World Monuments “Hadrian Award 2015”

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World Monuments “Hadrian Award 2015”
On the picture WMF Director Christopher Ohstrom, Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa, Queen Sofía of Spain and WMF President Bonnie Burnham – Picture by Agencia EFE.
21 October 2015, New York City: World Monuments Fund (WMF) honoured Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain, Princess of Greece, and Her Excellency Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, at the XXVIII annual Hadrian Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, USA. 
 
Queen Sofía was hailed for her commitment in revitalising Ibero-American culture and identities in her role as Honorary Patron of Hispania Nostra as well as the “Premio Internacional Reina Sofía de Conservación y Restauración de Bienes Culturales”. 
Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa and Queen Sofía of Spain - Picture by BACA.
Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa and Queen Sofía of Spain – Picture by BACA.
The Watch Award in recognition of the singular role played in the preservation and protection of world heritage, particularly traditional Bahraini culture and heritage went to Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa. She launched the nationwide ‘Invest in Culture’ initiative, building an unprecedented partnership between the private and public sectors for heritage preservation, leading to the establishment of the Bahrain Fort Site Museum and the Bahrain National Theatre (key cultural tourism attractions in the island kingdom).
Through her examples as historian, scholar, and activist, Her Excellency is also a symbol of empowerment for women. As noted in a congratulatory message sent by Bahrain’s First Lady, HRH Princess Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa she is the first “Arab personality to win the award in recognition of her leading role in the preservation of humanitarian and cultural heritage”. 
 
World Monuments Fund is a NGO founded in 1965 by persons preoccupied with the destruction of important artistic and heritage sites throughout the world. 
 
 
For more information:
 
World Monuments Fund: www.wmf.org
 
Hadrian Award on the website of the Spanish Royal House: www.casareal.es/ES/Actividades/Paginas/actividades_actividades_detalle.aspx?data=12545
Congratulations for Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa by the Chair of the Supreme Council for Women, HRH Princess Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa: www.scw.gov.bh/news.aspx?id=1155&group_key=news&lang=en

Montenegro to join NATO

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Montenegro to join NATO
By Baron Henri Estramant. Brussels, 2 December 2015: NATO has formally invited Montenegro to join the military alliance, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. 
The move is likely to displease Russia, which views NATO expansion as a threat to its security. Montenegro began on a path to join the alliance in 2009. The formal invitation marks the beginning of accession talks. Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Dr. Igor Lukšić said the NATO invitation was “a positive signal for all of the Western Balkans.”It can take up to 18 months for a country to formally join yet it is expected that accession talks will go quickly. Montenegro already supports NATO’s efforts in Afghanistan and has actively cooperated with the alliance in other ways.
Ambassador Vladimir Radulović - Picture by mvpei.gov.me
Ambassador Vladimir Radulović – Picture by mvpei.gov.me.
NATO expects Montenegro to make progress on reforms “especially in the area of rule of law.” During the accession talks, NATO says it will engage Montenegro in alliance activities.
Membership to NATO is voluntary and open to European democracies willing and able to contribute to Western security. Aside from Montenegro, three further countries are partnering with NATO and are interested in becoming members, namely Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Macedonia. The latter two were, like Montenegro, once a part of former Yugoslavia. In Brussels the newly arrived head of mission of Montenegro is Ambassador Vladimir Radulović who shall also be accredited to the three Benelux countries and the OPCW. Until then Minister Tatjana Raspopović continues to serve as chargée d’affairs. Before his appointment to Brussels, Ambassador Radulović had been State Secretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration since 2012. He has served as ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark (2004-2006) and to the Federal Republic of Germany (2008-2012) For more information: Relations NATO-Montenegro: www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_49736.htm

