Spotlight on Jazz at WorldHotel Bel Air
By Catherine A. Dailey.
Three weeks ago, the Embassy Bar at Worldhotel Bel Air was the Valentine’s Day venue for yet another memorable evening of jazz classics in one of the city’s finest jazz “clubs.” Talented tenor saxophonist, Floriaan Wempe, together with vocalist Sanne Mans, performed swinging jazz favorites in an intimate lounge setting. Luciano Poli (contrabass) and Richie Reichgelt (guitaar) completed the quartet.
The live jazz performance capped a full weekend of entertainment at the hotel, which began with a “screening” of the romantic comedy “Smoorverliefd,” a Dutch film, which was, in part, filmed at the Worldhotel Bel Air. On Saturday evening, guests were treated to a three coarse “North Sea” (seafood) dinner in “Restaurant Purple,” one of the hotel’s three restaurants. Cupid’s “chocolate passion” dessert, pictured here, completed the dining segment of the program, after which guests were invited downstairs to the Embassy Bar for music.
Sanne Mans gave an exceptional performance to a full house of jazz enthusiasts. Mans, a talented young newcomer to the local jazz scene, graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague in 2010. In addition to live solo performances, she gives private voice lessons in The Hague, is the choir conductor for two choirs and, since 2014, has appeared with Amsterdam’s famous “Zo! Gospel Choir.” She can regularly be seen performing with some of the most well known names in the local and international jazz world. Visit her website for a complete list of her upcoming performances.
Since last September, jazz aficionados have been invited to experience “For the First Time” premier jazz program at the “Bel Air Jazz Club”, where live jazz can be heard monthly on Sunday afternoons from 4-6 pm in the Embassy Bar. Tickets, including the first drink, are just € 12,50 for a two hour program of outstanding jazz music.
Don’t miss the next Bel Air Jazz Club event scheduled for Sunday, March 22nd. The complete schedule and information on ordering tickets can be found on the website. Of course, it is always possible, and heartily suggested, to enjoy dinner at the Restaurant Purple, following the program. Restaurant Purple’s Chef-Cook, Mike Meijer, has prepared a special menu featuring Schnitzel Stroganoff, baby potatoes and green beans especially for Bel Air Jazz Club guests for just € 10,00! Check the website or call the “Jazz Desk” at +31 (0)70 352 5354 to order your tickets and book your table today!
ICC Appeals Chamber confirms decision issuing an arrest warrant for Abdallah Banda
ICC Judge Sang-Hyun Song delivering the 3 March 2015 Appeals Chamber’s judgment regarding the decision issuing an arrest warrant for Abdallah Banda ©ICC-CPI .
Today, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, Presiding Judge in this appeal, read a summary of the Appeals Chamber judgment and explained that the issue on appeal was not the issuance of the arrest warrant itself but the question of whether the Trial Chamber should have provided Mr. Banda with a further opportunity to present submissions on the appropriateness of replacing the summons to appear with a warrant of arrest after being satisfied that Mr. Banda would not appear voluntarily for his trial.
The Appeals Chamber noted that Mr Banda had not demonstrated that, in the absence of the alleged error, the Trial Chamber decision would have substantially differed from the one rendered. Furthermore, Mr Banda had not put forth any legal argument in support of the contention that the procedural step of inviting further submissions was required as a matter of law. The Appeals Chamber also noted that the Trial Chamber’s decision left open the possibility to “revisit […] the conditions of [Mr Banda’s] stay in The Netherlands during trial” in the case of his voluntary appearance after the issuance of the warrant of arrest. For these reasons, the Appeals Chamber deemed it appropriate to confirm the Trial Chamber’s decision.
Background: On 11 September 2014, Trial Chamber IV issued an arrest warrant against Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain. The Chamber also vacated the trial date – previously scheduled for 18 November 2014 – and directed the ICC Registry to transmit the new requests for arrest and surrender to any State, including the Sudan, on whose territory Mr. Banda may be found.
