On the picture Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete. Implementing Energy Union: The Commission presents energy security package.The European Commission today unveiled a package of energy security measures to equip the EU for global energy transition to address possible energy supply interruptions.
Energy security dimension is one of the cornerstones of the Energy Union strategy, a key political priority of the Juncker Commission.
The package sets out a wide range of measures to strengthen the EU’s resilience to gas supply disruptions. These measures include moderating energy demand, increasing energy production in Europe (including from renewables), further developing a well-functioning and fully integrated internal energy market, as well as diversification of energy sources, suppliers and routes. Further, the proposals bring more transparency to the European energy market and create more solidarity between the Member States.
Today’s energy security package is presented in the light of the new global and universal agreement on climate change, adopted by world leaders on 12 December 2015 in Paris. The Paris agreement sent a strong signal to businesses and policy-makers placing clean energy on an irreversible pathway and setting the scene for a global energy transition.
Vice-President responsible for Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič said: “The Energy Union Strategy, launched one year ago, promised to provide all Europeans with energy which is secure, sustainable, and competitive. Today’s package focuses on the security of our supply, but touches upon all three overarching goals. By reducing our energy demand, and better managing our supply from external sources we are delivering on our promise and enhancing the stability of Europe’s energy market.”
Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete said: “After the gas crises of 2006 and 2009 that left many millions out in the cold, we said: ‘Never again’. But the stress tests of 2014 showed we are still far too vulnerable to major disruption of gas supplies. And the political tensions on our borders are a sharp reminder that this problem will not just go away. Today’s proposals are about a reliable, competitive and flexible system in which energy flows across borders and consumers reap the benefits. They are about standing together to protect the most vulnerable. And they are about securing our clean energy future: I can assure that our commitment to a clean energy transition is irreversible and non-negotiable.”What does the package adopted by the Commission consist of?
Security of Gas Supply Regulation
Gas plays a role in the transition to a low-carbon economy and remains important in the EU energy mix. However the existing external dependence requires the EU to strengthen the resilience of its markets when confronted by gas supply disruptions. To reap full benefits of liquid and competitive market it is necessary to enhance the transparency on EU gas market. To address this fragility of the system, the Commission proposes a shift from national approach to a regional approach when designing security of supply measures. Further, the proposal introduces a solidarity principle among Member States to ensure the supply of households and essential social services, such as healthcare, in case their supply was affected due to a severe crisis.
A decision on Intergovernmental Agreements in energy
The EU needs to ensure that intergovernmental agreements signed by its Member States with third countries and relevant to EU gas security are more transparent and fully comply with EU law. To that end it introduces an ex-ante compatibility check by the Commission. This ex-ante assessment makes it possible to check compliance with competition rules and internal energy market legislation before the agreements are negotiated, signed and sealed. The Member States will have to take full account of the Commission’s opinion ahead of signing the agreements.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas storage strategy
Europe is the biggest importer of natural gas in the world. Europe’s overall LNG import capacity is significant – currently it is enough to meet around 43% of total current gas demand (2015). However, significant regional disparities as regards access to LNG remain. The Commission sets a liquefied natural gas (LNG) strategy that will improve access of all Member States to LNG as an alternative source of gas. The central elements of this strategy are building the strategic infrastructure to complete the internal energy market and identifying the necessary projects to end single-source dependency of some of the Member States.
Heating and Cooling strategy
The heating and cooling of buildings and industry consumes half of the EU’s energy. Further, it is 75% powered by fossil fuels. The proposed Heating and Cooling strategy focuses on removing barriers to decarbonisation in buildings and industry. It also stresses that increased energy efficiency and use of renewables will have an impact on energy security. Looking into this sector more strategically is crucial as the EU wants to improve its interdependence from external suppliers.
Background
One of the priorities of the Juncker Commission is the creation of a resilient European Energy Union with a forward looking climate change policy. The goal of the European Energy Union, as set out in the Framework Strategy[1] of last February, is to give EU consumers – households and businesses – secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy. This will require a fundamental transition of our energy landscape. It provides an opportunity for further innovation in the sector, thereby contributing to creating jobs and growth in the EU and protecting our environment. The Commission makes a strong call to the European Parliament and the Council to turn today’s proposals into legislation very quickly as a matter of priority to increase Europe’s resilience to potential energy disruptions.
