The Grand Royal Thai festival in The Hague

On the picture Ambassador Ittiporn Boonpracong during his speech.   By Roy Lie A Tjam.   For the second consecutive year, the Royal Thai Embassy together with the Thai community have brought the Grand Thai Festival to the international city of The Hague. At 12.00h sharp, Thai Ambassador H.E. Mr. Ittiporn Boonpracong declared the festival open. From July 11th to 12th, two days of Thai ambience reigned at the Spuiplein in The Hague.   _MG_0181 In his opening address, Ambassador Boonpracong made mention of the various upcoming anniversaries and celebrations, including the King’s birthday and that of the Princess. The Ambassador also referred to the relationship between his country and the Netherlands which has existed for eons.   _MG_0178   The programme included traditional food, beverages, handicraft and more. The performances were as follows:
  1. Thai Traditional Dance: 1) Art Association for Youth 2) Akira Dance Troop
  2. Contemporary music: 1) Spizy Band 2) Chompoo Mhor Lum Zing
  3. Thai Classical music: Thai Music Circle in the Netherlands
  4. Kids show: Thai Language and Culture Foundation in the Netherlands
  5. Kick boxing: 1) Kuemgang Martial Arts Academy 2) Mac Rakkong and Lek’s kick boxing show.
  _MG_0340   Ambassador Ittiporn Boonpracong, his colleagues, and the thousands of others all enjoyed the authentic Thai atmosphere.     _MG_0312            

International Criminal Justice Day in Dakar

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On the picture the Minister of Justice of Guinea H.E. Mr. Cheick Sako, the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Ms. Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, the President of the Assembly of States Parties and Minister of Justice of Senegal H.E. Mr. Sidiki Kaba, and the Prosecutor of the Court, Mrs. Fatou Bensouda at the high-level conference held in Dakar, Senegal, on 20 July 2015 ©ASP-ICC   To commemorate the Day of International Criminal Justice, the President of the Assembly convenes a regional discussion in Dakar on state sovereignty and international criminal justice.   To commemorate the Day of International Criminal Justice, the President of the Assembly of States Parties, H.E. Mr. Sidiki Kaba, convened, on 20 and 21 July, a regional conference in Dakar on “Sovereignty of States and International Criminal Justice”. This conference was organized under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, and with support from the Government of The Netherlands and from the TrustAfrica foundation This high-level event was attended by H.E. Mr. Cheick Sako, Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals of the Republic of Guinea and of H.E. Mr. Mahamat Issa Halikimi, Minister of Justice and Human Rights of the Republic of Chad. Delegations from the Ministries of Justice of Guinea, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia, representatives of international civil society organizations, as well as journalists from 16 countries from West, East and North Africa also participated. At the opening ceremony, the President of the Court, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi emphasized the utmost necessity of a system of international criminal justice to address the high cost of impunity for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. “In this regard, national courts as well as the International Criminal Court have a crucial and complementary role to play. Effective deterrence of such crimes requires a credible expectation that the commission of such atrocities will be met by a robust, fair and predictable legal process. The road to justice may be long and arduous, but when the demands for justice are sufficiently strong, the obstacles can be overcome,” President Fernández stated. In recalling the central role of the International Criminal Court within the system of international criminal justice, the Prosecutor of the Court, Mrs. Fatou Bensouda underscored that  “although many challenges still lie ahead, we must not deviate from our essential goal: to fight against impunity for the most heinous crimes, and to give a voice to the victims. To this end, at the Office of the Prosecutor, we continue to uphold our obligations in accordance with the Rome Statute to independently and impartiality investigate and prosecute those most responsible for atrocity crimes.” During the second day of the conference, two panels, on complementarity and cooperation, facilitated by international experts, underscored the importance of strengthening domestic systems and cooperating with the Court to guarantee that there would be no impunity gap concerning the prosecution of the most serious crimes. In closing the proceedings, Minister Sidiki Kaba stated the discussions held in Dakar reaffirmed there is no contradiction between sovereignty and international criminal justice: “The establishment of a permanent and effective international system of deterrence is the ultimate expression of sovereignty, and the impartial and fair prosecution of the most serious crimes under international law, be that at the international or national level, has the undeniable effect of reinforcing the power of the State and the rule of law”. In parallel to the conference, more than 50 journalists from West, East and North Africa, participated in a training session led by staff from the Court, the Office of the President of the Assembly and experts from situation countries, to create a regional network of journalists committed to increasing public understanding of the mandate and operations of the Court. During a press conference held in the margins of this event, Guinean Justice Minister H.E. Mr. Sako reiterated his appreciation for the cooperation between Guinea and the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor, in relation to the domestic investigations concerning the crimes committed in the country on 28 September 2009. On 20 July, the President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Macky Sall, received President Fernández and Prosecutor Bensouda respectively. In these meetings, President Sall reiterated his commitment to support the work of the ICC and to further strengthen dialogue between the Court and Africa.