Trial Chamber IV had requested the Government of Sudan’s cooperation to facilitate the accused’s presence at trial. This cooperation, according to the information provided by the Registry, is not forthcoming. By way of consequence, the Chamber considered that there are no guarantees that, in the current circumstances, he will be in an objective position to appear voluntarily, regardless of whether he wishes to be present at trial or not. The Chamber concluded that an arrest warrant is now necessary to ensure the accused’s presence.
Abdallah Banda faces three charges of war crimes (violence to life in the form of murder, whether committed or attempted; intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, material, units or vehicles involved in a peacekeeping mission; and pillaging). These crimes were allegedly committed in an attack carried out on 29 September 2007, against African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan, at the Haskanita Military Group Site, in the Umm Kadada locality of North Darfur, Sudan. While the case initially involved Saleh Mohammed Jerbo Jamus, Trial Chamber IV terminated the proceedings against him on 4 October 2013, upon receiving evidence pointing towards his death.
Luxembourgian economic mission to the UAE
By Baron Henri Estramant.
An economic mission organised by “Luxembourg for Finance” took place in Abu Dhabi from 1-3 March 2015. The mission was presided over by His Royal Highness The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Prince Guillaume accompanied by his wife, Stéphanie, the Minister of Finance, Pierre Gramegna, and a Luxembourgian business delegation.
The mission’s aim is to promote greater collaboration between Luxembourg and the United Arab Emirates when it comes to financial services.
The Hereditary Grand Ducal Couple was received in audience to discuss bilateral relations, and the boost of economic ties by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.
Their Royal Highnesses and the Minister of Finance were particularly eager to meeting representatives of Abu Dhabi’s Sovereign Wealth Fund to learn from their experience for Luxembourg’s very own Inter-generational Sovereign Fund. The net worth of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign fund is estimated to amount to $773 billion.
Minister Pierre Gramegna met the Governor of the UAE’s Central Bank, HE Mr. Mubarak bin Rashid bin Khamis Al Mansoori, moreover the CEOs and presidents of the main banks established in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. He also took the opportunity to meet Mr. Ahmed Al Sayegh, President of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
The princely economic mission followed a visit on 28 October 2014 by Luxembourg’s young and rather active Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. At the time he was met at Mina al-Salam Hotel, in Dubai, by the Emirati Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The meetings were also attended by the UAE’s non-resident ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mr. Sulaiman bin Hamid bin Salim Al Mazroui. He is resident in Brussels, and responsible for relations also to Belgium and the EU.
For more information:
Ministry of Finance: www.gouvernement.lu/4497775/01-gramegna-abudhabi
Luxembourg for Finance: www.luxembourgforfinance.com
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: www.adia.ae/En/home.aspx
Their Royal Highnesses and the Minister of Finance were particularly eager to meeting representatives of Abu Dhabi’s Sovereign Wealth Fund to learn from their experience for Luxembourg’s very own Inter-generational Sovereign Fund. The net worth of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign fund is estimated to amount to $773 billion.
Minister Pierre Gramegna met the Governor of the UAE’s Central Bank, HE Mr. Mubarak bin Rashid bin Khamis Al Mansoori, moreover the CEOs and presidents of the main banks established in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. He also took the opportunity to meet Mr. Ahmed Al Sayegh, President of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
The princely economic mission followed a visit on 28 October 2014 by Luxembourg’s young and rather active Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. At the time he was met at Mina al-Salam Hotel, in Dubai, by the Emirati Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The meetings were also attended by the UAE’s non-resident ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mr. Sulaiman bin Hamid bin Salim Al Mazroui. He is resident in Brussels, and responsible for relations also to Belgium and the EU.
For more information:
Ministry of Finance: www.gouvernement.lu/4497775/01-gramegna-abudhabi
Luxembourg for Finance: www.luxembourgforfinance.com
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: www.adia.ae/En/home.aspx
Francophonie aux Pays Bas
Comme chaque année, l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) célèbre en mars le mois de la Francophonie à travers un panorama d’événements qui mettent en valeur tant la diversité culturelle et linguistique que le dynamisme créatif des 80 Etats et gouvernements de ce vaste réseau international.
Comme chaque année aussi, les acteurs et promoteurs de la langue française et de la Francophonie aux Pays-Bas se mobilisent pour composer un programme commun de conférences, spectacles et expositions afin d’encourager le plurilinguisme, l’échange interculturel et le débat d’idées.
