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 DavutoÄźlu represented Turkey.
Prime Minister AntĂłnio LuĂs 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.
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.
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.
The King of the Netherlands with the Ambassador of Malawi, Tedson Aubrey Kalebe – Picture by Rotapool – Remko de Waal.
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.Â
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 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:Â http://thecommonwealth.orgMission of the Eastern Caribbean States to the EU and the Benelux countries (Dr. Len Ishmael):Â www.oecs.org/about-the-oecs/37-overseas-missions/ecs-mission-in-brussels
On the picture Ambassador Ahmet ĂśzĂĽmcĂĽ, 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/72157659536782793Ambassador Ahmet ĂśzĂĽmcĂĽ 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.
Ambassador Ahmet ĂśzĂĽmcĂĽ 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.
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/
On the picture jazz singer Dira Sugandi.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The auditorium of the internationally renowned Royal Conservatorium was too small to contain the great Indonesian artist Dwiki Dharmawan and his collaborators.
Dwiki Dharma wan, is not new to The Hague, he performed here before at the North Sea Jazz Festival. The group put on a dazzling show. As Mr. Ibnu Wahyutomo, Charge d’ Affaires a.i. of the Indonesian Embassy indicated in his welcome address, Dwiki Dharma wan was to show a different Indonesia.
No batik gamelan or other traditional stuff but a contemporary Indonesia. This is exactly what happened the evening of 20 November.
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in The Hague in collaboration with the Indonesian Cultural House (Rumah Budaya Indonesia/ RBI) organized “Indonesia Jazz Night” at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag, the birthplace of young and talented musical artists in the Netherlands.
In a welcoming remark, Mr. Ibnu Wahyutomo – Charge d’ Affaires ad interim of the Indonesian Embassy highlighted the flourishing musical interests and the growing number of rich talented Indonesian jazz musicians, who are known for fusing the archipelago’s rich traditional music and modern jazz instruments.
While music is as a universal language, Mr. Wahyutomo pledged to make similar events an annual event in the Netherlands. Among the popular artists who performed during the “Indonesia Jazz Night” are Dwiki Dharma wan, Towpath (guitarist), Dira Sugandi (jazz singer).
For the opening song, Dwiki Dharmawan and friends performed his song of Jazz for Freeport. Along with a talented young Indonesian guitarist Tohpati and jazz singer Dira Sugandi, they played 12 songs such as Frog Dance, Lukisan Pagi (morning painting), Whale Dancer, Bubuy Bulan (traditional Indonesian West Java song), Lamalera’s Dream, Arafura and Spirit of Peace.
Dwiki Dharmawan is an award winning musical artists and is the founder of a world famous Indonesian jazz band of “Krakatau”. Whilst being a cultural and peace activist, he launched World Peace Orchestra (WPO), which fosters social harmony and global awareness.
Tohpati, one of the many young talented Indonesian jazz guitarists and songwriter, has several recorded musical albums. Dira Sugandi, is an Indonesian singer and actress and in 2011 performed a duet with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli during a concert in Jakarta.
During the side-lines, Indonesian young Papuans performed Sajojo Dance (Friendship Dance) as well as Indonesian students from Eindhoven played musical pieces – “New York New York” and “Love” out of Angklung instruments. Angklung is a musical instrument from Indonesia made of two to four bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame.
Indonesia Jazz Night filled up the Conservatorium Hall and was attended by various diplomats, Dutch officials, musicians, students and the Indonesian community in The Netherlands.
In the middle of the busy city of The Hague, the Hof is a haven of peace and a mere 5 minute walk from the Bijenkorf!
The 17th century courtyard and garden lovely at any time, is particularly special when beautifully lit and decorated for the Christmas season.
Dressed in Dickens style choirs will sing carols and maybe you can even join in. Hot chocolate, mulled wine, home-made soup and other goodies will be available.
A small donation for the choirs will be welcomed. All the proceeds will go to the maintenance of our garden.
Saturday December 12. From 1700-18.30 hrs. Free entry. Lange Beestenmarkt 49-85, The Hague For information:www.hofvanwouw.
AÂ true passion for music!
Benelux set the tone in Europe Benelux – Jazz concert to mark the Luxembourg and Dutch Presidencies of the Council of the European Union and the Belgian Presidency of the Benelux Union.
Ambassador of Luxembourg H. E. Pierre Louis Lorenz with artists.
To echo the enthusiasm that characterises Luxembourg Embassy teamwork on economic affairs, security and sustainability, they invited the Belgian-Azerbaijani jazz pianist Amina Figarova and her sextet from the Benelux to the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague for a memorable performance on Thursday November 26.
