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:
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;
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;
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;
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;
The Embassy of Burundi pays tribute to all those who contributed in any way to the success of His return;
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;
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.
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 Szijjártó, 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 Szijjártó, 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”.
By Mission of Georgia to the EU, Belgium & Luxembourg.President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, held high-rank meetings within a working visit to Brussels. The visit was held ahead of the summit in Latvia with the main message: Riga – Summit to reaffirm the right to choose. The head of State met President of the European Council Donald Tusk, Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johanness Hahn, Commissioner for Energy, Maroš Šefčovič. He met the leaders of European Parliament Political parties: Elmar Brok, Manfred Weber and Gianni Pittella, and the President of European Chamber of Commerce and Industry.The main topic of the meetings was the Riga Summit and the expectations which the Georgian government and population have, those progresses and reforms that Georgia made on the path to European integration, and of course the current situation of the country including security issues. Giorgi Margvelashvili participated in the conference of the Eastern Partnership – “the Eastern Partnership – Partnership of Free Choice” and delivered a speech. The conference was moderated by the European College Neighborhood Policy Department Manager Tobias Schumacher. The conference with the president was attended and delivered a speech to the crowd by Commissioner Johannes Hahn, European Parliament Vice-President Ioan Mircea Pascu, the Latvian parliament’s foreign relations committee Ojārs Kalnins and the European External Action Service for Russia, Eastern Partnership and Central Asia director Gunnar Wiegand. Moreover, he delivered a speech in the European Parliament Committee of Foreign Affairs and answer the questions of the media. Giorgi Margvelashvili hosted the representatives of EU member states and institutions at the working dinner at the Mission of Georgia in Brussels.President of Georgia and Georgia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Luxemburg and the head of Georgia’s mission to the European Union Dr Natalie Sabanadze welcomed the gathered community and spoke about the relations between Georgia and the European Union. At the working dinner, President of Georgia awarded Gunnar Wiegand – the European External Action Service (EEAS) Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional Cooperation and OSCE, as well as the main negotiator with respect to the Association Agreement of Georgia with Order of Honor for his contribution in Georgia and EU relations. The President of Georgia met His Majesty The King of the Belgians. At the meeting they discussed the relations between the two countries. King Philippe expressed his interest in the current situation of the region. They also discussed the developments in the Ukraine. President Giorgi Margvelashvili invited His Majesty The King of the Belgians pay a visit to Georgia. For more information:President of Georgiawww.president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=9461&i=1www.president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=9466&i=1www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTblZ3cFrO0&feature=youtu.bewww.youtube.com/watch?v=r_gM84A_OQkwww.youtube.com/watch?v=uM1gqqqIMnQ
On the picture Ms. Aura de Aguilera, H.E. Mr. Carlos Herrera Rodríguez, Ambassador of Peru, Ms. Veronique Miclea and H.E. Mr. Gabriel Aguilera Peralta, Ambassador of Guatemala.By Ellen Brager
It is the tradition at Diplomat Magazine’s Meet & Greets that the host Embassy presents its guests with a selection of the best of its home country. “It was not easy to choice”, said Ambassador Carlos Herrera Rodríguez in his welcome speech, referring to the rich Peruvian cuisine.
Peru is indeed known for its rich culinary variety that features a combination of indigenous and natural products into a feast for the palate. Quinoa is one of these products and was ultimately chosen as the central theme for the “bocadillos” that were served.
For a photo-album of Peru Diplomats Meet & Greet please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157650511075774
“Quinoa is a typical Andean product”, explained The Ambassador, “that is conquering cuisines worldwide because of its dense nutritional and healthy properties”. He told the anecdote of Inca Garciloso de la Vega who wrote in 1590 that a shipment of quinoa sent to him in Spain was useless by the time it arrived. He must have been quite disappointed if he felt the need to mention it in his “Royal Commentaries”! Luckily for us quinoa is now readily available in most European supermarkets.