Vous trouverez ci-joint le programme détaillé des activités phares qui se dérouleront entre Amsterdam et Roosendaal, entre Nimègue et La Haye.
Dans le cadre de ce programme, les ambassades des pays francophones, l’Alliance française de La Haye et l’Institut Français d’Amsterdam vous proposent en ouverture, et avec le soutien de TV5 MONDE et la CCI – Chambre de commerce international France / Pays-Bas, une
TABLE RONDE sur le thème « Francophonie : espace de commerce et de coopération pour le développement ».
Plusieurs professionnels et experts des relations économiques et de coopération entre les Pays-Bas, l’Europe et l’Afrique partageront leur expertise avant de répondre aux questions du public.
Intervenants : Hervé Cronel, Conseiller spécial auprès de la Secrétaire générale de la Francophonie (OIF, Paris) ; Michael Hailu, Directeur et Youssouf Camara, Coordinateur de programme senior, chargé de Politiques agricoles et chaines de valeur, CTA (Wageningen) ; Mylena Pierremont, Fondatrice Ming Pai, Agence de stratégie et de marketing international, Amsterdam ; Maître Fanny-Marie Brisdet, Avocat associé du cabinet d’avocats Brisdet (Amsterdam/Paris) ; Thomas Schneiders, Directeur régional Afrique de Damen Shipyards (Gorinchem); introduction et animation du débat : Ariejan Korteweg, rédacteur politique du journal Volkskrant (Den Haag).
La table ronde sera suivie d’un COCKTAIL – BUFFET FRANCOPHONE.
Heure : le mercredi 11 mars 2015 à 17h30
Lieu : Grote Kerk Den Haag, Kerkplein, 2513 AM Den Haag
Accès : entrée libre sur réservation préalable nominative avant le 9 mars à : info@aflahaye.nl – T. 070 362 1523
Attention : le courriel de confirmation que vous allez recevoir et une pièce d’identité
seront exigés à l’entrée de la Grote Kerk.
Vous trouverez ci-joint le programme détaillé des activités phares qui se dérouleront entre Amsterdam et Roosendaal, entre Nimègue et La Haye.
http://aflahaye.nl/nl/component/content/article/2-uncategorised/49-f2015
President of the Kyrgyz Republic’s statement
The President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Almazbek Atambayev’s statement.
Bloody criminal carnage in Minsk laid on a recent day by notorious Zhanysh Bakiyev over his former close associate from the criminal world, leave no doubt that the members of the Bakiyev family do feel in Belarus complete impunity and, along with their daredevils, will continue to kill. This fact is obviously demonstrated by crime witness’ released testimony that leaves no shade of doubt that Zhanysh Bakiyev and his accomplices killed Almanbet Anapiyaev right in the residential area of the Belarusian capital.
I hope that honourable Mr. Alexander Lukashenko and friendly Belarusian people shall finally realize that they had sheltered villains.
As well as the Belarusian will never forget the spring of 1943, world-shaking tragedy of Khatyn village, the Kyrgyz people will not forget the spring of 2010, when the ordinary people were shot in the central square of the capital – Bishkek – by the order of the Bakiyev family.
Bakiyev brothers are remembered in Kyrgyzstan as monsters of cruelty. The people remember how these inhumans were burning people alive, how they maimed and killed journalists; how they were breaking businessmen’ arms and legs, and how they cut their victims’ ears and noses off.
Who else does the Bakiyev family have to kill for the Belarusian authorities finally see their bestial and cannibalistic nature of this crime family? These monsters will spill blood wherever they will be, including host Belarus!
For nearly five years, Kyrgyzstan is seeking obligations fulfillment from Minsk for tracing, prosecution and extradition of criminals in accordance with international conventions. Instead, the official Minsk chose to deny our legitimate demands. At the same time we have constantly received confirmation of the fact that the presence of these criminals has been encouraged in Belarus, they have been given national passports, state awards and congratulations on the anniversaries.