Security of supply is one of the five interlinked and mutually dependant dimensions of the Energy Union. Key drivers of energy security are the completion of the internal market and more efficient energy consumption, but the EU’s energy security is also closely linked with the energy policy choices of its neighbours.
Photography By Georgi Gotev EurActiv.com
European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management , Mr. Christos Stylianides, photography EU.EU launches new European Medical Corps to respond faster to emergencies
The European Union launches today the European Medical Corps to help mobilise medical and public health teams and equipment for emergencies inside and outside the EU
Through the European Medical Corps, EU Member States and other European countries participating in the system can make medical teams and assets available for rapid deployment before an emergency strikes – thus ensuring a faster and more predictable response.
The medical corps could include emergency medical teams, public health and medical coordination experts, mobile biosafety laboratories, medical evacuation planes and logistical support teams.
“The aim of the European Medical Corps is to create a much faster and more efficient EU response to health crises when they occur. We need to learn the lessons from the Ebola response; a key difficulty was mobilising medical teams. I thank all the Member States that have already contributed so far, and encourage others to join so the EU’s response will be able to meet increasing needs and will allow for better planning and preparation before any disaster.” said Commissioner Christos Stylianides who is hosting today’s high-level inauguration event in Brussels.
The framework for the European Medical Corps is part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism’s new European Emergency Response Capacity (otherwise known as the ‘voluntary pool’). So far Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands have already committed teams and equipment to the voluntary pool.
A key difficulty during the Ebola virus outbreak response was the quick deployment of medical staff, as well as the logistical and management challenges which increased as a result. This led Germany and France in late 2014 to propose the “White Helmets” initiative, which laid the foundations. The European Medical Corps is now part of the European Emergency Response Capacity.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism facilitates cooperation in disaster response among 33 European states (28 EU Member States, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Montenegro, Norway and Serbia). Turkey is also in the process of joining the Mechanism. These participating states pool the resources that can be made available to disaster-stricken countries all over the world. When activated, the Mechanism coordinates the provision of assistance inside and outside the European Union. The European Commission manages the Mechanism through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre.
In an effort to step up the EU’s preparedness and response to disasters, the European Emergency Response Capacity (‘voluntary pool’) was created in 2014, bringing together a range of pre-committed relief teams and equipment, for deployment in emergency response operations all over the world.
The European Medical Corps will also be Europe’s contribution to the Global Health Emergency Workforce being set up under the helm of the World Health Organisation.
ICC-Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, participated in the 52nd Munich Security Conference to discuss the contribution of international criminal justice to international security and conflict prevention.
15 February 2016 – The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC”), Mrs Fatou Bensouda, participated in the 52nd Munich Security Conference (“MSC”) held in Munich, Germany from the 12th to the 14th of February. The Conference, chaired by Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, assembled leaders from around the world to debate the state of international security and and related challenges. The MSC, the largest independent high-level forum of its kind, is attended by Heads of States, Governments and international organisations; Ministers; high-ranking members of the Armed Forces and representatives of business, science, civil society and the media.
The Prosecutor’s participation highlights the important role international criminal justice plays in international security and in supporting efforts aimed at conflict prevention and ensuring that when armed conflict does arise, it is conducted within the framework of international law.
During her opening remarks at the panel discussion on human security, Prosecutor Bensouda stressed the intrinsic links between accountability for atrocity crimes on one side, and prevention and protection of civilians on the other. “It is my firm conviction that the law can be an important guarantor of human security. The ICC and domestic judicial mechanisms have important roles to play in this regard. Accountability matters to sustainable peace and stability, and is key to averting the vicious cycle of violence and retribution” she stated.
The Prosecutor further noted that the emergence of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC, has underscored the primary responsibility of States to investigate and prosecute atrocity crimes as the first bulwark of protection of citizens during war and conflict. She further added that “[t]hrough its work, the ICC can also promote a more systematic compliance with international humanitarian law norms by all actors involved in the conflict, as well as serve as a means of protection.”
