Lebanon, 10th visit of the Lebanese Trade Mission

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Lebanon, 10th visit of the Lebanese Trade Mission
   By Roy Lie A Tjam.   Lebanon’s Charge d’affaires, Ms. Abir Ali, hosted a networking event and reception for the occasion of the 10th visit by the Lebanese Trade Mission to the Netherlands. The event took place at “ Residence of Lebanon ” in Wassenaar on May 19, 2015. A group of Lebanese and Dutch business personalities, diplomats, and others listened to a speech delivered by the aforementioned Lebanese Charge d’affaires Ms. Abir Ali.   For a full photo-album of the Lebanon Trade Mission to the Netherlands, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157651280938743   BW LRW 011 web   In her address, Ms. Ali updated her audience on the current economic and political situation of Lebanon and the surrounding region. According to her speech, the Lebanese economy is prospering despite being at the core of the regional turmoil. Ali also indicated numerous facts that support this claim. In the month of March 2015, more than US$1.2 billion were announced in investments and projects, US$500 million of which are in the private sector, excluding real estate and developments. The investment sectors involved included manufacturing, hospitality, banking, fiancĂ©, cinema, industry, retail, technology, and more.   BW LRW 04 web   Currently, Lebanese inflation is essentially nonexistent with inflation levels at 0%. However, growth is slow. The phenomena of any economic growth at all is due to the innovation and ventures of the Lebanese entrepreneurs. Ms. Ali further referred to the similarities between Lebanese and Dutch entrepreneurs, making note of this excellent basis for partnership On a personal note, the Charge d’affaires expressed her hope that someday she will able to see Lebanese products, food, fashion, and jewelry alongside all the other goods The Hague has to offer.   BW LRW 09 web   Ms. Abir Ali concluded by thanking the collaborators that made the visit and social event a success. She mentioned: Ms. Rijnen and Mr. Rabbani, while giving a warm welcome to Mr. Marc Zeenny (the new Dutch commercial attachĂ© to the Lebanon) and a special welcome to H.E. Ms. Somsen (Dutch Ambassador to Lebanon). Additionally, she provided a word of thanks to all the Arab Ambassadors present as well as the Lebanese- and Dutch Businessmen.    

Cameroon National Day

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Cameroon National Day
On the picture H. E. Odette Melono and H. E.  Carlos Jose Arguello Gomez.   By Antonia Barthel.   Her Excellency Mrs. Odette Melono, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon, hosted a celebratory reception at the Worldhotel Bel Air in The Hague to honor the National Day. The 20th of May was chosen by the Government as the National Day in order to commemorate President Ahmadou Ahidjo’s abolishment of the Federal System of Government and the creation of a unitary country in 1972. However, Cameroon achieved independence form France on January 1st, 1960 alongside other French colonies. For a full photo-album on Cameroon National Day, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157653112703419   BW CE BA DM 019 A great number of guests came to congratulate Ambassador Melono on the National Day. Among the guests were, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps ambassador of Nicaragua, H. E.    Carlos Jose Arguello Gomez,   His Excellency Mr. Gabriel Edgardo Aguilera Peralta the Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala and Her Excellency Ms. Nimota Nihinlola Akanbi the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Philippe Couvreur the Registrar of the international Court of Justice, the president of the OPCW, the director of Protocol of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ambassadors of India, Tunisia, Iraq, Mexico, Peru, Thailand, Israel, Oman, Burundi, South Africa, Senegal, Croatia, Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, Egypt, Portugal, Ukraine, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Armenia as well as many others. Following the reception the guests enjoyed a lavishing buffet with local cuisine. BW CE BA DM 054 BW CE BA DM 044 text