I am confident that criminal actions of Zhanysh Bakiyev in Minsk must serve as an alarm signal for the Belarusian authorities, the citizens’ safety of which is under the threat due to the sheltering obviously criminal and felonious elements on its territory. It is also a dishonor to the image of Belarus.
I express hope that the Belarusian authorities will no longer cover the criminals convicted of the killing of civilians in Kyrgyzstan. I am sure that harsh condemnation of these crimes by the Belarusian side and taking effective measures for detention and extradition of the murderers to Kyrgyzstan will strengthen the credibility of Belarus and its leadership in the international arena.
Official statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic
In connection with the murder on the territory of the Republic of Belarus of Almanbet Anapiyaev, the citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic, wanted by INTERPOL for committing serious crimes, as well as the testimony of the citizen Gulzhigit Abilazizov, a detainee under the relevant criminal proceedings, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic reiterates its deep concerns and bewilderment regarding the position of the authorities of the Republic of Belarus on detention and extradition of Zhanybek Bakiyev and other wanted persons.
The competent authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic had repeatedly applied to the state bodies of the Republic of Belarus with the request to take actions to fulfill the obligations assumed by the Belarusian side under the Convention on the legal assistance and legal relations in civil, family and criminal cases, and other international treaties. According to this Convention “the parties are obliged to search, prosecute, and extradite persons to bring them to criminal responsibility or execution of a sentence.”
The Kyrgyz side is deeply concerned that Zhanybek Bakiev and his closest associates, the convicts of committing especially felony crimes on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, despite the fact that they are in the international wanted circular, move freely and, moreover, have been committing felony crimes on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.
The Kyrgyz Republic believes that this position of the Republic of Belarus does not comply with the spirit of friendly and allied relations between the two countries, and regrets that in this way the Republic of Belarus, which claims to be the “territory of global hope”, and had recently hosted the summit of “Norman Quartet”, has chosen the way of blanching over and protecting obvious criminal elements.
Kyrgyzstan once again calls on the Belarusian side to take specific and effective measures for detention and extradition of the above mentioned criminals in accordance with international obligations.
Swazi King opens parliament
By Mete Erdurcan and Baron Henri Estramant.
The Ngwenyama of Swaziland, His Majesty King Mswati III, opened the new session of the Swazi parliament on Thursday, 26 February 2015. He addressed the nation and urged them to ‘protect the country’ from certain groups that can portray a negative image of Swaziland to the world. To maintain the country’s good image, the Ngwenyama of Swaziland (lit. “Lion of Swaziland) urged his subjects to remain “loyal” and be “patriotic”.
King Mswati III, born under the name of Prince Makhosetive Dlamini (of the Royal Clan Dlamini) on 19 April 1968, is the last semi-absolute monarch of Africa, and the world. At the time of his appointment to the throne, he was the youngest reigning monarch, being merely 18 years and 6 days back in 1986.
The Ngwenyama of Swaziland sways a lot of political power in the sub-Saharan country, fully engulfed by South Africa. He appoints the Prime Minister, other top governmental posts, as well as the traditional chieftains. However the King’s powers are not “absolute” as often stated in the international media. He must adhere to Swazi customs, and cannot even choose his own successor amongst his sons as rules of succession are complicated, and determined by tradition and origin; though the Ngwenyama must belong to the Dlamini Clan. He is considered to be the country’s administrative Chief of State whereas the Indlovukazi (Queen Mother, or lit. Great-She Elephant) is the traditional, ceremonial and religious Head of State. According to Swazi protocol the Indlovukazi, Queen Ntfombi even outranks her son.
In 1973, the Parliament of Swaziland was disbanded by the late King Sobhuza II (reigned 1921-1982), but reinstated by King Mswati III. To decide on the matter of cabinet appointments, The King is advised by His Prime Minister.
The Office of the Prosecutor concludes mission to Colombia
In the context of its on-going preliminary examination of the situation in Colombia, a delegation from the Office of the Prosecutor (“OTP” or “Office”) of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”) conducted a mission to the Republic of Colombia from 1 to 13 February 2015. The purpose of the mission was for the Office to continue its constructive engagement with the Government of Colombia and to assess progress on national proceedings in relation to the areas of focus identified in the interim report on the situation, published in November 2012, in particular on sexual crimes, the killings known as “false positives” and forced displacement. These are three of the five areas on which the Office is focusing its attention.
