.

I consider that family, environment, education, and, above all, each person’s personal experience shape and develop us in life, alongside the essential Providence (chance, coincidence, luck, destiny, etc.).

I am not an Islamophile, and I absolutely do not applaud foolish traditionalism, indoctrination, and fundamentalism in the name of any belief.

I find attitudes of moral and religious superiority ridiculous and dangerous (stupidity is never innocent!) from any “enlightened” believers across the religious or cultural spectrum.

In fact, just as any sane person rejects and condemns terrorist attacks, it seems natural not to degrade ourselves by justifying genocide or indiscriminate punitive violence, which is equally inhumane.

Everything happening in and about this conflict seems to be the ugliest and most worrisome mirror of the animal nature of man, who, after so many thousands of years of “evolution” and development, is almost the same, if not worse.

*

So, not out of pessimism, but from the conclusions that only an analysis based on “realpolitik” and not the much-proclaimed today “political correctness” can derive, I can say, without fear of being wrong, that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is still far from finding a lasting solution after over 70 years, during which wounds on both sides have not healed, and new ones have even appeared.

December,10, 2023, Brasov-Romania


[1] On November 2, 1917, amid the chaos of the First World War, British Foreign Secretary Lord Balfour publicly announced a letter proposing the establishment of a “Jewish national home” in Palestine.

[2] Under this designation, the most important multinational corporations are grouped in the fields of finance (Big Finance), technology (Big Tech), media (Big Media), military (Big Mill), and medical/pharmaceutical (Big Pharma).

[3] Signed on August 20, 1993, the agreements stipulated the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). The Palestinian Authority was to be responsible for administering the territory under its control. The agreements also called for the withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces from parts of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

[4] HAMAS is the Arabic acronym for the “Islamic Resistance Movement,” and in translation, HAMAS means enthusiasm. For details about the organization, see Corneliu Pivariu’s “Terrorism – from Local Threat to Global Danger,” Pastel Publishing, 2005, pages 117-123.

[5] In total, from 2008 to 2023, approximately 6,500 Palestinians and 308 Israelis lost their lives. In the clashes of 2014, about 2,400 Palestinians and 89 Israelis died. The conflict that erupted on October 7, 2023, resulted, as of December 10, 2023, in over 17,000 Palestinians and about 1,800 Israelis killed (approximately 1,200 civilians in the early days of the Hamas attack and around 600 military personnel, with about 340 killed in the initial Hamas attack)

[6] For more details, see the article “How the Iron Wall was Pierced” by Tudor Păcuraru.

[7] On December 2, 2023, The New York Times published an article titled “Intelligence Errors Prompt Scrutiny of Israeli Generals, but Little Backlash,” stating that the Israeli army obtained a roughly 40-page document about Hamas’s actions a year before the October 7 attack but did not consider it. Additionally, in July 2023, a commander also dismissed a subordinate’s warning that the group was exercising and building its capacity to implement the plan.

[8] In comparison, the U.S. dropped about 7,400 bombs in Afghanistan throughout the entire year of 2019.

[9] This tactic was not new; it was successfully used by Al Qaeda in the battles of Fallujah in 2004.

[10] The Mosul Protocol (2016-2017) countered the tactic used in Fallujah with a multi-step strategy: isolating the battlefield to prevent external assistance (ammunition, food, equipment, information); continuous bombardments for an extended period, leading to psychological effects and delayed reactions of fighters; systematic destruction of fortified buildings (demolition by implosion, penetrating 3-4 floors and exploding on the ground, causing floors to collapse and block access and ventilation of underground structures); ground penetration; fragmentation; liquidation.

[11] Out of approximately 250 hostages held by Hamas, 110 have been released as of the date of this article, most during the temporary ceasefire from November 24 to 30, 2023, as a result of negotiations by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. The remaining 125 are still in Gaza. In return, Israel released 240 Palestinians (including 107 children). According to Al Jazeera, for every Palestinian released, Israel has arrested at least one other Palestinian.

[12] See also Corneliu Pivariu’s “Current Geopolitics Uncovered in 200 Episodes,” Pastel Publishing, 2011, pages 288-289.

[13]“I will not make the mistake of allowing the PNA to govern in Gaza because it will be the same” as Hamas, said the Israeli Prime Minister in a televised press conference in November 2023, advocating for a “new vision, a change” in the Palestinian enclave involving “Israeli security and control.”

[14] The “Ben Gurion Canal” project, dating back to the 1960s, which would be about 90 km shorter than the Suez Canal, is still in the planning stage.

