By John Kennedy Stewart. Contributing from London, UK. Diplomat Magazine, the first diplomatic publication in the history of the Netherlands, is now in its third year. Officially launched on 19 June 2003 by a group of diplomats accredited to the Netherlands, the publication continues to grow fast. The website attracts more than 60,000 hits per month, and the bi-annual printed edition is widely read in the Netherlands and beyond. The magazine is the second largest online diplomatic publication in Europe, and the fastest-growing of its kind in the world.

Indeed, Diplomat Magazine’s global reach continues to strengthen – press correspondents are now stationed in Brussels covering the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg, in North America, the UK, as well as Latin America. This rapid expansion has been made possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of volunteer staff, diplomatic spouses, and loyal supporters, alongside the multitude of career diplomats who contribute the bulk of the magazine’s articles. The head of mission of Nicaragua, H.E. Dr. Carlos Argüello Gómez, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, wrote in a recent editorial that Diplomat Magazine is now “the main working media tool for local diplomats” in the Netherlands. Diplomat Magazine has also featured in the Dutch press. The AD Haagsche Courant, a well-known publication in the Netherlands, recently ran an article on one of the magazine’s famed monthly Diplomats’ Meet & Greet events at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel in The Hague. Click on the link to open the article: http://http://issuu.com      

Nick Clegg Delivers Speech on Democracy and the EU By Joe Ray. Nick Clegg, former UK Deputy Prime Minister, delivered a lecture entitled ‘Democracy and the EU’ at the Kloosterkerk in The Hague on 19 November. The event was hosted by the Council for Public Administration as part of the organisation’s exploration of the relationship between Europe and its citizens. Mr Clegg served as Deputy Prime Minister in Britain’s first post-war coalition government from 2010 to 2015, and as Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 2007 to 2015. He has been the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam since 2005, and was previously a Member of the European Parliament. In his speech, Mr Clegg focused on the reasons behind the EU’s current state of crisis, and what can be done to tackle some of the many problems faced by the Union today. Following a brief introduction in fluent Dutch, Mr Clegg began by outlining the perilous situation in which the EU currently finds itself: “For the first time in living memory, it is not inconceivable that the EU may unravel.” He noted that public support for the Union is at an all-time low, and that this apathy is evident right across the continent – Eurobarometer polls show clearly that “Euro scepticism is no longer solely a British phenomenon.” In Mr Clegg’s view, there are a variety of reasons behind this unprecedented collapse in public support. First, the global economic crisis has had “a debilitating effect on faith in government – at all levels.” Second, the ongoing tension in the Eurozone between creditor countries and so-called peripheral countries has failed to subside. Third, the post-war generation does not feel the same sense of “visceral emotional attachment” to European integration which, in the 1950s and 60s, bound together the founders of the Union to deliver peace and stability for a war-ravaged continent. Fourth, the migrant crisis has damaged public confidence in the EU’s ability to provide effective political leadership. Finally, there is “an acute sense of vulnerability in the wake of the horrific recent terrorist attacks.” How, then, might these issues be addressed? Mr Clegg argued that that to recover a sense of “unity, relevance, and purpose,” the EU must resolve the British question; accept the necessity of a “hub and spoke” membership model in which some states are more deeply engaged than others; have an honest debate about the need for fiscal transfers between countries; and pay heed to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s principle of ‘Europe where necessary, national where possible’. We need, said Mr Clegg, a new union of security and liberty – without it, introversion and populism will win the day. He proposed three fundamental tasks which must be accomplished if such a union is to succeed. First, properly policed and controlled external borders are necessary if internal free movement is to be safeguarded. In his view, the EU’s current border agency – FRONTEX – is under-funded, under-equipped, and simply not designed to withstand the pressures it faces today. Second, greater police and counter-terrorism cooperation is crucial, and intelligence sharing must be increased. Common measures to combat cybercrime, too, are important, and Mr Clegg praised the establishment of the European Cybercrime Centre in The Hague, although he added there is much more to be done. Third, and hardest of all, is the task of bringing stability to the Mediterranean Basin. According to Mr Clegg, this is the single most important project for European leaders – and its success or failure is a matter not of funding, but of political will. Stabilisation of the region may take years, even decades, but is absolutely pivotal to the safety, freedom, and prosperity Europe and its neighbours. Following his speech, Mr Clegg took a range of questions from the audience, and discussed in greater depth the forthcoming British referendum. The event then concluded with a reception.