Singapore Management University wins ICC Trial Competition

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Singapore Management University wins ICC Trial Competition
On 22 May 2015, Singapore Management University won the final round of the ICC Trial Competition, English version. Pictured here is the winning team with ICC Judge Howard Morrison in ICC Courtroom I in The Hague (Netherlands), from left to right: Judge Morrison, Annabelle Teo, Samuel Yap, Alexis Ang, Shi Hao Foo, Chin Kiat Ong and Edmund Koh. © ICC-CPI   Today, 22 May 2015, Singapore Management University (Singapore) won the final round of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Competition, English version, held in ICC Courtroom I in The Hague (Netherlands). Leiden University (The Netherlands) and National Law University, Jodhpur (India) won, respectively, second and third place. The winning team comprised of Annabelle Teo, Samuel Yap, Edmund Koh, Alexis Ang, Shi Hao Foo and Chin Kiat Ong. The Best Speaker award for the English-language competition went to Anabelle Teo of Singapore Management University.   This year, 55 teams comprising a total of 330 participants from 38 countries worldwide participated in the English-language simulation exercise on the applicable law and jurisprudence of the ICC. Before a bench composed of ICC Judge Howard Morrison and ICC Legal Officers Philipp Ambach and Savina Savidis, the teams competed on a fictitious case, presenting oral arguments during an appeals hearing in the roles of Prosecution, Defence and Legal Representatives of a Government. After a break for deliberations, Judge Howard Morrison announced the bench’s decision and an awards ceremony was held for all participants. The finalists’ peers attended the event in the Court’s public galleries and the event was web streamed live on the Court’s official website.  The ICC Trial Competition is organised by the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies of Leiden University, The Hague Campus, with the institutional support of the ICC. Also cooperating on the project are the Planethood Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, the Government of Luxembourg, the Municipality of The Hague, the Ministry of Security and Justice of the Netherlands, Doughty Street International, the European Society of International Law and the Lutfia Rabbani Foundation. In the context of its Academic Programme, the ICC supports the organisation of ICC Trial Competitions in Chinese, English, Russian, and Spanish, with a view to also support Arabic and French versions in the future. These initiatives play a critical role in galvanising interest in the Court’s work with academic communities as well as in enhancing promotion and respect for international criminal law.    

Sufi & Qawwali Music Experience with Anandita Basu

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Sufi & Qawwali Music Experience with Anandita Basu
Free entry sponsored by www.sahajayoga.nl   Anandita Basu, a spectacular and deeply spiritual Sufi singer, is regarded as one of the best Indian female QawwalÂŽs of this era. She will be performing in The Netherlands for the first time on Wednesday 17 June from 19.30 hours at Korzo Theater – Studio. Free entry. Born in Kolkata, India, is a renowned singer of traditional Sufi Music & Qawwali, who breaks the perception that Qawwali would be strictly the domain of men to perform.Having brought her art to the level of great mastery and depth in rendering, Anandita has been promoting Indian traditional Music & Dance the world over with Music & Dance concerts. Anandita now lives in Bogota, Colombia with her Colombian husband. She is Professor of Indian Music & Dance at Javeriana University in BogotĂĄ, Colombia, and is founder and director of ÂŽKalakendra of IndiaÂŽ Foundation, promoting traditional Indian Culture in Colombia. Regularly invited at festivals and performing relentlessly in musical tours in India, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, South Africa , Finland besides USA, Canada and Suriname. We are proud to have Anandita Basu performing in The Netherlands for the first time. She has toured the world since 2007, bringing the experience of self-realization and the traditional message of enlightenment to mankind through her arts and music, called Sahaja Sufi Music – the music of realized souls. Audiences are deeply touched the world over by her unique and pure way of singing Sufi and Qawwali. She has received the highest of recognition for the quality and inner depth with which she expresses complete peace and joy of self-connection through her singing. As per Indian Sufi tradition, entry for the concerts will be free of charge. There should be no bar for anyone to come and enjoy what Anandita Basu has in store. As expression of appreciation of the artist and event, a voluntary contribution can be made without any obligation, freely at the hall and is appreciated by the organizers and artist. Looking forward! Anandita Basu and Friends Free entry sponsored by www.sahajayoga.nl   To register for free: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/sufi-singer-anandita-basu-live-in-holland-2015-june-17th-in-korzo-theater-the-hague-16th-naarden-tickets-17028015252?aff=es2   https://www.facebook.com/events/823972547691624/  

ICC and Simone Gbagbo’s Case

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ICC and Simone Gbagbo’s Case
  ICC Appeals Chamber to deliver Appeals judgment on the admissibility of the Simone Gbagbo case on 27 May 2015   ​Today, 20 May 2015, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) scheduled a hearing on Wednesday, 27 May 2015 at 16:30 (The Hague local time) to deliver its judgment on the admissibility of the case against Simone Gbagbo. On 30 September 2013, CĂŽte d’Ivoire challenged the admissibility of the case against Simone Gbagbo. On 11 December 2014, Pre-Trial Chamber I rejected the Republic of CĂŽte d’Ivoire’s challenge and reminded CĂŽte d’Ivoire of its obligation to surrender Simone Gbagbo to the Court without delay. On 17 December 2014, the Republic of CĂŽte d’Ivoire appealed the Pre-Trial Chamber I’s decision. Background: Simone Gbagbo is charged with for four charges of crimes against humanity (murder, rape and other sexual violence, persecution, and other inhuman acts) allegedly committed in the context of post-electoral violence in CĂŽte d’Ivoire between 16 December 2010 and 12 April 2011. Mrs Gbagbo is not in the Court’s custody.  