[15] Two aircraft carriers, USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Dwight Eisenhower, with over 150 fighter planes on board, the respective groups’ escort ships, and an Ohio-class submarine (USS Panama) with 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles. It is the largest U.S. naval force deployed in the eastern Mediterranean since 1983.

[16] It appears that two sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh have close and significant business ties with Ankara.

Accreditation in Germany for Veronika Wand-Danielsson

Wednesday, 27 September 2024, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany: German Federal President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier received the credentials of Swedish Ambassador Veronika Wand-Danielsson. Born in 1959, Veronika Wand-Danielsson is a name that resonates with distinction in the corridors of international diplomacy. The Swedish diplomat, who notably served as the Ambassador of Sweden to France and Monaco from 2014 to 2020, has carved out a remarkable career path that mirrors her profound commitment to global cooperation and political stability.

Daughter of a diplomat, Wand-Danielsson’s early years were marked by an international upbringing, as she spent a significant part of her childhood across various African nations, including Benin, Nigeria, and Angola. This early exposure to diverse cultures and political landscapes laid the foundation for her career in diplomacy.

Bundestagsvizepräsidentin Aydan Özoguz, SPD, MdB, empfängt die Kronprinzessin Viktoria von Schweden zu einem Gespräch.

Wand-Danielsson is a political science graduate, having studied at Stockholm University, the Institut d’études politiques de Paris, and Uppsala University. Her education set the stage for a career characterized by insightful understanding and strategic expertise in international relations.

Wand-Danielsson’s entry into the realm of diplomacy was through the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. In 1990, she embarked on her official diplomatic journey, joining the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifically in the General Directorate for Multilateral Cooperation.

Her career took a significant turn between 1993 and 1999 when she joined the Directorate-General for Development of the European Commission. This period was crucial in shaping her understanding of European Union policies and international developmental strategies.

From 2000 to 2007, Wand-Danielsson’s expertise was further honed at the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the European Union in Brussels, where she served as Minister Counsellor. Here, she managed diverse portfolios, including the EU’s relations with the Western Balkans, external relations of the Representation, negotiations on the European Union budget, and the Treaty of Lisbon.

A pivotal moment in her career was her appointment as the Ambassador of Sweden to NATO from 2007 to 2014. During this tenure, Sweden saw an enhancement in its cooperation with NATO and a significant contribution to military missions in Afghanistan and Libya.

In September 2014, Wand-Danielsson reached another career milestone when she was appointed the Ambassador of Sweden to France. Notably, she became the first woman to hold this prestigious position. Her accreditation as Ambassador to the Principality of Monaco in February 2015 further underscored her diplomatic prowess.

For further information 

Embassy of Sweden in Germany: https://www.swedenabroad.se/berlin

Guyana / Venezuela: Brasil propone mediación

Por Dr. Nicolas Boeglin

El pasado 10 de diciembre, se indicó en distintos medios de prensa que Brasil propuso formalmente a Venezuela y a Guyana una mediación, bajo los auspicios de la Comunidad de Estados de América Latina y el Caribe (CELAC): véase nota de prensa de ElPaís (España).  

El malestar del CARICOM

Este anuncio se da unos pocos días después de una declaración conjunta de los 15 Estados pertencientes al CARICOM, en la que se lee (véase texto completo) que: 

CARICOM firmly supports Guyana in pursuance of the resolution of its border controversy with Venezuela through the process of the ICJ.

Further, CARICOM urges Venezuela to respect the conservatory measures determined by the ICJ in its recent ruling until a final resolution“.

Una reunión pactada para el 14 de diciembre entre los Jefes de Estado de Venezuela y de Guyana en San Vicente y las Granadinas, Estado que ejerce la Presidencia Pro Tempore de la CELAC, debería de materializarse (véase nota de France24) en aras de crear condiciones propicias para el diálogo entre Guyana y Venezuela. El pasado 6 de diciembre, los jefes de los aparatos diplomáticos de Guyana y Venezuela sostuvieron una conversación telefónica (véase comunicado oficial de Venezuela).

Es de notar que el Consejo de Seguridad  de Naciones Unidas tuvo una reunión a puertas cerradas, la cual fue solicitada por Guyana, el pasado 8 de diciembre (véase nota de prensa de St. Vincent Times): en la misiva enviada el día anterior por Guyana, se hacia ver el contenido de declaraciones públicas hechas por el Ministro de Defensa de Venezuela (véase documento S/2023/971 del Consejo de Seguridad).

