Benin National Day in Waterloo

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Benin National Day in Waterloo
                            At his residence in Waterloo, Belgium, His Excellency M Charles Borromée Todjinou, celebrated the 54th anniversary of the West African country’s independence. His reception was well-attended by fellow West African ambassadors as well as members of the Belgian aristocracy. 
The Embassy of Benin in Brussels is responsible for all three Benelux countries as well as the European Union and the international organisations based in Brussels and The Hague. 
The foundation of Benin goes back to 1625 when it was known as the Kingdom of Dahomey.  Dahomey became a self-governing entity in 1958. On 1 August 1960, it gained complete independence from French rule. The country was renamed Benin in 1975 as the name was neutral and inclusive of the various ethnic groups of the country. The country boasts a youthful population, out of over ten million citizens six million people under the age of 24. 
Benin has an Honorary Consulate based in The Hague: www.consulaatvanbenin.nl

Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda Diplomats Meet&Greet

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Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda Diplomats Meet&Greet
Three embassies are gathering together to organize their own style Diplomats Meet&Greet at Carlton Ambassador Hotel in The Hague from 6pm on September 11th, 2014. Diplomats, families and friends are cordially invited to attend this unique diplomatic event. DMG.AFRICA.SEPT.

OPCW declares about Syria chemicals

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OPCW declares about Syria chemicals
The OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, reported to the Executive Council today that 100% of all Category 1 chemicals declared by the Syrian Arab Republic, totalling approximately 1,040 tonnes, have now been verified as destroyed.  This includes 133 tonnes of Isopropanol previously destroyed on-site in Syria. The Director-General reported OPCW inspectors have also verified that 70% of approximately 260 tonnes of Syria’s Category 2 chemicals have been destroyed as well, and in total, 94% of its entire declared stockpile. He said work continues to complete destruction of remaining chemicals at four facilities in Finland, the United Kingdom, the United States and eventually, the destruction of effluent from the Cape Ray in Germany. “I wish to acknowledge, once again, the valuable contributions made by the States Parties involved in this extraordinary effort, especially in carrying out destruction of Category 1 chemicals in a rapid, effective and safe manner,” the Director-General said. The Special Coordinator for the OPCW-UN Joint Mission, Ms Sigrid Kaag, also addressed the Executive Council meeting and praised the international efforts to disarm Syria. “This operation has been an exemplary model of multilaterism at work,” Ms Kaag said. “We all have shown what can be achieved when all international partners work together towards a common goal.”

