Herring festival at the Crowne Plaza hotel

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                            By Amelia Baxter. The sun beat heavily down on the crowd on the Crowne Plaza terrace, sipping champagne and snacking on appetizers offered by waitresses in modernized typical Dutch outfits, as they waited in line to try the main attraction: delicious herring with onions. In the midst of the party stood a white symmetrical sculpture, a preview of the exhibition to be opened on June 17th. More information can be found here: https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2014/06/06/france-diplomats-meet-greet-huge-success/ As per tradition, an empty barrel is handed over to the guest of honour. This year’s special invitee was His Excellency Pierre Ménat, Ambassador of France, who gave a bilingual speech to formally commence the gathering.20140612_181135 Grandeur de France20140612_180733 Grandeur de France 2    

Dutch Culture Courses for Diplomats

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InterConnection helps international organisations, companies and investors to establish strong relationships with businesses and partners in the Netherlands. We do this by offering trainings and services focussing on Dutch culture and effective behaviour. ‘Success in Holland’ course This two-day course is specially designed for diplomats and highly educated expats that work or will work in the Netherlands. The course is aimed at staff members of embassies and international companies and organisations. banner-interconnection The course includes the following topics:
  • All aspects of Dutch culture, such as history and society, the political system and common Dutch views.
  • Knowledge of Dutch ethical and moral values and specific aspects in the areas of science, art, public holidays, the royal family, sports and entertainment.
  • Insights into the relationship between your cultural background and Dutch culture so that you can understand where your particular points of attention lie.
  • Knowledge of Dutch etiquette and dealing with the media.
  • Skills in carrying out effective preliminary talks and discussions involving a sensitive issue or difficult situation.
  • Skills in building up a network in the Netherlands. At the same time, you will also become part of InterConnection’s permanent expat network.
The course is organised regularly in The Hague and other cities. All participants receive an official certificate of participation. For more information please call +31 70 221 00 97. Other services InterConnection also offers individual coaching and mediation services. Please take a look on our website for more information or contact us directly. Background InterConnection was established by Jeroen van der Kolk, a Dutch industrial and organisational psychologist who specialises in intercultural aspects and training. InterConnection has more than 10 trainers/consultants who all have broad international backgrounds. All trainers are fluent in English and some have specific language skills for in-company courses. InterConnection works globally and is based in The Hague, the Netherlands.   Website:           www.inter-connection.nl Email:               info@inter-connection.nl Telephone:        +31 70 221 00 97    

National Day Philippines

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By Bonnie Klap, Editor in Chief. The National Day of the Philippines commemorates the Philippine Proclamation of Independence from Spain in 1898. His Excellency Mr. Jaime Victor B. Ledda, Ambassador of The Philippines to The Netherlands, hosted a reception to celebrate the 116th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence. In his remarks  Ambassador Ledda expressed his gratitude towards the people of The Netherlands and the international community as a whole for their generous support of his country, particularly the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Ambassador Ladda also asked the development partners to remain confident in the bright prospects of The Philippines. He concluded by raising his glass and proposing  a toast to The Philippines-Netherlands friendship. Mabuhay! For complete photo-album click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/BW PH E 13 wb BW PH E 22 wb BW PH E 05 wb BW PH E 11 wb BW PH E 12 wb   For complete photo-album click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/

Terrace opening at Hilton

Cocktail SPARK opens terrace Mauritskade

 Mooring with a boat at a cocktail bar in the centre of The Hague

 Complete photo-album of the event click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/

The Hague, June 12, 2014.

