Saudi Arabia 93rd anniversary in the Hellenic Republic

Reception of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 93rd anniversary

By Eleni Vasiliki Bampaliouta

On September 25, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Greece held a reception for the National Day of Saudi Arabia in Athens on the occasion of the celebration of the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the country.

The event was attended by a large number of people from the political world such asthe Minister of National Defense Mr. Nikos Dendias, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Costas Fragogiannis, the Chief of the General Staff of National Defense Mr. Konstantinos Floros, the former Minister of Justice and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Costas Tsiaras as well as guests from the state world and the area of culture.

In his speech the ambassador of Saudi Arabia H.E. Dr. Saad Alammar, stated that the theme of this year’s National Day is “We dream and achieve”. The phrase is a strong reflection of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which covers far-reaching economic, social and cultural reforms, providing a better quality of life for those living in Saudi Arabia and a supportive business environment for local and foreign investment.
It is the story of the transformation of the Kingdom that is reflected in the Mega projects that the Kingdom is betting on in its Vision.
The reforms have touched every aspect of the social life of the people of the Kingdom, both public and private. It is a journey towards a future full of opportunities for the citizens of the Kingdom and for international companies and investors.

And he continued by saying:
“Your Excellency, our distinguished guests, It is indeed my privilege to welcome you all this evening to celebrate our 93rd National Day.

Every year Saudi Arabia celebrates this day to commemorate the unification of the Kingdom on 23 September 1932 and its establishment at the hands of His Majesty King Abdulaziz bin Abdulahman Al Saud. Dear guests, we are here tonight to celebrate our National Day and our historic and close friendship that has bound Greece and Saudi Arabia for years.
Three years from now, Saudi Arabia and Greece will celebrate a century of diplomatic recognition that began in 1926 when the first Greek diplomatic delegation was sent to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Since then, the two countries and their peoples have enjoyed friendly relations and interaction.
This year, in 2023, we celebrate another milestone in our diplomatic relationship and cooperation. It is 60 years since our Embassy opened in Athens in 1963. With the opening of the Embassy, our bilateral relations and mutual cooperation grew and continue to develop.
In recent years, bilateral relations between our two countries have gained tremendous momentum. The visit of the Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in Riyadh in 2021, and the visit of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Athens in 2022 confirmed the strategic nature of the Saudi-Greece relationship, his best level.


The strategic character of our bilateral relations is clearly seen in the close and continuous coordination and support in international organizations. As we know, Saudi Arabia has officially submitted its bid to host the World Expo 2030. This is a strategic priority for Saudi Arabia and we really appreciate the support we received from Greece in this matter and we are grateful for the support of its bid of Saudi Arabia.
Dear friends, I would like to conclude by emphasizing the fact that Saudi Arabia highly values its relations with Greece. There are great opportunities and huge gain for both countries to cooperate and be closer.
This will not only be good for the two countries, but also for the region as a whole. Thank you so much for joining us on this special occasion and God bless you all.”

At the reception, videos with tourism content from Saudi Arabia were shown. The festive atmosphere was completed with musical sounds from the East and the distinguished guests enjoyed varieties of rich culinary meals worthy of the country’s name.

Orange Grove is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is under the patronage of the Dutch Embassy in Athens.

By Eleni Vasiliki Bampaliouta

Orange Grove, an initiative of the Dutch Embassy in Greece, is going to celebrate its ten years of success, on Thursday 5 October 2023, 14.00 – 19.00, at the Auditorium of the Vassilis and Eliza Goulandris Foundation (Eratosthenous 13, 11635 Athens) with a discussion panel entitled “Working together on a sustainable and innovative future”.

It has been ten years since the start of operation of the Orange Grove innovative entrepreneurship incubator, a decade of empowerment and support for the Greek startup community. Many were the really interesting and innovative initiatives of the new startups that “passed” through Orange Grove during this time and managed to evolve and continue their upward trajectory until today. We want to share with you the joy of our success and our plans for the future, in a special event with eminent guests of the field.

The event (14:00-19:00), with the theme “Working together on a sustainable and innovative future”, will include interesting discussions in 4 panels in total and at the same time, will offer the opportunity to network with executives and companies from the community of innovation and sustainability. Discussions will focus on building business ecosystems, creating impact through entrepreneurship, networking with universities and the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The Ambassador of the Netherlands in Greece, Susanna Terstal, will address a greeting, while the presenter of the anniversary event will be the Deputy of the Dutch Embassy, Maurits ter Kuile.