Breve puesta en perspectiva

La tensión ha recrudecido en la frontera en los últimos días, debido a las acciones anunciadas por Venezuela luego de realizarse una consulta pública el pasado 3 de diciembre sobre lo que Venezuela denomina la “Guayana Esequiba“. 

A raíz de los diversos anuncios hechos por Venezuela (véase comunicado oficial de Venezuela difundido el 8 de diciembre), Estados Unidos y Guyana anunciaron la realización de ejercicios militares conjuntos (véase nota de France24).

Esta consulta pública realizada el pasado 3 de diciembre, en nuestra opinión innecesaria, arrojó resultados previsibles superiores con más de un 95% de respuestas favorables (véase el texto completo del cuestionario compuesto de 5 preguntas). Si bien las autoridades venezolanas celebraron los resultados obtenidos, es muy probable que en La Haya, esta iniciativa haya indispuesto a los 15 jueces que integran el máximo órgano jurisdiccional de Naciones Unidas: la pregunta tres en particular, la cual desautoriza decisiones tomadas por la CIJ en el 2020 y 2023 declarándose competente, así como la quinta que pareciera hacer a un lado lo que dictamine la CIJ en el futuro.

Al respecto, Guyana había solicitado desde el 30 de octubre  a la Corte Internacional de Justicia (CIJ) que se supendiera esta consulta venezolana: en una ordenanza dada a conocer 1ero de diciembre del 2023, la CIJ ordenó medidas provisionales, sin exigir a Venezuela que suspenda dicha consulta. Al respecto, remitimos nuestros estimables lectores a  nuestra nota titulada “Guyana / Venezuela: a propósito de las medidades provisionales ordenadas por la Corte Internacional de Justicia (CIJ)“.

A modo de conclusión

Esta próxima reunión al más alto nivel entre Guyana y Venezuela también puede entenderse como una consecuencia indirecta de la última decisión de la CIJ tendiente a “apaciguar” los ánimos entre ambos Estados, a la que nos referimos en la precitada nota nuestra: un momento que hay que saber aprovechar y que Guyana y Venezuela parecieran dispuestas a no desperdiciar, ayudados por Brasil. 

Una salida política entre dos Estados que litigan ante la CIJ siempre es factible, en la medida en que ninguna regla prohibe a los Estados negociar mientras están enfrentados en una contienda legal ante el juez internacional de La Haya: es así como, en lo que respecta a América Latina, Colombia y Ecuador lograron un acuerdo (véase texto) en el 2013 a cambio del retiro de la demanda por parte de Ecuador contra Colombia interpuesta en marzo del 2008 por fumigaciones químicas colombianas afectando su territorio (véase texto de la demanda ecuatoriana en francés y en inglés). Resulta de interés señalar que al obtener el retiro de la demanda planteada por Ecuador ante la CIJ, Colombia se comprometió a depositarle a Ecuador la coqueta suma de 15 millones de US$, que incluye, entre otros, los gastos de Ecuador en el procedimiento ante la CIJ (véase el punto 9 del precitado  acuerdo entre Colombia y Ecuador del 9/09/2013).

Autor:

Dr. Nicolas Boeglin.

Nicolas Boeglin, Profesor de Derecho Internacional Público, Facultad de Derecho, Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR). Contacto: nboeglin@gmail.com

The ICC President on Human Rights Day

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Statement of ICC President, Judge Piotr Hofmański, for Human Rights Day

Today, the International Criminal Court joins the world in marking Human Rights Day. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on this day by the United Nations in 1948, turns 75 this year. It is an important milestone in the protection of human rights worldwide.

This year’s theme, “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All,” resonates particularly with the Court’s mandate. The ICC seeks accountability for those who have perpetrated the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. Victims are at the heart of the Court’s proceedings and deserve justice. Through its work, the Court can help protect and uphold the rights of people to live in peace, equality and dignity.

“This cause… is the cause of all humanity.” These words were spoken by former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, when this Court was created, when the ICC’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute, took effect. That feeling still resonates today. In these troubled times, both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Rome Statute are needed more than ever.

The ICC will continue its work for the cause of justice with determination and resilience. For all people of the world to benefit equally from the protection of the law, I encourage all States to accede to the Rome Statute, so we can work together towards a more just world.