By Joe Ray. H. E. Mr. Bert Koenders, Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, delivered a speech in The Hague on 20 November outlining the strategy and objectives of the forthcoming Dutch EU Presidency. The sold-out event was the culmination of a two-day Pre-Presidency Conference, jointly organised by the Clingendael Institute for International Relations and the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA). TEPSA traditionally provides recommendations for the incoming Council Presidency, and guests at Leiden University Campus The Hague were given a concise summary of the Association’s recommendations for the 2016 Dutch Presidency by Professor Iain Begg, TEPSA Board Member and Professorial Research Fellow at the European Institute, London School of Economics. Mr Koenders was then welcomed to the podium. He thanked TEPSA for their proposals, adding that Europe faces many difficult challenges which can only be resolved if its Member States stick together. There is no viable alternative to European cooperation, the Minister argued. It may be costly at times, and indeed the transaction costs of getting things done in the EU have increased as the Union has expanded, yet the price of isolationism and populism is even higher. According to the Minister, the complexity of the challenges facing Europe cannot be used as an excuse for inaction – no matter how difficult they may seem. The Netherlands will play the role of an “honest broker with ambitions” during its Presidency, said Mr Koenders, remarking that he remains optimistic about the prospects for European solidarity and cooperation despite the multitude of issues with which the 2016 Dutch Presidency will be confronted. In the Minister’s view, issues such as the migration crisis, terrorism, and the environment can be successfully addressed if European countries are willing to work together. Mr Koenders went on to outline the “strategic agenda” which the Netherlands intends to pursue upon the commencement of its Presidency. This agenda has four distinct aspects, he explained. First, economic growth must be strengthened through innovation, smart regulation, and the completion of the single market in services. Second, energy and climate issues must be addressed – Mr Koenders expressed his hope that the COP21 climate conference in Paris will result in workable proposals which can be implemented at the EU level, and also highlighted the importance of energy security. Third, the EU must act more coherently and strategically as an entity if it is to have a viable global role. Finally, reforms must be made to the EU financial system, including better support for small businesses. The Minister’s speech was followed by a Q&A session and reception.

On the picture H.E. Nguyễn Văn Đoàn Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam to The Netherlands. Back in Ha Noi, a series of activities were held nationwide to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the August Revolution (19 August 1945) and Independence Day of  Việt Nam (2 September 1945). One of the major ceremonies during the celebration was the incense offerings at President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and on the Monument of Heroic Martyrs by top leaders and former leaders to commemorate the heroes who sacrificed their lives for National Independence and Reunification. In The Hague, H.E. Ambassador Nguyễn Văn Đoàn, Head of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam to The Netherlands and the OPCW, invited fellow ambassadors, diplomats, Dutch officials and friends to celebrate this joyful occasion. Countless guest responded and made their way to World Hotel Bel Air on Thursday 10 September 2015.  In his welcome address Ambassador Nguyễn Văn Đoàn thanked those present. He further expounded on the economical situation of Việt Nam: “The country has come from a long way, is doing economically well. Việt Nam is making headway”. The Ambassador also made reference to the long established relationship between Việt Nam and the Netherlands.  Picture courtesy of the Embassy of Việt Nam in the Netherlands.      

