EU launched trade negotiation with Tunisia
On the picture Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and Tunisian PM Habib Essid – Picture by European Commission.
Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström launched negotiations on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Tunisia in October 2015.
The EU wants to mark its support to the political and economic reforms in the country by creating an ambitious partnership on trade and investment matters. In Tunis, Commissioner Malmström also met recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Commenting on the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize award to the group of civil society organisations that had played a key role in the country’s post-Arab Spring period, Cecilia Malmström said: “This prize is well-deserved! The Tunisian road to democracy has been a source of inspiration and hope for all of us. I look forward to personally conveying my congratulations when I visit Tunis next week. We need to keep working for closer ties between the EU and Tunisia, and to support the country’s progress going forward. Closer trade relations play an important role here.”
During her visit in Tunis, Commissioner Malmström met with Prime Minister Habib Essid and Minister of Trade Ridha Lahouel, the organisations awarded the Nobel Peace Prize: UTICA, UGTT, the Tunesian Order of Lawyers and the Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights as well as members of the Tunisian National Assembly, with whom she discussed their expectations and ambitions regarding the future of EU-Tunisia commercial relations.
For more information:
Tunisian National Tourist Office: http://www.beintunisia.com/en
Visit to Tunisia by Commissioner Malmström: http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/photo/photoByReportage.cfm?ref=029270&sitelang=en
Tunisian Diplomacy: www.diplomatie.gov.tn
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Pictures by European Commission
SAA between Kosovo and EU
Kosovar President Jahjaga’s statement on the occasion of signing of SAA between Kosovo and EU
At a ceremony organised in Strasbourg, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, signed the Stabilisation-Association Agreement (SAA) between Kosovo and European Union.
Through this agreement, Kosovo commences its irreversible journey to membership in European Union, in the family of states which share the values of freedom, democracy, equality and rule of law.
Federica Mogherini , held a press conference also attended by first Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hashim Thaçi and the Minister of European Integration, Bekim Çollaku and Commissioner Johannes Hahn for for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.
Strassbourg, 27 October 2015
”I wholeheartedly congratulate the citizens of Kosovo on this exceptional achievement. This advancement is the result of accomplished reforms and all encompassing social and political consensus which European agenda enjoys in Kosovo. We arrived at this historic day for Kosovo with engagement of all citizens, institutions, political spectrum, of our civil society, business community and of many other segments of society.
From today, Kosovo establishes contractual agreement with European Union, agreement with mutual rights and obligations. This agreement will help implementation of reforms in many sectors, and will deepen the political dialogue between Kosovo and European Union. Kosovo’s benefits are multiple, especially in incitement of foreign investments and establishing of best possible conditions for sustainable economic development of the country.
I express my gratitude to the institutions of European Union and its member states for the continuous support for Kosovo’s, and its citizens, clear European path.
Kosovo has a long journey ahead, which requires lots of hard work from us until we reach the final membership target. We have aligned ourselves on the right side of history, and have embraced the values of peace and liberty. This path is by now clear, reciprocal and irreversible.”
For more information:
Full statement: www.president-ksgov.net/?page=2,6,4105#.VjMug9LRZki
Signing ceremonary of the SAA agreement: www.facebook.com/Kosovo-Embassy-Brussels-828443587198699/?fref=ts
Prime Minister of Kosovo: http://www.kryeministri-ks.net/?page=2,9,5323
Federica Mogherini , held a press conference also attended by first Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hashim Thaçi and the Minister of European Integration, Bekim Çollaku and Commissioner Johannes Hahn for for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.
Strassbourg, 27 October 2015
”I wholeheartedly congratulate the citizens of Kosovo on this exceptional achievement. This advancement is the result of accomplished reforms and all encompassing social and political consensus which European agenda enjoys in Kosovo. We arrived at this historic day for Kosovo with engagement of all citizens, institutions, political spectrum, of our civil society, business community and of many other segments of society.
From today, Kosovo establishes contractual agreement with European Union, agreement with mutual rights and obligations. This agreement will help implementation of reforms in many sectors, and will deepen the political dialogue between Kosovo and European Union. Kosovo’s benefits are multiple, especially in incitement of foreign investments and establishing of best possible conditions for sustainable economic development of the country.
