By Ivens Signorini, Trade, Investment and Tourism Office at the Embassy of Brazil to The Netherlands.
Officially designated as U-27, Navio Escola Brasil or “NE Brasil” is a frigate of the Brazilian Navy used to give field training for young officers to be graduated by the Brazilian Navy Academy. The 130-metres long ship travels every year to a number of ports and countries around the world.
NE Brasil
In 2015, the NE “BRASIL” departed from Rio de Janeiro on July 26th and is travelling the following itinerary: Natal (BR), Funchal (PT); Toulon (FR); Civitavecchia (IT); Valencia (ES); Lisbon (PT); Rotterdam (NL); Hamburg (DE); London (UK); Rouen (FR); New York (US); Jacksonville (US); Cartagena (CO); Guayaquil (EC); Callao (PE); Valparaiso (CL); Mar del Plata (AR); Montevideo (UY).
Following the Brazilian Navy tradition, NE “BRASIL” organised upon its arrival a cocktail reception onboard in the evening of September 19th. With about 250 guests, the event brought together Dutch authorities, representatives of companies doing business with Brazil and Brazilian expats living in the Netherlands.
Moored at the Cruise Terminal of Rotterdam, the NE “BRASIL” event was all about celebrating its visit to the Netherlands and offering a glance of the Brazilian hospitality at the very heart of Rotterdam.
HE Ambassador Paragibe dos Santos TarragĂ´ attended the function alongside members of his embassy staff.
For more information:
Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil to The Netherlands (Ambassador Piragibe dos Santos TarragĂ´): http://haia.itamaraty.gov.br/pt-br/
Consulate General of Brazil in Rotterdam (Consul General Alexandre Gueiros): http://roterda.itamaraty.gov.br
E Brasil: www.defesa.gov.br/noticias/16347-navio-escola-brasil-parte-em-sua-29-viagem-de-instrucao-de-guardas-marinha
Dutch Brazilian Chamber of Commerce: www.dutcham.com.br
EUBrasil: www.eubrasil.eu/en/
Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi at his first appearance hearing on 30 September 2015 at the International Criminal Court in The Hague ICC-CPI.
On 30 September 2015, Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi appeared before the single Judge of Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Cuno Tarfusser, at the seat of the ICC in The Hague (The Netherlands). The Single Judge provisionally set the date of the beginning of the confirmation of charges hearing in respect of Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi for 18 January 2016.
The hearing was held in the presence of the Prosecutor and the Defence. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi was represented by his Duty Counsel, Mohamed Aouini. The Single Judge verified the identity of the suspect, and ensured that he was clearly informed of the charges brought against him and of his rights under the Rome Statute of the ICC in a language he fully understands and speaks, in this case, Arabic.
The opening of the confirmation of charges hearing is provisionally scheduled for 18 January 2016. The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.
Background: It is alleged that Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, born in Agoune, 100 kilometers west of Timbuktu, Mali, from the Ansar Tuareg tribe, was an active personality in the context of the occupation of Timbuktu. He allegedly was a member of Ansar Eddine, working closely with the leaders of the two armed groups and in the context of the structures and institutions established by them.
It is alleged that, until September 2012, he was at the head of the “Hesbah” (“Manners’ Brigade”), operational from May 2012. He was also associated with the work of the Islamic Court of Timbuktu and has participated in executing its decisions. Specifically, it is alleged that he was involved in the destruction of the buildings mentioned in the charges.
The Chamber found that the evidence presented by the Prosecutor establish reasonable grounds to believe that Al Mahdi is criminally responsible for having committed, individually and jointly with others, facilitated or otherwise contributed to the commission of war crimes alleged by the Prosecutor regarding intentionally directing attacks against the following buildings: 1) the mausoleum Sidi Mahmoud Ben Omar Mohamed Aquit, 2) the mausoleum Sheikh Mohamed Mahmoud Al Arawani, 3) the mausoleum Sheikh Sidi Mokhtar Ben Sidi Muhammad Ben Sheikh Alkabir, 4) the mausoleum Alpha Moya, 5) the mausoleum Sheikh Sidi Ahmed Ben Amar Arragadi, 6) the mausoleum Sheikh Muhammad El Micky, 7) the mausoleum Cheick Abdoul Kassim Attouaty, 8) the mausoleum Ahamed Fulane, 9) the mausoleum Bahaber Babadiďż˝, and 10) Sidi Yahia mosque.
From 18 October 2015 to 6 March 2016, Panorama Mesdag is showing a unique collection of surprising and beguiling stereo photos. Join Mesdag on a 3D walk around The Hague and Scheveningen, and get a vivid sense of how Mesdag’s world looked at the end of the 19th century. The exhibition is being organised in partnership with The Hague City Archives.
