Pierre Ménat. Photography La Tribune Fr.“An Ambassador under the Tunisian Revolution” by Pierre Ménat, Editions Pepper.
The previous Ambassador of France to The Netherlands, known in The Hague for his commitment to diplomacy, his professionalism and his know-how, Pierre Ménat just published a book. And what a book it is!
One could call it a historic document as it relates his experience of living in Tunisia as the Ambassador of France while the country was in full revolution. “An Ambassador under the Tunisian Revolution” is a highly anticipated book. It is not only the testimony of Pierre Ménat, Ambassador of France in Tunisia at the time of the revolution that ended the Ben Ali regime in 2011. It is also a great analysis of the profession of ambassador: the responsibilities and commitments, the projects of cooperation, the media and political games.
Pierre Ménat, who was recalled to Paris shortly after January 14, 2011, waited five years before writing “An Ambassador under the Tunisian Revolution” because of the discretion his position demanded. Now that he is free to speak, he gives us a first-hand confession of his experiences on the frontline with a careful analysis of the events that occurred after his arrival in Tunisia in 2009 and the democratic transition of the country up today.
For additional information:http://www.editions-harmattan.fr/index.asp?navig=catalogue&obj=livre&no=48451https://pmenat.wordpress.com/
By Kim Vermaat.
A new food grocery market has opened in Delft (conveniently located next to the highway). Dutch consumers can’t shop here but Diplomats with credentials/I.D. are more then welcome.
For a photo album on the opening of Hanos, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums
And it is not only a store it is a food experience. Meet from New-Zealand & Australia, an extensive wine department including a Grand Cru section and huge non-food department are among the products available.
Most are own import and can’t be found in normal dutch stores.
International startup related to air travels/tourism
On 15.10.2015 international startup related to air travels/tourism has begun its activity. On the web page www.checktheairport.com you can find collected information about airports from around the world (currently over 720 airports).
It is the first website in the world of this kind.
‘The idea of the web page came when we got stuck for over 12 hours at the airport in Mumbai. Due to the lack of information on what you can do at the airport or possible city tours, we decided to collect this information on our own and post it in one place for other people travelling by airplanes’ says Adam Bosy, the founder of web page checktheairport.com.
The website has focused on functionality and simplicity. An airport can be searched by using the menu continent-country, a search engine (just type in the airport name, city or IATA code), or using an interactive map.
On the website you will find i.a.: – General info – address information, geographic location (including a map), terminals and transfer between them, time zones, currency of the given country and the current weather, – Facilities – everything that is at the airport: starting from ATMs and ending with showers and luggage storage rooms, – Transport – how to get to the city (road transport, rail, car rentals and even air or water transport), – Tourist attractions – main interchange cities are described – tourist attractions have been added along with their location, opening hours and ticket prices, – Ability to comment and add information by readers.
Additionally, the web page includes practical tips related to travelling by airplane (air travel ABC, luggage, transportation, travel with children, travel with pets, travel medicine, etc.).
The website is in English, however, standardized icons help people intuitively navigate through the site even if they have a basic knowledge of the language.
All the information on checktheairport.com is free of charge and the registration is not required.
Conference Strategic Business Diplomacy – Dealing with global legitimacy challenges in international business by the Windesheim University of Applied Sciences.Multinational enterprises experienced ‘golden days’ during the 1990s and 2000s. They expanded globally and were major players in globalisation. Today they have become powerful actors in the global economy. CEOs of international businesses are invited by governments to help solve global issues such as climate change and poverty. However, MNEs are facing global legitimacy challenges. They are suspected of tax avoidance, using low wage countries for corporate benefits only, disrespecting privacy regulation and so on. Although many of these challenges are not new, they have resurfaced and become more apparent during the past couple of years. Strategic business diplomacy can help international businesses to deal with these issues.Goal and outcomes to targetWe hereby invite you at the 1st International Conference on Business Diplomacy. Key issues that will be addressed are: what is business diplomacy exactly? How do multinational enterprises conduct business diplomacy? What kind of business is involved in business diplomacy? And how does business diplomacy look like in emerging markets?
