Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Netherlands hosted a reception on Tuesday, 12 January 2016, for representatives of Dutch NGOs, cultural organisations and civil society at large.
The day after the Royal Couple likewise welcomed the diplomatic corps accredited to The Netherlands on Wednesday, 13 January 2016. Both receptions took place at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. These receptions were attended by HRH Princess Beatrix and HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands accompanied by Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at the New Year’s Reception for the corps diplomatique in Amsterdam.
The traditional reception for Dutch guests focused this year in honouring the work of those working in home care and the transition to it.
This theme was linked to the visit last year of King Willem-Alexander to the Academic Health Centre Thermion in Nijmegen.
For more information on Academic Health Centre Thermion: www.agcthermion.nl
Pictures by the Dutch Royal Household http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl
The nomination of a unity government for Libya is a step in the right direction, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said today. ‘It’s all to the good, especially after such a long period of rival blocs contending for power.’
The minister sees the unity government as important not only for Libyans themselves, but also for the EU. ‘Libyans can only suffer from having a divided country where parties are confronting each other head-on,’ he said. ‘And a united Libya is vital for the Netherlands and the rest of the EU, too, because it makes joint action possible in the struggle against terrorism,’ he remarked.
Mr Koenders pointed out that Libya has increasingly become a haven for ISIS, commenting that ‘only a Libyan government with the entire country under its control can prevent ISIS from using it as a base’. A united Libya is also a key precondition for better management of migration flows towards Europe.
At the same time, the minister still sees potential snags ahead for the new government: ‘we still need to see whether the parliament will give its assent’, for example. He called on the Libyan parliament to confirm the new government’s installation as rapidly as possible.
The international community, under UN leadership, will endeavour in the coming months to support Libya as much as possible. The EU has, announced an assistance package of €100 million.
Mr Koenders hopes that the unity government will pay more attention in future to the status of women. ‘UN envoy Martin Kobler had called for 30% of the portfolios to be given to women, but in fact only one woman has been appointed as a minister,’ he said. ‘That’s a disappointment and a missed opportunity, particularly because women are playing such a crucial role in the transition process.’ The Netherlands is supporting Libyan women in establishing an advisory body that will function as a ministry.
Refugee crisis in Europe: IOM observes more voluntary returns
IOM detects an increasing number of requests for voluntary return. These requests arise from many different locations in the Netherlands, including crisis- and emergency reception locations.
IOM receives both requests for voluntary return from migrants that just arrived in the Netherlands as well as from migrants that have been staying in the Netherlands for years now. Under the current large inflow of asylum seekers there are relatively many migrants that do not await the result of their asylum request, rather they choose to voluntarily return to their home country fairly quickly after their arrival.
If a travel document is available, departure can take place within a few weeks. The exact duration depends on amongst other things on the country of destination, the(medical) situation of the migrant and his or her possible reintegration plans.
Departure can take place within a few days in urgent cases. The IOM can help to obtain travel documents if these are not available at first.
For information: http://www.iom.int/Picture by the IOM.
Officially, the Netherlands took over the Presidency of the European Council on January 7th as part of a six-months-rotating system amongst the EU member states. From January to June, 2016 Dutch diplomats will chair regular meetings in Brussels and in Amsterdam. Conversely, ministries, cities, companies and NGOs will organise a range of events here in the Netherlands.
During each period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU’s work.
Member states holding the presidency work together closely in groups of three, called ‘trios’. The current trio is made up of the presidencies of the Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta.
This system was introduced by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the topics and major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an eighteen months period. On the basis of this programme, each of the three countries prepares its own agenda.
The presidency is responsible for driving forward the Council’s work based on EU legislation, assuring the continuity of the EU goals, with orderly legislative mechanisms and cooperation among member states. In order to achieve this task, the presidency must act as an honest and impartial broker.
Please see some images from Kim Vermaat of the memorable meeting following the link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157663377564656
The Netherlands’ first presidency took place in 1992 then after in 1997 were the country played a leading part in treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam, starting negotiations in 2004 to integrate Turkey as member state. The role of the rotating presidencies has changed remarkably, as both the European Council and the Foreign Affairs Council have now a permanent President.
The presidency has now two main duties:
Planning and chairing meetings in the Council and its preparatory bodies
The presidency chairs meetings of the different Council configurations (with the exception of the Foreign Affairs Council) and the Council’s preparatory bodies, which include permanent committees such as the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper), and working parties and committees dealing with very specific subjects.