The evening’s selection of quinoa-based snacks included a frittata of quinoa and asparagus, a toast with quinoa and apple, a quinoa tortilla, and a tapenade with sprouted quinoa, all delicious and unique. Since Peru is also the birth place of the potato, some potato-based snacks, such as Causa – a cold dish with layers of mashed potatoes, avocado, tomato and chicken – as well as Papas a la Huancaína – little potatoes with a mildly spicy dip – had to be on the menu as well. A feast for the palate indeed!
“Other quinoa and kiwicha derived products – a variety of cereals, food supplements and energy shakes – were showcased on a side table. These products are commercialized under the brand IncaSur. For more information you may contact the Embassy of Peru.” said Deputy Head of Mission, Paul Duclos Parodi.H.E. Mr Sergio Ugalde Godinez, Ambassador of Costa Rica, H.E. Mr. Gabriel Aguilera Peralta, Ambassador of Guatemala, H.E. Mr. Fermín Quiñones Sánchez, Ambassador of Cuba and H.E. Mr. Carlos Herrera Rodríguez, Ambassador of Peru.
While the choice of snacks may have been difficult, the choice of the welcome drink certainly wasn’t! It had to be pisco sour, Peru’s trademark cocktail, made with pisco, a spirit derived from grapes, mixed with lime juice, jarabe de goma syrup, and egg whites. Perhaps lesser known, but equally delicious and also served that evening, was the chilcano, a cocktail of pisco, lime juice and ginger ale. Pisco is mostly produced in the region around the city of Pisco, south of Lima, and its origins can be traced back to the 16th century, though I suspect that it must have been an Inca favorite well before that!
It became clear that it was going to be a special evening already at the entrance of the event, where Romy Uijttenboogaart, a young violinist and student at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, welcomed the arriving guests with her musical talent. This was a very nice touch that, together with the first glass of pisco sour, set the mood for the rest of the evening. It didn’t take long before the downstairs bar of the Carlton Ambassador Hotel was packed with diplomats, expats and friends of Peru engaged in friendly conversations and laughter.
Everybody agreed that there was a lot of “calor”, referring not only to the temperature but to the “calor humano”, the personal warmth that was so generously conveyed by Ambassador Herrera, his wife and his staff and that typifies Peruvian hospitality. It all made for a very enjoyable evening indeed and a successful Meet & Greet to remember!
Published also in Peru, click here: http://www.bizusaperu.com/noticias/peru-meet-greet-quinua-y-pisco-sour-deleitaron-paladares-europeos-en-la-haya.htmlViolinist, Romy Uijttenboogaart.
First Vice-President Frans Timmermans presents new European security agenda.Edited by Joseph Dailey.
The European Commission has presented its new European Agenda on Security, intended to be implemented during the period from 2015 until 2020. First Vice-President Frans Timmermans commented: “Terrorism, organised crime, and cybercrime are complex and evolving security challenges that cross European borders. So it is time we Europeans work better and more closely together to make sure our citizens are safe. Through this shared EU agenda, we want to get national authorities to cooperate more effectively, in a spirit of mutual trust. Terrorists attack the democratic values we cherish. We will stand firm on fundamental rights and work to address the root causes of radicalisation, fostering a genuine culture of tolerance in our societies.”
The Agenda’s focus on improved exchange of information and increased cooperation will help address its three main goals: terrorism prevention and countering radicalization, combating organized crime, and combating cybercrime.
The agenda includes many components, namely the following key actions: countering radicalization; updating the Framework Decision on Terrorism; cutting the financing of criminals; enhancing dialogues with the IT industry; strengthening the legal framework on firearms; reinforcing our tools to fight cybercrime; and enhancing the capacities of Europol.
More info:
The full press release and memo (both in UK) can be found at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-4865_nl.htm
View the press conference with Vice-President Timmermans here: http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/ebs/schedule.cfm
The full announcement: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/documents/basic-documents/docs/eu_agenda_on_security_en.pd
EU Spring Forecast: Dutch economic recovery gains groundEdited by Joseph Dailey.
On the basis of approximately 180 indicators such as GDP, inflation, employment and public finances, the European Commission has forecasted economic growth in the European Union, the euro area and its major trading partners. The forecasts are the basis for economic monitoring procedures during the European Semester.