The conference is of interest to international business representatives, diplomats, consultants in the field of business diplomacy (government relations, international stakeholder management), NGO representatives and politicians.
Outcomes to target are: policy and strategy outcomes, policy/practitioners press, proceedings, a research agenda, inputs for international publications.
Programme and registrationMorning session with keynote speakers (morning)Roundtable sessions (afternoon)Speakers:Professor Ross Harrison, Georgetown University, Washington D.C., USAProfessor Roel Nieuwenkamp, Chair of the OECD Working Party on Responsible Business ConductMr. Christopher Nason, Director Corporate Intelligence at PWCProfessor Donna Lee, Professor of political economy, Bradford University (UK) and dean of the Social Sciences facultyChair/moderator: Prof. dr. Jan Melissen, ClingendaelLocation and date:The 1st International Conference on Business Diplomacy will take place at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in Zwolle (The Netherlands), on Friday 4 December 2015.Cost:The cost for this conference amounts € 45,=, including lunch. This amount you can pay via PayPal or credit card. Information and registration: http://www.windesheim.nl/over-windesheim/agenda/2015/december/strategic-business-diplomacy/If you have an urgent request, please contact hjm.ruel@windesheim.nl
The Cecilia International Choir of The Hague – Christmas Carol Concerts.
The Cecilia International Choir invites you to its two Christmas Carol Concerts in The Hague. Join us for an evening of traditional British carols and seasonal refreshments to get into the Christmas spirit.
Special features of this year’s programme will be Zoltán Kodály’s composition Adventi ének (Veni, veni Emmanuel) and the beautiful five-part interpretation of the Magnificat by Francesco Durante. Our pianist Lucie de Saint Vincent and organist David Schlaffke will accompany the choir and its guest soprano Nikki Treurniet.
The concerts are under the enthusiastic leadership of our young French conductor, Marine Fribourg. In addition to the pieces sung by the choir, there are opportunities for the audience to sing along with well-known carols, such as “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “The First Nowell”.
To further enhance the Christmas atmosphere, seasonal interval refreshments – mince pies and mulled wine – are included in the admission price. This year, the choir has also been invited to perform at the Sloterkerk in Amsterdam. This will be a shorter duration matinee concert, featuring the choir and the organist.
The Cecilia International Choir is a mixed voice group of approximately 70 singers. Starting in 1976 as the British Choir, we gradually attracted both local Dutch members and expatriates from many different cultures who wanted to enjoy singing in an English speaking environment. In addition to these Carol Concerts, the choir rehearses classical choral works, which are performed in late June.
Dates, times and locations of the carol concerts are:
Sunday 13 December Sloterkerk, Osdorpweg 28, Amsterdam / Start time: 3:00 pm Ticket / Price: €9.00
Tuesday 15 December Oud-Katholieke Kerk, Juffrouw Idastraat 7, Den Haag (Hofkwartier) / Start time: 8:15 p.m. / Ticket price: €20.00 (advance purchase required)
Thursday 17 December Anglican Church of St.John & St.Philip, Ary van der Spuyweg 1, Den Haag (Archipelbuurt). / Start time: : 8:15 p.m /Ticket price: €16.00 and €10.00 for schoolchildren and full-time students
For information on how to reserve and/or purchase tickets for The Hague, please visit our website: www.cecilia-choir.com or send an email to info@cecilia-choir.com
For Amsterdam, please visit the Sloterkerk’s website: www.sloterkerk.nl/reserveren.html We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in The Hague, H.E. Fermin Gabriel Quinõnes Sánchez and Isabel Docampo Torres, chef of the Cuban Tourism Board based in Berlin Germany, recently hosted a Cuba promotional event at La Bodeguita in de in The Hague.
After warmly welcoming the guests, some of them came all the way from the Northern region of the country. Also present was Cuban diplomat Michael González Castro, who is en route to Jakarta, his new assignment who was on a 24 h stopover. The Ambassador passed the microphone on to Isabel Docampo Torres who had good tidings; Cuban tourism is doing faring well. Here follows an extract from what she had to relate.
”I warmly welcome tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, press and other guests.