The presidency ensures that debates are conducted accurately and that all Council’s rules of procedure and working methods are correctly applied.
It also organizes multiples formal and informal meetings in Brussels and in the country of the rotating presidency, now in Amsterdam. The Netherlands will have to deal with an ambitious reform programme for Europe and a great number of new European legislation proposals of sensitive topics.
Representing the Council in relations with the other EU institutions
The presidency represents the Council in relations with the other EU institutions, particularly with the Commission and the European Parliament. Its role is to try and reach agreement on legislative files through trilogues, informal negotiation meetings and Conciliation Committee meetings.
The presidency works in close coordination with:
The President of the European Council
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The presidency can represent the Foreign Affairs Council before the European Parliament or preside over the Foreign Affairs Council when it discusses common commercial policy issues.
The Dutch agenda focus on the essential: clear tasks division between the member states and the EU institutions, reduction of the administrative impact, support innovation and the creation of new jobs, as well as promoting a better interaction between the EU and the European population.
Information on the Netherlands EU presidency: http://english.eu2016.nl/
On the picture His Excellency Ambassador Fermin Quiñones and his spouse Aimara together with the Cuban Embassy staff.By Ellen Brager.
Greet.
It is Thursday evening at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel and the guests start to arrive under the watchful eye of Arwin Paulides, manager of the hotel that since long has become the home base of Diplomat Magazine.
In the line at the coat check, mostly Spanish, English and Dutch are spoken. His Excellency Ambassador Fermin Quiñones and his spouse Aimara welcome diplomats, government officials, business people and friends with Cuban warmth. A freshly prepared mojito, Cuba’s famous cocktail, dissipates the last of the winter cold from outside.
For Kim Vermaat photo album on Cuba Diplomats Meet and Greet, please click here https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157663637698606HE Alavaro Moerzinger, Ambassador of Uruguay and spouse Ana Trabal, HE Moazzam Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan and spouse HE Leena Salim Moazzam, HE Fermin Gabriel Quiñones and spouse Aimara Quiñones, Patricia van Oordt spouse of HE Fernando Arias, Ambassador of Spain and Rafael Lesca Torralba General Consul of Cuba.
The first Diplomats Meet & Greet of 2016, sponsored by Diplomatic Card and Jaguar, marked not only the New Year, but also the 57th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution.
In his welcome speech, Ambassador Quiñones praised the triumph of the revolution as a turning point in the history of the country and the region. At the same time he asked to remember the many Cubans who sacrificed their lives to achieve and uphold this victory.
HE Fermin Quiñones, Amaira Quiñones, HE Ahmet Üzümcü, Director General of the OPCW and Rafael Lesca Torralba General Consul of Cuba.
Despite the persistence of an economic and commercial blockade which has been in force for the past 55 years, Cuba has achieved some remarkable successes. Last year the economy grew by 4% and prestigious companies around the world are showing increased interest in the Cuban market. The relations with the European Union continue to improve and especially the bilateral relations with the Netherlands have strengthened and grown, opening new opportunities for economic projects and cooperation in many other areas.
With free access to education from elementary to university level and health care for all, Cuba has become an example for the region. Moreover, tourism grew over 17% with the arrival of more than 3.5 million visitors to the country in 2015.
Ambassador Quiñones, Amaira Quiñones, the Hon. Mr. Jan Hoekema Mayor of Wassenaar and Rafael Lesca Torralba General Consul of Cuba.
When looking at the glossy brochures on the tables, that last statement isn’t hard to imagine. Cuba is indeed a favorite tourist attraction as it has something to offer for everybody.
Beach lovers enjoy the tropical climate and the pristine beaches of white sand and turquoise water, a paradise for deep sea diving and other water sports. Art lovers are attracted by Cuba’s impressive cultural patrimony, especially in music and dance.
Cities like Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Trinidad can entertain visitors for days with their rich history, colonial architecture, festivals and museums, while their vibrant night life is an attraction in itself.
HE Sabine Nölke, Ambassador of Canada, Ambassador Fermin Quiñones, Amaira Quiñones, HE Xu Chen Ambassador of China, Rafael Lesca Torralba General Consul of Cuba and Ingrid Estévez Arxer, Second Secretary at the Cuban Embassy.
After the Ambassador’s speech the guests mingled, making their way to the richly filled table with hors d’oeuvres. Repeated happy New Year wishes filled the air along with the Cuban music played softly in the background.