Navigating Challenges – Ambassador Modi Ephraim on Israel-Netherlands Relations

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Embarking on an insightful dialogue with Ambassador Modi Ephraim, with a focus on recent events, the Ambassador shares his perspectives on the response of the Dutch government and people, the resilience of the Jewish community, and the potential avenues for strengthened collaboration in the face of challenges.

DM – In light of the recent unprecedented attack from Hamas, how would you describe the response of the people of the Netherlands and the Dutch government?

Immediately after the Hamas attack, I was met by an outpour of support. Solidarity events organized by people of all sorts of walks and religions, demonstrations for Israel, and the raising of the Israeli flag by countless people who were shocked by the brutal attack on innocent Israelis by Hamas terrorists on October 7th.

Following the attack, the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte showed solidarity with Israel by raising the flag in front of his office and he was clear in his stance that Israel has the right to self-defense. There was a moment of silence in Parliament to honor the victims of the brutal attack that took place on October 7th which I was honored to attend, and I received messages of solidarity and support from countless Parliamentarians.

In Israel, I accompanied the Dutch minister of Foreign Affairs of Hanke Bruins Slot in a visit to Kfar Aza, one of the villages that was brutally attacked by Hamas terrorists on October 7th. The devastation the minister saw and the stories she heard made a big impact on her. I think anyone who bears witness to the atrocities, understands that the Hamas terror organization needs to be destroyed.

The Prime Minister made multiple visits to Israel and took ample time to meet with the family of Ofir Engel, an Israeli boy with also Dutch nationality who was abducted by Hamas terrorists to Gaza. After the meeting, I spoke with Ofir’s grandfather and he was so appreciative of the kindness and support PM Rutte showed.

In the Netherlands we have seen many demonstrations and solidarity actions, demanding the release of all hostages. Because of his Dutch background, there was particular attention for Ofir, and we are all so happy that he is now released and back with his loved ones. I appreciate the role of the Dutch government and all citizens who called for the release of him and all other hostages.

There are still 137 hostages kept by terrorists in Gaza. It is important that everyone continues to ask attention for this urgent matter, and I am appreciative to see that demonstrations and creative actions continue to be organized to shine a light on the plight of the hostages.

DM – Given the increase in anti-Semitic incidents you mentioned earlier, how has the Jewish local community in the Netherlands responded to the recent events?

There is great concern about the alarming increase of 818% of anti-Semitic incidents in the Netherlands. I find it dreadful that 80 years after the Holocaust, some people in the Netherlands have to hide the mezuza on their door or the yarmulke on their head out of fear. We work with the leadership of the Jewish community, the Dutch government and Parliament to ensure that Jewish life can continue. It is appalling that Jewish events are being cancelled and that Jewish schools had to close because of safety concerns. Just like any other people, the Jewish community must be able to live safely and freely in the Netherlands.

DM – As the Ambassador, how do you see the role of the Dutch government in fostering stronger ties and cooperation between Israel and the Netherlands during this challenging time?

In 2024 we mark 75 years of bilateral ties between Israel and the Netherlands. A diamond jubilee. Throughout these years our two countries have enjoyed a close friendship and ever-growing trade, as we continuously work together in various fields to enhance cooperation. We cherish our shared values that serve as a basis to this close friendship.

We appreciate the friendship of the Dutch government in the past few months since the brutal October 7th attack. As I mentioned earlier, PM Rutte made clear that Israel has the right to self-defense. The role of the Dutch government in getting hostages released, including Ofir Engel, cannot be underestimated and we are very grateful.

To ensure the eradication of the Hamas terror organization, it is important that this is part of the international agenda. Just like an international coalition was formed to fight Islamic State, the same must be done against Hamas to ensure that their terror will not reach Europe.

DM – In your experience as Israel’s top representative in The Hague, how has the recent situation impacted people-to-people exchanges, especially in the field or arts, between Israel and the Netherlands?

In the many demonstrations and actions in support of Israel, artists use their talents to ask attention. For example, recently in Amsterdam I attended the making of a painting on a wall by Israeli graffiti artist Benzi Brofman. His artwork shines light on sexual war violence against women and calls to speak up for our sisters. Brutal rapes were broadcast live by Hamas on social media and the hostage women experienced terrible things. This deserves more attention, and I am grateful for the efforts by Brofman and other artists who use their art as a wake-up call.

At the same time, we also see demonstrations that show support for the Hamas terror. Anti-Semitic chants are being shouted and the state of Israel is being denied the right to exist. It is important that we stand against terror and those who seek the destruction of the Jewish state.