We are honored to have you here, we would like to express our gratitude to the officials who have made this occasion possible.
We have worked together to increase the number of visitors to Cuba by means of our campaign Auténtica Cuba, in which we showcase our attractiveness, values, natural wealth as well as cultural wealth.”
Cuba’s condition as an island and its geographical location has rewarded her with beautiful beaches and landscapes. Other strengths such as a warm and hospitable population, quality hotels with a staff offering professional and kind treatment to guests, all have contributed to make Cuba one of the most attractive tourist destinations of insular Caribbean.
By the end of September 2015, nearly 2.6 million individuals had visited Cuba. This is 17.9% more than the previous year and it is expected that the number will reach 3.5 million by the end of this year. The Dutch market has contributed 30,223 visitors, which represent an increase of 23% compared to last year. It is expected that the number will surpass the 36,000 visitors by the end of 2015.
It has been observed that after the reestablishment of the diplomatic ties between Cuba and the United States, there has been an increase in the demands to travel, to make contact and investment. A growing number of businesspeople from many countries, including U.S.A visit Cuba in order to learn about the development of the Cuban tourism industry.
However, it is essential to underline, the U.S. embargo against Cuba remains! Cuba is still the only country to where U.S. citizens cannot travel to.
H.E. Mr Mahmoud Abbas, the President of Palestine and Fatou Bensouda ICC’s prosecutor.
President of Palestine, H.E. Mr Mahmoud Abbas visits the ICC Prosecutor.
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal (“ICC” or the “Court”), Mrs Fatou Bensouda and representatives of her Office received H.E. Mr Mahmoud Abbas, the President of Palestine and his delegation at the Seat of the Court in The Hague, Netherlands. The meeting was held in the margins of President Abbas’ official visit to the Kingdom of The Netherlands.
Referring to the recent escalation of tensions in Israel and Palestine, the Prosecutor stressed the need for calm and restraint from all sides, and an end to the violence. She underscored that innocent people have been injured and killed on both sides, and cautioned that the situation may further degenerate into a large-scale commission of crimes that may fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC.
The Prosecutor opened a preliminary examination of the situation in Palestine in January 2015. In this context, the Prosecutor stated that her Office will also examine whether any of the newly reported incidents of violence constitute crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the ICC, and for the same purpose, will continue to record any new instances of violence or incitement to violence that may occur in the future. She warned that anyone – on either side – who commits, orders, incites, encourages or contributes in any other way to the commission of crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the ICC is liable to prosecution either at the national level or at the Court.
On the picture King Willem Alexander and EP President Martin Schulz – Picture by ANP, Robin Utrecht.His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands paid a working visit to the presidents and the institutions of the European Parliament, the European Council as well as the Commission in Brussels on Tuesday, 3 November. He was accompanied by H. E. Bert Koenders Foreign Minister of the Netherlands but not by Queen Máxima who was still a bit unwell after a health mishap during the recent state visit to the PRC. Willem-Alexander, President Juncker and Commissioner Timmermans.The visit was meant as preparation to the Dutch presidency of the EU which shall begin on 1 January 2016 and end 30 June 2016. Notwithstanding His Majesty also took the time to pay a courtesy visit to His representative to Belgium, the newly-accredited Ambassador Maryem van den Heuvel.Ambassador Maryam van den Heuvel and King Willem-Alexander – Picture by Royal Dutch Embassy to Belgium.The visit was arranged by the Netherlands Permanent Representation to the EU headed by Ambassador Pieter de Gooijer.For more information: Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the EU: http://eu.nlmission.org/Royal Dutch Embassy to Belgium: http://belgie.nlambassade.org/
An annual reception on the occasion of the proclamation of the Czechoslovak State (Československo) on 28 October by its later first president Tomáš Masaryk in 1918 was hosted by Czech ambassadors stationed in Brussels: HE Ambassador Jaroslav Kurfürst, Head of Mission to Belgium, HE Ambassador Jiří Šedivý, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to NATO and HE Ambassador Martin Povejšil, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the EU (who however was absent due to a business trip) and his deputy HE Ambassador David Konecký, Permanent Representative to the Political and Security Committee (COPS) and the Prague House led by Ing. Lucie Čadilová.For a photo album on the Czechoslovak Day in Brussels, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157658608660793H. E. David Taylor Ambassdor of New Zealand to the EU and Sweden and H. E. Dr. Natalie Sabanadze Ambassador of Georgia to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg.For more information:Prague House Brussels: www.prague-house.euEmbassy of the Czech Republic to Belgium: www.mzv.cz/brussels/en/index.htmlPermanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU: http://www.mzv.cz/representation_brussels/en/Pictures by Prague House in Brussels
