On the picture Dr. Bahiya bint Jawad Al Jishi. Photography by Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs.By Baron Henri Estramant.
His Majesty King Hamad II of Bahrain issued Royal Decree 59/2015 appointing new heads of mission to Bahraini diplomatic missions.
Dr. Bahia bint Jawad Al Jishi succeeds Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Doseri as Head of Mission to the EU, Belgium and non-resident to Luxembourg. Dr. Al Jishi was duly hailed and congratulated as a model for Bahraini women by the realm’s First Lady, HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Chair of the Supreme Council for Women.
Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulghaffar Abdullah.Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulghaffar Abdullah becomes Head of Mission to the French Republic, co-accredited to Spain and Portugal.
Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.
HE Minister Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, hitherto Minister of State for Communication Affairs, is due to replace HE Ambassador Alice Thomas Samaan as Ambassador to St. James’s Court (UK), concurrent to The Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman in the middle, right his father HRH The Crown Prince of Bahrain – Picture by BNA.
The Bahraini mission in London is Bahrain’s second largest and of particular importance because of the frequent visits to the British capital by members of the Ruling House of Khalifa. In fact, the latest royal gathering for some Al Khalifa took HRH The Crown Prince, General Sheikh Salman bin Hamad, to the graduation ceremony at King’s College of his son, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa, who earned a degree with honours in War Studies.
Right – HE Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahraini FM.
All ambassadorial appointments were put forward by the Foreign Minister, HE Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa. For more information:
Mistry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain: www.mofa.gov.bh
Eight Dutch people involved in terrorist activities in Syria and Iraq were added to the national terrorist list on Thursday. Their assets will be frozen so that they can no longer access their bank accounts or use their credit cards. ‘By taking this measure we are making it much harder for these people to commit terrorist acts,’ said foreign minister Bert Koenders.This brings the total number of individuals and organisations on the national terrorist list to 40. Twenty-seven names have been added to the list since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria in late 2013.It is more difficult for people on the list to make purchases or transfer money to people in the Netherlands who want to join terrorist groups. Providing funds to individuals on the list is a criminal offence.‘We need to block funding for these people, because they are joint perpetrators of or accessories to the ruthless violence being committed in the region,’ said Mr Koenders. ‘We also need to prevent them from returning to the Netherlands to commit acts of violence here. Freezing their assets reduces this risk.’The decision to freeze the assets of individuals or organisations is taken jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Security and Justice, the Ministry of Finance and other authorities. This may be based on a conviction by a court, an investigation by the Public Prosecution Service or a person-specific report by the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD). Under UN Security Council Resolution 1373, the Netherlands is required to take financial measures directed against individuals and organisations that commit or attempt to commit terrorist acts or facilitate such acts.The national terrorist list is part of the strategy for dealing with people who want to travel abroad to join a terrorist organisation – or foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs), as they are called. This comprehensive strategy comprises an array of measures under administrative and criminal law. For instance, the authorities can revoke a person’s passport.In addition, the Netherlands is working to combat terrorism at multilateral level, including in the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). It also participates in the international coalition against ISIS (for example by deploying F-16s) and multilateral working groups.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
Next week, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen will visit Mexico with an economic mission consisting of 23 Dutch companies. The programme, which will focus on energy and maritime issues (ports, dredging firm, shipbuilding), follows recent reforms to the Mexican energy market. In addition to promoting trade relations, Ms Ploumen will attend a meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, which she co-chairs.After the US, the Netherlands is the largest foreign investor in Mexico (€10 billion annually). The above-mentioned energy reforms are a source of opportunity for Dutch companies and knowledge institutes in the energy and maritime sectors. On Wednesday 2 September Ms Ploumen will visit the Mexican state of Campeche, where over half of all Mexican oil is produced. While there, she will stop by the offices of Dutch geotechnical service provider Fugro in the port of Ciudad del Carmen and of the offshore company Naviera Integral, whose advanced security systems are provided by Damen Shipyards.There are opportunities for the Netherlands in Mexico in a variety of areas: offshore services, port development, pipelines construction and shipbuilding. Mexico sees the Netherlands as a source of much-needed expertise on energy reform and innovation. On Thursday 3 September a networking meeting will be held in Mexico City for business leaders. Ms Ploumen herself will meet with the CEO of Pemex (the state oil company), the Secretary of Foreign Relations and the Secretary of Energy. Various commercial contracts will be signed, and an agreement will be concluded on a Dutch-Mexican energy partnership.CSR
Mexico has shown interest in the Netherlands’ aspirations in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). At a meeting in Campeche participants will discuss workplace safety in the energy sector, which is a priority issue in both the Netherlands and Mexico. In Mexico City the Secretary of Foreign Relations will attend a CSR forum on sustainability in the energy industry. The focus will be on the involvement of the government, business community and NGOs, and the need to consult indigenous groups on major infrastructural projects. Development cooperation On Friday Ms Ploumen will act as co-chair of the semi-annual meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC), an international platform that brings together governments, businesses, civil society and philanthropic groups to share experiences on how best to implement investments, programmes and projects. Together with Mexico and Malawi, the Netherlands will launch a partnership in which water experts from all three countries will work to reduce the risk of floods in Malawi. The conference will take place in the framework of the UN’s development goals, which will be adopted by the General Assembly in New York later in September.