The aforementioned forecasts are based on a series of external assumptions regarding exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. The figures given are as predicted at the time of the forecast. This forecast also takes into account additional relevant data and factors, including assumptions about government policies which became available on April 21, 2015.
Netherlands: Economy grows strongly
The Dutch economy grew strongly in the fourth quarter of 2014, driven by domestic demand and the recovery of investment. Based on early indicators, we can expect domestic demand to increase further in 2015 and the export sector to benefit from the depreciation of the euro. It is also expected that inflation will reach its lowest point this year before once again rising over the predicted level of 1% next year. Estimates put the overall deficit at 1.7% in 2015 and 1.2% in 2016.
You can find the complete forecast for the Netherlands at: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/eu/forecasts/2015_spring/nl_en.pdf
General forecast
The economy in the European Union will benefit this year from a favorable economic tailwind. According to economic forecasts, in 2015 the European Commission will have a slight upturn in the EU through these temporary factors.
In regards to monetary policy, quantitative easing from the ECB has had a clear effect on the financial markets, leading the expansion to lower interest rates and result in expected improvement in credit conditions. With the EU more or less balancing a neutral fiscal stance – there is no question of tightening or easing – fiscal policy can be expected to promote growth. Over time, structural reform and investments in Europe should also pay off.
As a result, it is currently assumed that the real GDP will grow by 1.8% in the EU and 1.5% in the eurozone in 2015. This is respectively 0.1% and 0.2% more than anticipated three months ago. For 2016 the Commission expects a growth of 2.1% for the EU and 1.9% for the eurozone. Domestic demand will contribute the most to this GDP growth.
Information provided by Dominique Peters. Transcribed by Nicole Pierre
On Monday 30th March, there was an amazing collaboration between the Fondation L’Amité- Club da La Haye and the Romanian Embassy in The Netherlands. A lecture-demonstration was held at the Muzee Scheveningen as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Amité Club de La Haye and the Orthodox Easer celebration of Romania. This was a perfect way to bring the Francophone month, March, to a festive close.
Mr. Marius Boranescu, Minister-Consellor at the Romanian Embassy substituted as the conférencier during the absence of S.E. Mme Ireny Comaroschi, Ambassador of Romania. The traditions of this very special celebration were highlighted and the most fascinating tradition of egg-painting were also described and demonstrated.
We discovered that the eggs are first emptied before patterns are drawn on them with melted wax in order to protect its original color. Mythical, religious and cosmic symbols are then painted on the eggs, using a vapor bath, in white, black, yellow and red on a red or black background. This is a process which is passed on from generation to generation and is as enchanting as it is original to the Romanian tradition.
We also learnt that the eggs are decorated with a 15 cm, wood based instrument called a “chișiță”, at the end of which is a copper tube fastened with hemp thread and that in the final phase, the wax which was previously applied, is removed revealing the beautiful, vibrant colors which were impeccably preserved. Two artists, Cristina Timu and Maria Zinici, from Bucovina were invited to explain the ancestral techniques and they also demonstrated some of the different symbols used. As with everything else, the art of decorating eggs has evolved over time and the techniques have become more diversified with the incorporation of complex decorating patterns. However, and most importantly, the symbolic value of this tradition has been kept intact.
Thanks to the Amité-Club de la Haye, which organizes very informative conferences throughout the year, we got to discover this magnificent Romanian tradition. Under the direction of its President, Dominique Peters, the Fondation L’Amité-Club de La Haye is one of the main organizations in defense of the French language in The Hague. Bringing the French and Dutch cultures together for intellectual meetings, and safeguarding the importance of French language and the Francophnie, the Amité- Club brings us into contact with amazing cultures and traditions.
On the occasion of the celebration of the landmark exhibition ‘Carthago’, held from 27th November 2014 until 10th May 2015, a glamorous Tunisian fashion show took place in the Leiden Museum of Antiquities on 8th May 2015.
For a photo-album on the Tunisia Fashion Show in the Leiden Museum of Antiquities, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157652807551862
The Fashion Show was made by the Tunisian designer Faouzi Naouar who presented his spring and summer collection high in colours with different variations according to the typical tradition of every region and city in Tunisia. He thus successfully presented a mosaic of traditional clothes with a fashion design and a modern touch in an original creative style.