On the margins of the Conference, Prosecutor Bensouda held a number of productive bilateral meetings with senior officials from States, intergovernmental organizations and civil society to advance the work of her Office and further mainstream the mandate of the ICC, as well as to ensure enhanced coordination and mutual cooperation between her Office and relevant external partners that play a role in the management of crises and conflict. The Prosecutor met, inter alia, with H.E. Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (“UN”); H.E. Mr. Lamberto Zannier, Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (“OSCE”); H.E. Mr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (“GCC”); H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan, Chairman of The Kofi Annan Foundation and former UN Secretary General; H.E. Mr. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia along with Ministers of Defence and Justice of the Georgian government; H.E. Mr. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt; and H.E. Mr Børge Brende, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway.
Information:https://www.icc-cpi.int/en_menus/icc/structure%20of%20the%20court/office%20of%20the%20prosecutor/Pages/office%20of%20the%20prosecutor.aspx
On the picture H. E. Dr. Alireza Jahangiri, Ambassador of Iran.By Roy Lie A Tjam.Hundreds honored the invitation by the Ambassador of the Islamic republic of Iran Dr. Alireza Jahangiri to join him at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Thursday 11 February 2016 to celebrate Iran’s Revolution Day. The event marked the 37th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, described by the Ambassador as a glorious revolution, that ousted the Pahlavi dynasty which had ruled Iran (Persia) for decades. The evening commenced with a rendition of the national anthem of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, followed by that of the Islamic Republic of Iran. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Alireza Jahangiri subsequently took to the stage to address the assembled guests. For additional pictures on Iran 37 Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in The Hague, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157662345734924His Excellency Sayyid Mohammed bin Harib bin Abdullah Al Said Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman and H. E. Dr. Alireza Jahangiri.Part of his speech is reproduced below.“At the presidential election in 2013, the people of Iran voted for Dr. Hassan Rouhani’s approach. The heart of this approach is to create a spirit of improving sustained cooperation with the international community, in order to eliminate past misunderstandings. Two years of tough negotiations and a marathon final session on the peaceful nuclear program between the Islamic Republic of Iran and P5+1 countries, resulted in signing and adopting the agreement in July and October 2015 as well as its implementation on January 16, 2016. It was the victory of using Iran’s traditional smart power with public diplomacy and soft power and adopting a win-win strategy. Achieving this significant agreement was based on pursuing Iran’s legitimate rights including safeguarding the achievements of peaceful nuclear technology. In addition, the approval of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the abolishment of the six United Nations Security Council sanction resolutions were not only a successful example of interaction and dialogue rather than using pressure and sanction, but also well demonstrated the miracle of diplomacy. Having recognized the flourishing capacity of Iran’s trade and economic prosperity as well as its constructive role as the trusted and influential major player in the region, the international community has been instrumental in taking a comprehensive approach to strengthening relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is worth mentioning that during last two years, more than one hundred high-ranking delegations from around the world, including Europe and in particular the Kingdom of the Netherlands, have traveled to Tehran.” ”I would like to point out that the historical relations between our two countries which goes back to almost four hundred years, has entered into a new phase after the official visit by H.E. Mr. Bert Koenders, the Minister of Foreign Affairs to my country in September 2015. Due to Iran’s huge oil and gas potential, the first offshore oil and gas forum was held in The Netherlands last October in which a hundred Iranian, Dutch and European representatives have taken part to identify common capacities and areas of future cooperation in order to promote all our reciprocal business interests. Meanwhile, H.E. Mr. Kamp, the Minister of Economic Affairs whom accompanied by a large economic delegation attended the third Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Tehran and also had discussions on economic and trade cooperation with high ranking Iranian officials last November. During the year 2015, bilateral academic, cultural and tourism relations expanded due to a large number of Dutch nationals visiting various historical and ancient sites. They also observed the political, economic and social progress in my country and experienced warm hospitality. ””Having congratulated the Dutch Government on taking the presidency of the European Union, I would like to take this opportunity to announce our readiness to cooperate on the issues of priorities for the rotating EU presidency in combating terrorism and violence, solving political unrest and armed conflict, maintaining global peace and security as well as providing access to reliable sources of energy. Since the current security situation jeopardizes future economic growth and is a high priority of concern to the international community, the Islamic Republic of Iran is of the view that extremism, terrorism, Takfiri mentality and sectarianism are common challenges which threaten all of us, and require our collective response.” H.E. Mr. Jan Borkowski, Ambassador of Poland and Ambassador Jahangiri.Following the speech by H.E. Dr. Alireza Jahangiri Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, an Iranian buffet was served.Information: http://www.iranianembassy.nl/
Ruto and Sang case: ICC Appeals Chamber reverses Trial Chamber V(A)’s decision on admission of prior recorded testimony
Today, 12 February 2016, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided unanimously to reverse the decision of ICC Trial Chamber V(A) of 19 August 2015, which granted the Prosecutor’s request for admission of prior recorded testimony into evidence pursuant to amended rule 68 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence (RPE).
