On the picture Jordan’s Queen Rania talks to Belgium’s Prime Minister.ByBaron Henri Estramant.After visiting Downing Street and Britain’s Premier David Cameron on Friday, 8 January 2016, to discuss the Syrian refugee crisis, Queen Rania of Jordan continued her whirlwind tour of Europe touching down in Brussels on Tuesday, 12 January 2016. The Jordanian royal (45),  first met with the country’s Prime Minister Charles Michel before heading to the Royal Palace for an audience with Queen Mathilde of the Belgians. In the afternoon, Rania made her way to EU meetings at the European Commission headquarters. There she met with Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC as well as Commissioner Johannes Hahn, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations. Queen Rania of Jordan and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians – Picture by Akamai Technologies.After Brussels, Queen Rania al-Abdullah travelled to Oslo wherein she was received by the Royal Couple as well as the Crown Princely Couple of Norway and the Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg. Queen Rania and Prime Minister Erna Solberg – Picture by Terje Bendiksby, Scanpix.Background for all visits and meetings in the three countries is the upcoming Syria Donorâs Conference, which shall take place on 4 February in London, and is being financially and logistically organised by the UK, Norway, Germany and Kuwait. Queen Rania hopes to receive strong economic aid for Jordan which has welcomed about a million refugees from Syria, Iraq, Palestine and even Afghanistan notwithstanding the limited resources of the Hashemite Kingdom which are being forced to the limit.Â
Mission of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the EU and NATO, Embassy to Belgium, Luxembourg and Norway, HE Ambassador Dr.Yousef Bataineh:Â www.jordanembassy.be
Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to The Netherlands, Mission to the OPCW, HE Ambassador Ahmad Mufleh:Â http://www.jordanembassy.nl
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras. First Cyprus-Israel-Greece tripartite meeting in Nicosia On 28 January 2016.
President Nicos Anastasiades, the Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras and the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu presided over the ïŹrst Cyprus-Greece-Israel Trilateral Summit in Nicosia.
A joint declaration was adopted forming the foundation of the cooperation between the three countries, including, inter alia, in the ïŹelds of energy, tourism, research and technology, the environment, water management, terrorism and migration.
Within the framework of the summit a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the ïŹeld of Water Resources Management among the three countries was signed by the three respective ministers of Agriculture.
In remarks to the press after the trilateral meeting, President Anastasiades highlighted that âthe objective of the trilateral cooperation is the promotion of peace, stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, through the substantive and practical strengthening of our joint ventures in all the ïŹelds of cooperation and therefore it was not and it is not possible for this cooperation of ours to be directed against any other country.âThe President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, in a tĂȘte-Ă -tĂȘte meeting with the Prime Ministers of Greece, Mr Alexis Tsipras, and Israel, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu.
Characterizing the Joint Declaration that was adopted by the three countries a really historic document, the President also remarked that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in the ïŹeld of Water Resources Management, is a tangible and practical example and step of the cooperation between the three countries.
On his part the Israeli Prime Minister pointed out, inter alia, that during the Trilateral Meeting the leaders discussed the issue of natural gas âand we decided to explore this in a very audacious way, to form a trilateral Committee between Greece, Cyprus and Israel to plan the possibility of a pipeline that would take our common resources of gas and export it to Europe via Greece. A pipeline from Israel, Cyprus through Greece to Europe. This goes along side our other plans vis-Ă -vis the exploitation of the energy recourses. The second thing that we are embarking on is creating an interconnecting underwater cable to connect the electricity grids of Israel, Cyprus and later on Greece.âÂ
Mr Netanyahu concluded that âWe can pledge that our trilateral cooperation will help bring the blessings of progress not only to the citizens of our three democracies but also perhaps to the wider region by helping stability, security, prosperity and peace.âÂ
In his own remarks, the Greek Prime Minister said that âwe had today a very substantive discussion: we agreed on the opportunities and the possibilities for a close cooperation; we identiïŹed ïŹelds of common interest where we can implement joint programs in order to have immediate, practical results; we agreed on the formation of a tripartite joint working and coordinating group with regard to the critical ïŹeld of energy; we agreed to press on with energy networks that will strengthen the energy security of our countries, but also that of the broader region.âPhotography by  the Press and Information Office – Republic of Cyprus.
Ambassador Yang Yanyi welcoming MEP IstvĂĄn Ujhelyi.
In celebration of the Chinese New Year, the Mission of the PRC to the EU hosted the dance performance âThe Silk Road on the Seaâ on January 26 at Brussels National Theatre.
HE Ambassador Yang Yangyi welcomed high-level guests from the European Commission as well as the European Parliament who attended to celebrate the revival of the Silk Road.
For a photo album on âThe Silk Road on the Seaâ performance:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/129701717@N05/sets/72157661715632534
 Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani – Picture by Aljazeera.
His Highness The Amir of the State of Qatar issued a decree on January 27, appointing HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani as new foreign minister. Incumbent Khalid Al Attiyah, the outgoing foreign minister, will become state minister for defence affairs though the actual ministry is controlled by the Amir.
âThe Hague Masqueradeâ is organizing a fabulous Gala for Diplomatâs, Expatriates, Internationals and Dutch businesspeople. The Brazilian Carnival Gala event (Black-tie or Costume), has the support of the Embassy of Brazil in The Hague.
Hostesses dressed in Carnival costumes will brighten the evening while Juliana Bragaâs dance âStudy Groupâ from Amsterdam will perform typical Brazilian dances like ForrĂł, Samba and Gafieira, follow by a fashion Show from the well known Dutch designer, Angelle Chang (JOW Fashion), with Brazilian models.