Le Roi David in the Nieuwe Badkapel Church by Cecilia International Choir of The Hague

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Le Roi David in the Nieuwe Badkapel Church by Cecilia International Choir of The Hague
Cecilia International Choir of The Hague – Le Roi David in the Nieuwe Badkapel Church.   On Friday 26 June the Cecilia International Choir of The Hague, together with soloists and orchestra, will perform Arthur Honegger’s Le Roi David (King David) in the Nieuwe Badkapel church on the Nieuwe Parklaan in Scheveningen. The concert starts at 20:15. Le Roi David was composed in MĂ©ziĂšres, Switzerland in 1921 and is classified as an oratorio or more specifically as a dramatic psalm. The libretto was written by RenĂ© Morax, and tells the biblical story of King David’s life from the time he was a shepherd, to his conquests in battle, his rise to power, his lust for another man’s wife, his agony over his son’s death, his disobedience to God, and finally to his own death. Honegger was given the nearly impossible deadline of two months to complete the work and was rewarded with much acclaim at the premiere. The most significant element of Le Roi David is that it combines different styles of music in one complete work. There are twenty-seven movements, sub-divided into three parts, which use compositional techniques ranging from Gregorian chant to Baroque to jazz. Honegger’s utilization of all of these concepts allowed him to make a serious contribution to the neoclassical era. Marine Fribourg The work was composed for soprano, alto and tenor soloists, a narrator, a large choir and a 16 piece orchestra. It was initially written in French but has subsequently been translated into both German and English. For this performance, the choir and soloists will sing the original French version but, for better audience comprehension, the narrative sections will be given in English. The solo parts will be sung by the American singers Katharine Dain (soprano) and Scott Mello (tenor); two members of the acclaimed Damask Ensemble. The narration will given by 
. and orchestral accompaniment will be provided by the Holland Orkest Combinatie. Overall direction of the soloists, choir and orchestra is in the hands of Marine Fribourg, a versatile young French musician who will herself sing the alto solo parts. Marine is the choir’s full time conductor. The Cecilia International Choir is a mixed voice group of approximately 70 singers which attracts people of many nationalities who enjoy singing in an English speaking environment. In addition to performances of classical works, such as this, the choir gives an annual series of Christmas Carol concerts in December. Tickets for the 26 June concert, which include an interval refreshment cost 18.00 euros if purchased in advance or 20.00 euros if purchased at the door on the evening of the concert. For young people in full-time education, the price is only 10 euros. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the choir’s website www.cecilia-choir.com, by contacting secretary.cecilia@gmail.com or via any member of the choir.    

Pro Concordia Labor Flag

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Pro Concordia Labor Flag
On  Tuesday the 19th of May the Pro Concordia Labor Flag was raised at the Visitors Centre of the Peace Palace. The Pro Concordia Labor Flag is the centrepiece of an international demonstration throughout May 2015 supporting the Women’s Peace Walk in Korea on May 24th, 2015, International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament. 11011989_1606525902919757_8291725867918057618_n[1]The Carnegie Foundation  raised the flag to show support for the Women’s Walk for Peace in Korea and to recognize prior generations of women who worked for peace. The flag was also raised by other institutions during the week of 18-24 May.  Steven van Hoogstraten, General Director of the Carnegie Foundation hosted this special ceremony. More information: Learn more about the Pro Concordia flag: www.proconcordialabor.com Learn more about the DMZ walk: www.womencrossdmz.org    

The South China Sea: Perspectives from Law and History

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The South China Sea: Perspectives from Law and History
On the picture Justice Antonio T. Carpio. By Roy Lie A Tjam. Under the auspices of The International Institute of Social Studies and the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, delivered a lecture with the theme “The South China Sea: Perspectives from Law and History.” The venue was the International Institute of Social Studies, Kortenaerkade The Hague. For a photo-album, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157653040060285  
H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Abohaimed, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia and the Ambassador of the Philippines, H.E. Jaime Vicotr Ledda.
H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Abohaimed, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia and the Ambassador of the Philippines, H.E. Jaime Victor Ledda.
Justice Antonio T. Carpio tackled issues relating to the South China Sea dispute including its scope, the nature of the arbitration case filed by the Philippines before an arbitral panel under UNCLOS, and the legal questions raised by the Philippines in the arbitration case.  
The South Sea Dispute.
The South Sea Dispute, lectured by Justice Antonio T. Carpio.
Using official documents, government pronouncements and academic studies, including historical documents and maps, the lecture assessed the merits of the nine-dash line. Taking into account the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and customary international law, the lecture also discussed policy considerations relevant to the conflicting claims and the current arbitration case. The lecture was well attended, with Justice Antonio T. Carpio answering questions put before him. A representative of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in The Hague posed questions and offered copies of a summary of the Chinese position on the matter of Jurisdiction in the South China Sea Arbitration initiated by the Republic of the Philippines. The afternoon was concluded with a networking reception.