The current phase of the preliminary examination of the situation in Colombia requires the OTP to examine relevant national proceedings to determine whether all those most responsible for the most serious crimes under the subject matter jurisdiction of the Court are being brought to account. In particular, the OTP is required to assess whether on-going investigative steps in relation to specific cases are concrete and progressive. The evaluation is not based on future developments, but rather on concrete existing facts.
The Prosecutor reiterates her support to Colombia’s ongoing efforts to bring an end to the decades-long armed conflict, in line with its obligations under the Rome Statute. The principles of the Rome Statute reflect the consensus of the international community in recognizing the integral role of justice in ensuring sustainable peace, stability and security. Peace and justice are indeed mutually reinforcing.
During the visit, the Office held talks with senior officials from the executive and the judiciary, as well as with representatives from civil society and international organisations. Meetings were also held with the Inspector General of the Nation (Procurador General de la Nación) and members of Congress, at their request. The Prosecutor is grateful to the Government of Colombia for facilitating the visit and for providing the necessary support.
The OTP looks forward to continued engagement with the Government of Colombia, and civil society.
Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation and the Abu Dhabi Festival
The Abu Dhabi Festival is organized annually by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), a not-for-profit organization that has been advancing arts, education, culture and creativity in Abu Dhabi since 1996. The Abu Dhabi Festival one of the UAE’s foremost celebrations of art and culture, bringing together the great musicians, performers and artists from the East and West to the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It seeks to reflect the determination of the city to take the lead in cultural understanding.
The Abu Dhabi Festival endeavors to reflect the vision for the future of Abu Dhabi as an international hub for the arts. The vision of the festival is aligned to the vision of Abu Dhabi as a thriving metropolis for creativity and excellence in arts and culture that places art, education and culture at the heart of the UAE. The Festival is a committed advocate of cross cultural understanding and plays an intrinsic role in supporting the artistic renaissance across the Middle East by further pushing the boundaries of creativity and excellence in innovation.
Since its inception, the Abu Dhabi Festival has placed education at its core, building on the vision of the Festival’s Founder and Director H. E. Mrs. Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo to invest in learning opportunities for the next generation. The Festival’s education work provides young people across the seven Emirates with the opportunity to interact with visiting artists and Festival participants. Through its education program, the Festival supports the education and development of UAE young minds as well as tomorrow’s leaders, and enhances their appreciation for the arts and music.
As part of its commitment to education, to the community and to tomorrow’s leaders, the Festival presents the Abu Dhabi Festival Award on an annual basis to participating national university students who excel in the field of performing and visual arts, music, film, literature and communications. More details on the Abu Dhabi Festival and its programming may be found on their website at www.abudhabifestival.ae
ADMAF’s main curator, Ms KARIN ADRIAN VON ROQUES
For the past twenty years, Karin Adrian von Roques’ professional focus has been modern and contemporary art from the Middle East. Upon finishing her studies of Islamic Art in Bonn, Germany, she became interested in modern and contemporary art from Arab countries and pioneered academic exploration and exposure of outstanding artists in this field. She began a series of strategic programs to bring concepts central to the works of contemporary Arab artists to the attention of a broader public by means of museum and gallery exhibitions. Aware that contemporary art from Islamic countries takes place within a wider socio-political context and dialogue, Ms. von Roques has organized and participated in seminars, interviews, publications and auctions throughout the world to generate intercultural dialogue on Arab culture.