I express my gratitude to the institutions of European Union and its member states for the continuous support for Kosovo’s, and its citizens, clear European path.
Kosovo has a long journey ahead, which requires lots of hard work from us until we reach the final membership target. We have aligned ourselves on the right side of history, and have embraced the values of peace and liberty. This path is by now clear, reciprocal and irreversible.”
For more information:
Full statement: www.president-ksgov.net/?page=2,6,4105#.VjMug9LRZki
Signing ceremonary of the SAA agreement: www.facebook.com/Kosovo-Embassy-Brussels-828443587198699/?fref=ts
Prime Minister of Kosovo: http://www.kryeministri-ks.net/?page=2,9,5323
Emirati GCAA signs agreement with Eurocontrol
On the picture Frank Brenner, Eurocontrol & Omar bin Ghaleb, GCAA.
The UAE federal General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Eurocontrol signed an agreement early October at ATC Global held at Dubai in order to enhance cooperation between the two for flight data exchange.
The GCAA as represented by Deputy Director General Omar bin Ghaleb, and EUROCONTROL represented by Director General Frank Brenner signed the Agreement enhancing cooperation between the two organisations in the key area of exchange of flight data.
The Cooperation Agreement signed in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE, on October 5, 2015, covers exchange of flight data, updated flight plan information, and airport departure planning information. It will help to address the current lack of predictability of traffic between the Middle East and Europe which adversely affects capacity.
“With traffic between Europe and the Middle East predicted to grow at 3.6% a year over the next decade at least, it is clear that in order to deliver efficient air traffic services, we need to improve cooperation and exchange of information between the two regions”, said Frank Brenner from EUROCONTROL. “This agreement not only will contribute to the ICAO Global Air Traffic Flow Management Concept as part of the Global Air Navigation Plan, but will also help to establish closer links between the Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Units in Europe and the Gulf”.
EUROCONTROL is an intergovernmental organisation whereto 41 European countries are full members.
For more information:
Eurocontrol: www.eurocontrol.int/
Members of EUROCONTROL: www.eurocontrol.int/about/member-states
UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA): https://www.gcaa.gov.ae/en/Pages/Default.aspx
UAE Mission to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg: http://uae-embassy.ae/Embassies/be
UAE Embassy to The Netherlands, Mission to the OPCW: http://www.uae-embassy.ae/embassies/nl
Ordre de Mérite for German military attaché for Luxembourg and Belgium
Luxembourg City: Chief of Staff of Luxembourg’s Army, General Romain Mancinelli, bestowed upon the (non-resident) Military Attaché at the German Embassy to Luxembourg, Lieutenant Colonel (Oberstleutnant) Dr. Heino Matzken, the chivalric honour “Commandeur de l’Ordre de Mérite” of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Luxembourgian army last September wherein General Mancinelli held an eulogy praising Lieutenant Colonel Matzken’s extraordinary commitment to advancing German-Luxembourgian military cooperation. Primarily in the last couple of years, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Matzken has positively increased the training exchanges between the two armies. In spite of being based in Brussels and also accredited to the Kingdom of Belgium, Heino Matzken has distinguished himself for his constant presence in the grand duchy.
The Ceremony was attended by the German ambassador to the Luxembourg, HE Christine Gläser and Anja Matzken, the honoree’s spouse.
Luxembourg’s Order of Merit was instituted by Grand Ducal Decree on 23 January 1961 by Grand Duchess Charlotte on the occasion of her 65th birthday. It is bestowed upon Luxembourgian and foreigners alike. Its Grand Master is the reigning Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
For more information:
Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Heino Matzken: http://heinomatzken.jimdo.com/%C3%BCber-mich/
German Embassy to Luxembourg: www.luxemburg.diplo.de/
Luxembourgian Army: http://www.armee.lu/organisation/personnel/personnel-cle/biographie-du-general-romain-mancinelli
ANA non-stop flight between Tokyo and Brussels on service
CEO ANA, Shinya Katanozaka/ Picture by the Belgian Monarchy.