Albania celebrates 103 years of independence

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Albania celebrates 103 years of independence
  By Roy Lie A Tjam. A convivial atmosphere was the hallmark of the evening as H.E Ambassador Adia Sakiqi of the Republic of Albania welcomed guests to her country’s National Day reception on 26 November. Albania declared Independence from the Ottoman Empire 103 years ago on 28 November 1912. The modern, democratic Albania was established some 15 years ago. For Additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures of the Albanian reception and sculpture exhibition, please open here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157661785621441
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H.E Ambassador Adia Sakiqi and her husband Tom Vandecasteele.
The event served simultaneously as a reception and sculpture exhibition, and famed Albanian sculptor Arben Bajo came over specially for the exhibition. Ambassador Adia Sakiqi began her welcome remarks by observing that sculptures are among the best forms of art to reflect societal change. She shared with guests a comment made by Arben Bajo earlier in the day: “When sculpture changes, societies change.” She added: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Mr. Bajo, for coming from Albania and bringing this beautiful collection of sculptures. These are not one-directional epics sculptures, or glorifying ones. These are sculptures with an enduring human trait and human warmth. Thank you very much, Mr. Bajo, for coming here and giving us warmth.”
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H.E Ambassador Adia Sakiqi and H. E. Xu Chen, Embassador of the People’s Republic of China.
The Ambassador continued: “When I think of the glorifying sculptures and monuments of socialist realism, I remember in the main Avenue of Tirana, the rigid and huge monuments of Lenin and Stalin facing each-other.” “After the fall of the system, those monuments were taken down. At that very place, now without Lenin, somebody wrote in huge pink letters: PINK Floyd. I will never forget how as teenagers, we would meet at this popular new meeting point. PINKU, we called it. Beautiful times – times of change.”
H.E. Mr. Ole Emil Moesby, Ambassador of Denmark and H.E. Mr. Joe Tony Aidoo, Ambassador of Ghana with one of sculptures.
H.E. Mr. Ole Emil Moesby, Ambassador of Denmark and H.E. Mr. Joe Tony Aidoo, Ambassador of Ghana with one of Arben Bajo’ sculptures.
“Now that you have all become masters in attended national day receptions,” the Ambassador quipped, “I was told to deliver my speech earlier in order to release you in good time! Thank you all for being here, and enjoy the exhibition.”
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Mrs. Jane Berger de Salvador, H.E. Héctor Horacio Salvador, Ambassador of Argentina and H. E. Adia Sakiqi.
For information: http://www.ambasadat.gov.al/netherlands/en

LV Bazar International de Luxembourg

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LV Bazar International de Luxembourg
 
On the picture HRH Prince Louis of Luxembourg, Ambassador Zoltán Nagy (Hungary) and spouse Anna.
The 55th International Bazaar opened its doors on Saturday, 28 November 2015, in Hall 2 and 3 of the Luxexpo in Kirchberg with thousands of visitors from Luxembourg and over the borders attending.
Amongst the participants were a plethora of embassy representatives accredited to Luxembourg, including many resident in Brussels, Luxembourg’s Premier Xavier Bettel and spouse Gauthier Destenay, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Mars die Bartolomeo, or TRH Prince Louis and Princess Tessy of Luxembourg and Nassau.
Gauthier Destenay, Ambassador Zoltán Nagy and PM Xavier Bettel.
Gauthier Destenay, Ambassador Zoltán Nagy and Primer Minister Xavier Bettel.
The princely couple in fact spent some time enjoying Tokaji (the “wine of kings”) and salami at the Hungarian stand with Ambassador Zoltán Nagy, his wife Anna and daughter who had arrived from Brussels. 
A total of 61 nations were represented this year at the bazaar on 75 stalls selling typical products and food from their respective countries, and all for a good cause of course. A large percentage of proceeds are earmarked for no less than 98 charities mostly in Africa, Asia and South America, but also in Luxembourg and other parts of Europe. 12291848_1653244221561191_956132859125142242_o Since 1960 the “Bazar International de Luxembourg” has been a celebration of the diversity of cultures in Luxembourg and in the process has helped thousands of charities both locally and globally.  For more information Luxembourg International Bazaar: http://bazar-international.lu  ————– Pictures by Embassy of Hungary to Belgium and Luxembourg.

Meeting of the EU heads of state with Turkey

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Meeting of the EU heads of state with Turkey
On the picture Prime Minister  Orban Viktór (Hungary), President Donald Tusk, Prime Minister Charles Michel (Belgium), Prime Minister Xavier Bettel (Luxembourg), President François Hollande (France), Stefan Löfven (Sweden) and President Dalia Grybauskaitė (Lithuania). Text and photographs by European Council 29 November 2015, Brussels: EU heads of state or government held a meeting with Turkey. The meeting marked an important step in developing EU-Turkish relations and contributing to managing the migration crisis. European Council President Donald Tusk chaired the meeting, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu represented Turkey.
Prime Minister António Luís Santos da Costa (Portugal).
Prime Minister António Luís Santos da Costa (Portugal).
The EU and Turkey agreed to re-energise Turkey’s accession process to the European Union. High-level dialogue between both parties will be reinforced through more frequent and structured meetings including the organisation of summits twice a year. Regular summits will provide a platform to assess the development of Turkey-EU relations and discuss international issues. The EU is committed to provide an initial €3 billion EUR of additional resources to Turkey to help it cope with the high numbers of Syrian refugees currently in the country. With the implementation of the action plan, both sides will step up their active cooperation on migrants who are not in need of international protection: – preventing travel to Turkey and the EU – ensuring the application of the established bilateral readmission provisions – swiftly returning them to their countries of origin Leaders welcomed the intention of Turkey to further improve the situation of the Syrians under temporary protection and remain committed to fight against criminal smuggling networks.
First Vice-President of the EC, Frans Timmermans and President Jean-Claude Juncker.
First Vice-President of the EC, Frans Timmermans and President Jean-Claude Juncker.
The EU and Turkey also agreed to apply from June 2016 the readmission agreement. They are aiming to complete the visa liberalisation process, and the lifting of visa requirements for Turkish citizens in the Schengen zone by October 2016. Accession process The leaders announced an Intergovernmental Conference on 14 December 2015 to open chapter 17 of the accession process, on further economic integration with Turkey. The European Commission will start the preparation work on further chapters without prejudice to the position of member states. Out of 35 negotiating chapters with Turkey, 14 chapters have been opened and 1 of these has been provisionally closed. 12291871_728313993972591_2435163523631609795_o