Who doesn’t recognize those typical sounds, made famous worldwide by the Buena Vista Social Club? The lively chatter continues well into the evening, a sure sign of a successful event.
HE Haifa Aissami Madah, Ambassador of Venezuela, Ambassador Quiñones, HE Sergio Ugalde Godinez Ambassador of Costa Rica and Amaira Quiñones.“We continue to change everything that needs to be changed. But we will never give up on our principles, our independence and our sovereignty.”, concluded Ambassador Quiñones.
These are reassuring words for those who worry about preserving Cuba’s identity now that the borders are more permeable and influences from abroad have become stronger.
Cuba is truly a unique country. Let’s hope it stays that way for centuries to come!
Picture by Catherine Dailey.For information:http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/holanda
On the picture Herman Schaper.UPEACE Centre The Hague and the Peace Palace Library 6th Lecture on “Peacebuilding in Progress” will take place on Wednesday 3 February 2016.
On Wednesday 3 February 2016, at the Peace Palace, Academy Building, Seminar Room
From 17.00 to 19.00 hrs Mr. Herman Schaper, former Dutch diplomat, will deliver a speech on “The Candidature of the Netherlands for Membership of the Security Council, 2017-2018”.
Herman Schaper (1949) is a retired Dutch diplomat, who is now (part time) professor at the Campus The Hague of Leiden University, where he occupies the Kooijmans Chair on peace, law and security. Since last July he is also a member of the D66 group in the Eerste Kamer (Senate) of the States-General, the Dutch parliament.
From 2009 to 2013 he was the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations in New York. From 2005 to 2009 he was the Dutch PermRep at NATO. After his return to The Hague in the summer of 2013 he was Special Envoy for the candidacy of The Netherlands for membership of the Security Council, 2017-2018, a position he held till his retirement in 2014. He has published around two dozen articles on Dutch foreign policy, European security and transatlantic relations.
If you wish to attend the lecture, please send an e-mail to info@upeace.nl before 27 January. Costs of participation are € 10; for students there is a reduced fee of € 5. The number of seats is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.Lecture # 1 was held by Ms Judy Cheng-Hopkins, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), and Member of the Council of the UN-Mandated University for Peace (Costa Rica), on “Peacebuilding: What, Why and How?”, 7 March 2014.
Lecture # 2 was held by Prof. Jan Pronk, Chair in the Theory and Practice of International Development at the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam, on “Preventing Conflict Escalation. Hearts and Minds. Boots and Brains”, 27 May 2014.
Lecture # 3 was held by Prof. András Szöllösi-Nagy, Rector of the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, on “Water: A Source of Conflict or a Potential Peace Builder?”, 3 July 2014.
Lecture # 4 was held by Sir Kenneth Keith, Judge of the International Court of Justice, on “International water disputes – The roles of international courts and arbitral tribunals in resolving them”, 28 January 2015.
Lecture # 5 was held by Robert H. Serry, former UN Envoy, on: “The vanishing prospects for a two state solution”, 9 September 2015.
For information: www.upeace.nl | www.peacepalacelibrary.nl
On the picture Ethiopian Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros Adhanom and Federica Mogherini – Picture by EU.By Mission of Ethiopia to the EU, Embassy to the Benelux countries.
12 to 13 January 2015, Brussels: the Foreign Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia H.E. Dr Tedros Adhanom was on official visit in Brussels, accompanied by a high-level delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During his visit, H.E. Dr. Tedros held several meetings with EU officials including EU High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission, several EU Commissioners and members of the European Parliament.
The discussion between Minister Tedros and HRVP Federica Mogherini underlined that the European Union would continue its strategic engagement with Ethiopia to support reforms and the promotion of social and economic growth through its development cooperation programs. A first step for this will be the signing of a strategic partnership agreement and organizing an EU-Ethiopia Business Forum on the second quarter of this year.
The High Representative and the commissioner for Migration also discussed with the Foreign Minister the follow-up of the agreement on Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility signed in November last year on the margins of La Valletta Summit. High Representative Mogherini recognized Ethiopia’s significant effort in hosting more than 700,000 refugees. It was agreed that the EU and Ethiopia would “work together to tackle irregular migration, including return, and to better take advantage of the opportunities provided by well-managed migration.”
Both partners also welcomed the fact that the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa had already started financing projects in Ethiopia. During the discussion, HRVP Mogherini and Minister Tedros have raised and discussed range of issues notably the Horn of Africa peace and geopolitical situations where Ethiopia is playing a crucial role in terms of peace, security and stability and that the EU would continue to support these efforts. The Foreign Minister also updated the HRVP on the recent protest in Oromiya region to which the Minister explained the reality on the ground.