Tokyo-Brussels, 25 October 2015 – ANA, Japan’s leading and only 5-star airline, has today inaugurated its new daily non-stop service from Tokyo’s Narita Airport to Brussels, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Employment, Kris Peeters, Federal Minister for Mobility Jacqueline Galant, Brussels Airport Company CEO Arnaud Feist and the President and CEO of ANA Holdings Shinya Katanozaka.
This marked the first time ever that ANA flew to the Belgian capital, its sixth destination in Europe and third new destination in 2015. This new flight is the only non-stop service from Japan to Belgium, playing an important role in ANA’s strategy to expand its international route network and enhance the airline’s brand awareness in Europe.
Operating a daily service with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, with 46 seats in Business Class, 21 seats in Premium Economy, and 102 seats in Economy Class, ANA aims to provide added convenience to passengers flying to and from Brussels Airport. The schedule of the flight has been planned to optimize connections with ANA’s joint venture partners (Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines and Austrian Airlines), as well as Brussels Airlines, a Star Alliance member. Beyond Europe, ANA serves 50 destinations throughout Japan, as well as 23 destinations across Asia.
Shinya Katanozaka, President and CEO of ANA Holdings, said: “With our new service, we expect to carry around 90.000 passengers on an annual basis, driven by a robust business demand to and from Belgium, home to many international and European organisations. With Japan becoming increasingly popular among international leisure travelers and with Belgium being a preferred European destination among Japanese travelers, ANA is privileged to bring these two nations closer together.”
Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company, commented: “We are really pleased to see that there is once again a non-stop flight between Brussels and the capital of Japan. Brussels Airport has become an important European hub and this new connection reinforces our role in supporting economic development and encouraging investments and tourism between our two countries, thereby creating more jobs in Belgium. As a Star Alliance hub, Brussels Airport provides ANA with excellent connections to a wide network of European and African destinations operated by Brussels Airlines.”
Belgian Deputy Prime Ministerand Minister of Economy and Employment, Kris Peeters added: “This new flight is great news for Belgium and the business community of both countries, now directly linked. Japan is a key partner for us: the second largest direct investor after the United-States, excluding the EU. This highlights the importance of the long-standing trade relations between Japan and our country, for which we will celebrate the 150thanniversary in 2016.”
Geert Bourgeois, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders, also added: “Flanders means business. Flanders is happy to be the European home base for so many Japanese companies. The direct flight between Brussels and Tokyo by ANA is a new boost for the excellent economic and commercial relations between Japan and Flanders. That’s why we have chosen Japan as guest country for the ‘Floraliën’ flower festival in the city of Ghent next year, for example, among other 2016 festivities in Flanders.”
Claire Tillekaerts, CEO, Flanders Investment & Trade, concluded: “This expanded service at Brussels Airport should bring new investments, plus direct and indirect jobs. The airport houses an international cargo airport that is consistently at the top of the charts. And Flanders, the northern part of Belgium, is a prime business region. It is strategically located right in the center of the most prosperous part of Europe. Over 60% of the European purchasing power is situated within a tight 500 kilometer radius around Flanders.”
The line opening comes as Belgium and Japan are fêting 150 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Ambassador Masafumi Ishii was at hand during the inauguration and the day before ANA Holdings’ CEO Shinya Katanozaka was even granted at audience with HM The King of the Belgians.
It is expected that out of pragmatism the new line Brussels-Tokyo shall also serve travellers from the neighbouring countries, particularly The Netherlands and Luxembourg.
For more information:
ANA: http://www.ana.co.jp/asw/wws/be/e/
Embassy of Japan to Belgium (HE Ambassador Masafumi ISHII): www.be.emb-japan.go.jp/english/
Embassy of Japan to The Netherlands(HE Ambassador Masaru TSUJI): http://www.nl.emb-japan.go.jp
Embassy of Japan to Luxembourg (HE Ambassador Atsuko NISHIMURA): www.lu.emb-japan.go.jp
New video on Embassy Art Exhibition, what a success!
The Embassy Art Exhibition an initiative of Diplomat Magazine and Gallery Patries van Dorst presented on October 21 his second exhibition in collaboration with the embassies of Bangladesh, Kenya, Kosovo, Rwanda, and Tunisia.
Here a video by Kamram Mirza Video Productionon on the very successful vernissage at Landgoed De Wittenburg, Wassenaar.