Brazil’s ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg has been interviewed by Tvbrussel at his residence on Avenue de Tervuren/Tervurenlaan. Ambassador André Mattoso Maia Amado hails from Rio de Janeiro, has an extensive diplomatic career behind and ahead of him. He holds the rank of Ambassador since 2001. His first ambassadorship took him to Peru in 2001, followed by Japon in 2005. In 2008 he was appointed Under-Secretary General for Energy and High Technology. His Excellency took up his ambassadorial post in Brussels/Luxembourg in 2011. The video for Tvbrussel:www.brusselnieuws.be/nl/video/tvbrussel/braziliaanse-ambassadeur-het-strand-rio-mis-ik-wel
The Charge d’affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Minister Ibnu Wahyutomo hosted a diplomatic reception to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia held at the Hilton Hotel Den Haag on Wednesday evening, 26 August 2015. HE Bert Koenders, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs.As many as 500 guests (from the diplomatic corps, Dutch officials, business people, academics, friends of Indonesia, and other distinguished guests) attended the reception. Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs, HE Bert Koenders acted as the “Guest of Honour” of the reception. Other distinguished guests included former Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs, HE Dr. Bernard Bot.HE Dr. Bernard Bot and Minister Wahyutomo.During his speech, Minister Wahyutomo also explained the expanding Indonesian–Netherlands cooperation. “Bilateral trade in 2014 almost doubled compared to that of 2004, it almost reached $5 billion in 2014. An impressive record was achieved in the field of Dutch investment in our country when in 2014 it reached a level 49 times higher than that of eight years earlier. The Dutch investment is among the top 10 foreign investors in Indonesia”, explained Wahyutomo.HE Bert Koenders and Minister Wahyutomo.Meanwhile, the Dutch Foreign Minister, Bert Koenders also suggested similar views. He started his remarks by extending his congratulation to Indonesian President Joko Widodo and all Indonesian peoples for the 70th Anniversary of the independence of Indonesia. Furthermore Minister Koenders also praised Indonesia for its positive role and impressive developments in economy, regional and international politics, democracy, and other respected areas.To commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the independence of Indonesia, the Embassy of Indonesia has already organised and will organize several activities including the “Indonesian Festival: Pesta Rakyat 2015” on Saturday, 5 September 2015, at the Indonesian School in Wassenaar as well as the “Indonesia Fashion Show” on Monday, 7 September 2015 at Grotekerk Den Haag.H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador for Bangladesh and Minister Ibnu Wahyutomo .