H.E. Mr Karim Ben Becher, the Ambassador of Tunisia, praised the dynamic bilateral cooperation relations with the Dutch side, that made possible the organization of such an exhibition on Carthage, its history, its culture and its unforgettable civilization, pointing out that it was the most important event ever organised about this Punic city, regarding its high quality and the number of exhibited archaeological monuments that came mainly from the Bardo and the Carthage Museums in Tunisia.
He expressed his satisfaction to the fact that this major exhibition on Carthage attracted more than 100 000 visitors, giving Tunisia more visibility and hopefully a positive impact on tourism.
Ambassador Ben Becher then indicated that fruitful cooperation with the Leiden Museum of Antiquities is to be continued, with a coming exhibition in Tunisia on the findings of the Dutch archaeologist Jean-Emile Humbert about Carthage, considered the modern discoverer of the ancient city in the XVIIIth century.
Ninth report of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to the UN Security Council pursuant to UNSCR 1970 (2011)
The deteriorating security situation in Libya continues to be a matter of great concern not only for my Office, but for this Council and the broader international community. Innocent civilians continue to bear the brunt of the deteriorating security situation. The frequency and brutality of assassinations, terrorist attacks, threats to media workers, human rights defenders and women in particular are especially troubling. Libya continues to be split, with two governments vying for legitimacy.
The international community must be more proactive in exploring solutions in order to tangibly help Libya restore stability and strengthen accountability for Rome Statute crimes. Toward this end, my Office has encouraged the formation of an international contact group on justice issues through which material, legal and other support could be provided to Libya.
My Office is modestly contributing to these efforts by fostering cooperative efforts between investigative authorities in Libya and other countries. One proposal I submit before the Council is for a willing State, with substantial experience in transitional justice, to consider partnering with Libya to explore more concretely how such a contact group might be brought to life in the near future. It is crucial for such efforts to include local actors, so that their voices and views on achieving justice are amplified and heard. My Office appreciates the efforts that the UN Support Mission in Libya as well as the Permanent Mission of Libya to the UN have made towards this end, and looks forward to continuing these efforts with these and other partners as we forge ahead in finding solutions for the crisis in Libya.
As I have suggested in my previous statements, the Libyan authorities should facilitate a visit by representatives from the local councils of Misrata and Tawergha to New York to meet and engage with Council members. My Office agrees with those who believe that facilitating a solution for the Tawergha issue will have symbolic importance and resonance in Libya. While it has not yet been possible to organize this visit, I believe that with the help of the UN Support Mission in Libya, the Libyan Mission to the UN, the Libyan focal point to the ICC, and other initiatives engaging with Libyan local leaders and civil society to promote justice, we can achieve results before our next briefing in November 2015.
Madame President, Your Excellencies:
I have taken note of this Council’s resolutions 2174 of 27 August 2014, as well as 2213 of 27 March of this year. Both reference the referral of the Libya situation to the ICC in UN Security Council resolution 1970, and stress the importance of the Libyan government’s full cooperation with the ICC and with my Office. Like the Council, we deplore the increasing violence in Libya, and we are deeply concerned at the impact of this violence on Libya’s civilian population and institutions. Accountability for those responsible for violations or abuses of human rights or violations of international humanitarian law is essential.
I have also taken note of this Council’s call for accountability for the use of violence against civilians and civilian institutions by groups purportedly claiming allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (“ISIL”) or Da’esh. My Office considers that ICC jurisdiction over Libya prima facie extends to such alleged crimes. I recall however the principle that States, in the first instance, bear the primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute their nationals who have joined forces with ISIL/Da’esh and are alleged to be committing Rome Statute crimes.
Similarly, my Office continues to be concerned about alleged indiscriminate attacks in heavily populated areas by both Libya Dawn and Operation Dignity forces, resulting in civilian casualties, in particular in Benghazi, Tripoli, Warshefana, and in the Nafusa Mountains. I reiterate my call to all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from targeting civilians or civilian objects, or committing any other crime that may fall within the ICC’s jurisdiction, and to be vigilant and actively take all necessary measures to prevent the commission of such crimes.