For Information: http://www.patriesvandorst.nl/over-ons/embassy-art-exhibtion/
Nepal’s first female president
By Baron Henri Estramant.
Nepal’s parliament has elected women rights campaigner Bidhya Devi Bhandari as its first female president of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
She is the second person to hold the mainly ceremonial role. Ms Bhandari shall thus replace President Ram Baran Yadav, who was the country’s first elected president in 2008 after Nepal abolished its Hindu monarchy in 2008 with the deposition of King Gyanendra. Nepalese presidents are supreme commanders of the armed forces yet the office is largely ceremonial.
The 54-year-old is currently the vice-chair of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist). Bhandari was defence minister from 2009 to 2011. As president, she has promised to champion minority and women’s rights in Nepal. Earlier this month, Nepal’s parliament chose its new prime minister, Sharma Oli. Bidhya Bhandari is a close ally of the new prime minister, from the same nominally communist party. She has long been a political activist in a male-dominated society.
For more information:
Office of the President of Nepal: www.presidentofnepal.gov.np/
Bert Koenders: only a solution to the Syria conflict can stem flow of refugees
Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders believes the European Union must do everything in its power, in consultation with Lebanon and other countries in the region, to find a solution to the conflict in Syria. ‘Only then can we really bring the refugee crisis to an end,’ he said during a recent visit to Lebanon.
‘It’s not merely a question of border controls and quotas’ Mr Koenders emphasised. ‘If the war in Syria doesn’t come to an end, people will keep coming. The Netherlands will keep underlining this fact.’ The conflict in Syria has prompted almost 1.2 million Syrians to flee to neighbouring Lebanon. ‘The EU and its member states need to talk to the Lebanese about tackling the problems, too, because they are familiar with both the issues and the region,’ Mr Koenders said.
The minister visited Haouch el Harime refugee camp near the Syrian border to see the situation for himself. ‘You see and hear from those on the ground that the capacity and standard of care for refugees is under tremendous pressure,’ he said. ‘The Netherlands wants to help improve the situation, not only for the refugees but also for their Lebanese host communities. I’m very impressed by the work of the Lebanese and of the aid organisations who are trying to ease people’s suffering.’
Mr Koenders believes it is important that refugees can stay near to their country of origin and return as soon as possible. ‘But Lebanon also deserves all the support we can give to ensure it can continue to help these people and improve conditions for them, without its own population suffering too. We must also call upon the Gulf states and other countries to take in refugees,’ he said.
The minister announced in Beirut that the Netherlands was donating €25 million for emergency aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This is part of the €110 million that the Dutch government recently made available to help people who are suffering as a result of the war in Syria.
Koenders envisages role for Iran in restoring stability to region
Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders is convinced that Iran can help solve the conflicts in Syria and other countries in the region. ‘Iran is an important player. The Netherlands would like to see it play a constructive role in countries like Syria and Yemen.’ Koenders was speaking during a recent visit to the Iranian capital Tehran, where he and his Iranian counterpart Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed the urgent situation in Syria and other matters.
Koenders also met the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, and congratulated him on the international agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.
‘The agreement provides a basis for improving relations between Iran and the international community,’ Koenders said, ‘but it is only a start. Iran must implement all the agreements fully and on time to show that it is a reliable partner.’
Koenders believes better relations between Iran and the West signal opportunities for the use of regional and international diplomacy to find solutions to the major problems facing the region. ‘I have asked Iran to use its influence over certain parties to achieve a political solution to conflicts in the region,’ he said.
Broader and closer relations with Iran will also provide more opportunities to discuss difficult issues like human rights, Koenders believes. During his visit he made clear the Netherlands’ concerns about the situation and raised the issue of the many executions Iran carries out. ‘The Netherlands campaigns for the abolition of the death penalty throughout the world. I conveyed our position to the Iranian authorities.’
As part of the revived relationship with Iran, the Netherlands also hopes to restore economic and trade relations. If Iran complies with the nuclear agreement, the current international sanctions will gradually be relaxed. ‘That will mean interesting prospects for Dutch companies to trade with Iranian companies,’ said Koenders.