Ms. von Roques has been an art advisor and art historian to numerous museums and has worked as a special consultant for Islamic exhibitions such as From Bagdad to Isafahan — Islamic Manuscripts and Miniatures, Musée du Petit Palais, Paris, 1994–95. In 1997 she became the Founding Director of the Hesse Museum in Lugano, Switzerland focusing on programs about ethics and intercultural dialogue. She has curated more than twenty international museum and gallery exhibitions, among them: Written Cosmos — Arabic Calligraphy and Literature throughout the Centuries, Museum of Applied Arts, Frankfurt, Germany, 2004; Languages of the Desert — Contemporary Arab Art from the Gulf States, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Kunstmuseum) Bonn, Germany, 2005 (traveled to the Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France, 2006; the Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2007; and Galleria Metropolitana, Barcelona, Spain, 2006); The Present Out of the Past Millennia — Contemporary Art from Egypt, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Kunstmuseum) Bonn, 2007; and The Art of Writing — Contemporary Calligraphy from Three Cultures, Art Forum, Kurhauskolonnaden, Wiesbaden, May 2011.
Picasso, Renoir, Rensse.
By Carel Reisch.
Galerie Patries van Dorst was recently presented the exhibition, Picasso Renoir Rensse. Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) needs no further introduction. Patries van Dorst have commissioned some original, rare lithographs, etchings and pochoirs of his work and each piece came with a certificate of authenticity.
Jacques Renoir, (born in France in 1942) is the great grandson of the painter Auguste Renoir. The Renoir family has a continuous art tradition through various generations from paintings to theatre to film and photography.
Jacques Renoir discovered his passion for film and photography at an early age. After graduating from the ‘Ecole Nationale de la Photographie et Cinématographie Louis Lumière’, he works as cameraman and director of photography on films with, Vadim, Sautet, Stanley Donen, Lewis Gilbert… From 1967 to 1975 he collaborates as cameraman and film director of L’odyssée sous marine du Commandant Cousteau travelling the world with Calypso, crowned by four nominations and an Emmy award by TV in the United States.
The relief photographs by Jacques Renoir are being shown for the first time in the Netherlands.
Erik Renssen (born in the Netherlands in 1960) is a figurative painter with a genuine interest in the beauty in people and objects. His oeuvre comprises painting, sculpture and graphic works. With great virtuosity he paints a world of both vibrant and subdued colors.
The range of subjects is classical; portrait, still-life, the reclining nude and the occasional landscape. In the past 10 years Renssen’s oeuvre and worldwide sales grew tremendously. He is today one of the most successful exporting artists of the Netherlands.
Jacques Renoir, (born in France in 1942) is the great grandson of the painter Auguste Renoir. The Renoir family has a continuous art tradition through various generations from paintings to theatre to film and photography.
Jacques Renoir discovered his passion for film and photography at an early age. After graduating from the ‘Ecole Nationale de la Photographie et Cinématographie Louis Lumière’, he works as cameraman and director of photography on films with, Vadim, Sautet, Stanley Donen, Lewis Gilbert… From 1967 to 1975 he collaborates as cameraman and film director of L’odyssée sous marine du Commandant Cousteau travelling the world with Calypso, crowned by four nominations and an Emmy award by TV in the United States.
The relief photographs by Jacques Renoir are being shown for the first time in the Netherlands.
Erik Renssen (born in the Netherlands in 1960) is a figurative painter with a genuine interest in the beauty in people and objects. His oeuvre comprises painting, sculpture and graphic works. With great virtuosity he paints a world of both vibrant and subdued colors.
The range of subjects is classical; portrait, still-life, the reclining nude and the occasional landscape. In the past 10 years Renssen’s oeuvre and worldwide sales grew tremendously. He is today one of the most successful exporting artists of the Netherlands. King of Tonga in Europe
Picture credit PA Images
By Baron Henri Estramant.
Their Majesties The King and Queen of Tonga are in Europe to heed businesses concerning their upcoming coronation due to take place in July 2015.
The Royal Couple of the “Friendly Islands” were received in audience by the British monarch, and her husband at Windsor Castle on 27 February. The royals discussed bilateral relations as well as relations within the Commonwealth of Nations of which Tonga is a member. Queen Elizabeth II is the Commonwealth’s figurehead.
Before their jaunt to London, King Tupou VI addressed delegates at the opening of the 38th Session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), on Monday 16 February, and later in the day had an audience with the Bishop of Rome, Franciscus in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican City-State.
The reason behind the courtesy visit was the election of the very first cardinal from the Pacific archipelago, hailing from Tonga, Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi. Thereby making him one of the élite cardinals entitle to vote for a successor of St. Petrus.