3D is the viewing technique of the future. But stereophotography was already the rage at the end of the 19th century. The technique involves taking two images of a scene from different viewpoints. When you look at them through a special stereo viewer, you experience a spatial illusion, as in Mesdag’s panorama.
Stereophotography is the perfect medium to bring to life the two contrasting worlds inhabited by Mesdag: the fashionable cosmopolitan society of The Hague on the one side, and the impoverished fishing community of Scheveningen on the other.
Saunter at Mesdag’s side around the majestic 19th-century squares, avenues, and streets of The Hague. Walk with him from Koninginnegracht, where his friend Jozef IsraĂ«ls had his studio, to the artists’ society Pulchri on the elegant street Lange Voorhout.
Then you can turn to discover how Mesdag saw and painted Scheveningen. The everyday lives of fishermen, the beach and the flat-bottomed fishing vessels known as bomschuiten: these scenes continued to inspire him for thirty years. Some unique photos were taken after the devastating storm of 1894, when most of the bomschuiten were lost. The everyday street scene was an ideal subject for stereophotography, and the technique gave it an added dimension.
The historical photographs can be studied through a stereo viewer, but visitors can also opt to use virtual reality 3D glasses. A special app has been developed for this purpose by VR/Heroes. The exhibition will include old film material from the Magic Lantern Museum of The Hague.
With this exhibition, Panorama Mesdag presents a multifaceted picture of the two worlds in which Mesdag moved, and offers a broad historical perspective with the aid of new and old viewing techniques.
2015 Mesdag Year
This year, The Hague is celebrating 100 years of the cultural heritage of Hendrik Willem Mesdag. At the end of the 19th century, Mesdag helped to place The Hague on the cultural map, not just in the Netherlands but internationally as well. Besides being a gifted marine painter, Mesdag also inspired numerous painters of the Hague School. Mesdag and the city of The Hague have been inextricably linked ever since. With a range of exhibitions, symposiums and other events, museums and cultural institutions around the city will be illuminating the many faces of this icon of The Hague in 2015. You can find more information at www.mesdagjaar.nl
Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, regarding the recent upsurge of violence in the Central African Republic.
The resurgence of violence in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, after a period of relative calm is a development which causes great concern. The current situation appears extremely precarious with reports of serious violence and allegations of conduct that could potentially constitute serious crimes, committed against the civilian population and humanitarian workers.
I urge all individuals and groups in the Central African Republic engaged in these clashes, including those who appear to be linked to the anti-Balaka and ex-Seleka groups, to immediately cease and desist the violence. I warn those alleged to be committing crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court that they can be held individually accountable.
A year ago, following a referral by the Central African authorities, I announced the opening of a second investigation into crimes committed in the country since 1st of August 2012. This investigation is ongoing and my Office will continue to collect and compile all available evidence, including reliable witness testimonies, with a view to requesting warrants of arrest as soon as possible against those responsible for these extremely grave crimes.
My Office will continue to closely follow developments in the Central African Republic in the coming weeks and record any instance of violence or incitement to violence. Those who incite or commit atrocity crimes must be held accountable. The crimes must stop; violence is not a solution.
Text by Dutch Royal Household.King, Queen and Prime Minister attended 70th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and Prime Minister Mark Rutte attended the 70th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.
As leader of the delegation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the King addressed the General Assembly at the opening of the General Debate on Monday, 28 September, becoming the first Dutch head of state ever to do so.
On the eve of the election of non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, for which the Netherlands is a candidate, the Netherlands will thus impress on the 70th Session of the General Assembly the high regard in which it holds the UN.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders, Prime Minister Mike Eman of Aruba, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for the Environment Wilma Mansveld and the Mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb have all announced that they will be attending the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly.
In his address, the King discussed the significance of the United Nations, and the contribution the Kingdom of the Netherlands has made in the fields of peace, justice and development.
Queen Máxima also attended in her role as the “UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development”. She presented the annual report on her UN activities to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
70th UNGA – Picture by Monarchy Press Europe.
On Saturday, 26 September, Prime Minister Mark Rutte delivered a speech at the Sustainable Development Summit, when the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched. These Goals build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which expire this year.
The aim of the SDGs is to widen the scope of the MDGs by incorporating subjects such as sustainability, inequality and peace into an agenda applicable to every country.
The chief ambition is the eradication throughout the world of extreme poverty by 2030. Queen Máxima and Minister Ploumen also attended the summit. In the past few years, Minister Ploumen has led both Dutch implementation of the MDGs and the Netherlands’ contribution to the drafting of the new SDGs.
In the margins of the UN General Assembly, President Barack Obama held a world leader summit on UN peacekeeping which Prime Minister Mark Rutte addressed. On 26 September, Foreign Affairs Minister Bert Koenders became co-chair of the Global Counterterrorism Forum.