The first panel (15:00-16:00) will highlight the evolution of the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Greece over the last ten years. The panel speakers will be: Alexandra Choli – Partner at EPAGON.VC, Serena Davis – Co-founder of HippoSeeds & lead trainer at Orange Grove, John Fox – Senior UI engineer iOS at Netflix, Miltiadis Gouzouris – CEO at HVA International (Est . 1879), Yiannis Nikolopoulos – Co-founder & CEO at Clio Muse S.A. The discussion will be moderated by the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Greece, Susanna Terstal.

The next discussion panel will follow (16:00-16:45) on the purpose of entrepreneurship, its impact and the role of technology in climate change, with the following participants: Christos Apostolopoulos – Total Quality (SHEQA), Food Safety & Dairy Affairs Manager at FrieslandCampina Hellas, Yiannis Georgakellos – Communications & Corporate Affairs Director at Athens Brewery, Spyros Kouvelis – Team Leader EU-GCC Cooperation on Climate Change & Energy / Senior Associate at the Institute for Sustainability Leadership of the University of Cambridge, Giorgos Stegos – Founder & CEO at Cyclefi, while the coordinator will be Marissa Antonopoulou – COO at Action Finance Initiative.

The third panel (17:15-18:00) will focus on connecting research with entrepreneurship by delving into the importance of university ecosystems. The speakers of the panel will be: Christina Deligianni – Policy & Programs Director at the EPLO Institute for Sustainable Development, Nikos Efthymiadis – Chairman & CEO at ThessINTEC, Fai Orfanou – Co-founder & Managing Partner of SCIENCE-2-BUSINESS LLP, Betty Tsakarestou – Associate Professor, Director of ADandPRLA and Scientific Manager of CREATIVE+ of Panteion University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Structure. The coordinator of this panel will be Lina Ioannou – Director International & Institutional Affairs at Enterprise Greece.

The anniversary event will conclude by highlighting the key issue of the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The fourth panel (18:15-19:00) will be attended by: Konstantinos Hambidis – Director of the Office of the Minister of Education and Religion and former Minister of Digital Transformation, Yannis Kanellopoulos – CEO & Founder of Code4thought, Yannis Noussis – Co-founder of Travelmyth , Poly Palaiogeorgou – Director of Business Programs – Microsoft Digital, Robin Schuil – Founder of Vendora. The discussion will be moderated by John Fox – Senior UI Engineer iOS at Netflix.

To participate in the event, online reservation is required via the following link: http://bit.ly/46os59W. The event will be held in English.

Orange Grove is a pioneering startup incubator and ecosystem that promotes the empowerment of innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship. It supports the creation of startups and innovative SMEs, through intensive trainings, access to international know-how and good practices, as well as interconnection with a global network of mentors and partners.

It is an initiative of the Dutch Embassy, managed by the non-profit Ithaca, and since 2019 has been operating as a remote-first incubator. For more information about Orange Grove you can visit our website www.orangegrove.eu, while you can follow our news on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

A Tribute to the National Poet: The Embassy of Bangladesh’s Concert Featuring Dr. Nira Rahman

On the evening of Friday, November 10, 2023, the Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague will welcome admirers of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the National Poet of Bangladesh, to a concert that celebrates the poet’s profound legacy. This enchanting event, organized by the embassy, will be held at the Humanity House and feature the remarkable Dr. Nira Rahman, a renowned Nazrul Song singer-researcher, and academic at Arts Teaching Innovation, Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne. The evening will unfold with captivating melodies and thought-provoking insights, highlighting the enduring significance of Nazrul’s work.

Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899-1976) remains an iconic figure in Bengali literature and culture, celebrated for his versatility as a poet, writer, and musician. His life story is one of resilience and commitment, as he fearlessly advocated for the rights of the marginalized and oppressed. Even in his youth, Nazrul ventured onto the battlefield, symbolizing his unwavering dedication to the causes of humanism and liberty. Nazrul’s legacy is further marked by his strong belief in secularism and pluralism, transcending religious boundaries, and promoting unity among all people. His songs, steeped in themes of love and rebellion, continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Dr. Nira Rahman, a dedicated vocalist and musician, brought Nazrul’s compositions to life with her exceptional performance. Her musical journey is deeply rooted in the principles of the Agra Gharana, and she is renowned for her semi-classical renditions and interpretations of traditional Bangla songs, particularly those composed by the “Ponchokobi” (the five poets). Dr. Rahman’s music is a fusion of her passion for literature and culture, influenced by her illustrious gurus, Dipali Nag and Wahidul Haque.

