5 May 2015 – Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas was in Brussels to meet with the President of the European Commission.   At the meetings with Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, and Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, the current issues of the European Union were the topics for discussion, including the Eastern Partnership summit, which will be held in Riga in May, the security situation, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the harmonisation of energy markets and ensuring security of supply, and the digital single market.   Rõivas in Brussels: Supporting Eastern partners is the most important European security challenge Brussels, 5 May 2015 – Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas discussed at today’s meeting in Brussels with Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission and Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council the issues of security, energy and Digital Single Market, as well as the challenges faced by Eurozone. “As Russia has not met all the conditions stipulated in the Minsk Agreement, there is no other choice than to continue with the sanctions,” Prime Minister emphasised during the meeting with the European leaders in Brussels. Prime Minister added that with regard to the Eastern Partnership Summit that is currently held in Riga, it its essential to use the remaining weeks in order to take concrete steps towards visa freedom for Georgia and Ukraine. At the meeting with the President of the European Commission, the main focus was on the integration of the energy market into European market in order to warrant energy security. “Given the current security situation, Baltic region’s energy independence from Russian market is of strategic importance for the whole of Europe,” said Prime Minister Rõivas. “Support given by the European Commission to large-scale energy projects, for example, Balticconnector, as well as the electric power and gas connections between Poland and the Baltic States, is important for us,” said Rõivas. At the meeting with President Juncker, Prime Minister also raised the question of air pollution limits suggested by the Commission. “In Estonia, the situation of air quality is among the best in the world. We have put the emphasis on a wider use of domestic renewable energy, including using solid biomass for the energy and heat production. European Union has set a goal of reducing the share of fossil fuels and environmental and climate policies of the Union must support each other.” At the meeting with Donald Tusk, the President of the of the European Council, the topics of political and security situation of the Baltic Sea were also discussed. Prime Minister recognised the preparation of the Digital Single Market Strategy under the leadership of Andrus Ansip; the Strategy will be disclosed tomorrow and will also be discussed at the European Council Summit in June. In addition, Prime Minister Rõivas presented the priorities of this new government.   Sources: Ave TEMPERE, https://valitsus.ee/en/news/prime-minister-roivas-meets-eu-leaders https://valitsus.ee/en/news/roivas-brussels-supporting-eastern-partners-most-important-european-security-challenge ——- Picture: European Union    

By Martin Kammandel.   On Sunday, 10 May 2015 Their Majesties The King and Queen of Thailand together with HRH The Princess Royal, Sirindhorn, left Siriraj Hospital in the afternoon heading towards Klai Kangwon Palace at Hua Hin town by the seaside.  Tearful but cheering crowds shouted “Long live the king!” as The King, wearing a red shirt, and Queen Sirikit passed by in a convoy en route to Hua Hin.  The move came only four days after the world’s longest reigning monarch presided over a ceremony marking Coronation Day at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. According to the Bureau of the Royal Household’s announcement The Royal Couple left for Hua Hin for a “change of atmosphere”. Rama IX was crowned on 5 May 1950.  For more information  Bureau of the Royal Household: www.brh.thaigov.net/brh-2011/index.php Grand Palace in Bangkok: www.palaces.thai.net/     ——— Pictures: Pattarachai Prechapanich & Thiti Wannamontha     

Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, regarding the recent pre-election violence in Burundi. On 26 May and 26 June 2015, the people of Burundi will vote in legislative and presidential elections.  I am concerned about the growing tensions in the country and reports that violence ahead of the elections may escalate which could lead to the commission of serious crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”). Burundi has been a State Party of the ICC since 2004. The ICC was established to try those accused of committing the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide when the state(s) concerned fail to do so. As witnessed in Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire, electoral competition, when gone astray, can trigger large-scale crimes falling under the jurisdiction of the ICC. In such instances, my Office will not hesitate to open investigations in accordance with the criteria set by the Rome Statute. Any person who incites or engages in acts of mass violence including by ordering, requesting, encouraging or contributing in any other manner to the commission of crimes within ICC’s jurisdiction is liable to prosecution before the Court. The primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of mass crimes falls, in the first instance, on the national authorities. That failing, however, no one should doubt my resolve to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for committing crimes under ICC jurisdiction. Electoral violence is by no means inevitable. The recent elections in Nigeria have shown how commitment to peaceful elections by the electoral candidates can prevent mass violence.  Political leaders in Burundi are equally responsible for ensuring the peaceful conduct of elections and that their supporters refrain from violence – before, during and after the elections.  My Office, in accordance with its mandate under the Rome Statute, will be closely following developments in Burundi in the weeks to come and record any instance of incitement or resort to violence.