Statement by Fatou Bensouda ICC Procurator to the United Nations Security Council on the Situation in Libya, pursuant to UNSCR 1970 (2011).New York, 5 November 2015.”Libya has been embroiled in a seemingly endless cycle of violence, large scale commission of crimes and chronic instability, with serious debilitating ramifications for not only the well-functioning of state institutions, but also the human rights landscape in the country. The breakdown of law and order, induced by incessant conflict and political divide, has resulted in an increase in the number of violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law. In such an environment, national efforts aimed at strengthening accountability for atrocity crimes and establishing the rule of law face great challenges. But from trial and tribulation comes hope. As we are gathered here today, the Libyan people’s long ordeal may soon see a redirection towards a more promising future for Libya. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (“UNSMIL”), and on the strength and commitment of the Libyan people, significant progress has recently been made towards the goal of achieving peace and stability in the country through the creation of a government of national unity. The ongoing national dialogue, facilitated by the United Nations (“UN”), towards the establishment of the Libyan Government of National Accord represents hope for transition to national unity and durable peace; carrying important promise for Libya’s efforts in the promotion of the rule of law, the protection of civilians and the ending of impunity for atrocity crimes. Any such initiative that is embraced by the Libyan people and achieves these laudable goals, including paying homage to justice as a critical pillar of sustainable peace, is of course welcomed by my Office. In yet another important development of note, UNSMIL has facilitated successful talks towards the resolution of the Tawergha issue. The agreement reached in Tunis in September to develop strategies for the return of the Tawergha as well as to establish clear plans for reparations to the victims is a welcome development. It is particularly noteworthy that the Misrata/Tarwergha Joint Committee affirmed its full support to the political dialogue and the formation of a Government of National Accord to meet the aspirations of the Libyan people to establish the rule of law, end the conflict and safeguard Libyan unity.The era of accountability and rule of law, on which to build the future of the country, may indeed be within reach for the Libyan people. We, as a collective, cannot fail the people of Libya by standing idly by as the country degenerates into chaos and further instability.My Office is ready to fully play its part in accordance with the Rome Statute by ensuring accountability for atrocity crimes in Libya. To this end, the Council’s tangible support remains crucial. As indicated in my Office’s tenth report to this Council, a significant body of material provided by the Libyan authorities in late December 2014 continues to be reviewed, analysed and investigated, resulting in investigative progress, shedding light on instances of atrocity crimes allegedly committed in Libya. Our cooperation with the Libyan authorities in obtaining relevant materials continues. I stress the importance of undertaking investigations with respect to the ongoing atrocity crimes in Libya and reiterate my Office’s every desire to do so. To this end, the Office requested resources for additional investigations as part of its 2016 proposed budget for consideration by the States Parties of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”). However, there are indications that those resources will likely not be forthcoming. As such, resource constraints in 2016 will impede the Office’s ability to conduct these additional investigative activities. It is of paramount importance that the ongoing crimes committed by different actors in Libya are investigated and that my Office is provided the requisite resources to undertake these necessary investigations in accordance with its mandate. My Office, therefore, relies on the critical financial support of States Parties in this regard and I take this opportunity to call on them to provide this crucial funding. I equally and strongly invite the Council to seriously consider assisting the Office, in accordance with article 115(b) of the Rome Statute, to obtain the resources required for the effective investigations of alleged crimes committed in a situation that has been referred to the Court by this august body. Devising innovative and effective strategies and action plans on how to give meaning to the provisions of article 115(b) of the Rome Statute are essential. Turning to the cases of the accused: Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al–Senussi, the Council will recall that the Appeals Chamber of the ICC affirmed the admissibility of the case against Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi on 21 May 2014, and the inadmissibility of the case against Al-Senusi on 24 July 2014.To date, despite repeated