By Joe Ray. H.E. Mr Timothy Broas, US Ambassador to the Netherlands, was welcomed to the University of Groningen on 12 November to give a speech on US-EU relations and the rise of Asia. The event was co-organised by the study associations of the American Studies and International Relations bachelor programmes, and was moderated by Dr Ronald Holzhacker, Senior Lecturer in the Department of International Relations. The Ambassador’s speech focused on four main themes: prosperity, security, environmental stewardship, and shared values. It was followed by a Q&A session and a reception. Ambassador Broas began by observing that Groningen was the tenth province he had visited in the Netherlands since his appointment in March 2014. In every province, he said, he had been struck by the country’s entrepreneurial spirit and forward-thinking attitude. He expressed his fondness for the nation and its people, and impressed the attendant Dutch-speakers with a few sentences in their native language. The US-Netherlands relationship is among the strongest bilateral partnerships in the world, noted the Ambassador – especially in the field of economics. The US is the largest external investor in the Netherlands, and the latter is among the five largest investors in the US. He added that small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of this close economic relationship between the two countries, and are a crucial driving force for growth and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. Remaining on the theme of trade and investment, the Ambassador touched upon the issue of TTIP – the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership currently being negotiated between the US and EU. He acknowledged that TTIP remains a thorny issue in many quarters, and that public perceptions of the deal would benefit from improved discussion and greater exposure to neutral information. At the suggestion of Dr Holzhacker, the Ambassador pledged to send a team from the US Embassy to Groningen in order to provide more information about TTIP to students and interested parties, and promised to continue engaging constructively with opponents of the deal. He remarked that a respectful, two-way dialogue is essential if creative solutions are to be found. Moving on to what he termed “shared stewardship of the planet”, the Ambassador provided a concise and informative overview of US-Netherlands cooperation on environmental issues. He praised the close collaboration between the countries in combating greenhouse gas emissions, and revealed that US Secretary of State John Kerry will be spending a week in Paris at the forthcoming UN Climate Change Confidence. “Secretary Kerry never spends a week anywhere,” quipped the Ambassador, noting that Mr Kerry’s presence at the talks signifies the Obama Administration’s deep commitment to addressing the issue of climate change. On matters of peace and security, the Ambassador also commended the strong and enduring relationship between the US and the Netherlands, as well the broader US-EU relationship. The conflict in Ukraine, he said, has highlighted the political stakes of security in Europe – a region to which the US remains fundamentally and irreversibly committed. On the question of peace and security in Asia, the Ambassador reiterated that the US wants to see a peaceful resolution of the South China Sea dispute. He hailed the success of tough, principled diplomacy in bringing about the Iranian nuclear deal, and added that the US, Netherlands, EU, and NATO are together resolved to promote peace and stability worldwide. The final section of the Ambassador’s speech focused on shared values. The principles and ideals of the US and the Netherlands are deeply intertwined, he observed, and include an unshakeable shared commitment to democracy, freedom, and human rights. Asked about Guantanamo Bay, the Ambassador reminded guests that the Obama Administration is taking all possible steps to reduce the number of detainees and close the facility. He also noted that despite political challenges, the number of inmates is steadily decreasing. On the subject of Cuba, the Ambassador hailed the recent restoration of US-Cuba ties, and expressed cautious optimism about the future of relations between the two countries. He ended with a few words on the power of sport, bolstered by anecdotes drawn from his own lifelong affiliation with baseball. Sport is a force for good in the world, he concluded; it connects communities everywhere and unites us in common endeavour. Photography by  Dr Tjalling Halbertsma.

Impressive image of the festive season at de Bijenkorf in The Hague. Today 19 of November our photographer Henry Arvidsson captured  the spirit of Christmas.

His Majesty the King will officially receive the credentials of the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Ms Andrea Gustović-Ercegovac; the Ambassador of the Solomon Islands, H.E. Moses Kouni Mose; and the Ambassador of the Lao PDR, H.E. Khamkheuang Bounteum on 18 November 2015 at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. The ambassadors will be greeted by a chamberlain of the King. The King provides each ambassador with a gala coach and, if applicable, a so-called blue carriage for the embassy staff. The carriages are pulled by two horses, and the gala carriage is led by two co-drivers in dress uniform. Two riders from the Mounted Constabulary accompany the carriages in full ceremonial dress. The dress code for the ambassadors is jacquet or national costume.

  At Noordeinde Palace stands a guard of honour and a military chapel. The guard of honour consists of the 43 Mechanized Brigade. The music is provided by the Royal Netherlands Army Band Johan Willem Friso. At the entrance of the Palace stand two honour posts of the Royal Military Police Brigade The Hague. After a salute of four drum-rolls and the national anthem of the country’s ambassador, there is an inspection of the guard of honour, after which the ambassador enters the Palace. Upon his or her departure, the ambassador receives again four honour drum-rolls.  

Queen Máxima visits Bangladesh to promote access to financial services. Her Majesty Queen Máxima is visiting the People’s Republic of Bangladesh from Monday 16 to Wednesday 18 November in her role as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, at the invitation of the Bangladeshi government. Bangladesh has considerable experience with microcredit loans for small businesses. It is Queen Máxima’s first country visit in her capacity as Special Advocate since the new sustainable development goals were adopted by all UN member states in September this year. Access to financial services has been incorporated into a number of these goals as an important tool for reducing poverty, boosting economic development and improving the position of women. On Monday 16 November Queen Máxima spoke with several donor organisations in Dhaka about their role in inclusive finance and cooperation with partners like the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund and local UN agencies. She also had discussions with representatives of microcredit organisations about expanding financial services, and talked to legislative bodies about the options for expanding mobile bank services. On Tuesday 17 November the Queen will visit a garment factory outside Dhaka, where she will meet entrepreneurs, staff and others to hear about their experience with loans and other financial (including digital) services. In the afternoon she will meet with the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr Atiur Rahman, and will attend a meeting to present plans for a digital and inclusive financing strategy. On Wednesday 18 November Queen Máxima will meet the Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and the Minister of Finance, Abul Maal A. Muhith. There will also be a roundtable discussion with representatives of the banking sector and a meeting with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina. Queen Máxima was appointed the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development in September 2009. In this capacity she advises on access to financial services and is committed to achieving this for everyone worldwide, with a special focus on boosting the development of low-income groups and the SME sector. The Queen has been Honorary Patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) since June 2011.   ANP, foto: Robin Utrecht.