For Dr. Rahman, music is not just a performance; it is a form of prayer that allows her to express her innermost feelings and connect her physical and spiritual worlds. Her music is a celebration of her Bengali heritage, intertwined with the rich musical traditions of Indian classical music. She attributes the uniqueness of her music to the profound influence of her mentors and her academic work, which explores themes of language, culture, and identity representation.

In her role as an academic specializing in Educational Design and Student Engagement at the University of Melbourne, Dr. Rahman is committed to enhancing the inclusivity, applicability, and internationalization of arts and humanities education. Her work transcends the boundaries of the classroom, reflecting her dedication to fostering discussions on diverse and intersectional identities within the community and promoting inclusivity.

Dr. Nira Rahman’s contributions extend beyond the stage and the lecture hall. She is a published author in the Bangla language and a regular contributor to international media outlets, where she shares her insights on culture, language, and identity in both English and Bangla. Her multifaceted career is a testament to her commitment to bridging the gap between academia, music, and community engagement.

As His Excellency Riaz Hamidullah, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands, expressed, “This concert is a testament to the enduring spirit of Nazrul’s work and the power of music to transcend borders and promoting unity.”

ICC Office of the Prosecutor partners with national authorities and international experts in the forensic identification and restitution of remains of victims in the Central African Republic

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The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been involved in supporting the return of the remains of victims of alleged atrocity crimes in the Central African Republic (CAR). These remains were recovered during recent exhumations in the country, which were conducted in collaboration between the OTP, national authorities, and international partners.

The OTP has been conducting exhumations and forensic examinations as part of its investigations into crimes committed in CAR during the 2013 conflict. This work has been made possible through partnerships with organizations such as the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team and the Columbia Law School Human Rights Clinic.

The effort has involved deploying more than 20 technical experts to CAR, including archaeologists, pathologists, odontologists, anthropologists, ballistic experts, and morgue technicians.

ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC emphasized the importance of returning human remains to families as a crucial step in the process of human identification and as a tangible outcome of delivering justice. He expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and communities and highlighted the fundamental right of families to know the fate and whereabouts of their missing loved ones.

The OTP’s support for the identification and return of victims’ remains is part of a broader range of assistance that the Office is providing to CAR authorities, including the Special Criminal Court established to address alleged international crimes committed in the country.

The OTP expressed its gratitude to its partners, as well as national and local CAR authorities, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), and other collaborators who facilitated this important work. This effort not only contributes to justice but also provides closure and peace to the families affected by these alleged atrocities.

Trade delegation from Morocco despite earthquake

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Despite the severe earthquake that struck Morocco on the night from Friday to Saturday, a trade mission with Moroccan government officials commenced this morning. They will be visiting several Dutch companies this week. Out of the sixteen expected attendees, three had to stay home because some of their family members were among the victims.

“Most attendees come from Agadir, which is approximately 250 kilometers from the epicenter. One of the participants mentioned that she woke up during the earthquake and ran into the street. “On Saturday morning, when we heard the news, we wondered if the mission should still proceed,” says mission leader Núria Vlonk Cunha Soares of the Netherlands-African Business Council (NABC). “The fact that these people, right after such an intense experience, are still willing to come to the Netherlands for the trade visit shows how important it is to them.”

Morocco is administratively divided into regions, and attendees on this mission represent the Souss-Massa region, with Agadir as its capital. The purpose of the visit is to persuade Dutch businesses to invest in the region. “Agadir is already well-known among Dutch companies because many of them are involved in horticulture,” Vlonk Cunha Soares explained. “During our visit, we will showcase how horticulture works in the Netherlands, how logistics are organized, and we will also introduce them to companies in other sectors they might be interested in, particularly in water management and energy.”

Authentic Ecuadorian Flavors Festival

By Roy Lie Atjam

The Embassy of Ecuador celebrated its National Day with a business lunch, a seminar, and an Ecuadorian flavours festival in The Hague on September 23, 2023.

The Ambassador of Ecuador, H.E. Mr. Andres Teran Parral, hosted a gastronomic night featuring specially flown-in chefs. Ambassador Andres Teran Parral entertained fellow ambassadors, business persons, public servants and others. The Food Festival was open to members of the public by reservation via Leo’s International Flavors.

Chifles, fried plantain chips of Ecuador

The four-course menu offered: appetizers. Corn with coriander sauce, Chifles (fried plantain chips) with avocado sauce, and pork croquet with dried roasted corn sauce.

The Starters, Palm hart and mango ceviche, prawn ceviche and hominy beans ceviche.

For the main course, stone bas in coconut sauce with basmati rice, Slow-cooked pork with potato cakes, mote, and salsa, and also lamb stew with cassava and pickled red onion.

Starters dishes served during Ecuadorian Food Festival.