demands by my Office, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi has not been surrendered to the custody of the ICC. The Libyan authorities must heed the Council’s calls for cooperation and comply with the Court’s request to immediately surrender Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi to the ICC. The Libyan authorities are under a clear legal obligation to do so, and remain non-compliant by failing to surrender him into ICC custody. In short, Libya must transfer Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi to the custody of the Court without further delay. As you are aware, on 28 July 2015, the Tripoli Court of Assize sentenced both Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi, among other co-defendants, to death for the crimes they allegedly committed during Libya’s 2011 uprising. This was an issue of concern as my Office is still calling upon Libya to surrender Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi to the ICC while it has continued to monitor and collect information to enable it determine whether there are new facts that may support an application for a review under article 19(10) of the Rome Statute of Pre-Trial Chamber I’s decision finding the Al-Senussi case inadmissible before the Court.My Office was also deeply concerned by videos of alleged acts of torture against Saadi Gaddafi at the Al-Hadba prison which circulated online in August 2015. Reports of alleged acts of torture or similar inhumane acts in Al-Hadba prison are relevant to Al-Senussi’s case in the context of articles 17 and 19(10) of the Rome Statute. My Office is currently investigating the circumstances depicted in the videos, including seeking information from Libya and reviewing and assessing the materials already furnished by the Libyan authorities. It is incumbent upon the Government of Libya to make good faith efforts, not only to condemn and prevent such criminal acts, but to fully investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators. In its latest correspondence to my Office dated 23 October 2015, and subsequent recent meetings with my team and myself directly, Libyan authorities have assured my Office that these allegations are being pursued, and that meaningful and concrete actions have and will continue to be taken in this regard. In addition, the Libyan authorities have provided my Office with documents related to their investigation into the alleged criminal events in Al-Hadba prison. Our initial assessment of the information provided gives hope for optimism about these national efforts. My Office will continue its constructive engagement with the Libyan authorities to ensure the requisite information is provided for its own assessment of Rome Statute requirements.It is also important to highlight that on 30 July 2015, my Office filed a Request with Pre-Trial Chamber seeking an Order directing Libya to refrain from executing Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, to immediately surrender him to the Court, and to report his death sentence to this Council. In its response on 20 August 2015, Libya explained that the death sentence against Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi was non-enforceable in Libya because his trial was held in absentia, and that he will enjoy an absolute right to a new trial when he is transferred from Zintan into the custody of the Libyan authorities. Libya acknowledged that Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi was not in its custody.In relation to the Al-Senussi‘s case, my Office continues to monitor proceedings at the national level and collect information to enable it to determine whether there are new facts in support of an application for a review of the decision on the admissibility of the case. It is worth emphasising that under article 19(10) of the Rome Statute, my Office can only submit a request for review of the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision if it is “fully satisfied” that there are new facts which negate the basis of that decision. The Appeals Chamber of the ICC has held that for due process violations in a domestic trial to lead to a case being deemed admissible before the ICC, the violations must be “so egregious that the proceedings can no longer be regarded as being capable of providing any genuine form of justice to the accused.” To this end, my Office sought and is carefully analysing information on the progress of the proceedings against Mr Al-Senussi from UNSMIL, Human Rights Watch, and the Libyan authorities.My Office currently awaits the full UNSMIL report on the Libyan trial of Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi and the trial judgment, and will continue to follow the situation, to collect and analyse information with a view to determining whether to seek the Chamber’s review of the admissibility of the Al-Senussi’s case.My Office’s assessment of the information at its disposal at this stage is that it does not support an application for a review of the Pre-Trial’s decision on the admissibility of the case against Al-Senussi. This position is necessarily limited to the information the Office currently has in its possession and is subject to change in accordance with reliable information that it may receive in the future. My Office continues to monitor the situation in Libya and is concerned that large scale crimes, including those of the ICC jurisdiction