International Artists at Embassy Festival

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International Artists at Embassy Festival
Direct from the Embassy Festival in The Hague. With the arrival of Paco Rentería, the second edition of The Hague’s Embassy Festival is experiencing an outright first. Never before has the legendary Mexican flamenco virtuoso set foot on Dutch soil, making this a unique event for those who love the flamenco and related musical genres. Rentería is partly responsible for the soundtracks belonging to films such as ‘The Legend of Zorro’ and ‘Desperado’, has shared the stage with stars including Luciano Pavarotti and Carlos Santana, but is above all known for his virtuoso guitar skills. Besides Paco Rentería, a host of international artists will be making an appearance at the (free entry) festival on Saturday, 6 September on the city’s Lange Voorhout, an intimate cultural event offering a day of music, art, culinary delights, dance and children’s activities. The musical programme offers festival goers a broad spectrum of genres spanning from pop to classical, spread out over two podiums. Recently joining the contemporary stage is Denmark-born Alex Vargas, who debuted last year in the Netherlands at the prestigious Songbird Festival. Vargas is a true singer-songwriter whose soulful, passionate music and voice evokes the sounds of greats such as Steve Winwood and Robert Palmer. King Dalton (BE) is of an entirely different order. This immensely talented band, with former members which include the likes of Zita Swoon, plays groovy, catchy, somewhat elusive folk blues with distinct references to country. Also playing the contemporary stage are LuzazuL (PT / NL), NO blues (NL) and the aforementioned Paco Rentería (MX). Highlighting the classical podium is star soprano Gudrun Sidonie Otto (D), hailed as one of the most exciting new singers of her generation. After appearances at leading European opera stages she will be performing the musical trip ‘Around the World’ alongside pianist Stefan Haselhoff at the Embassy Festival. A slightly firmer sound will be charged by the Cannonball String Band ft. Mike Bailey (GB / IE / US). Bailey is a world-class violinist and along with the other Cannonball men, he delivers a steaming set of improvisations on Irish and Scottish melodies, as well as bluegrass numbers. Audiences can also enjoy divergent and awe inspiring performances by flutist Felicia van den End (NL), accordionist Marieke Grotenhuis (NL), guitarist and composer Josué Amador (MX), award-winning flutist Elisabeth Champollion (D), chamber orchestra Ardesko (AU/NL/FI/CZ), spoken word artist Anja Sicking (NL) and singer-songwriter Veerle Winkelmolen (NL). The Embassy Festival kicks off on Saturday, 6 September at 12:00 with a musical tour performed on two outdoor stages. The Creative Arena will accommodate the cultural expressions of many different countries such as Irish dance performed by Chairde Kilkenny School Of Irish Dance and Desi Bhangra, a lively form of music and dance from the Punjab region. All the while, the International Market will offer the best and most typical international cuisine and beverages. At the Kids Compound the youngest of visitors can train their sense of rhythm by participating in a Brazilian Capoeira workshop, or they can use their imagination and creativity to create a new world. With the presence of the many embassies, NGOs and multinationals the city of The Hague enjoys continuous interaction with the rest of the world, giving itself every right to call itself an international city. The second edition of the Embassy Festival presents visitors with a beautiful compilation of international culture that can be seen, heard, tasted and experienced. Embassy Festival is organised by Prooost, the organisation behind the annual Life I Live Festival in The Hague. EMBASSY FESTIVAL | SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014 | 12:00 – 20:00 LANGE VOORHOUT, THE HAGUE | FREE ENTRY MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FESTIVAL: WWW.EMBASSYFESTIVAL.COM  

Destruction of Syrian Chemicals

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Destruction of Syrian Chemicals
Statement by the OPCW Director-General on the Destruction of Syrian Chemicals Aboard the MV Cape Ray
In an unprecedented undertaking, the U.S. Maritime Vessel Cape Ray has completed destruction of its entire consignment of 600 metric tonnes of Category 1 chemicals from the Syrian Arab Republic. This ends a crucial stage in the complex international maritime operation to remove and destroySyria’s chemical weapons stockpile. I wish to congratulate and thank theUnited States, the crew aboard theCape Ray, and our OPCW inspectors and demilitarisation experts for this remarkable achievement. The Cape Ray’s consignment included the most dangerous chemicals inSyria’s arsenal: 581 metric tonnes of DF, a binary precursor for sarin gas, and 19.8 metric tonnes of ready-to-use sulfur mustard (HD). They were neutralised with two Field Deployable Hydrolysis Systems (FDHS) on theCape Ray, which reduced their toxicity by 99.9 percent in line with the requirements of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Furthermore, the operation was successfully completed weeks ahead of the 60-day schedule theU.S.had estimated would be needed, and OPCW inspectors aboard the ship verified that no chemicals of any kind escaped into the sea or otherwise impacted the environment. The Cape Ray will now transport the effluent from the hydrolysis operations to Finland and Germany, where it will be offloaded for disposal at land-based facilities.