Credentials from Cambodia and Malawi in NL

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Credentials from Cambodia and Malawi in NL
On the picture King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and the Ambassador of Cambodia, Thireak Chea – Picture by Rotapool, Remko de Waal. Credentials from Cambodia and Malawi in NL His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands received credentials on Wednesday morning, 25 November 2015, at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague of the heads of mission (non-resident) of the Kingdom of Cambodia, HE Ambassador Thireak Chea and the Republic of Malawi, HE Ambassador Tedson Aubrey Kalebe. Both embassies are based in Brussels.
Ambassador of Malawi, Tedson Aubrey Kalebe - Picture by Rotapool - Remko de Waal
The King of the Netherlands with the Ambassador of Malawi, Tedson Aubrey Kalebe – Picture by Rotapool – Remko de Waal.
 

ASEAN Brussels and the AWEX

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ASEAN Brussels and the AWEX
On the picture ASEAN ambassadors and Mayor of Mons-Bergen, Elio di Rupo. 2 October 2015, Wallonia, Belgium: heads of mission and representatives from the ASEAN Brussels Committee visited Wallonia in the framework of events organised by the Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency (AWEX). For a photo album, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums In the programme a business networking lunch at the Castle of Namur, a meeting with the Mayor of Mons/Bergen and former (50th) Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo were included as well as visits to the Catholic University of Louvain and the ASEAN Welcome Office at Crealys Science Park.
Singaporean ambassador to the Benelux countries, Ong Eng Chuan and Mayor of Mons-Bergen, Elio di Rupo, 50th Prime Minister of Belgium.
Singaporean ambassador to the Benelux countries, Ong Eng Chuan and Mayor of Mons-Bergen, Elio di Rupo, 50th Prime Minister of Belgium.
At the business networking lunch the ambassadors, chargés d’affaires and diplomats met with Vice President and Minister of Economy, Industry, Innovation and New Technologies of the Walloon Government Jean-Claude Marcourt, CEO of AWEX Pascale Delcomminette as well as various Belgian enterprises in Wallonia. 12184272_1141465092533060_967162397179373538_o For more information: AWEX: http://www.investinwallonia.be/?lang=en Photographs by J. Van Belle from Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI)

New Commonwealth Secretary General

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New Commonwealth Secretary General
By Baron Henri Estramant 
Friday, 27 November, 2015, Malta: The Commonwealth of Dominica’s candidate for Commonwealth Secretary General, The Right Honourable Baroness Scotland of Asthal, Patricia Scotland, has been elected to the top post, and shall take office on 1 April 2016. She is a dual British and Dominican subject. She will be given a four-storey Edwardian mansion in London as her official residence. 
The election took place in Malta where the 53 Heads of state of the union gathered for a summit. “I am incredibly proud to be the first woman to hold the post of Secretary General,” she said at a press conference after the election.
Baroness Patricia Scotland.
Baroness Patricia Scotland.
Baroness Scotland of Asthal is a British barrister, and served in many ministerial positions within  Her Britannic Majesty’s Government, most notably as the Attorney-General for England and Wales and Advocate-General for Northern Ireland. She made history in 1991 when she became the first black women to be appointed a Queen’s Counsel. She was born in Dominica in 1955. Likewise she is the first Briton/Dominican due to hold the office.  The Commonwealth Secretary-General is elected to a maximum of two four-year terms. The Secretary-General is responsible for representing the Commonwealth publicly, and is the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Secretariat which supports dialogue and collaboration between member governments at the intergovernmental level.  Past secretary generals are: Ambassador Arnold Smith Sir Shridath Ramphal Chief Emeka Anyaoku Sir Don McKinnon Ambassador Kamalesh Sharma (incumbent) For more information: Commonwealth Secretariat: http://thecommonwealth.org Mission of the Eastern Caribbean States to the EU and the Benelux countries (Dr. Len Ishmael): www.oecs.org/about-the-oecs/37-overseas-missions/ecs-mission-in-brussels

