Asked about the open letter of 47 US Senators to Iranian leaders, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Javad Zarif, responded that “in our view, this letter has no legal value and is mostly a propaganda ploy.  It is very interesting that while negotiations are still in progress and while no agreement has been reached, some political pressure groups are so afraid even of the prospect of an agreement that they resort to unconventional methods, unprecedented in diplomatic history.  This indicates that like Netanyahu, who considers peace as an existential threat, some are opposed to any agreement, regardless of its content. Dr. Zarif expressed astonishment that some members of US Congress find it appropriate to write to leaders of another country against their own President and administration. He pointed out that from reading the open letter, it seems that the authors not only do not understand international law, but are not fully cognizant of the nuances of their own Constitution when it comes to presidential powers in the conduct of foreign policy. Foreign Minister Zarif added that “I should bring one important point to the attention of the authors and that is, the world is not the United States, and the conduct of inter-state relations is governed by international law, and not by US domestic law. The authors may not fully understand that in international law, governments represent the entirety of their respective states, are responsible for the conduct of foreign affairs, are required to fulfil the obligations they undertake with other states and may not invoke their internal law as justification for failure to perform their international obligations. The Iranian Foreign Minister said that “Change of administration does not in any way relieve the next administration from international obligations undertaken by its predecessor in a possible agreement about Iran`s peaceful nuclear program.” He continued “I wish to enlighten the authors that if the next administration revokes any agreement with the stroke of a pen, as they boast, it will have simply committed a blatant violation of international law. He emphasized that if the current negotiation with P5+1 result in a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, it will not be a bilateral agreement between Iran and the US, but rather one that will be concluded with the participation of five other countries, including all permanent members of the Security Council, and will also be endorsed by a Security Council resolution. Dr. Zarif expressed the hope that his comments “may enrich the knowledge of the authors to recognize that according to international law, Congress may not modify the terms of the agreement at any time as they claim, and if Congress adopts any measure to impede its implementation, it will have committed a material breach of US obligations. The Foreign Minister also informed the authors that majority of US international agreements in recent decades are in fact what the signatories describe as “mere executive agreements” and not treaties ratified by the Senate. He reminded them that “their letter in fact undermines the credibility of thousands of such mere executive agreements that have been or will be entered into by the US with various other governments. Minister Zarif concluded by stating that “the Islamic Republic of Iran has entered these negotiations in good faith and with the political will to reach an agreement, and it is imperative for our counterparts to prove similar good faith and political will in order to make an agreement possible.”

Last year, foreign companies invested a record-breaking €3.2 billion in the Dutch economy, with government support. A total of 187 new projects have been completed, including new head offices, production facilities and data centres. These investments generated 6,304 new jobs, the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) found. It published its annual statistics today. ‘Investors see plenty of opportunities for investment in our country, and rightly so. We have a highly skilled working population and world-class digital infrastructure. Our economy’s also picking up. These things act as a magnet on investors,’ economic affairs minister Henk Kamp said. But he also cautioned that the rest of the world isn’t standing still. ‘We need to keep aiming high in the years ahead, to maintain our country’s attractive business climate.’ Mr Kamp and foreign trade minister Lilianne Ploumen share responsibility for the NFIA’s work. ‘As these data show, trade and investment generate employment in the Netherlands,’ Ms Ploumen said. ‘That’s why Dutch embassies around the world are working to draw international companies to the Netherlands. We especially want to convince more international start-ups that the Netherlands is the place to be for innovators. There’s still a lot of potential to be realised on that front.’ Welcome Google, Expedia and Netflix Thanks to a targeted acquisition strategy the NFIA succeeded in attracting a number of big names to the Netherlands in 2014. In Amsterdam online travel provider Expedia expanded its service centre by 120 jobs and Netflix opened its new European headquarters; Google is building a €600 million data centre in Eemshaven; and Canada’s Northland Power is investing €1.6 billion in the Gemini offshore wind farm, some 85 km off the north coast of the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the fashion brand American Eagle is building a large distribution centre in Bergen op Zoom that will provide 100 local jobs, and Europastry from Spain is starting up a bakery in Oldenzaal, creating 75 jobs. The Netherlands has international appeal Most foreign investors in our country are from the United States. Last year they invested in 65 projects, which generated over 2,300 jobs. In second place is China, with 28 projects and over 500 jobs. South Korean investors have also discovered the Netherlands, with 15 projects and 165 jobs, although India is not far behind with 10 projects that have generated 225 jobs. Foreign investments in 2013 were lower, at €1.7 billion, although it was an excellent year in terms of employment: 8,500 new jobs. In 2012 foreign investments generated more than 5,000 jobs. ‘Invest in Holland’ Until 2020, the NFIA and its regional partners will be running a campaign entitled ‘Invest in Holland’, aimed particularly at companies in the chemicals industry, agri-food, high-tech systems and materials, life sciences & health, and ICT. These are priority sectors in Dutch economic policy. Without diminishing its focus on major investors from the US and Japan, the NFIA will also be working to capitalise on the networks it has built up in China and India. The NFIA and the Dutch diplomatic missions will be working together in Start-up Delta, an initiative of the Ministry of Economic Affairs headed by former European Commissioner Neelie Kroes. It will mainly target countries with high numbers of start-ups, like the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel.  

The King’s Office has announced that His Majesty has honourably discharged Mr Opstelten and Mr Teeven upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister, thanking them for the many important services rendered to the monarch and the Kingdom. Stef Blok, the Minister for Housing and the Central Government Sector, will be responsible for the Ministry of Security and Justice until a new minister is appointed.

By Mete Erdurcan and Baron Henri Estramant.   9 March 2015, His Conqueror Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (b. 28 November 1927) opened the third session of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur. Tuanku Abdul Halim is the 14th “Yang di-Pertuan Agong” (Paramount Ruler of Malaysia) since 13 December 2011, concurrently holds the position of Sultan of Kedah, though he does not exercise regal prerogatives in the State of Kedah whilst holding the headship of state. The Federation of Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy having with an elected monarch rotating amongst the nine hereditary rulers of Malaysia as Head of State; the “Yang di-Pertuan Agong” (literally “He who is made Lord”). The office was established in 1957 when Malaysia became independent from the United Kingdom. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku held a speech at the opening of the 13th parliamentary sitting. In his opening statement he called on the public to reject religious extremism, specifically naming the Islamic State (IS) terror group.