Indonesia, the Show

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Indonesia, the Show
Denny Wirawan  showed Sumba Weaving and Tuty Cholid displayed batik & jumputan at the fashion show “Persembahan Anak Negeri” at Indonesian Anniversary diplomatic reception
The Hague, 20 August 2014. Two top Indonesian designers, Denny Wirawan and Tuty Cholid took part in the  Indonesian 69th Independence Anniversary Diplomatic Reception at the Kurhaus Hotel in The Hague and a series of BNI’s special events organised by  The Pride of Indonesian Heritage, a Corporate Community Responsibility (CCR) program to support the creative industry from Kampoeng BNI’s trained partners in the Netherlands and the surrounding countries (Swiss, Belgium, Germany and others). Both designers showed their top collections in Persembahan Anak Negeri Fashion Show. During the Diplomatic Reception at The Kurhaus Steigenberger  Hotel Tuti Cholid showed her Batik and Jumputan collections, while Denny Wirawan displayed 12 Sumba Weaving designs. Denny Wirawan said, “In the Diplomatic Reception and The Pride of Indonesian Heritage, I display the Sumba Weaving in the form of jacket and coat collections. I fell in love with Sumba weaving and at the moment training the craftsmen there. They are Sumba craftsmen, a BNI’s trained partners.” Denny explained that Sumba Weaving is a heritage with high philosophy value. This fabric is used in many traditional ceremonies, birth, death, and horse race. It took 2 months to prepare the Ready to Wear, deluxe, wearable and mix & match concept. The collections displayed are ethnic modern collection that can be worn as day wear and evening wear. To be more modern, he designed coat and jacket in one outfit combined with sarong. This outfit can be worn separately. During the Fashion Show Closing, Denny Wirawan showed an evening gown with jewelry to give a vintage impression. Tuty Cholid said, “In this special event, I show Batik and Jumputan creation for the preparation of BNI’s The Pride of Indonesian Heritage. It took me 6 months. Batik with little flowers motif can enter European market that like simple and minimal motif. Soft colors like gold, light yellow, with Jumputan gave an elegant impression. Apart from that, there were marine blue, green and red cardigans, long jackets and pants. The concept is also ready to wear. Pride of the Indonesian Heritage is held from 21 – 22 August 2014 showed 3 fashion collection  from Denny Wirawan and Tuty Cholid, various Kampoeng BNI’s trained partners products like woven fabric and batik, carved wood and metal home, resort/hotel and office decorations, silver jewelry, modern art creation and leather craft for fashion and lifestyle. Meanwhile events like Diplomatic Reception, Diaspora Forum and Business Meeting are only for invited guests. On this occasion, BNI also launch it’s a website, www.kampoengbniglobal.com for the benefit of international trade. For a full photo-album, click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157646763219445 For Further Information: Ajeng Campagnita, Publicist for BNI The Pride of the Indonesian Heritage, The Hague, The Netherlands. ajengcampagnita@gmail.com – info@kampoengbniglobal.com  