By Baron Henri Estramant.Havana, Friday, 14 August 2015: Cuba and the USA have resumed diplomatic relations after a 54 years hiatus. Relations had been broken on 3 January 1961 during Eisenhower’s presidency. Normal relations were agreed upon by US President Obama and Cuba’s President Raúl Castro in July 2015. The opening of the US American Embassy by US Secretary of State, John Kerry, took place alongside eight congressional lawmakers active in re-establishing relations. Remarkably the same three Marines who lowered the US flag at the embassy premises back in 1961 presented another flag, which was subsequently raised by the Marines assigned to the post. Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis is incumbent chargé d’affaires a.i. till a head of mission is appointed by President Obama, and approved by Congress. Head of Mission to the EU, Ambassador Norma Goicochea Estenoz.The embassy building until recently had housed the “United States Interests Section in Havana (USINT, Havana)” since 1977, which operated under the aegis of the Swiss Embassy as acting protecting power. Likewise the “Interests Section of the Republic of Cuba” in Washington D.C. were housed at the Swiss Embassy, albeit both worked fully independently in all matters but protocol. The Cuban Embassy in Washington D.C. has also been reopened. It is located on 2630, 16th Street Northwest. Chargé d’affaires a.i. is Ambassador Dr. José Ramón Cabañas Rodríguez.President Barack Obama has already eased some travel and business restrictions to the island state, however, only Congress can lift the 53-years old embargo, which is currently unlikely to happen with Republicans controlling both chambers through the end of his term. Cuba is highly represented to the EU by Ambassador Norma Goicochea Estenoz, concurrently head of mission to Belgium and Luxembourg since January 2015. For more information:US American embassy in Cuba: http://havana.usembassy.govEmbassy of Cuba to the USA: www.cubadiplomatica.cu/EN/Home.aspx
On 9 September 2015, the Hague Institute will host the English language premiere of the documentary Crimes before the ICTY: Central Bosnia, produced by the Outreach Programme of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
The screening of the film will be preceded by short introductory remarks by the ICTY/MICT Registrar, Mr. John Hocking, and the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Kingdom of The Netherlands, H.E. Ahmet Halilović. A reception will follow.
Crimes before the ICTY: Central Bosnia is the fourth in a series of documentary films produced by the Tribunal’s Outreach Programme. The series provides an accessible overview of factual findings and ground-breaking judicial decisions from different ICTY.
In early 1993, a full scale war erupted in Lašva Valley of Central Bosnia between Bosnian Croats and Muslims, former allies in the war against the Bosnian Serbs, with the involvement of neighbouring Croatia on one side and foreign fighters on the other side.
Investigations into crimes committed by both sides began while the conflict was still ongoing. As a result, some of the first indictments issued by the Office of the Prosecutor of the newly established International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia related to crimes in Central Bosnia.
Through interviews with protagonists and courtroom footage, Crimes before the ICTY: Central Bosnia tells the story of how the crimes were uncovered and the subsequent investigations by the Tribunal’s investigators. The film traces the difficult path to establishing the facts about what took place in Central Bosnia in 1993. Together, this forms the story of the early days of the modern international justice system.
Time of event: 4:00 – 18:00
Venue: The Hague Institute for Global Justice, Sophialaan 10, the Hague.
By Baron Henri Estramant.
Tokyo, Saturday, 15 August 2015: Exactly 70 years to the minute after his father, Emperor Showa (Hirohito), surrendered to the allies, the Reigning Emperor and Empress, alongside Niponese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, attended a ceremony in Tokyo to remember the war dead.
In the words of His Imperial Majesty: “Reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse over the last war, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated”.
The day before Prime Minister Abe had expressed “feelings of profound grief” for Japan’s wartime actions.
Prime ministers Bettel (Luxembourg) and Abe (Japan) – Picture by Prime Minister of Japan’s Office.
In The Netherlands King Willem-Alexander and his Minister-President Rutte partook in a commemoration of the Japanese capitulation, which de facto ended the war for the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands, as the country at the time also encompassed colonies in South-East Asia. The commemoration took place at the Indian Monument in The Hague.
Earlier on 17 July 2015 Prime Minister Abe received his Luxembourgian counterpart Xavier Bettel on a working visit to Tokyo arranged by Japan’s ambassador to the Grand Duchy, Ms Atsuko Nishimura.For more information:
Japan’s Emperor expresses “deep remorse” over WWII: www.dailymotion.com/video/x31rcls
Address by PM Shinzo Abe at the 68th Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead http://japan.kantei.go.jp/96_abe/statement/201308/15sikiji_e.html
Embassy of Japan to Luxembourg: www.lu.emb-japan.go.jp/index_f.html
Ambassador of Ecuador concurrent to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Miguel Calahorrano Camino. From left to write on the picture are: Ambassador Mireya Muñoz, Consul of Ecuador in the Hague. Mr. Luis Vayas, Minister at the Embassy of Ecuador in Spain. Mr. Juan Carlos Coellar, Counselor at the Embassy of Ecuador in Spain. Mr. Fernando Echeverría, Vice Consul at the Consulate of Ecuador in the Hague. Mr. Jose Antonio Yturralde, Vice Consul at the Consulate of Ecuador in the Hague. Ms. María Belén Barberis, Assistant at the Consulate of Ecuador in the Hague At the right of the Ambassador is: Capitan Carlos Zumárraga, Commander of the Buque Escuela Guayas.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The Consul of the Republic of Ecuador in the Netherlands, Mireya Muñoz, who possess the rank of Ambassador, pridefuly introduced the splendor of ‘‘Buque Escuela Guayas’’ in Amsterdam on 21 August 2015.The Guayas was named jointly in honor of the Guayas civilization and the Guayas River.