My Office is actively considering the investigation and prosecution of further cases, and will not hesitate to take such action as may be needed to contribute to ending impunity in Libya or to contribute to such action by other relevant prosecutorial authorities.
Madame President, Your Excellencies:
Although the Libyan Prosecutor-General’s office in particular has engaged in fruitful cooperation with my Office, I must reiterate that there are specific areas in which the government of Libya is in non-compliance with the Court’s orders. In particular, I recall that on 10 December 2014, the Pre-Trial Chamber found that Libya has failed to comply with the Chamber’s requests to surrender Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi to the Court, to return to his Defence the originals of the documents seized in Zintan by the Libyan authorities from the former Defence counsel of Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, and to destroy any copies thereof.
The Pre-Trial Chamber decided to refer the matter of Libya’s non-compliance to the Council in accordance with regulation 109(4) of the Regulations of the Court. The Office notes that the Council referred to this decision in United Nations Security Council 2213 of 2015. The Office continues to press Libyan authorities to comply and to consult with the Court in order to resolve any problems that may impede or prevent execution of the requests. This Council is also encouraged to do the same.
The Rome Statute provides for such consultation, and in light of the continuing cooperation my Office receives from the Prosecutor-General’s office, the importance of constructive consultations to address problems which may impede or prevent the execution of these requests is even greater. My Office will do whatever it can to encourage and facilitate these consultations, with the goal of ensuring Libya’s full cooperation with the Court.
In relation to the case of Abdullah Al-Senussi, the Office stated in its last report to the Council that no decision had been taken at the time to submit a request for review under article 19(10) of the Rome Statute. As indicated, the Office had requested information on the national proceedings against Mr Al-Senussi from Libya and had taken steps to access data and analysis from independent trial monitoring sources.
The Office has since received information from the United Nations Support Mission in Libya on the domestic proceedings, as well as from the Libyan Prosecutor-General’s office and from independent civil society members. Based on this information and on an internal analysis of available video recordings of selected trial sessions received from United Nations Support Mission in Libya, the Office has concluded that it is not in possession of new facts that would fully satisfy it that the basis on which the case against Mr Al- Senussi had previously been found inadmissible before the ICC has been negated.
This position is taken on the basis of information that is currently available to the Office and is subject to change should we receive further reliable information that would warrant a reassessment of this finding. The Office will continue to monitor the situation in Libya and the domestic proceedings against Mr Al-Senussi.
Madame President, Your Excellencies:
In conclusion, I will simply restate that there is more that we can and must all do to ensure peace and justice in Libya. I will do my part in the effort to end impunity, and I look forward to working with our partners in Libya and amongst Libyan civil society and grassroots leadership, at the UN, amongst the Rome Statute States Parties, and with the Libyan Mission to the UN, to bring these plans to fruition.
ICC judges hold roundtable meeting with United Nations Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict.The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms Zainab Bangura, visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the invitation of the President of the Court, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, to participate in a roundtable meeting with the judges of the Court yesterday May 13.During the meeting, which built on earlier contacts between President Fernández and Ms Bangura, the judges of the Court and the Special Representative discussed areas of common interest in the two institutions’ mandates aimed at ending impunity for mass crimes of sexual and gender-based violence.“Ensuring accountability for sexual and gender-based violence and providing justice to the victims of such crimes is an integral aspect of the ICC’s mandate,” said President Fernández. “I am truly delighted for this opportunity to discuss the many synergies between the important work conducted by Ms Bangura and her office on the one hand and the ICC on the other hand. Ending conflict-related sexual violence is a vitally important objective for the global community, and the ICC is deeply committed to working together with the United Nations and other relevant actors toward that end.”“The International Criminal Court is a vital tool in the fight against impunity for crimes of sexual violence,” said Special Representative Bangura. “It is essential for my mandate to engage with the Court to discuss the pressing challenges that we face together, including evidentiary issues, victims and witness protection, and reparations. I am incredibly grateful for the President of the Court’s invitation and for the judges’ strong engagement in the roundtable discussion.”During her visit to the ICC, Ms Bangura also met with officials of the Court’s Office of the Prosecutor and Registry, as well as the Trust Fund for Victims associated with the ICC. She also briefed a meeting of the Hague Working Group of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on her mandate and activities. In her remarks to the various stakeholders of the ICC, Ms Bangura underlined the Court’s key role in ensuring accountability for sexual and gender-based crimes and breaking the culture of denial about sexual violence in conflict.