Indonesia Fashion Diplomacy

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Indonesia Fashion Diplomacy
“Fashion Diplomacy” at the Indonesian Diplomatic Reception to Commemorate the 69th Anniversary of the Independence of Indonesia
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands in collaboration with the Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI 46) has held a Diplomatic Reception at Kurhaus Hotel, The Hague, on Wednesday, 20 August 2014, to commemorate the 69th Anniversary of the Independence of Indonesia. The Diplomatic Reception under the  theme of “The Pride of the Indonesian Heritage”, is exposing “Fashion Diplomacy” to promote high-end fashion products and crafts, cultures, and culinary.BW-IR-24
As many as 500 distinguished guests attended the event including the President of the Senate (Eerste Kamer), the President of the Supreme Court of the Netherlands (Hoogeraad), high Dutch officials, foreign ambassadors and diplomatic corps, politicians, military and police officials, Dutch private sectors, Dutch youth and others. The Guest of Honour of the diplomatic reception was H.E. Mrs. Lilianne Ploumen, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.BW-IR-15
Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Retno L.P. Marsudi, in her remarks explained the event of “The Pride of the Indonesian Heritage” was held to introduce “New Indonesia” and its potentials as well as to mark “A New Era” of bilateral relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands, following the launching of A Comprehensive Partnership by the Indonesian President and Dutch Prime Minister in Jakarta, November 2013. BW-IR-12
The Ambassador further stated the year of 2013 a “special year for Indonesia – Netherlands relations”. In November 2013, the Dutch Prime Minister, H.E. Mark Rutte, accompanied by more than 100 Dutch CEO’s and private sectors visited Indonesia. During his visit, several agreements and MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) had been signed, including the Joint Declaration on a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement, MOU on Fisheries and Aquaculture Cooperation, MOU on Triangular Cooperation in the framework of development cooperation, and other agreements. This new era was also marked by the signing of MOU on Defense Related Cooperation which also stipulates cooperation to hold strategic dialogues.
Meanwhile, Minister Ploumen in her remarks appreciated Indonesia’s cooperation and assistance in the aftermath of the MH-17 incidents, especially on the MH-17 victims’ identification by the Indonesian team of Disaster Victim Investigation (DVI).
Indonesian society and Dutch societies also have close and strong-emotional relations, as Indonesian cultures are quite familiar for the Dutch. Those societies’ relations supported the strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. Minister Ploumen also praised positive developments in Indonesia as Indonesia is now “an economic powerhouse” and an important Dutch partner. On the other part of her remarks, Minister Ploumen also delivered Dutch congratulation for the successful Indonesian President and Vice President’s election. She further expressed Dutch government readiness to cooperate with the new Indonesian administration to pave stronger cooperation in the near future.
At the reception, two Indonesian leading designers of Denny Wirawan dan Tuty Cholid featuring Indonesian modern design of batik and  tenun ikat (woven fabric). While culinary promotion of Indonesian cuisines was served by Indonesian chefs living in the Netherlands “Indonesian Satu/ Indonesia One”.
In addition, a number of small and medium enterprises of BNI’s trained partners were also exhibited high quality products including carved woods and metals, leather products, home decorations, fashion fabrics and else. The reception was also enlivened by live music of traditional bamboo’s musical instrument called Arumba followed by an interactive angklung with all audiences and guests.
The Netherlands is one of Indonesia’s major partners in trade and tourism. By doing promotional activities in the Netherlands, it is hoped to increase the current strong bilateral trade figures that reached USD 5 billion in 2013. Profound achievements in the bilateral cooperation between the two countries have been placed.  Those achievements are significant assets for both countries to pave stronger relations in the near future.
For a full photo-album please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/

2nd Diplomatic Excursion

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2nd Diplomatic Excursion
Diplomat Magazine and Eva Artproductions Foundation welcome you to our series of diplomatic excursions. 

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM HERE: 

 REGISTRATION.FORM.North.Holland Excursion Reservation, Mrs. Sonia Meijer. Tel: 061 379 8906  diplotours@gmail.com 

EXCURSION ITINERARY BELOW

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U.S. Completes Destruction of Sarin

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U.S. Completes Destruction of Sarin
U.S. Completes Destruction of Sarin Precursors from Syria on the Cape Ray All 581 metric tonnes of a precursor chemical for sarin gas that were removed from the Syrian Arab Republic and trans-loaded onto the U.S. Maritime Vessel Cape Ray in early July, have been destroyed with neutralisation technology aboard the ship while sailing in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The destruction operations were continuously monitored and verified by a team of OPCW inspectors on the Cape Ray. The OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, thanked the United States for completing the destruction of the precursor chemicals in a safe and environmentally sound manner, and for its overall contribution to the international efforts to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons programme.   The precursor chemicals – methylphosphonyl difluoride, or DF – were neutralised with two Field Deployable Hydrolysis Systems (FDHS) that were installed on the Cape Ray for the purpose of destroying the most dangerous chemicals in Syria’s stockpile. The FDHS units mix the chemicals with fresh water and reagents and then heat the mixture, which reduces the toxicity of the chemicals by at least 99.9 percent. All of the resulting effluents, or reaction mass, from hydrolysis of the DF are stored aboard the ship. The Cape Ray has now begun operations to neutralise 19.8 metric tonnes of sulfur mustard, a blistering agent, which are all the Syrian chemicals that remain on the ship. When that has been completed, the Cape Ray will then transport the effluents from the DF and sulfur mustard for disposal at land-based facilities in Finland and Germany.
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