The dessert, had a selection of Ecuadorian guava meringue, blackberry sorbet, chocolate mousse, praline made with toasted corn, pumpkin compote, and cheese.

Beverages served at the dinner included Ecuadorian wines from Bodegas Dos Hemisferios, Armonia Cabernet Sauvignon in red, white, and rose. Additionally, a raffle was held with various prizes, including two tickets to Ecuador by Air Europe.

The Ecuadorian food festival impressed with its creative use of ingredients and variety of textures, including crunchy, hard, and soft elements.

All in all, the menu offered a wide variety of dishes to cater to different tastes, food lovers and foodies.

Malaysia Food & Fruits Experience (Mffe) 2023

The Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague, through its Agriculture Counsellor Office (ACO), organized Malaysia Food & Fruits Experience (MFFE) on 15 & 16 September 2023, which took place at Markhall Rotterdam. The program was also supported by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and Tourism Malaysia.

Visitors of Malaysia Food & Fruits Experience 2023

The two day program was officiated by H.E. Nadzirah Osman, the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and were filled with activities such Malaysian culinary tasting, business networking sessions and tropical fruits promotion. According to Mr. Muhamed Salim bin Mohd Ali, who is also the Agriculture Counsellor, there are a lot of demand and opportunities for Malaysian food products in the Netherlands and the European Union (EU) market.

The office has already opened gateways for Malaysian food products to be imported via the Netherlands, be it fresh, frozen or processed to several regions such as the Scandic and Eastern European market. Malaysian exporters are also constantly advised to produce and design products in accordance with the requirements set by the EU Commission.

The Malaysian Agriculture Counsellor Office (ACO) in The Hague responsible for the agriculture sector in the UK, EU and Russia. From Right Mr. Muhamed Salim Mohd Ali, Ms. Halimahton Munawaroh Tasu, Mr. Indra Sapta Ramli and Mr. Rene Van der Laan.

Among the interesting culinary menu served during MFFE was the torch ginger or also known as ‘bunga kantan’, which is a unique ingredient used to add variety and distinguish Malaysian culinary from others.

Apart from that, tropical fruits such as durian, mangosteen, dragon fruit, passion fruit and carambola were also promoted during the 2-day program, which drew more than 2,000 visitors. The Malaysian passion fruit and carambola is also known for its superb quality and demand in the EU region.

Among the culinary made with torch ginger at MFFE 2023

The frozen Malaysian durian, also known as the ‘Musang King’, both in pulp and whole fruit are also available in many Asian stores within the Netherlands and several EU countries. With more future promotions, we hope that Malaysian fruits and food products will be able to further strengthen its position within the EU region.

Those who are interested to know more about Malaysian food products could further contact the Agriculture Counsellor Office at +31 (0) 10 4373158 or e-mail to muna@kpkm.gov.my.

Malaysian tropical fruits at MFFE 2023

Saudi Arabia’s 93rd National Day Celebrated in The Hague: A Tribute to Bilateral Relations and Cultural Heritage

The Hague, the international city of peace and justice, witnessed on September 23 an animated celebration of Saudi Arabia’s 93rd National Day. This remarkable event was orchestrated by His Excellency Mr. Ziad Al Atiyah, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the Netherlands. The festivities attracted an illustrious gathering, including Dutch officials, ambassadors from brotherly and friendly nations, members of the diplomatic corps, and secretaries-general of international organizations. The occasion not only commemorated Saudi Arabia’s rich history and culture but also underscored the burgeoning bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands.

Ambassador Al Atiyah, in his opening address, extended heartfelt congratulations on behalf of himself, his colleagues, and the Saudi citizens residing in the Netherlands to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, as well as to the Saudi people.

H.E. Mr. Rahman Mustafayev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan, the Ambassador of Turkey H.E. Mr Selcuk Unal, H.E. Askar Zhumagaliyev. Ambassador of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. David Solomonia, Ambassador of Georgia, H.E. Mr. Álvaro González Otero, Ambassador of Uruguay, H.E. Mr. Arnoldo Brenes Castro, Ambassador of Costa Rica, H.E. Mr. Hatem Kamaleldin, Ambassador of Egypt, H.E. Nasser Ibrahim Mohammad Hussein Allenqawi, Ambassador of Qatar and H.E. Mr. Abbas Yassin Omer, Minister Plenipotentiary, Acting Charge d’affairs of the Sudan.

One of the key highlights of the ambassador’s speech was the thriving bilateral interactions between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands. Over the past year, the two nations have witnessed substantial growth in cooperation across various sectors. This includes high-level ministerial visits, engagements with prominent officials, and the signing of agreements and Memorandums of Understanding, particularly in the domains of energy and port management.