The main topic of the meetings was the Riga Summit and the expectations which the Georgian government and population have, those progresses and reforms that Georgia made on the path to European integration, and of course the current situation of the country including security issues. Giorgi Margvelashvili participated in the conference of the Eastern Partnership – “the Eastern Partnership – Partnership of Free Choice” and delivered a speech.
The conference was moderated by the European College Neighborhood Policy Department Manager Tobias Schumacher. The conference with the president was attended and delivered a speech to the crowd by Commissioner Johannes Hahn, European Parliament Vice-President Ioan Mircea Pascu, the Latvian parliament’s foreign relations committee Ojārs Kalnins and the European External Action Service for Russia, Eastern Partnership and Central Asia director Gunnar Wiegand.
Moreover, he delivered a speech in the European Parliament Committee of Foreign Affairs and answer the questions of the media. Giorgi Margvelashvili hosted the representatives of EU member states and institutions at the working dinner at the Mission of Georgia in Brussels.
President of Georgia and Georgia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Luxemburg and the head of Georgia’s mission to the European Union Dr Natalie Sabanadze welcomed the gathered community and spoke about the relations between Georgia and the European Union. At the working dinner, President of Georgia awarded Gunnar Wiegand – the European External Action Service (EEAS) Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional Cooperation and OSCE, as well as the main negotiator with respect to the Association Agreement of Georgia with Order of Honor for his contribution in Georgia and EU relations.
The President of Georgia met His Majesty The King of the Belgians. At the meeting they discussed the relations between the two countries. King Philippe expressed his interest in the current situation of the region. They also discussed the developments in the Ukraine. President Giorgi Margvelashvili invited His Majesty The King of the Belgians pay a visit to Georgia.
For more information:
President of Georgia
www.president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=9461&i=1
www.president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=9466&i=1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTblZ3cFrO0&feature=youtu.be
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_gM84A_OQk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM1gqqqIMnQ
The main topic of the meetings was the Riga Summit and the expectations which the Georgian government and population have, those progresses and reforms that Georgia made on the path to European integration, and of course the current situation of the country including security issues. Giorgi Margvelashvili participated in the conference of the Eastern Partnership – “the Eastern Partnership – Partnership of Free Choice” and delivered a speech.
The conference was moderated by the European College Neighborhood Policy Department Manager Tobias Schumacher. The conference with the president was attended and delivered a speech to the crowd by Commissioner Johannes Hahn, European Parliament Vice-President Ioan Mircea Pascu, the Latvian parliament’s foreign relations committee Ojārs Kalnins and the European External Action Service for Russia, Eastern Partnership and Central Asia director Gunnar Wiegand.
Moreover, he delivered a speech in the European Parliament Committee of Foreign Affairs and answer the questions of the media. Giorgi Margvelashvili hosted the representatives of EU member states and institutions at the working dinner at the Mission of Georgia in Brussels.
“Quinoa is a typical Andean product”, explained The Ambassador, “that is conquering cuisines worldwide because of its dense nutritional and healthy properties”. He told the anecdote of Inca Garciloso de la Vega who wrote in 1590 that a shipment of quinoa sent to him in Spain was useless by the time it arrived. He must have been quite disappointed if he felt the need to mention it in his “Royal Commentaries”! Luckily for us quinoa is now readily available in most European supermarkets.
The evening’s selection of quinoa-based snacks included a frittata of quinoa and asparagus, a toast with quinoa and apple, a quinoa tortilla, and a tapenade with sprouted quinoa, all delicious and unique. Since Peru is also the birth place of the potato, some potato-based snacks, such as Causa – a cold dish with layers of mashed potatoes, avocado, tomato and chicken – as well as Papas a la Huancaína – little potatoes with a mildly spicy dip – had to be on the menu as well. A feast for the palate indeed!