Stands to purchase articles displayed in the Fashion Show like the handbags made by Amal Ledrhem (Superfab) also a stand with Brazilian handmade masks, in case you did not bring one will be open in the venue. A Brazilian DJ will play his fantastic Brazilian music accompanied by a percussionist. Several bars will be open all night long also a special Caipirinhaâs bar.
‘All together it will be an unforgettable night. It is the first time in 20 years that there will be a Brazilian Carnival Gala in The Hague again and we are very much looking forward to making it a huge success which can be repeated every year.’ said one of the organisers.
Date: February 5, 2016, from 09:30 pm till 03.00 am,
Venue: The Parliament building, âInternational Press Centre Nieuwspoortâ, Lange Poten 10, 2511 CL The Hague.
Visit the Facebook site: Brazilian Carnival Gala or The Hague Masquerade or Use this link to order your tickets for the event.https://link2ticket.nl/OrderMain.aspx?elink=A1hXcUMFfFtKVQ&channelid=A1hXcUMFfl5BUAPrices: Early bird tickets; Euro 20 pp, as long as it lasts. Thereafter; Euro 25 pp. Tickets at the door; Euro 30. VIP arrangements and VIP tables can be provided. Please contact us for details.
For information:  jsvandeven@casema.nl /  0628268629
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The Embassy of Costa Rica in the Netherlands and the Hispanic Society of The Hague, organised a guitar quartet concert ‘Caribbean Night’ by the Guitar Quartet of Costa Rica.
The evening took place in Koningkerk, The Hague in presence of members of the Diplomatic Corps and the Hispanic Society of The Hague. His Excellency Sergio Ugalde, Ambassador of Costa Rica, welcomed the audience and the highly skilled artists.
The Guitar Quartet of Costa Rica. ” The Hague was the first destination of a series of concert to take place in Bruxelles and continuing to Luxembourg, Paris, London and Cambridge.”, said Mrs. Edith Bergansus, Chair of the Hispanic Society.
The programme featured Costarican culture and rhythm. Music is an important educational asset for the government in San Jose. Musicians are alumni from the Music School of the University of Costa Rica.
Ms. Bergansus and guests after the concert.
Here follows a brief summary of Ambassador Mukulâs welcome remarks:
âIt is my proud privilege and pleasure to welcome you all on the happy occasion of the 67th Republic Day of India. I extend my greetings and felicitations to one and all on this occasion. I would like to extend a special welcome to our guest of the evening Mr. AndrĂ© Haspels who is representing H.E. the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands. We are delighted to have you, Sir.
âIndia is clearly on the move, with a high growth trajectory. Science tells us that when the Indian elephant gathers speed â characteristic of the Indian tiger or lion â it has momentum. However, at the same time, we are indeed mindful of the numerous challenges that lie ahead of us.
âAt the bilateral level, 2015 has been particularly good for Indo-Dutch relations. We have had major business delegations led by the Mayors of Amsterdam and Amstelveen and an unprecedented two delegations from The Hague Municipality, of which one is presently in India as I speak. But the peak of our bilateral relations in the past year has clearly been Prime Minister Mark Rutteâs landmark visit to India in June 2015 with a mega business delegation. This was further reinforced by the valued presence of the Prime Minister at the recent launch of Indiaâs initiative called âInternational Solar Allianceâ on the sidelines of COP-21 in Paris.â
âGoing forward, India remains a shining example among the emerging economies, with economic growth of 7.5%, expected to rise to 8.9%. India has many flagship programmes underway, including Made-in-India, Digital India, Skill India, Smart India, Smart Cities, Clean India, Start-up-India, and Stand-up-India. These and others provide ample complementarities and opportunities for Indo-Dutch cooperation in future.â
âTurning from the bilateral to the multilateral, during 2015 India pursued its proactive engagement and constructive role in the multilateral and legal organizations based in The Hague â the city of peace and justice. The forthcoming year, 2016, promises to be even more active and interesting across the spectrum.
âExcellencies, we seek to work in close cooperation with all concerned in different fora.â
The Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Andre Haspels also addressed the gathering.
Among other things, Mr. Haspels made reference to the four centuries-old relationship between the Netherlands and India. He also noted Prime Minister Mark Rutteâs recent visit to India.
In New Delhi, Republic Day is celebrated in with a grand military parade. The Prime Minister of India lays a floral wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti to honour the unknown soldiers. The Presidentâs bodyguards on horseback escort the President of India to Rajpath where he joins the other dignitaries for the hoisting of the National Flag.
‘All together it will be an unforgettable night. It is the first time in 20 years that there will be a Brazilian Carnival Gala in The Hague again and we are very much looking forward to making it a huge success which can be repeated every year.’ said one of the organisers.
Date: February 5, 2016, from 09:30 pm till 03.00 am,
Venue: The Parliament building, âInternational Press Centre Nieuwspoortâ, Lange Poten 10, 2511 CL The Hague.
Visit the Facebook site: Brazilian Carnival Gala or The Hague Masquerade or Use this link to order your tickets for the event.https://link2ticket.nl/OrderMain.aspx?elink=A1hXcUMFfFtKVQ&channelid=A1hXcUMFfl5BUA
Prices: Early bird tickets; Euro 20 pp, as long as it lasts. Thereafter; Euro 25 pp. Tickets at the door; Euro 30. VIP arrangements and VIP tables can be provided. Please contact us for details.
For information:  jsvandeven@casema.nl /  0628268629
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