Ongwen case: the confirmation of charges hearing
Ongwen case: the confirmation of charges hearing to be held at the seat of the ICC in The Hague
The Presidency of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided 28 October 2015, that the confirmation of charges hearing in the case concerning Dominic Ongwen, scheduled for 21 January 2016, shall be held at the seat of the Court at The Hague (Netherlands).
On 10 September 2015, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II had recommended to the ICC Presidency that that holding the confirmation of charges hearing in Uganda would be desirable and in the interests of justice. Following consultations with the Ugandan authorities, the ICC Presidency received an updated assessment from the Court’s Registry on the feasibility of holding the confirmation of charges hearing in Uganda.
The ICC Presidency noted the excellent co‑operation of Uganda in assisting the Registry with the preparation of its preliminary and final assessments. The Presidency noted also that there would be a number of benefits to holding the hearing in Uganda as in principle this would contribute to a better perception of the Court and bring the proceedings closer to the communities affected by the alleged crimes.
However, the Presidency noted particularly the possibility, expressed by Uganda itself, that political tensions may increase during an upcoming electoral period, especially during January 2016, which may have an adverse impact on the Court. The Presidency also noted operational limitations, in particular concerns that holding proceedings in Uganda would significantly impact the Court’s resources during its move to its permanent premises scheduled for December 2015. For these reasons, the ICC Presidency found that the potential benefits of holding the confirmation hearing in Uganda in January 2016 are outweighed by the significant risks
The confirmation of charges hearing in respect of Dominic Ongwen is scheduled to commence on 21 January 2016 and is expected to last three to no more than five working days. The confirmation of charges hearing is not a trial. It is a Pre-Trial hearing held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to commit the case for trial before a Trial Chamber.
Decision on the recommendation to the Presidency to hold the confirmation of charges hearing in the Republic of Uganda
Background: Dominic Ongwen was the alleged Brigade Commander of the Sinia Brigade of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
On 8 July 2005, ICC Judges issued an arrest warrant against Mr Ongwen for 3 counts of crimes against humanity (murder; enslavement; inhumane acts of inflicting serious bodily injury and suffering) and 4 counts of war crimes (murder; cruel treatment of civilians; intentionally directing an attack against a civilian population; pillaging) allegedly committed on or about 20 May 2004 at the Lukodi IDP Camp in the Gulu District. On 16 January 2015, Dominic Ongwen was surrendered to the ICC’s custody and transferred to the ICC Detention Centre on 21 January 2015.
His initial appearance before the Court took place on 26 January 2015.
ICC hosts workshop on cooperation and financial investigations
On 26 and 27 October 2015, the International Criminal Court (ICC) hosted at the seat of the Court in The Hague a workshop on cooperation and financial investigations. The workshop was an opportunity for participants, which included experts from 13 countries and 6 international organisations, to discuss operational measures and find solutions for cooperation challenges when working with the ICC to conduct financial investigations.
On 26 October, the workshop was launched with introductory remarks by ICC Registrar Herman von Hebel, ICC Deputy Prosecutor James Stewart, Senior Adviser of the Permanent Mission of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United Nations Jörn Oliver Eiermann, and Director of International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR)/Basel Institute Gretta Fenner.
Discussions were then lead by ICC staff from the Office of the Prosecutor and Registry on the Court’s mandate, legal framework and procedure in tracing, seizing, freezing and forfeiting assets of an ICC suspect or accused. Participants then explored avenues for cooperation in these actions, whether through States Parties, intergovernmental organizations, financial intelligence units or other actors.
On 27 October, participants discussed three specific scenarios in depth, in which the ICC would request cooperation at different stages of ICC proceedings. The scenarios involved different levels of information required depending on whether the request was in regard to tracing, seizing, freezing or forfeiting the assets. This exercise helped to clarify and pinpoint solutions to practical challenges faced when cooperating. The workshop concluded by identifying two main action points: first, for the ICC to continue explaining to States Parties the specificities of its mandate in relation to financial investigations, and second, for the ICC and States Parties to develop regular bilateral contacts with the aim of finding ways to improve cooperation in the field of financial investigations.
This workshop was made possible by the Permanent Mission of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United Nations, the International Centre for Asset Recovery, and the European Commission. The ICC thanks these organisations as well as all workshop participants, and looks forward to improved cooperation going forward.