Ambassador of Belgium H. E. Chris Hoornaert and the Mayor of Wassenaar Jan Hoekema.
For additional pictures on the concert, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157661670708226
For more information: AWEX: http://www.investinwallonia.be/?lang=en
Photographs by J. Van Belle from Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI) 
For more information: AWEX: http://www.investinwallonia.be/?lang=en
Photographs by J. Van Belle from Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI) 
Accommodations, 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 
Accommodations, 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: Â www.ouftitourisme.be 
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in The Hague in collaboration with the Indonesian Cultural House (Rumah Budaya Indonesia/ RBI) organized “Indonesia Jazz Night” at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag, the birthplace of young and talented musical artists in the Netherlands.
In a welcoming remark, Mr. Ibnu Wahyutomo – Charge d’ Affaires ad interim of the Indonesian Embassy highlighted the flourishing musical interests and the growing number of rich talented Indonesian jazz musicians, who are known for fusing the archipelago’s rich traditional music and modern jazz instruments.
While music is as a universal language, Mr. Wahyutomo pledged to make similar events an annual event in the Netherlands. Among the popular artists who performed during the “Indonesia Jazz Night” are Dwiki Dharma wan, Towpath (guitarist), Dira Sugandi (jazz singer).
For the opening song, Dwiki Dharmawan and friends performed his song of Jazz for Freeport. Along with a talented young Indonesian guitarist Tohpati and jazz singer Dira Sugandi, they played 12 songs such as Frog Dance, Lukisan Pagi (morning painting), Whale Dancer, Bubuy Bulan (traditional Indonesian West Java song), Lamalera’s Dream, Arafura and Spirit of Peace.
Dwiki Dharmawan is an award winning musical artists and is the founder of a world famous Indonesian jazz band of “Krakatau”. Whilst being a cultural and peace activist, he launched World Peace Orchestra (WPO), which fosters social harmony and global awareness.
Tohpati, one of the many young talented Indonesian jazz guitarists and songwriter, has several recorded musical albums. Dira Sugandi, is an Indonesian singer and actress and in 2011 performed a duet with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli during a concert in Jakarta.
During the side-lines, Indonesian young Papuans performed Sajojo Dance (Friendship Dance) as well as Indonesian students from Eindhoven played musical pieces – “New York New York” and “Love” out of Angklung instruments. Angklung is a musical instrument from Indonesia made of two to four bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame.
Indonesia Jazz Night filled up the Conservatorium Hall and was attended by various diplomats, Dutch officials, musicians, students and the Indonesian community in The Netherlands. 
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in The Hague in collaboration with the Indonesian Cultural House (Rumah Budaya Indonesia/ RBI) organized “Indonesia Jazz Night” at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag, the birthplace of young and talented musical artists in the Netherlands.
In a welcoming remark, Mr. Ibnu Wahyutomo – Charge d’ Affaires ad interim of the Indonesian Embassy highlighted the flourishing musical interests and the growing number of rich talented Indonesian jazz musicians, who are known for fusing the archipelago’s rich traditional music and modern jazz instruments.
While music is as a universal language, Mr. Wahyutomo pledged to make similar events an annual event in the Netherlands. Among the popular artists who performed during the “Indonesia Jazz Night” are Dwiki Dharma wan, Towpath (guitarist), Dira Sugandi (jazz singer).
For the opening song, Dwiki Dharmawan and friends performed his song of Jazz for Freeport. Along with a talented young Indonesian guitarist Tohpati and jazz singer Dira Sugandi, they played 12 songs such as Frog Dance, Lukisan Pagi (morning painting), Whale Dancer, Bubuy Bulan (traditional Indonesian West Java song), Lamalera’s Dream, Arafura and Spirit of Peace.
Dwiki Dharmawan is an award winning musical artists and is the founder of a world famous Indonesian jazz band of “Krakatau”. Whilst being a cultural and peace activist, he launched World Peace Orchestra (WPO), which fosters social harmony and global awareness.
Tohpati, one of the many young talented Indonesian jazz guitarists and songwriter, has several recorded musical albums. Dira Sugandi, is an Indonesian singer and actress and in 2011 performed a duet with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli during a concert in Jakarta.
During the side-lines, Indonesian young Papuans performed Sajojo Dance (Friendship Dance) as well as Indonesian students from Eindhoven played musical pieces – “New York New York” and “Love” out of Angklung instruments. Angklung is a musical instrument from Indonesia made of two to four bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame.
Indonesia Jazz Night filled up the Conservatorium Hall and was attended by various diplomats, Dutch officials, musicians, students and the Indonesian community in The Netherlands. 