Mozart in Den Haag, September 2015

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Mozart in Den Haag (Mozart in The Hague), 10-15 September 2015   Festival celebrates 250 years of Mozart in The Hague and pays homage to the famous composer   One of the most famous visitors to The Hague ever was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Mozart family’s visit to The Hague. The anniversary will be celebrated 10-15 September 2015 with the festival “Mozart in The Hague” in which Mozart’s music is omnipresent – original, modified, ‘applied’ and in concert. The festival is a reflection of the diversity that characterizes the works of Mozart. Of course there is a prominent role for music. We were able to connect some wonderful performers with the festival, including Johannette Zomer, Ton Koopman and Tini Mathot, Menno van Delft, The Hague Philharmonic conducted by Jan Willem de Vriend, Residentie Bach Choir, The Hague Matrozenkoor and pianist Daria van den Bercken. During the Amadeus contest young talents get a chance to show what they can. Residents and visitors to the city will be surprised with outdoor music. The carillon is played and wind ensembles will perform arrangements of Mozart’s opera music. There are talks and walks, there is an exhibition in the Historical Museum. LogoMozartinDenHaag The Foundation Mozart in The Hague was founded in July 2014 and has quickly prepared a varied and contrasting program. It is the desire of the organisation to achieve co-operation and cohesion in the city. Collaboration has been sought and found with the activities of the National Heritage Day and Prinsjesdag Festival, but also existing concert series have been asked to programme their concerts in the festival period around Mozart. The festival provides a platform for professionals and amateurs. Artistic director of the festival is harpsichordist, conductor and composer Jörn Boysen (*1976). The full program and ticket information of the festival is available on www.mozartindenhaag.nl. You can also follow the festival on Twitter (https://twitter.com/mozartindenhaag) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mozartindenhaag). See the festival brochure via http://www.mozartindenhaag.nl/nieuws/id/13/23-6-2015/festivalbrochure-online/    

Big Panorama Mesdag shows Mesdag’s smallest painting

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  Hendrik Willem Mesdag’s smallest painting, recently discovered in the National Archives, will be on display at Panorama Mesdag in The Hague from 17 July through 4 October 2015. Panorama Mesdag is delighted that it can give this unique mini-painting, with a short romantic poem on the back, a place of honour in the exhibition titled “Mesdag Family Collection”. Here, it will be surrounded by other, very personal, works from the private collections of the descendants of the artist couple Mesdag – van Houten, which have been brought together in this special, one-time exhibition in the 2015 Mesdag Year.   ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????   Mesdag is particularly well-known for his enormous, cylinder-shaped painting measuring 120 metres wide by 14 metres tall: Panorama Mesdag. But, as it now turns out, he was also able to paint at a smaller size.   Foto Panorama Mesdag   Last week saw the discovery in the National Archives of an as-yet unknown work by Mesdag: a beautiful water colour 5 cm x 3 cm created in 1854. What makes the painting even more special is the little poem on the back written by Mesdag for his fiancée Sientje van Houten. The work was found in the archives of Samuel van Houten, Sientje’s brother. A wonderful portrait of Samuel van Houten by Mesdag is also on view in the “Mesdag Family Collection” exhibition. Apart from its size, the tiny Mesdag work is special also because it is an early riverscape that displays Mesdag’s characteristic rendering of sunlight falling on water. A precursor to his later work as a marine painter, the painting was made for Sientje, his bride-to-be.   ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????   Mesdag’s Year This year, The Hague is celebrating Mesdag’s 100-year-old cultural legacy. In the late 19th century, Mesdag put the city on the cultural map, both nationally and internationally. A number of museums and cultural institutions in The Hague are showcasing the many faces of this city’s icon with a range of exhibitions, symposia and events. More information is available on www.mesdagjaar.nl. For more information or visual materials, please contact Helma Doorman on  070-3106665 or at hdoorman@panorama-mesdag.nl. Alternatively, you can contact Eva Whyte, Nationaal Archief, 06-55267977, eva.whyte@nationaalarchief.nl      

Bolivian National folkloric ballet in Amsterdam

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  Bolivia Minka Dance Troep organizes together with Ayni Bolivia the visit of the Bafopaz Bolivian National folkloric ballet (Bafopaz) from La Paz, Bolivia .   The Folkloric Ballet of La Paz is led by Victor Hugo Salinas Pereira and Ana Salinas Ariscurnaga Gil. This fantastic show usually perform at 3600 m above sea level now is coming to the Lowlands! In the past nine years, the Folkloric Ballet of La Paz has become a real reference in Bolivian arts and traditions through the quality of its performance, and its choreographic richness and accuracy of the interpretation. The ballet has explored Bolivia from one side to the other, but has also participated in different festivals in South America and in Europe were short ago was distinguished with the Plurinational Price “Eduardo Avaroa 2014”. The Folkloric Ballet will be for the first time performed in Amsterdam at Mozaïk! 27 dancers and 7 musicians will delight us with the high quality of its performances. They will let us travel through a country rich in traditions and customs. The folkloric ballet’s show is based on the well known Carnival of Oruro, UNESCO’s world heritage. The profit made will cover the expenses of the show and also an ICT4 disadvantaged students through Ayni Bolivia Nederland Foundation (https://www.ayni.nl). Show: Friday 24 July Podium Mozaïek – Bos en Lommerweg 191 in Amsterdam.Time: 20:00 (Theater opens at 19:30)  

In Celebration of The Storming of the Bastille – 14 July, 1789

    By Nicole H Pierre.   What an amazing gathering it was at the Residence of the French Ambassador to The Netherlands, to celebrate France’s National day on Tuesday July 14, 2015! Despite the grey skies, the more than 700 guests who were gathered to celebrate, and offer kind words of congratulations, were in high spirits. The invitees were warmly and personally welcomed by His Excellency Mr. Laurent Pic, who celebrated his first “14 juillet” in The Hague as French ambassador and he was also in the presence of his Legal Adviser Mme. Diara Dime-Labille.    For a photo album on France National Day 2015, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157653694767733   Fete 9   At 7pm, the national hymn of France – La Marseillaise – was sung by the 2010 winner of the Concours de la Chanson de l’Alliance Française, Katell Chevalier. French nationals, and friends of France, joined in heartily to sing the anthem demonstrating a certain pride and admiration for the great republic. Very fitting indeed as the 14th of July has become a day to reflect on the core values of the French Republic: freedom, equality and fraternity… values which have been tested in recent times.   Fete 11   In his speech, Mr. Pic reflected on some of the challenges facing our world, and more specifically Europe. But he also reminded us about the importance of a united Europe, highlighting the ongoing collaborations between France and the Netherlands.   Fete 10   In keeping with this spirit, the French ambassador also spoke about the departure of Tour de France from Utrecht as well as the launching of the economic year between France and the Netherland. In Mr. Pic’s words, “All in all I’m confident that the friendship between France and the Netherland, deeply rooted in our common history and our common values, will help us in building an even more united Europe, a safer, more peaceful and more prosperous world. And you can rely on the commitment of all of us at the French Embassy to make the Franco-Dutch relationship as vivid and as fruitful as possible.”   Fete 13 The evening was plagued with a very festive and convivial atmosphere. Friends mingled and toasted each other, and networking was the order of the day as guests moved from one food station to the next. Chapeau Monsieur Ambassadeur… this was successful 14 juillet celebration.   To read the Ambassador’s speech please visit the site: http://www.ambafrance-nl.org/Fete-Nationale-a-la-Residence-de-France-1   All the photos are the copyrights of Ambassade de France aux Pays-bas.      

Dutch Consulate Stop Issuing Visas and Passports

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Orlando Honorary Dutch Consulate to Stop Issuing Visas and Passports   Due to technical difficulties, the Dutch Honorary Consulate in Orlando, Florida, no longer issues visas, and stopped processing passport applications since 1 July 2015. The Honorary Dutch Consulate reminds open for all other activities. The closing of the passport and visa desk in Orlando was already scheduled, but came earlier than announced because of ongoing technical difficulties. Travelers in the Orlando region can apply for a passport and/or visa at the Dutch consulate general in Miami, San Francisco and New York, or at the Netherlands Embassy in Washington, D.C. The Dutch honorary consul in Orlando will continue to support the Dutch business community and help Dutch citizens in need. The Dutch government acknowledges that these changes have practical consequences for Dutch nationals in the United States. As of March 9, 2014, the government has introduced a passport that is valid for 10 years for adults. This means that citizens in the Orlando area who successfully apply for a new passport at the honorary consulate before 1 July 2015 will not have to renew their passport until 2025. Minors (younger than 18 years old) will still have to renew their passports every five years. More details about Dutch passport applications can be found at www.dutchhelp.com. For any consular questions, you can also call 1-877 DUTCHHELP (1-877-388-2443) 24 hours a day.  