The Appeals Chamber in this appeal was composed of Judge Piotr Hofmański (Poland), Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi (Argentina), Judge Christine Van den Wyngaert (Belgium), Judge Howard Morrison (United Kingdom) and Judge Péter Kovács (Hungary). Judge Hofmański, who presided over this appeal, read a summary of the judgment in open court.
The Appeals Chamber considered that there was nothing in the drafting history of amended rule 68 of the RPE that revealed an error in the conclusion of the Trial Chamber that the amended rule may apply to this case, subject to a consideration of article 51 (4) of the Rome Statute providing that amendments to the RPE shall not be applied retroactively to the detriment of the accused.
It noted that rule 68 of the RPE was amended by the Assembly of States Parties on 27 November 2013. The Appeals Chamber found that the application of this rule was retroactive as the trial had started on 10 September 2013, before the amendment to the rule, and detrimental in the sense that the disadvantage, loss, damage or harm to the accused caused by its application negatively affected the overall position of Mr Sang and Mr Ruto in these proceedings. For these reasons, the Appeals Chamber decided to reverse the decision to the extent that prior recorded testimony had been admitted under amended rule 68 for the truth of its contents.
The trial of William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang opened on 10 September 2013 before Trial Chamber V(A). Mr Ruto and Mr Sang are accused of crimes against humanity (murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population and persecution) allegedly committed in the context of the 2007-2008 post-election violence in Kenya.
Judgment on the appeals of Mr William Samoei Ruto and Mr Joshua Arap Sang against the decision of Trial Chamber V(A) of 19 August 2015 entitled “Decision on Prosecution Request for Admission of Prior Recorded Testimony”
For more information on this case, click here.
On Friday 19 FebruaryPanorama Mesdag and Auction House Venduehuis The Hague, will organize another valuation afternoon in the famous Museum Panorama Mesdag at the Zeestraat in The Hague.
You are welcome between 12.00 – 16.00 hours to evaluate the following types of art and antiques: paintings, drawings and watercolours from the The Hague School, the Indies and Post-War art, Chinese porcelain, Asian Art, silver, gold and jewellery. If you want to, you can also directly submit your art and antiques for one of the auctions in the Spring of 2016.
We will evaluate the maximum of 5 items per person. With your entrance ticket to the museum you can see the permanent art collection and also the two temporary exhibitions: “Chansons Grises” -haute couture gowns by Peter George d’Angelino Tap and “The world of Mesdag in Stereophotography”.
Here you can enter a 3-D stroll through The Hague and Scheveningen in the time of H.W. Mesdag.
Entrance tickets: 5 euro p.p.
Holders of a Museum Card have free access.
Information: http://www.panorama-mesdag.nl/english/
Development Cooperation Minister, HELillian Ploumenhas praised the new humanitarian aid reforms proposed in ‘One Humanity: Shared Responsibility’, the report by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon which is being published today in New York. ‘His report offers solid stepping stones for us to forge ahead now towards greater cooperation and efficiency. We urgently need this in order to give adequate support to the millions of people who depend on humanitarian aid,’ the minister commented.