DM – Looking forward, what are your expectations or hopes regarding the ongoing collaboration between Israel and the Netherlands, considering the recent events?

This month we celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas. Both serve as a symbol of optimism in dark times.  I am optimistic that we will have victory in the war against terror and that we will have peace in the region. We will continue to grow ties with our neighbors, and together with the Netherlands we can grow multilateral projects that are of benefit to Israel, its neighbors and the Netherlands. 

The Seven Beauties Music Group Concert

By Roy Lie Atjam

The President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Mrs Gunay Afandiyeva, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Netherlands H.E. Mr Rahman Mustafayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Netherlands H.E. Mr Askar Zhumagaliyev, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Netherlands H.E. Mr Selçuk Ünal, invited friends, colleagues and others at the concert by the Seven Beauties Music Group, at the Chancellery of Azerbaijan on 24 October 2023. 

Turan Manafzadeh from Azerbaijan, conductor and pianist. Sevent Beauties Musical Group.

The Ambassadors: Rahman Mustafayev, Askar Zhumagaliyev, Selçuk Ünal and Mrs Gunay Afandiyeva, President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, each welcome the guests.

The “Seven Beauties” music group is a testament to the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the Turkic world. The ensemble comprised exceptionally talented female musicians representing seven member states of the Organisation of Turkic States (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Hungary (observer). The concert was a celebration of the music, harmony and diversity of the Turkic culture.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Netherlands H.E. Mr Rahman Mustafayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Netherlands H.E. Mr Askar Zhumagaliyev, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Netherlands H.E. Mr Selçuk Ünal together with the musical group Seven Beauties.

The title Seven Beauties doesn’t only refer to the seven young ladies or the seven countries, but after the poem Seven Beauties by genius philosopher and poet Nizami Ganjavi (Azerbaijan). The concert de facto paid homage to this genius of the Turkic World Nizami Ganjavi.

The repertoire consisted of pieces by:

  • “Arazbarı” – Uzeyir Hajibeyli 
  • “Kozimnin Karası” – Аbay Кunanbaev (Kazakistan)
  • “Türkiye 100” – Turan Manafzade 
  • “Ok Lolalar” – Uzbek folk song (Uzbekistan)
  • “Hungarian Dance” no.5 – Johannes Brahms (Hungary)
  • “Men seni araram” – Fikrat Аmirov 
  • “Тurkmen Dance” – Radjab Radjabov (Turkmenistan)
  • “Paxtacı kızdın biyi” – Seydaly Madatov (Kırgızstan)
  • “Nazende Sevgilim” – Azerbaijani song
  • “Sarı Gelin” – Azerbaijani folk song
  • “Lachin” – Azerbaijani folk song 
  • “Libertango” – Astor Piazzola
  • “Turkish March” – Wolfgang Amadeus Моzart (arr. by Fazıl Say)
Turan Manafzadeh from Azerbaijan, conductor and pianist, Maiya Medetbek from Kazakhstan violin, Kanysh Nurdi from Kyrgyzstan violin, Gökce Bahar Oytun from Turkiye on cello, Vlada Guseynpva from Uzbekistan violin, Selbi Kadirova from Turkmenistan violin and Paulovits Boglárka also on violin.

The ensemble included: Turan Manafzadeh from Azerbaijan as the conductor and pianist, Maiya Medetbek from Kazakhstan violin, Kanysh Nurdi from Kyrgyzstan violin, Gökce Bahar Oytun from Turkiye on cello, Vlada Guseynpva from Uzbekistan violin, Selbi Kadirova from Turkmenistan violin and Paulovits Boglárka also on violin.

Part of the public attending the presentation of Seven Beauties at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in The Hague.

The “Seven Beauties” music group concert was astonishing, their creativity, performativity and musicality captivated the audience for the entire duration of the concert. Everyone left the concert in high spirits.

ICC President meets with United Nations Secretary-General

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On Wednesday December 6, 2023, the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Piotr Hofmański, met with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, at the seat of the United Nations in New York. The meeting took place in the margins of the 22nd Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute , the Court’s founding treaty.

During the meeting, President Hofmański conveyed to the Secretary-General his deep sense of gratitude for the strong support and cooperation of the United Nations, which is particularly important as the Court is facing pressures and attacks on account of its independent work in addressing the most serious crimes under international law. Secretary-General Guterres expressed his strong support for the Court as a fundamental tool of accountability and assured President Hofmański that the cooperation of the United Nations will continue, in line with the Relationship Agreement between the United Nations and the Court and with full respect for the Court’s independence. The discussion also touched upon the importance of strengthening the capacity of national jurisdictions to investigate and adjudicate core international crimes in accordance with the principle of complementarity enshrined in the Rome Statute.