 Yesterday, the new terrace of the trendy cocktail bar SPARK (Hilton The Hague) opened. SPARK has the first terrace in the centre of The Hague, which is located directly at the water of the Mauritskade, and where you can moor with a boat for a snack and a drink. SPARK has opened its doors a year ago and became 7th in the award Most Beautiful Bar of the Netherlands 2013. Currently the trendy cocktail bar of Hilton the Hague is in the race for the ‘Best Hotel Bar Award 2014’. SPARK is known for the “after work drinks” with special cocktails, fine wines and delicious bites. This summer, one can order the SPARK ‘All-in-one” Bento box for the boat SPARKS culinary dishes, “sandwich boards” and Green Egg BBQ specials. For more informationwww.facebook.com/sparkthehague According to Jolijn Zeeuwen, Hotel Manager Hilton The Hague, the opening of the new terrace means a next step in the total concept that Hilton The Hague offers: “With our beautiful restaurant Pearl and cocktail bar Spark with the new terrace, we now offer something for every everyone! We look back on a successful first year with SPARK, where a mixed crowd not only enjoys the delicious cocktails from our famous cocktail shakers, but also jazz performances, DJs and especially the Friday afternoon Aperitivo’s with free bites. It is clear that the centre of The Hague has a need for such an entertainment concept. I am very proud of our team in accomplishing the beautiful terrace at the waterfront. The first boats already moored!” 3047-081 NL DH Hilton Spark bar-DP 3047-173 NL DH Hilton Spark bar-DP 3047-188 NL DH Hilton Spark bar-DP 3047-194 NL DH Hilton Spark bar-DP 3047-235 NL DH Hilton Spark bar-DP 3047-237 NL DH Hilton Spark bar-DP   Complete photo-album of the event click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/

Dia de Portugal

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Dia de Portugal. By Bonnie Klap, Editor in Chief. His Excellency Mr. Jose de Bouza Serrano, Ambassador of Portugal, hosted a reception at his beautiful residence to celebrate the National Day of Portugal, or – as it is also known in the native tongue – Dia de Portugal. Dia de Portugal commemorates the death of the national literary icon Luis de Camões on June 10th, 1580.  Close to 400 guests came to congratulate Ambassador de Bouza Serrano and due to the lovely weather most of them mingled outside in the garden, while enjoying Portuguese wine. Inside the Portuguese singer Melissa Oliveira performed Jazz-music with the group ‘Jam.’ For a complete photo-album of this event please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/HD_20140610_60 HD_20140610_67 HD_20140610_68 HD_20140610_12 HD_20140610_34   For a complete photo-album of this event please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/

OPCW. Norwegian Cargo Ship Departs with Chemicals

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Norwegian Cargo Ship Departs with Chemicals The Norwegian vessel Taiko, which is participating in the multinational maritime operation to remove chemicals from Syria, departed today for Finland and the United States to deliver its cargo of chemicals for destruction in those countries. This is in accordance with the schedule of the Taiko, which was notified to the OPCW at an earlier stage. The Danish ship Ark Futura will take over the remaining 8 percent of chemicals for transportation to their destination. “I commend Norway and Denmark for their vital support for the maritime operation,” said the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü. “We remain focused on removing the last consignment of chemicals from Syrian territory and urge the Syrian authorities to complete the removal as soon as possible.” As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW oversees the global campaign to permanently eliminate these weapons. Since its entry into force in 1997 the Convention has become the fastest growing arms treaty in history with 190 States Parties, and 82%  of all declared chemical arsenals have already been destroyed under OPCW verification. For these unprecedented achievements the OPCW was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2013.

Official visit Prince Albert II of Monaco

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His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene paid an official visit to the Netherlands. Prince Albert  had conversations with representatives of Boskalis, Van Oord and Philips. In the morning of June 3, Prince Albert met with Prime Minister Rutte in The Hague. He was received by the Chairman of the Senate Broekers-Knol and the President of the Second Chamber Van Miltenburg. Part of the agenda included  a boat trip through the canals of Amsterdam and Anne Frank House. In the afternoon, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, Her Majesty Queen Máxima, Prince Albert  went to the Palace Het Loo in Apeldoorn for the opening of the exhibition “Grace Kelly, princess and style icon.  