In recent years, Ms Ploumen has repeatedly called for a new and better form of cooperation between UN agencies, donor countries, NGOs and businesses involved in delivering emergency aid. Currently, 125 million people worldwide – the largest number since the Second World War – depend on this form of aid, largely because of wars and natural disasters. The UN has calculated that barely half of the necessary funding was available in 2015, due to a shortfall of USD 10 billion. ‘This means that vast numbers of people get no aid at all, or aid that is totally inadequate,’ the minister said. ‘A new approach is urgently needed – one that can help us get better results from every available euro. I enthusiastically welcome Ban Ki-moon’s powerful and ambitious message.’
In his report the Secretary-General proposes a set of reforms, such as investing in crisis prevention and ensuring that the various actors work less in isolation from one another. It is also recommended that donor countries impose fewer restrictions on UN organisations and that in turn, UN aid agencies provide these countries with more transparent information about their expenditure. In addition, mandates and funding should not automatically be given to large and often cumbersome international organisations, because local organisations often have a better understanding of what is needed.
Mr Ban’s report seeks to pave the way for new agreements at the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) in Istanbul in May. ‘I fully agree with what Ban Ki-moon says: I too feel that this really needs to be a turning point,’ Ms Ploumen said. ‘To this end, I am having intensive dialogue with my counterparts in Europe and the US, and also with new donors in the Gulf. Humanitarian aid needs to be improved, because we cannot abandon 125 million people to their fate.’ In the run-up to the WHS, the minister will be stepping up her contacts and efforts in order to achieve tangible improvements.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, His Excellency Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu today met the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü at the OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.
The Director-General briefed the Prime Minister on the work of the Organisation in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention and the progress achieved in various programme areas. He also provided an update on OPCW’s work in Syria. They discussed the importance of strengthening the authority of the Convention as a key disarmament treaty.
Prime Minister Davutoğlu reiterated the value that his country attaches to the Chemical Weapons Convention and expressed his full support for OPCW’s mission. He praised the efforts of the OPCW with regard to the elimination of the chemical weapons capacity of Syria and stressed the importance of concluding all the remaining issues.
Lubanga case: Trial Chamber II orders Trust Fund for Victims to add information to the reparations plan.
Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) to add information to the reparations plan in regard to the case The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo on Febryary 9th. Presented to the Chamber on 3 November 2015, this plan sets out how to execute collective reparations for the victims of the case, as ordered by the Appeals Chamber.
Composed of Presiding Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut (France), Judge Olga Herrera Carbuccia (Dominican Republic) and Judge Peter Kovacs (Hungary), the Chamber recalls that it is its responsibility to monitor and supervise the execution of a reparations plan for the victims of the case, once the plan has been approved.
The Judges, considering the TFV’s reparations plan incomplete, defer their approval and set a schedule for the TFV to submit the requested additional elements. In particular, the Chamber sets the deadline of 31 December 2016 for the TFV to file a submission including the list of potential victims, a first set of detailed collective reparations programmes, an assessment of the extent of harm done to victims, the anticipated amount of Mr Lubanga’s liability, and, if necessary, the revised monetary amount that the Fund intends to contribute in order to implement the plan.
Background:
On 7 August 2012, Trial Chamber I issued a decision on the principles and the process to be implemented for reparations to victims in the case. On 3 March 2015, the Appeals Chamber amended Trial Chamber I’s order for reparations and instructed the Trust Fund for Victims to present a draft implementation plan for collective reparations to the newly constituted Trial Chamber I within six months.
Mr Lubanga was sentenced on 10 July 2012 to 14 years of imprisonment by Trial Chamber I, after having been found guilty of the war crimes of conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 years and using them to participate actively in hostilities. On 1 December 2014, the Appeals Chamber confirmed the conviction and sentence imposed. The time he has spent in the ICC’s custody will be deducted from the sentence imposed. On 19 December 2015, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo was transferred to a prison facility in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”) to serve his sentence of imprisonment.
For further information on the case, click here.