International Criminal Court publishes new Policy on Children

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Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court publishes new Policy on Children: Statement by ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC

As we witness the suffering of children globally, my Office has launched a new Policy on Children to help remedy their historic underrepresentation and lack of engagement in international criminal justice processes. This Policy represents a critical step to realising my consistent pledge to take a child-sensitive approach to investigations and prosecutions by articulating how we can proactively and explicitly consider their experiences in all our cases.

Children have the right to participate in justice processes that involve them. It is the position of this Office that children’s voices will be heard in every case, every situation. Interaction with an individual child will of course depend on that child’s abilities, consent, and best interests. But at the case level, my Office will actively and affirmatively seek to engage with children so that we can better understand the ways they are targeted for and impacted by crimes under the Rome Statute.

This Policy emphasises our view that allRome Statute crimes may be committed against or affect children. Conflicts affect children in various ways depending on personal characteristics, including age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, where they live and their level of education. Countering a traditionally homogenous view of children, the Policy aims to actively reflect and adapt to issues related to intersectionality, children’s different developmental stages and their evolving capacities.

Building on the 2016 OTP Policy on Children, this Policy incorporates recent research about children’s development, memory, and abilities to engage in judicial processes, as well as the emergence of new technologies to support their safe participation.

To ensure that we engage children as victims, survivors and witnesses, the Policy emphasises my commitment to establish an institutional environment that facilitates effective investigation and prosecution of crimes against and affecting children– including through recruitment, training, external collaboration, and meaningful implementation, monitoring, and evaluation measures.

Willkommen zurück for Ambassador Akhatov

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Wednesday, 25 October 2023, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany: Ambassador Dilshod Akhatov, a distinguished diplomat from Uzbekistan, presented his credentials before German Federal President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace. Akhatov is no stranger to Germany, having had served a previous ambassadorial role in the EU’s largest economy between 2010 and 2013. 

Born on 28th June 1972 in the Samarkand Region of Uzbekistan, Ambassador Akhatov has dedicated his life to serving his country in various capacities in the field of foreign affairs. 

His academic journey began at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations. He further advanced his education at the Moscow State Institute (University) of International Relations, obtaining a Master’s degree in International Law. These academic achievements laid a solid foundation for his future career in diplomacy. 

Ambassador Akhatov is multilingual, fluent in German, English, and Russian, skills that have undoubtedly been an asset in his international postings and negotiations. His diplomatic career commenced in 1995 with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He started as an intern and quickly progressed to the roles of Attaché in the Department of European Countries. 

From 1999 to 2003, he served as Attaché and subsequently Third Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Germany. This period marked the beginning of his long-standing connection with Germany, a country that would later see him as resident ambassador. Upon returning to Uzbekistan in 2003, he became the Head of the Division of the Department of European Countries in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, further expanding his expertise in European affairs. 

Between 2007 and 2010, Ambassador Akhatov took on the role of Head of the Department for Cooperation with European countries and NATO within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan. His leadership in these roles demonstrated his capability to manage significant diplomatic responsibilities and foster international cooperation. 

His first ambassadorial role came in 2010 when he was appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Federal Republic of Germany. This position, held until 2013, was a testament to his diplomatic skills and deep understanding of German-Uzbek relations. 

Following his tenure in Germany, he returned to Uzbekistan to lead the Department of the UN and International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2016. His role here involved engaging with key international bodies and shaping Uzbekistan’s foreign policy in the global arena. 

In 2016, Ambassador Akhatov once again took charge of the Department for Cooperation with European Countries and NATO, reaffirming his expertise in European affairs. His leadership in this department was followed by his appointment as the Head of the Main Directorate for Bilateral Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2018. 

Later that year, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, a role in which he served until 2020. This position allowed him to play a pivotal role in shaping the foreign policy of Uzbekistan and managing its international relations. 

From 2020 to 2023, Ambassador Akhatov served as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to India. His tenure in India further strengthened the diplomatic ties between Uzbekistan and India, paving the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation. 

In 2023, Ambassador Akhatov returned again to Germany, this time as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Federal Republic of Germany, a role he currently holds.  

For further information  

Embassy of Uzbekistan in Germany: https://www.uzbekistan.de

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Picture courtesy of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Germany