The Language of the Pharaohs

Book presentation; The language of the Pharaohs By :  Buonamassa G.W.  Photographer / Reporter. The Ambassador of Tunisia, Karim Ben Becher invited us on the occasion of the presentation of the new book The Language of the Pharaohs, by the Tunisian specialist hieroglyphic language, Mr Taoufik Ilaoui  at the National Museum of Ethnology. The two writers Mr. Taoufik Ilaoui and Mr. Huub Pragt after many years of study  reached to discover the meaning and the words behind the signs founded in the Piramids and tempels in Egypt. The writers explained how they could decoded  this signs of many thousand years ago .After the presentation Mr. Pragt brought the visitors for a short visit in the area of the Museum reserved for the Old Egypt. Visitors could get impressions of a real PharahosTempel donated from Egypt to Holland. The visitors and the diplomats where very impressed about the presentation of this book and this beautiful Museum in Leiden.BW LM 26 BW LM 12 BW LM 15 BW LM 13

Think Denmark, think green

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Denmark: Think Denmark, think green By Roy Lie A. Tjam.   The Royal Embassy of Denmark celebrated its nation’s Constitution Day with a well-attended reception at the ambassador’s residence on Thursday 5 June. The event brought together senior officials of Dutch institutions, representatives of the local business community, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and members of the Danish community residing in the Netherlands. The advent of Constitution Day marks a key point to consider Danish-Dutch relations. The two kingdoms have enjoyed successful diplomatic and commercial relationships for more than two centuries and Mr. Ole E. Moesby is the current Ambassador for the Kingdom of Denmark in the Netherlands. Ambassador Moesby deems it an honour to be Denmark‘s envoy to the Netherlands, as well as his country’s permanent representative to the OPCW. ‘We are considered one of the happiest peoples in the world. Denmark is also renowned for being an eco-friendly and energy efficient country. Denmark and the Netherlands have much in common, with both populations inhabiting largely small, flat lands with elevated tax levels, and living in well-organised, egalitarian societies. There is room for further partnership between Denmark and the Netherlands in the field of water management and energy efficiency, with Denmark being awarded the Energy Efficiency Visionary Award in Washington DC in May 2014, therefore its progressive approach to reduce its energy consumption serves as a beacon to the rest of the world. Notably, Denmark’s energy consumption has not increased since 1980, while its industrial production has grown by nearly 80% over the same period. Ambassador Moesby has been at the heart of his country’s work to be represented on key international fora. He has been working at the Danish Export Credit Council and subsequently joined UNICEF, being assigned to Tanzania in 1985. He started working at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1987, focusing on Egypt, the Middle-East, North Africa and Latin America. In 1994, Moesby was appointed to Head of Department for Humanitarian Affairs during the situations in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. Ole Moesby received a knighthood from The Queen in 1995 and he is now Commander of Dannebrog in 2001-2002, Ambassador Moesby was the Danish ambassador to Zimbabwe, during which time the Embassy was closed. Ambassador Moesby was in 2002 posted as Deputy Representative of Denmark to the UN in New York at a critical time for the establishment of the International Criminal Court. Ambassador Moesby returned to Copenhagen in 2003 and was appointed to Undersecretary of State responsible for Multilateral Affairs including the UN, World Bank, regional banks and humanitarian as well as development assistance. He was subsequently Denmark’s ambassador to the Czech Republic and Pakistan before moving to The Hague in September 2013. Ambassador Moesby now lives in The Hague with his wife Lisbeth Schrøder and a son who is studying in the Netherlands. DSC_0329 DSC_0369 DSC_0385 DSC_0414 DSC_0271 DSC_0299  

At Hilton Hotel

Spark up your life! Enjoy a summer full of cocktails, wines, homemade ice tea’s and SPARK’s Bento-Boxen, on the new waterside terrace of SPARK in the Hague city centre. From this weekend on the waterside terrace of SPARK on the Mauritskade (The Hague) will be open. www.hiltonworldwide.com  Hilton