Burundi , over view of the actual situation

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Burundi , over view of the actual situation
By H. E. Vestine Vestine Nahimana, Ambassador of Burundi to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.   May 16, 2015 The Hague – The Embassy of Burundi in The Hague would like to bring to the attention of the international opinion the following:
  1. The Embassy of Burundi has followed with interest the political and security situation in Burundi since April 26, 2015 which resulted in a failed coup, perpetrated by a small group of army and police officers, leaving behind a considerable number of human and material damages;
  2. The Embassy of Burundi would like to join other positive forces of the nation to condemn in the strongest terms the mutiny group that wants to plunge the country into chaos, forgetting that the use of force is contrary to the principles of democracy;
  3. The Embassy of Burundi congratulates, salutes the bravery and encourages loyalist forces to their patriotism with which they fought the mutinies. They have reassured the Burundian people about their protection both inside and on the borders of the country; 4. The Embassy of Burundi also welcomes the restraint with which the people of Burundi have demonstrated by staying calm and serene during these difficult times;
  4. The Embassy of Burundi salutes the courage and determination of the Head of State, His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza, who once again has proven by regaining the country despite the almost impossible conditions and that to reassure its population, guarantor of power;
  5. The Embassy of Burundi pays tribute to all those who contributed in any way to the success of His return;
  6. The Embassy of Burundi strongly appeals to Burundi’s partners to continue supporting the electoral process according to the planning by the CENI and the commitment of all political actors;
  7. Finally, the Embassy of Burundi also strongly appeals to the international community to make an objective analysis of the situation in order to contribute to the stability in the sub-region in general and Burundi in particular.
   

Wizz Air’s first flight from Maastricht to Budapest!

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Wizz Air’s first flight from Maastricht to Budapest!
Maastricht Airport, May 15th 2015: Wizz Air offers over 38.000 available seats annually on the route Maastricht Aachen Airport – Budapest.   Wizz Air, the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe* commenced today its new service Maastricht – Budapest. Wizz Air has over 38,000 seats available on this route during its first year in operation. The first 127 passengers arrived at 16.10h from Budapest and were welcomed by H.E. Ms. Orsolya SzijjĂĄrtĂł, Hungarian ambassador in The Netherlands and Mr. Ralf Krewinkel, mayor of Municipality Beek. The first 146 passengers from Maastricht Aachen Airport to Hungary departed today at 16.40h. Tickets for Maastricht – Budapest can be booked on wizzair.com with fares starting as low as EUR € 14,99**. The route will be operated twice weekly. Budapest is the capital of Hungary and one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe with a great cultural heritage. Tourists that visit Budapest are mainly impressed by the breath-taking panorama with the Danube, the mountains and the diverse and wide variety of cultural and architectural highlights of the city. Youngsters like to visit Budapest because of the youngish and creative atmosphere of the city that is also why Budapest is growing as one of the start-up capitals of Europe. H.E. Ms. Orsolya SzijjĂĄrtĂł, Ambassador of Hungary in the Netherlands, stressed the contribution of this new flight to the economic and tourism relations between Hungary and the Netherlands. Since Maastricht is so close to the German and Belgian border, this flight will indirectly connect three countries with Hungary. Germany and the Netherlands are in the top 3 of the biggest investors in Hungary and the Ambassador expressed her hope that this new flight will even further enhance business cooperation with these countries. Hungary has had excellent economic growth numbers last year (a GDP growth of 3,5% in 2014, the second-best GDP growth in the EU), so there are numerous opportunities for doing business with Hungary. Tamara Mshvenieradze, Wizz Air’s Corporate Communications Manager, today at Maastricht Aachen Airport said: “This is a great day for both Wizz Air and Maastricht. We fly from 3 Dutch airports to 10 different countries and after carrying 1.9 million passengers on our Dutch routes it is a pleasure to add Budapest from Maastricht Airport to the growing number of WIZZ destinations. We look forward to carry many passengers on our new Budapest route and hope that Dutch consumers keep embracing our low fares and friendly service.” Sander Heijmans, Director of Maastricht Aachen Airport explained: “We are delighted that today Wizz Air started operating from Maastricht Aachen Airport to Budapest and that we could welcome the first passengers. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Wizz Air in the coming years and we are also very pleased next to the destination, Wizz Air now also connects our airport 2x weekly with the destination Budapest”.  
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