“Other quinoa and kiwicha derived products – a variety of cereals, food supplements and energy shakes – were showcased on a side table. These products are commercialized under the brand IncaSur. For more information you may contact the Embassy of Peru.” said Deputy Head of Mission, Paul Duclos Parodi.
It became clear that it was going to be a special evening already at the entrance of the event, where Romy Uijttenboogaart, a young violinist and student at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, welcomed the arriving guests with her musical talent. This was a very nice touch that, together with the first glass of pisco sour, set the mood for the rest of the evening. It didn’t take long before the downstairs bar of the Carlton Ambassador Hotel was packed with diplomats, expats and friends of Peru engaged in friendly conversations and laughter.
Everybody agreed that there was a lot of “calor”, referring not only to the temperature but to the “calor humano”, the personal warmth that was so generously conveyed by Ambassador Herrera, his wife and his staff and that typifies Peruvian hospitality. It all made for a very enjoyable evening indeed and a successful Meet & Greet to remember!
Published also in Peru, click here: http://www.bizusaperu.com/
“Quinoa is a typical Andean product”, explained The Ambassador, “that is conquering cuisines worldwide because of its dense nutritional and healthy properties”. He told the anecdote of Inca Garciloso de la Vega who wrote in 1590 that a shipment of quinoa sent to him in Spain was useless by the time it arrived. He must have been quite disappointed if he felt the need to mention it in his “Royal Commentaries”! Luckily for us quinoa is now readily available in most European supermarkets.
The evening’s selection of quinoa-based snacks included a frittata of quinoa and asparagus, a toast with quinoa and apple, a quinoa tortilla, and a tapenade with sprouted quinoa, all delicious and unique. Since Peru is also the birth place of the potato, some potato-based snacks, such as Causa – a cold dish with layers of mashed potatoes, avocado, tomato and chicken – as well as Papas a la Huancaína – little potatoes with a mildly spicy dip – had to be on the menu as well. A feast for the palate indeed!
“Other quinoa and kiwicha derived products – a variety of cereals, food supplements and energy shakes – were showcased on a side table. These products are commercialized under the brand IncaSur. For more information you may contact the Embassy of Peru.” said Deputy Head of Mission, Paul Duclos Parodi.
It became clear that it was going to be a special evening already at the entrance of the event, where Romy Uijttenboogaart, a young violinist and student at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, welcomed the arriving guests with her musical talent. This was a very nice touch that, together with the first glass of pisco sour, set the mood for the rest of the evening. It didn’t take long before the downstairs bar of the Carlton Ambassador Hotel was packed with diplomats, expats and friends of Peru engaged in friendly conversations and laughter.
Everybody agreed that there was a lot of “calor”, referring not only to the temperature but to the “calor humano”, the personal warmth that was so generously conveyed by Ambassador Herrera, his wife and his staff and that typifies Peruvian hospitality. It all made for a very enjoyable evening indeed and a successful Meet & Greet to remember!
Published also in Peru, click here: http://www.bizusaperu.com/
We discovered that the eggs are first emptied before patterns are drawn on them with melted wax in order to protect its original color. Mythical, religious and cosmic symbols are then painted on the eggs, using a vapor bath, in white, black, yellow and red on a red or black background. This is a process which is passed on from generation to generation and is as enchanting as it is original to the Romanian tradition.
We also learnt that the eggs are decorated with a 15 cm, wood based instrument called a “chișiță”, at the end of which is a copper tube fastened with hemp thread and that in the final phase, the wax which was previously applied, is removed revealing the beautiful, vibrant colors which were impeccably preserved. Two artists, Cristina Timu and Maria Zinici, from Bucovina were invited to explain the ancestral techniques and they also demonstrated some of the different symbols used. As with everything else, the art of decorating eggs has evolved over time and the techniques have become more diversified with the incorporation of complex decorating patterns. However, and most importantly, the symbolic value of this tradition has been kept intact.