The programme for the Kingdom’s delegation is filled with numerous events, talks and bilateral meetings.
The Kingdom aspires to non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council (2017 to 2018). This aspiration is in line with the Kingdom’s international ambitions and commitment and the position of The Hague as the world’s legal capital. As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, the Kingdom will have a voice in decisions on, for example, the mandates of UN peacekeeping missions and protection of people in areas in conflict.
For more information:
Allocution of HM The King of the Netherlands:
www.koninklijkhuis.nl/globale-paginas/taalrubrieken/english/speeches/speeches-archive/2015/september/speech-by-his-majesty-king-willem-alexander-70-th-session-of-the-united-nations-general-assembly-new-york/
On the picture 7th PRC President Xi Jinping. Photography by- Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo.By Baron Henri Estramant.26 September 2015: In the framework of the UN summit taking place in New York City, PRC’s President Xi Jinping, pledged to donate $2bn in development aid to poor countries around the world as well as to significantly increase Chinese investment in those countries. Xi in fact foresee for the investments to reach ca. $12bn within the next 15 years. Moreover the PRC has announced cancelling the sovereign debt to the least developed nations, including small island states in the South Pacific. Beijing also would like to partake in at least 600 overseas projects in the next five years, and offer more scholarship for foreign students to travel to China and learn Mandarin. His concrete pledges of aid gave a huge boost to the launch of the UN’s new “Global Goals for Sustainable Development”; precisely the day after all members states had committed themselves to the ambitious programmes of eradicating poverty and famine by 2030.Indeed it was the PRC’s extraordinary record shifting so many families out the ranks of the poor which ensured that the overall global record in poverty reduction under the previous Millennium Development Goals was substantial. This new initiative furthermore suggests that the PRC is willing to take on more of the responsibilities that go along with its status as emerging superpower as this time it is offering more concrete aid to Africa and the South Pacific. For more information:Xi Jinping’s profile on Xinhua: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-03/14/c_132233072.htm
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
On September 15, five Central American countries – Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica – celebrated their independence from Spain. Domestic events marking the occasion included street parties, festivals, and parades.
The following day in The Hague, Ambassadors of four Central American countries – Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica – celebrated National Day with a reception at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Ambassador of El Salvador, H.E. Aida Luz Santos de Escobar, delivered the welcome remarks.
The fact that the countries celebrated their National Day together was well received by guests, and widely perceived as an act of solidarity. It is not the first time the Central American countries have celebrated together; earlier in the year they also collectively hosted a monthly Diplomats Meet & Greet at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel.
As one guest observed: in today’s world, solidarity has become a rare and treasured concept – will EU countries agree to celebrate EU day in a similar fashion?
The many attendees at the Crowne Plaza enjoyed a buffet lunch consisting of traditional dishes from the four Central American nations.
On the picture Dr. Whiteman and Franciscus I, Pontifex Maximus – Picture by Government of Curaçao.By Baron Henri Estramant
Roma, September 2015: Minister-President of Curaçao, Dr. Ben Whiteman accompanied by Curaçao’s Minister Plenipotentiary to the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (resident in The Hague), Ms Marvelyne Wiels, the Bishop of Willemstad, Mgr Secco Luigino and Pastor Curtis Meris, paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness Ambassador Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme, Ambassador on behalf of the Dutch government to the Holy See.
The latter was duly decorated the former during the occasion.
Minister-President Dr. Whiteman was in Roma and the Vatican City-State for a private audience with His Holiness the Bishop of Rome, Franciscus I, which took place on 16 September. The visit was arranged by the Dutch mission to the Holy See.
Minister President Dr. Whiteman and Ambassador Jaime de Bourbon de Parme – Picture by Government of Curaçao.
Ambassador Jaime de Bourbon de Parme is a son of HRH Princess Irene of the Netherlands and the late Duke of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, Carlo Ugo. He pursued his tertiary studies at Brown University (Rhode Island, USA), and finished them with a Master in International Economics and Conflict Management at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA (MA).
In February 2014, HRH Ambassador Prince Jaime (Giacomo) de Bourbon de Parme was appointed head of mission to the Holy See. On 15 July 2014, he was sworn in to ambassadorship by his cousin HM King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.
On 25 and 26 September, Ambassador Prince Giacomo and his wife ViktĂłria, Count and Countess of Bardi, also partook in ceremonies bestowing the dynastic orders of the House of Parma to meriting citizens of Parma and Piacenza at the Farnese Palace in Piacenza. The ceremonies were led by his older brother and incumbent titular Duke of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, Prince Carlo Saviero(Carlos Javier) de Bourbon de Parme.