However, beyond economic and political ties, Ambassador Al Atiyah emphasized the significance of academic cooperation. A notable example is the partnership between Radboud University Nijmegen and the Saudi Heritage Authority. This collaboration focuses on the study of historical water resources, particularly the Canal of Ain Zubaida, known in Arabic as ‘Ain Zubaida. This ancient aqueduct, dating back to the early Abbasid era, was completed in 801 CE with the primary purpose of supplying water to the city of Mecca. It represents a fascinating engineering feat, with parts of it constructed as a qanat, an underground water channel.

The ambassador’s words resonated with the audience as he highlighted the importance of preserving such cultural and historical landmarks. The cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands, particularly in the realm of academia, enriches both nations by fostering an appreciation for shared history and heritage.

Ms.Rawan Rashwan, Administrative staff and Ms.Kholoud Mulla, Third Secretary at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in The Hague together with the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Mr. Ziad Al Atiyah.

Ambassador Al Atiyah concluded his address by extending an invitation to the guests to partake in a visual presentation. This presentation showcased the collaborative efforts between the two nations in studying for Ain Zubaydah. The Saudi Heritage Authority’s tireless endeavors to preserve the historical importance of this aqueduct were on full display, highlighting the enduring commitment to safeguarding the cultural legacy of Saudi Arabia.

The celebration of Saudi Arabia’s 93rd National Day in The Hague served as a testament to the growing partnership between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands. It emphasized the shared commitment to fostering cooperation in various fields, from economics to academia, and underscored the value placed on preserving cultural heritage. The event not only celebrated the Kingdom’s rich history but also heralded a promising future of continued collaboration between these two nations.

Burundian Coffee Enters The Dutch Market With A Bang !

By Roy Lie Atjam

The Hague, September 21st, 2023. Today, Pure Africa Coffee met with the Burundian Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Gamaliel Nkurunziza, to introduce its new Fiery Warrior Coffee and discuss their collaboration with Burundi.

Our Fiery Warrior Coffee is a unique blend of coffee beans sourced directly from farmers in northern Burundi. Our goal is to ensure that the farmers receive a fair price for their product, and we are proud to announce that Pure Africa has increased the premium paid to these growers from $1 per kg to $3.62 per kg.

Fiery Warrior Coffee

Burundian coffee makes up 65% of the new IDEALIST blend from Pure Africa Coffee, which will be consumed by Dutch Government Ministries and considered the best coffee in the Netherlands.

Kudos to Burundian coffee !

A culinary Journey – An Afternoon of Malaysian Street Food

On 19 September 2023, the Embassy of Malaysia in Paris hosted An Afternoon of Malaysian Gastronomy – A Culinary Voyage, dedicated to Malaysian Street Food at Rumah Malaysia. The event was timely in commemorating the 60th Malaysia Day and provided the guests the opportunity to experience Malaysian food, culture and hospitality.

Among the guests present were Malaysia’s very own Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh and husband Jean Todt. Other guests included local personalities active in the arts and culture scene including, actors, musicians, writers, chefs, digital content creators, journalists and sports personalities with strong social media presence.

Laksa Penang, Malaysia Street Food by the Embassy of Malaysia in Paris.

In his opening remarks, His Excellency Dato’ Mohd Zamruni Khalid, Ambassador of Malaysia to France highlighted the uniqueness of Malaysian Street Food which draws influence from Malaysia’s diverse and rich cultural heritage. Noting that street food is a staple for all Malaysians, he invited the guests to savour the culinary journey and soak in the cultural experience.

The afternoon continued with the guests taking a culinary trip where they discovered ten of Malaysia’s most popular street food namely Pasembur, Satay, Char Koay Teow, Laksa Penang, Roti Canai, Nasi Lemak, Roti Jala, Onde-onde, Ais Kacang and Teh Tarik. The guests were amazed at how Roti Canai is “spun” in the air to give it a light fluffy texture and Teh Tarik is “pulled” to cool the tea and give the drink a rich flavor.

Char Kuay Teow – Malaysia Street Food by the Embassy of Malaysia in Paris.

Next, the guests were invited to sample the delicious food and try their hands at making some of these dishes.

Before the afternoon came to an end, the guests were presented with a lovely souvenir for their participation in the Culinary Journey, comprising tea, palm oil, songket purse and Malaysian snacks. The programme was organised in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia Paris, Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), Boh Tea Malaysia, Château d’Ardrée and KMF Malaysiawe.

Teh Tarik – Malaysia Street Food by the Embassy of Malaysia in Paris.