In another meeting with Dr. Tedros, the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Mr. Christos Stylianides, noted that the El-Niño induced drought needed quick intervention and collaboration and expressed EU’s utmost solidarity with the people of Ethiopia, adding that the EU was looking for updated assessment on the recent drought in a bid to enhance more support.
During a discussion with Neven Mimica, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, they underlined the importance of scaling up various areas of bilateral and regional partnerships, including Ethiopia’s progresses, enhancing development cooperation and promoting regional integration in various economic and infrastructure frontiers. It was to the pleasure of our delegation to hear from Commissioner Mimica that depending on the effective and efficient utilization of the funds allocated to Ethiopia on the 11th EDF, there would be a possibility to get additional funds to finance projects after the mid-term review.
Owning to the fact that Ethiopia’s strong track record of prudent use of funds only to their intended purposes, we strongly believe that Ethiopia will get additional funds. H.E. Dr. Tedros also met Mr. Gilles de Kerchove EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, who commended Ethiopia’s unparalleled role in maintaining peace and stability as well as forging integration projects in the Horn of Africa. He expressed EU’s solidarity with Ethiopia in the fight against extremism and terrorism, and asserted that given Ethiopia is a stable country in the chaotic and an unstable region, cooperation in the intelligence areas will also be considered.
Commissioner Christos Stylianides in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management and Dr. Tedros Adhanom – Picture by European Commission.The meeting with MEP Louis Mitchel, MEP Elmar Brok and MEP Linda McAven was also a good opportunity to discuss various issues of interest to both Ethiopia and the European Union. This visit was organized as a follow up meeting to the high level visit of EU delegation led by HRVP Mogherini to Ethiopia in October 2014, during which the Ethio-EU engagement was agreed to be elevated ;to a higher level. The official relations between Ethiopia and the European Union were established 40 years ago.
Both partners successfully cooperate in areas such as development, international migrations and stability in the Horn of Africa. The continuous and increased development cooperation, the signing of Joint Declaration for a Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, the agreement to elevate the relationship to a higher level and to organize an EU-Ethiopia business form and the ever increasing mutual understanding between the two sides attest this strong relation.
For more information:
Mission of Ethiopia to the EU, Embassy to the Benelux countries:http://www.ethiopianembassy.be/en/
On the picture Dominican Republic dance group.
Vakantiebeurs, in Utrechtt is with more than 1.200 exhibitors one of the most important touristic consumer events in the world. Traditionally, Tuesday and Wednesday are the two trade days and Ambassadors from many countries participated to the opening activities today.
For a Kim Vermaat’s photo album, please click here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157663329720781H.E. Mr. Ittiporn Boonpracong, Ambassador of Thailand.
For many Dutch people, going on holiday is ‘a part of life’. A nation of curious travellers, spending a lot of time and money on holidays, recreation and relaxation. Vakantiebeurs visitors are inspired by the most beautiful destinations worldwide; besides gathering information hundreds are there also for good food and lifelike experience, for example:
wandering around on a magical ‘1001 night’ bazaar
taking the kids to the best Camping by Night: 4 seasons!
a real-life adventure in the colorful Africa! Hall
enjoying bites from all over the world during the culinary trail
finding your new traveling companion at the meeting plaza
ultimate relaxation at the wellness point
meeting locals and enjoying new cultures
H. E. Mr. Gabriel Edgardo Aguilera Peralta, Ambassador of Guatemala and Claudia de León Aguirre Trade Commissioner, Guatemala Trade & Investment Office.
The tradeshow has been divided into sections like holiday type and geographic location:
– DISCOVER Far-away destinations
– ACTIVE Outdoor & Sports
– SEE Cities & culture
– TOGETHER Family & children
– SAIL Cruises & sailing
– OUTDOOR Camping
– WELLNESS
H.E. Mr. Franz Josef Kremp, Ambassador of Germany.
Please see some images from Kim Vermaat of the memorable meeting following the link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157663377564656
The Netherlands’ first presidency took place in 1992 then after in 1997 were the country played a leading part in treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam, starting negotiations in 2004 to integrate Turkey as member state. The role of the rotating presidencies has changed remarkably, as both the European Council and the Foreign Affairs Council have now a permanent President.
The presidency has now two main duties:
