Directly from the OPCW.
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) welcomes the completion of disposal of effluents resulting from neutralisation operations aboard the US vessel Cape Ray.
These operations governed the destruction at sea of almost 600 metric tonnes of sulphur mustard and methylphosphonyl difluoride (DF) from Syria’s chemical weapons programme.
DF is a key precursor chemical for manufacturing nerve agent. On 12 June 2015, a OPCW team verified the disposal of approximately 335.5 metric tonnes of sulphur mustard effluents at the German Government facility, Gesellschaft zur Entsorgung von Chemischen Kampfstoffen und Rüstungsaltlasten MBH (GEKA MBH).
This was a significant in-kind contribution by the Federal Republic of Germany. On 11 June 2015, Ekokem Riihimäki Waste Disposal Facility in Finland announced the disposal of 5,463 metric tonnes of DF effluents received from the Cape Ray. This process was part of a commercial contract, which included destruction of other chemicals from Syria’s chemical weapons programme.
An OPCW inspection team will shortly deploy to Finland to verify completion of this process. Welcoming this achievement, OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü noted, “This is yet another milestone on the path to eliminating chemical weapons stocks from Syria – one that was achieved in a safe and efficient way, thanks to the valuable support provided by the German Government and Finnish industry.”
Of the 1,328 metric tonnes of chemical weapon agent declared by the Syrian Arab Republic, only 16 metric tonnes of hydrogen fluoride remain to be destroyed at the facility of Veolia ES Technical Solutions, L.L.C. at Port Arthur in Texas in the United States. The destruction of the 12 former chemical weapons facilities is also underway.
By Luca Bücken and Baron Henri Estramant.
On 6 May 2015 the enthronement of His Royal Highness Sultan Dr. Nazrin Muizzuddin as the 35th Sultan of Perak took place, after having been already proclaimed on 29 May 2014 following the demise of his father, Sultan Azlan Shah.
Sultan Nazrin Muizzudin Shah was born in Penang on 27 November 1956 and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University, a Master in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and a PhD in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. His Royal Highness was already previously appointed as Regent of Perak from 1989 to 1994 when his father became the 9th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (Paramount Ruler of Malaysia/Head of State).
Sultan of Perak and Sultan of Brunei.
Next to his function as Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan , His Royal Highness represents today the government of Malaysia in his role as “Financial Ambassador of the Malaysian International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC)” on international level. Furthermore, he is also Malaysia’s Special Envoy for Interfaith and Inter-Civilisational Dialogue, President of the Perak Council on Islam and Malay Customs; Eminent Fellow of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies, Malaysia; Chancellor of the University of Malaya; Royal Fellow of the Malaysian Institute of Defense and Security; Member of the Chancellor’s Court of Benefactor, University of Oxford; Honorary Fellow of Worcester College, University of Oxford; and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, University of Oxford.
His enthronement ceremony was attended by all nine Malay rulers as well as by His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei Darussalam.
In the federal structure of Malaysia, composed out of 13 states, the rulers play a significant political role. In the present form of a constitutional monarchy, political and legislative power is subdivided between the federal and state governments. The former one is appointed by the Yang-di Pertuan Agong, whereas the latter ones are appointed by the state rulers. Amongst them Perak is one of the oldest sultanates.
In the 1980s and 1990s former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad engaged in a bitter political struggle to break the absolute power of the nine monarchs, in fact seeking to reduce them to figurehead status. Since then the political situation has significantly changed, as during the term of the current prime minister, Dato’ Sri Haji Najib Tun Razak, the rulers have successfully reasserted their sway to a significant extent.
For more information
Dewan of Perak Darul Ridzuan: http://epla.perak.gov.my/protokol.php
On the picture Roy Kinnear new CEO, Joel Morgan, Chairman of Air Seychelles and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport and Manoj Papa, former CEO. Picture by Joena Bonnelame from Seychelles News Agency.
By Philipp Boy.
Air Seychelles announced the appointment on Thursday, 25 June 2015 of Irish-born businessman, Roy Kinnear as new CEO, with effect from 1 July. He replaces Manoj Papa.
Roy Kinnear currently serves as Senior Vice President of Revenue Management and Planning of Etihad Airways, and worked previously as Senior Vice President of Etihad Crystal Cargo from October 2010 to 2011. Mr Kinnear was responsible for the strategic development and growth of Etihad’s cargo division; which offers a range of cargo services linked to the airline’s expanding route network and fleet.
Etihad Airways owns forty percent stake in Air Seychelles. In March, Air Seychelles announced a third consecutive year of profitability after recording a net profit of $3.2 million for 2014.
Air Seychelles chairman Joël Morgan, also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport, said during a press conference at the Eden Bleu hotel on the Seychelles’ main island of Mahé: “Roy Kinnear is a highly talented industry executive with the experience and expertise to lead Air Seychelles and maintain the dynamism and momentum of the airline.
“Air Seychelles is focused on extracting maximum value from its modern fleet and its expanding regional and international network, which it will grow strategically with new destinations and trusted codeshare partnerships.”
“Garoedais the name of the golden eagle in the Indonesian mythology. Half animal, half human he bears on his back the Brahman God Vishnoe. The eagle Garoeda always was the protector of the oppressed in the struggle between good and evil. Therefor Garoeda is the symbol of happiness and friendship.” Indonesian restaurant Garoeda presents you a piece of Indonesia in the Netherlands. All this in the atmosphere of “Tempo doeloe”. Garoeda for some ….., for others a new exotic world.”Kneuterdijk 18 A, Den Haag 2514 EN.
070 3465319 info@garoeda.nlhttp://www.garoeda.nl/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Picture by Sudan Tribune.ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II refers to the UNSC Sudan’s non-cooperation and failure to arrest Abdel Raheem HusseinThe Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) found yesterday that the State of Sudan has failed to arrest Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein against whom the ICC has issued an arrest warrant on 1 March 2012 and to surrender him to the Court. The Chamber also found that Sudan failed to consult with the Court and to liaise with its relevant organs to execute the pending arrest warrant. The Chamber decided to refer the finding of Sudan’s non-cooperation to the United Nations Security Council, which might decide to take the measures they deem appropriate.The Chamber noted that Sudan has consistently refused to surrender any of his nationals to the ICC’s jurisdiction and that Mr. Hussein continues to hold public office in Sudan. The Chamber considered that Sudan’s non-cooperation constitutes a failure to comply with resolution 1593 of the United Nations Security Council which created for Sudan, UN member since 1956, an obligation to cooperate fully with the ICC. The Chamber also stressed that the ICC relies mainly on the States’ cooperation to fulfil its mandate, and that, when the Security Council refers the situation in Darfur to the Court as constituting a threat to the international peace and security, it might be expected that the Council might also consider deciding on a follow-up. BackgroundOn 1 March 2012, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I issued a warrant of arrest against Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein for charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in the context of the situation in Darfur (Sudan). Mr. Hussein was, until becoming governor of Khartoum early June 2015, Minister of National Defence of the Sudanese Government and former Minister of the Interior and former Sudanese President’s Special Representative in Darfur.The Pre-Trial Chamber I considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that . Hussein is criminally responsible for crimes against humanity (persecution, murder, forcible transfer, rape, inhumane acts, imprisonment or severe deprivation of liberty and torture) and war crimes (murder, attacks against civilian population, destruction of property, rape, pillaging and outrage upon personal dignity). These crimes were allegedly committed against the primarily Fur populations of the towns of Kodoom, Bindisi, Mukjar, Arawala and surrounding areas by the Sudanese armed forces and the Militia/Janjaweed in the context of a counter-insurgency campaign against the Sudanese Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and other groups opposing the Government. The plan of the counter-insurgency campaign was allegedly formulated at the highest levels of the Government of the Republic of the Sudan and had allegedly as a core component an unlawful attack on that part of the civilian population perceived by the Government as being close to the rebel groups.The situation in Darfur was referred to the ICC by United Nations Security Council resolution 1593 on 31 March 2005, under article 13(b) of the Rome Statute.For more information on this case, click hereDecision on the Prosecutor’s request for a finding of non-compliance against the Republic of the Sudan
« La prévention des crimes internationaux nécessite le soutien de la communauté internationale » : la Présidente de la CPI commémore la Journée de la justice pénale international.
La Présidente de la Cour pénale internationale (CPI), la juge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, a souligné aujourd’hui l’importance d’un soutien mondial en faveur de la justice et de la responsabilité pour les crimes graves lors d’un séminaire commémorant la Journée de la justice pénale internationale organisé par l’Ambassade de la République de la Pologne et l’Ambassade de l’État plurinational de Bolivie à La Haye (Pays-Bas).
La Journée de la justice pénale internationale marque l’anniversaire de l’adoption du Statut de Rome, le traité fondateur de la CPI, le 17 juillet 1998.
Appelant le monde entier à se joindre aux célébrations de la Journée de la justice pénale internationale, la Présidente de la CPI Fernández de Gurmendi a également souligné que « la prévention et la sanction des crimes internationaux exigent non seulement le soutien et la coopération des gouvernements, mais aussi de la communauté internationale ». « La CPI est là pour traiter de crimes atroces commis contre des êtres humains. Et il est de notre devoir d’assurer une justice significative avec un impact réel afin d’aider à restaurer et maintenir une paix stable. »
Le séminaire, ouvert par l’Ambassadeur de Pologne S.E. Jan Borkowski, a également comporté des discussions concernant les examens préliminaires et les enquêtes du Bureau du Procureur de la CPI, animées par l’Ambassadeur de Bolivie S.E. Eduardo Rodriguez Veltzé.
Le 17 juillet a été désigné comme la Journée de la justice pénale internationale par les États parties au Statut de Rome et unit tous ceux qui souhaitent soutenir la justice, promouvoir les droits des victimes, et aider à empêcher les crimes qui menacent la paix, la sécurité et le bien-être du monde. A ce jour, 123 États sont parties au Statut de Rome, qui vise à protéger les personnes contre le génocide, les crimes contre l’humanité, les crimes de guerre et le crime d’agression.
By Martin Kammandel.
Japan and the EU held their annual summit on 29 May 2015 in Tokyo to discuss a potential free trade agreement as well as security cooperation.
Nipponese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, announced the schedule and programme at the G7 meeting in Germany.
The summit was the first for European Council President Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. They were joined by Federica Mogherini and EU trade chief Cecilia Malmström in Tokyo.
Japan is aiming at achieving a broad agreement on trade liberation with the EU by the end of 2015, albeit numerous hurdles in areas such as EU tariffs on Japanese car imports remain. During the negotiations the Japanese have called upon their European partners to eliminate such tariffs.
From Brussels the summit was coordinated by HE Ambassador Keiichi Katakami, Head of Mission of the Representation of Japan to the EU, and his his deputy, HE Ambassador Jiro Okuyama. For more information:
Mission of Japan to the EU: http://www.eu.emb-japan.go.jp/
Pictures to the European Council
By Luca Bücken.
His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein was in New York on 5 June 2015 to mark the 25th anniversary of his principality’s accession as a fully-fledged UN member.
Hereditary Prince Alois paid then a courtesy call to the 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as well as to a plethora of permanent representatives to the UN.
There are currently 193 members states at the United Nations. During his allocution the prince warned against “the trend to make international regulations in other more exclusive groups. Integrating small states in the decision process creates moreover more creativity and innovation”. For Prince Alois UN membership has “strengthened the sovereignty of the country and offered an extraordinary platform for the international profile of the country”.
Liechstenstein’s Permanent Representative to the UN is Ambassador Christian Wenaweser.
Just a few weeks before his trip to New York, Prince Alois’ wife, HRH Hereditary Princess Sophie had taken over the Liechtenstein chapter of the Red Cross from her mother-in-law, Fürstin Marie. On 12 May 2015, the charitable organisation fêted seventy years of existence in the principality; the celebration included a speech from Liechtenstein’s Premier Adrian Hasler and the ceremony wherein Fürstin Marie passed on the honorary presidency to the Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, Duchess in Bavaria.
For more information:
Permanent Representation of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the UN: www.regierung.li/ministerien/ministerium-fuer-aeusseres-bildung-und-kultur/diplomatische-vertretungen/englisch/new-york-usa/current-issues/
Red Cross in Liechtenstein: www.roteskreuz.li
Kneuterdijk 18 A, Den Haag 2514 EN.
070 3465319 info@garoeda.nl
http://www.garoeda.nl/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 
Kneuterdijk 18 A, Den Haag 2514 EN.
070 3465319 info@garoeda.nl
http://www.garoeda.nl/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 
Japan is aiming at achieving a broad agreement on trade liberation with the EU by the end of 2015, albeit numerous hurdles in areas such as EU tariffs on Japanese car imports remain. During the negotiations the Japanese have called upon their European partners to eliminate such tariffs.
From Brussels the summit was coordinated by HE Ambassador Keiichi Katakami, Head of Mission of the Representation of Japan to the EU, and his his deputy, HE Ambassador Jiro Okuyama.
For more information:
Mission of Japan to the EU: http://www.eu.emb-japan.go.jp/
Pictures to the European Council
Japan is aiming at achieving a broad agreement on trade liberation with the EU by the end of 2015, albeit numerous hurdles in areas such as EU tariffs on Japanese car imports remain. During the negotiations the Japanese have called upon their European partners to eliminate such tariffs.
From Brussels the summit was coordinated by HE Ambassador Keiichi Katakami, Head of Mission of the Representation of Japan to the EU, and his his deputy, HE Ambassador Jiro Okuyama.
For more information:
Mission of Japan to the EU: http://www.eu.emb-japan.go.jp/
Pictures to the European Council