DM’s Glossy Magazine, a huge success

By John Kennedy. International Relations Researcher.   Click this link to open the PDF version of Diplomat Magazine’s 2nd Luxury edition, June 2015. http://issuu.com/diploflying/docs/dm.glossy.pdf.low.2   When Diplomat Magazine’s directors announced the launching of the first glossy edition in November 2013, members of their staff and the diplomatic corps were very excited about the news. After the publication of the hard-copy edition in November 2014 (the very first magazine of its kind in Netherlands’ history) Diplomat Magazine has received written compliments from Heads of State, ministers, dignitaries and the academia from all over the world. Conversely, with this new luxury 2nd edition launched in June 2015, the impact amongst the diplomatic corps in The Hague and Brussels, members of Parliament, Dutch authorities and entrepreneurs was immense.  It institutes a tremendous achievement for Publisher Dr. Mayelinne De Lara (currently a diplomatic spouse) and the team of diplomats and volunteers behind the scenes. “Diplomat Magazine is very valuable, we appreciate the quality and the perfect equilibrium of its content and design, a source of useful information by and for diplomats, alongside the successful events they organize”, expressed several ambassadors accredited to the Netherlands.
2nd anniversary Diplomat Magazine
Some of Diplomat Magazine’s staff and volunteers, during a reception at World Belair Hotel in The Hague, to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of Diplomat Magazine. June, 2015, The Hague.
Diplomat Magazine has offered scholarships and free diplomatic training courses to its contributors and volunteer staff. The selected academic centers were at the rank of ASSER Institute,  Clingendael Institute, the Alliance Francaise and The Hague Political Academy. On the other hand, the Online publication has reached the uppermost in terms of monthly readers, over 55,000 followers. Border Crossing, a new publication inserted in Diplomat Magazine Online, https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2015-issues/ is edited in Canada by Eugene Matos De Lara and other academic researchers in international relations from the University of Ottawa. The entire concept is paying off to their founders and to the international diplomatic community.