The Guayas is as an Ambassador for the Ecuadorian navy and nation. She is in Amsterdam in order to participate in the SAIL Amsterdam 2015, Europe’s grandest nauticical event since 1975. A reception was held onboard the vessel. An Ecuadorian orchestra put on a dazzling performance, making it practically impossible for one to remain seated. A joyous Ecuadorian ambience reigned.
Mireya Muñoz, Consul of the Republic of Ecuador in the Netherlands,
Ambassador Mireya Muñoz, delivered the welcome remarks, a resume follows. The Ambassador commenced her address by welcoming the distinguish guests, Ambassadors, the MFA, representatives of International organizations compatriots, friends and relatives.
She quickly apologized for the absence of H.E. Miguel Calahorrano Ambassador of Ecuador concurrent to the Netherlands, who abruptly had to leave for Ecuador. Muñoz subsequently lauded the role the Tall Ship Buque Escuela Guayas plays as an Ambassador in promoting Ecuador.
HE Eduardo Ibarrola-Nicolin Ambassador of Mexico and spouse Fabiola Soto.
Ambassador Mireya Muñoz touched on the envisaged reopening of the Embassy in The Hague in order to further the bilateral relationship.
Special attention was given to Ecuadorian export commodities as well as to tourism. Galapagos Islands, Amazon rain forest. KLM offers daily direct flights.
Noteworthy in the speech of the Ambassador is the legal case Ecuador vs. Chevron/Texaco pertaining to environmental and social damages incurred due to exploitation of oil in the 60’s. These transnationals have created a disorder in fragile ecosystems.
The participation of the Guayas in SAIL Amsterdam 2015 has been revelatory, bringing Ecuador and the Ecuadorians in close proximity to me and others.
By Baron Henri Estramant.
The Dutch Royal Household has announced that Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands shall pay a state visit to the People’s Republic of China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
The visit will take place in October 2015. After starting their visit in Beijing, Their Majesties are expected to travel to Shandong province and Shanghai.
Foreign minister Bert Koenders will accompany the Royal Couple. A broad-based economic mission shall run parallel to the state visit. Earlier in June 2015 the Belgian Royal Couple also paid a state visit to the PRC.
President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to the Netherlands in March 2014.
In The Netherlands the PRC is highly represented by HE Ambassador Chen Xu.
For more information:
Embassy of the PRC to The Netherlands: http://nl.china-embassy.org/eng/
For more information:
Japan’s Emperor expresses “deep remorse” over WWII: www.dailymotion.com/video/x31rcls
Address by PM Shinzo Abe at the 68th Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead http://japan.kantei.go.jp/96_abe/statement/201308/15sikiji_e.html
Embassy of Japan to Luxembourg: www.lu.emb-japan.go.jp/index_f.html
For more information:
Japan’s Emperor expresses “deep remorse” over WWII: www.dailymotion.com/video/x31rcls
Address by PM Shinzo Abe at the 68th Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead http://japan.kantei.go.jp/96_abe/statement/201308/15sikiji_e.html
Embassy of Japan to Luxembourg: www.lu.emb-japan.go.jp/index_f.html
Noteworthy in the speech of the Ambassador is the legal case Ecuador vs. Chevron/Texaco pertaining to environmental and social damages incurred due to exploitation of oil in the 60’s. These transnationals have created a disorder in fragile ecosystems.
The participation of the Guayas in SAIL Amsterdam 2015 has been revelatory, bringing Ecuador and the Ecuadorians in close proximity to me and others.