Province and city of Liège

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Province and city of Liège
On the picture Rodrigo Dos Santos, Director of Wallonia Export and Investment Agency (AWEX), Paul-Emile Mottard, depute of  Liège Province, Marc Clairbois, délégué à l’Ambassade de Belgique pour la Délégation Wallonie-Bruxelles, Communauté française et Région wallonne de Belgique and Nikoline van der Werf, Director of the Belgium Tourism Office for Wallonie & Brussels in Amsterdam. Photography by the Embassy of Belgium in the Netherlands. His Excellency Chris Hoornaert, Ambassador of Belgium in the Netherlands, opened the doors of his residence in The Hague in order for the presentation of the Provence and City of Liege to take place. Following Ambassador Chris Hoornaert’s welcome address, Mr. Paul-Emile Mottard, Deputy of the Province of Liège also welcomed the guests to the exclusive gathering. The presentation took place on Monday 23 November 2015, the objective was to share information regarding the current tourism development in the province and the city of Liège. LiègeAccommodations, museum renovations and infrastructure for conferences, meetings and team building were discussed. Participants of the information morning received sufficient information, both printed and a video presentation. The Province de Liège has a online one-stop-shop where visitors to Liège can book their hotel, theatre,bike rental, museum in one go. Furthermore, guests were offered an apéritif and a walking network-lunch made up of products of the Liège region, along with a rich goodie bag de Liège. The ongoing special exhibition of contemporary art from the province of Liege at the residence was also visited. It is worth mentioning Nikoline van der Wert, director and the team of Tourism Wallonia and Brussels in Amsterdam, and Michel Mathot of the department of Tourism Promotion. They have done a wonderful job. Consult:  www.ouftitourisme.be

20th Session of the Conference of the States Parties Starts

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20th Session of the Conference of the States Parties Starts
On the picture Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, Director-General of the OPCW.   The Twentieth Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP) to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) opened today at the World Forum in The Hague, Netherlands. The CSP is the principal organ of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and consists of all members of the OPCW. It meets annually and oversees the implementation of the Convention. “The Twentieth Session of the Conference of States Parties is taking place at a crucial moment” said the Director-General of the OPCW, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü. “We are celebrating the achievements of the Organisation, most notably in the verified destruction of over 90 per cent of the declared stocks of chemical weapons, and are looking forward to meeting new challenges. Our work will continue to ensure full universality and prevent the re-emergence of a chemical weapons threat in the future”. For additional pictures on the OPCW opening 20th session, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157659536782793
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Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü with Ambassador Vesela Mrden Korak, former Chairperson of the Conference of state parties at the OPCW.
A special message from the Secretary General of the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon was delivered at the opening session of the CSP. He underlined that “the Convention is a critical part of the international disarmament architecture” and called “upon those States that are not yet a party to the CWC to accede to it at the earliest possible date.” The Conference will discuss the progress of implementation of the Convention globally, including new and important developments including the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism tasked with the endeavour to identify those responsible to use of chemicals as weapons in Syria.
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Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü and Ambassador of Mexico Eduardo Ibarrola-Nicolin who has been elected Chairperson of the 20th session of the conference of state parties of the OPCW.
  At a ceremony  today, Dr Alastair Hay of the United Kingdom and Dr Mahdi Balali-Mood of the Islamic Republic of Iran will receive the second annual OPCW-The Hague Award, for their outstanding contribution to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. The Conference is expected to establish an Advisory Board on Education and Outreach. Its role will be to render specialised advice regarding the Organisation’s education and outreach activities, and those of States Parties’ with a view to making these more effective and sustainable. The Conference will also adopt the 2016 programme and budget for the OPCW Technical Secretariat. A number of  side events with civil society participation have been planned for the week of the Conference, covering a range of issues  that impact the implementation of the CWC, including: emerging artificial intelligence technologies, ethical guidelines for chemical research and industry, medical management of chemical warfare casualties, and others. OPCW’s documentary series, the Fires, will also be screened.
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Ambassador of Italy, H. E. Francesco Azzarello at the OPCW 20th International Conference.
  This year’s conference is attended by representatives of 128 out of the total of 192 States Parties, together with eight international organisations, specialised agencies and other international bodies, in addition to over a hundred representatives of 52 non-governmental organisations from all over the world. Documents, videos, photos and other information from the Conference can be found on the CSP-20 page of the OPCW website at: https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/conference-of-the-states-parties/twentieth-session-of-the-conference-of-the-states-parties/
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