Thanks to the Amité-Club de la Haye, which organizes very informative conferences throughout the year, we got to discover this magnificent Romanian tradition. Under the direction of its President, Dominique Peters, the Fondation L’Amité-Club de La Haye is one of the main organizations in defense of the French language in The Hague. Bringing the French and Dutch cultures together for intellectual meetings, and safeguarding the importance of French language and the Francophnie, the Amité- Club brings us into contact with amazing cultures and traditions. 
We discovered that the eggs are first emptied before patterns are drawn on them with melted wax in order to protect its original color. Mythical, religious and cosmic symbols are then painted on the eggs, using a vapor bath, in white, black, yellow and red on a red or black background. This is a process which is passed on from generation to generation and is as enchanting as it is original to the Romanian tradition.
We also learnt that the eggs are decorated with a 15 cm, wood based instrument called a “chișiță”, at the end of which is a copper tube fastened with hemp thread and that in the final phase, the wax which was previously applied, is removed revealing the beautiful, vibrant colors which were impeccably preserved. Two artists, Cristina Timu and Maria Zinici, from Bucovina were invited to explain the ancestral techniques and they also demonstrated some of the different symbols used. As with everything else, the art of decorating eggs has evolved over time and the techniques have become more diversified with the incorporation of complex decorating patterns. However, and most importantly, the symbolic value of this tradition has been kept intact.
Thanks to the Amité-Club de la Haye, which organizes very informative conferences throughout the year, we got to discover this magnificent Romanian tradition. Under the direction of its President, Dominique Peters, the Fondation L’Amité-Club de La Haye is one of the main organizations in defense of the French language in The Hague. Bringing the French and Dutch cultures together for intellectual meetings, and safeguarding the importance of French language and the Francophnie, the Amité- Club brings us into contact with amazing cultures and traditions. 
The Fashion Show was made by the Tunisian designer Faouzi Naouar who presented his spring and summer collection high in colours with different variations according to the typical tradition of every region and city in Tunisia. He thus successfully presented a mosaic of traditional clothes with a fashion design and a modern touch in an original creative style.
H.E. Mr Karim Ben Becher, the Ambassador of Tunisia, praised the dynamic bilateral cooperation relations with the Dutch side, that made possible the organization of such an exhibition on Carthage, its history, its culture and its unforgettable civilization, pointing out that it was the most important event ever organised about this Punic city, regarding its high quality and the number of exhibited archaeological monuments that came mainly from the Bardo and the Carthage Museums in Tunisia.
He expressed his satisfaction to the fact that this major exhibition on Carthage attracted more than 100 000 visitors, giving Tunisia more visibility and hopefully a positive impact on tourism.
Ambassador Ben Becher then indicated that fruitful cooperation with the Leiden Museum of Antiquities is to be continued, with a coming exhibition in Tunisia on the findings of the Dutch archaeologist Jean-Emile Humbert about Carthage, considered the modern discoverer of the ancient city in the XVIIIth century.
The Fashion Show was made by the Tunisian designer Faouzi Naouar who presented his spring and summer collection high in colours with different variations according to the typical tradition of every region and city in Tunisia. He thus successfully presented a mosaic of traditional clothes with a fashion design and a modern touch in an original creative style.
H.E. Mr Karim Ben Becher, the Ambassador of Tunisia, praised the dynamic bilateral cooperation relations with the Dutch side, that made possible the organization of such an exhibition on Carthage, its history, its culture and its unforgettable civilization, pointing out that it was the most important event ever organised about this Punic city, regarding its high quality and the number of exhibited archaeological monuments that came mainly from the Bardo and the Carthage Museums in Tunisia.
He expressed his satisfaction to the fact that this major exhibition on Carthage attracted more than 100 000 visitors, giving Tunisia more visibility and hopefully a positive impact on tourism.
Ambassador Ben Becher then indicated that fruitful cooperation with the Leiden Museum of Antiquities is to be continued, with a coming exhibition in Tunisia on the findings of the Dutch archaeologist Jean-Emile Humbert about Carthage, considered the modern discoverer of the ancient city in the XVIIIth century.