For more information:
Government of Curaçao: www.gobiernu.cw/web/site.nsf/web/home?opendocument
Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Curaçao (The Hague): www.vertegenwoordigingcuracao.nl/
Embassy of The Netherlands to the Holy See: http://vaticaanstad.nlambassade.org/#slide-1
Royal and Ducal House “Bourbon-Parma”: www.borboneparma.it/index.php/it/
The Holy See/Vatican City-State: w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html
Farnese Palace – Piacenza: www.palazzofarnese.piacenza.it/
On the picture EC’s President Donald Tusk and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al Sissi.
19 September 2015, Cairo: The EU seeks to develop a particular close relationship to Egypt, its geographical neighbour, and to support its domestic and political reforms.
The relationship emphasises close cooperation on democratic reform, economic modernization, social reform, and migration issues.
In Cairo the President of the Council of the European Union Donald Tusk met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.For more information:Â
President of Egypt:Â www.presidency.gov.eg
Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
www.mfa.gov.eg/english/Pages/default.aspx
Mission of Egypt to the EU, Belgium and Luxemboug (HE Ambassador Ehab Mohamed Fawzi):
www.mfa.gov.eg/english/embassies/Egyptian_Embassy_Belgium/Pages/default.aspx Mission of Egypt to the Kingdom of the Netherlands (HE Ambassador Taher Ahmed Farahat):
http://www.mfa.gov.eg/english/embassies/Egyptian_Embassy_Netherlands/Pages/default.aspx
President Tusk, European Council and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev – Picture by European Council.During the summer President Tusk also paid a visit to Azerbaijan
On 22 July 2015, the President of the Council of the European Union, Donald Tusk, made the following in statement in Baku, during a high-level visit to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev:
“Azerbaijan is our reliable and strategic partner in the energy field, and we want to take this partnership further. One aim of the European energy union is to exclude the possibility of using gas as a threat. The conflict in Ukraine shows that such threats are still possible.
This is why the EU is dedicated to diversifying our supplies. And Azerbaijan is a main partner in this endeavour. Today, we agreed to stand united on developing the Southern Gas Corridor – a project which is in our common strategic interest – and to make sure it is completed on time, whatever our competitors do. For Europe, it is a question of diversifying supply. For Azerbaijan, it is a question of diversifying demand.
President Tusk, European Council and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Azerbaijan has the potential to become one of the EU’s major commercial partners in the region. The EU is already Azerbaijan’s main trade partner and one of its most important investors. We will expand these commercial relations further in the coming years. I recalled that good governance and rule of law are important for creating a favourable commercial and investment climate. The EU stands ready to assist here, if needed.
Finally, we discussed the mobility of people and our strong common wish to facilitate travel and direct contacts between our peoples. I applaud the entry into force of the Visa Facilitation Agreement and the Readmission Agreement in the autumn of last year. This was an important step.”
Last year there were 70,000 visitors from Azerbaijan to the Schengen area. An increase by almost 20% from the year before. And one third of the visas we issue are now long-term multiple entry visas.
For more information:
Mission of Azerbaijan to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg headed by HE Ambassador Fuad İsgəndərov: www.azembassy.be
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Text and pictures by Council of the European Union
Other prominent Oranjes present during the celebrations included:
HRH Princess Margriet and Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven
TRH Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien
HRH Princess Irene
HRH Princess Mabel van Oranje-Nassau
TH Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette van Oranje-Nassau
HH Prince Floris van Oranje-Nassau
The evening’s topic was “Eenheid in verscheidenheid” (Unity in Diversity).
The latter meant to symbolise the homeland that the Kingdom offers to a plethora of cultures, life styles, dialects, traditions, persuasions and opinions.
Exactly two hundred years ago, King Willem I, was installed in Amsterdam as “King of the Netherlands”. Previously between 1813-1815 the foundations and legal frameworks for the recognition of the Dutch provinces as a united kingdom were laid out.
In total there were six large national events organised in the framework of “200 years Kingdom of the Netherlands” by the national committee in charge of the celebrations. Since November 2013 the aforementioned national events took place in Scheveningen, Den Haag, Sint Maarten, Maastricht, Zwolle and finally in Amsterdam.
Just a few days before on 15 September the Dutch Royal Couple had formally opened the new session of Parliament on Prinsjesdag. Of particular relevance was the fact that this year the King and Queen were joined by TRH Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien who returned to live full-time in The Netherlands after many years abroad.
For more information:
200 years “Kingdom of the Netherlands”: www.200jaarkoninkrijk.nl
Final celebrations on the site of Blauw Bloed: www.eo.nl/blauwbloed/aflevering-detail/blauw-bloed-20150926t194515/ 