Kyrgyz Minister opposed to awarded Askarov

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The statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic on presenting the U.S. State Department Human Rights Defender Award to Azimzhan Askarov.   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic is authorized to state that the news of giving Human Rights Defender Award by the U.S. State Department to Azimzhan Askarov, a Kyrgyz Republic citizen convicted by all instances of the Kyrgyz Republic for incitement of interethnic hatred, organizing mass riots, complicity in murder of a law enforcement officer during the time of tragic events of June 2010, was taken in the Kyrgyz Republic with bewilderment. In accordance with general criteria of the State Department, Human Rights Defender Award is given to individuals or organizations that have shown exceptional valor and leadership in advocating for the protection of human rights for a period of time and under government’s repression. The eligibility of A. Askarov draws numerous questions. His actions at the time of interethnic conflict of June 2010 cannot be evaluated as defending human rights and peace-making. In the Kyrgyz Republic A. Askarov is perceived as an accomplice in murder and one of the most active participants of interethnic clashes at the south of the country in June 2010. Moreover, as a result of inappropriate actions of civic activists and foreign states’ representatives this person became a symbol of disruption not a unity of people of Kyrgyzstan. Taking into account the above stated, giving A. Askarov such a high award is considered by the Kyrgyz Republic as a deliberate act directed against strengthening interethnic peace and harmony in our country. The Kyrgyz Republic believes that the State Department’s award is presented to the wrong person at the wrong time in the country where human rights activity is not restricted; on the contrary, it is supported by the government. And active work of numerous human rights defenders and non-governmental organizations is the proof of it. The Kyrgyz Republic is the only state in the region that successfully proceeded to parliamentary democracy, which has been repeatedly recognized by the leaders of democratic nations, including the President of the United States B. Obama. It is a considered opinion of the Kyrgyz side that awarding A. Askarov is not a reward for his activity. More likely, the main reason is his ethnicity and the status of a convicted for his crimes during the events of June 2010. The court order established that A. Askarov actively participated in organizing mass riots on June 12-13, 2010 in the village of Bazar-Korgon of Jalal-Abad region, and was one of the organizers of blocking the strategic Bishkek-Osh highway near the bridge over Kara-Unkur river. During the explanatory work among the participants of riots 13 unarmed police officers got injuries of varying severity, and the district police officer M. Sulaymanov was killed with special cruelty and then burned. On September 15 and November 10, 2010 Azimzhan Askarov was found guilty of the charges by district and regional courts of the Kyrgyz Republic, respectively. On December 20, 2011 the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic upheld the sentences of these courts. Considering requests of international organizations and foreign countries, the Kyrgyz side initiated repeated verifications of the investigation legitimacy and the justification of the trials with the invitation and participation of international experts. The result of these inspections did not reveal considerable reasons for a retrial. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic considers giving A. Askarov Human Rights Defender Award as a way to cause negative international reaction. The Kyrgyz side views this as a factor aimed at undermining the process of strengthening the unity of the people and harmony in the country. The Kyrgyz Republic is concerned that such an award may cause ethnic clashes and destroy the today’s fragile peace which is being restored and strengthened by enormous efforts of the country’s people. The time for this award – four years after the Supreme Court decision – evokes surprise as well. Even more surprising is that such an award was never given to any human rights activist of the Kyrgyz Republic during the rule of former presidents A. Akaev and K. Bakiyev. In such context, this award will be associated with the withdrawal of the Transit Center from the International airport “Manas” in Bishkek and the appointment of Richard Miles as interim head of the American mission. The contradictory approach is revealing when one of the State Department’s awards was given to Roza Otunbayeva as the head of the state in 2011 who exerted efforts to preserve peace and unity of the people, and in 2015 – to the criminal who publicly incited ethnic hatred and was sentenced at the time when the former president received the award of the U.S. State Department. Through no fault of the Kyrgyz Republic the United States’ actions employing interethnic theme cause serious damage to bilateral relations. Taking into account the long-term fruitful cooperation based on common democratic values, in consideration of mutual respect of the non-interference and sovereignty principles the Kyrgyz Republic voices protest over the decision of the American side which will not contribute to comprehensive Kyrgyz-American cooperation.  

Central America Diplomats Meet & Greet: Regional Integration and Team Work

  The Central American Integration System (SICA), founded in 1993, is the economic and political cooperation organization of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and Dominican Republic. Diplomatic representatives of the SICA nations came together on June 7th for a highly successful Diplomats Meet & Greet at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel.   For a photo-album on the SICA’s Diplomats Meet & Greet, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157655145415909   Video of this event click the image below. Video by Kamranovic Productions  
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Diplomats from the SICA’s countries and Diplomat Magazine team.
  The plush event was exceptionally well-attended, and proudly showcased the most renowned rum from Guatemala, the Zacapa Centenario premium mature rum, several times first-prize winner at the International Rum Festival. Guests sampled this outstanding product alongside the very well know Rum Abuelo, another premium rum produced since 1908 in Panama’s first sugar mill. Colorful and traditional Central American decorations were installed and in a few hours the colors, sound and flavors of the SICA nations were being complemented by the warm summer temperature and spirit of The Hague’s vibrant diplomatic and international community.  
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H. E. Philippe Couvreur, Registar of the International Court fo Justice, H. E. Rose Makena Murichi Ambassador of Kenya and Jose Arguello Gomez Ambassador of Nicaragua and Dean of the Diplomatic Corp.
  The Ambassador’s salon and the Carlton’s terrace were packed: ambassadors and diplomats, government officials, international organizations’ representatives, industrials, artists, Dutch media and expats all enjoyed a unique opportunity to meet and sample the very best products of SICA’s constituent nations, and to listen and dance to beautiful Latin music.  
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Ambassador of Costa Rica H. E. Sergio Ugalde, Ambassador of Panama H. E. Willys Delvalle Velasco and his wife Tatiana and H. E. Gabriel Aguilera Peralta Ambassador of Guatemala.
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Sonia Meijer, with Ambassador of Guatemala Guillermo Aguilera and Ambassador of Costa Rica to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
  The SICA embassy teams worked harmoniously and effectively to give every country the opportunity and space to promote their produce to an exclusive audience. June’s Diplomats Meet & Greet, organized by Diplomat Magazine, was all about cooperation, team work and support from one SICA country to another. The Diplomats Meet & Greet is sponsored by Diplomatic Card.  
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Diplomats from Central American countries.