are being committed by all parties in the conflict.I remain equally concerned that all sides including the Libyan National Army (“LNA”), Libya Dawn, and the so called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or ISIL; and their respective allies, and international actors continue to commit attacks resulting in civilian casualties. During the reporting period, of the reported 634 separate incidents, a total of at least 1,539 violent deaths were recorded. Total numbers of violent deaths have seen an average monthly increase in 2015. Civilian deaths have fluctuated, though no less than 60 per month have been recorded this year alone. Civilian deaths attributed to ISIL and its allied organisations have been consistently highly numbered than those of other perpetrators in the reported period. ISIL led attacks have focused on the cities of Derna and Sirte meanwhile significant clashes between Islamist extremists and ISIL in Derna in June saw ISIL driven from the city. There have been at least 37 recorded incidences of car or suicide bombings; 26 of which have been attributed to ISIL. Large scale abductions by ISIL have in most cases led either to executions, and in certain cases victims’ whereabouts have remained unknown. Persons are executed by ISIL for perceived activities such as spying, homosexuality and social activism.My Office is further concerned that heavy military clashes between LNA and Islamist extremists in the Benghazi area have continued with at least 99 civilians reportedly killed between April and August 2015. Airstrikes from LNA, Libya Dawn and international actors have also reportedly resulted in civilian deaths. Civilian homes, places of worship and medical facilities have been repeatedly affected.My Office also learnt with regret of recent escalation of tribal fighting between Tebu and other communities and Libya Dawn-aligned militias in the south of the country, around Sabha and Kufra and the fact that this has reportedly displaced an estimated 12,000 civilians since July according to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (“OHCHR”). It has also been reported to my Office that the number of people that have fled because of the fighting has doubled to almost 450,000 in a span of a year from September 2014. My Office recalls that those responsible for these crimes can be prosecuted either at the national level or at the ICC. I reiterate here my Office’s willingness and commitment to undertake further investigations in Libya, but stress once again the need for States Parties, and the Council, to ensure adequate funding to my Office for this purpose.Pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1970, the Council decided that “the Libyan authorities shall cooperate fully with, and provide any necessary assistance to, the Court and the Prosecutor pursuant to this resolution”; this important declaration has been reiterated in subsequent resolutions of this Council. Continued cooperation, consultation and coordination between my Office and the Libyan authorities remain crucial for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding concluded in November 2013 on burden-sharing regarding investigations and prosecutions in Libya. The commendable efforts by the Libyan Prosecutor General and the Libyan Representative to the Court to engage with my Office are encouraging and must be supported.The Office appreciates the cooperation it continues to receive from both States Parties and non-States Parties, as well as international organisations in the Libya situation, and looks forward to strengthening efforts and synergies to assist Libyan authorities in their efforts to build the rule of law in Libya. In this regard, I reiterate my previous calls to assist Libya in strengthening its national capacity to respond to Rome Statute crimes through the formation of an international contact group on justice issues. The recent gains towards the establishment of the Libyan Government of National Accord and national unity may indeed increase the prospects of reviving discussions on this proposal in the near future. Similarly, I appeal to all other States that have not yet done so, to engage and cooperate with my Office. Some of the evidence and persons of interest to my Office are located outside of Libya and can only be accessed through the cooperation of States.My Office will continue to lend its support to the efforts of the Government of Libya and its international partners, such as the UN, to address impunity in Libya and reaffirms its commitment in the dialogue with this Council on that mission. Ending impunity for atrocity crimes in Libya is an important goal that is both achievable and necessary for sustainable peace and stability in the country. It is also a goal that can only be met through the joint action, commitment and substantial support of all the relevant actors.
And it is not only a store it is a food experience. Meet from New-Zealand & Australia, an extensive wine department including a Grand Cru section and huge non-food department are among the products available. 
Most are own import and can’t be found in normal dutch stores. 
And it is not only a store it is a food experience. Meet from New-Zealand & Australia, an extensive wine department including a Grand Cru section and huge non-food department are among the products available. 
Most are own import and can’t be found in normal dutch stores. 
