Launch of the East Africa Tourist Visa.By Ellen Michiels.
After a brief summer break Diplomat Magazine has restarted its Meet & Greet evenings, an initiative that is ever growing in popularity since August, 2013, as was evident at last night’s event that last until 11:00pm. Luckily the weather was dry and the temperature was mild enough to use both the indoor reception area and the outdoor patio of the beautiful Carlton Ambassador Hotel to accommodate the many guests that came to celebrate the launch of the East Africa Tourist Visa.
The single East African visa is the result of a strategic collaboration between the governments of the Republics of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, as was explained in their welcome remarks by the esteemed Ambassadors of those countries.
PHOTO ALBUM CLICK HERE:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157647109592729/
H.E. Ms. Mirjam Blaak, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda, explained how the idea of an East African Community already was established in 1967, collapsed in 1977, and was officially revived 23 years later in July of 2000. The initial member countries were Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, while Burundi and Rwanda joined in 2009. The goal of the East African Community, which comprises 150 million people, is to create a common market, a common currency and eventually a full political federation, much like the European Union.
“Karibuni” said H.E. Ms. Rose Makena Muchiri, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, which means welcome in Swahili, a language spoken in all five member countries. She praised the beauty of the East African region: the beaches of Mombasa, the Masai Mara and wild beast migration in Kenya, Lake Kivu in Rwanda, the safari parks in Uganda, the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, and the night life in Kampala, she added with a wink. The new East Africa Tourist Visa now allows visitors to move freely between all those amazing attractions. It is expected that Tanzania and Burundi will join soon in this initiative to promote tourism in all five countries under the motto “Trade instead of Aid”.
H.E. Mr. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda, explained that previously visitors to East Africa had to solicit visas for each country separately and pay $40 Euros to each individual consulate. The new visa can now be obtained with just one request. It is valid in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda and costs only $80 Euros.
After extending a warm invitation to visit the region, all three Ambassadors joined their guests in a champagne toast as the flag of the East African Community was lifted to unveil a giant copy of the new visa. African delicacies, such as tasty meatballs from Rwanda, delicious fritters from Kenya, Chapati flatbread and a delicately spiced meat preparation were passed around while images of the region’s tourist attractions were projected on a large screen and displayed in a variety of magazines and folders. In addition every guest received a box of fragrant Kenyan or Ugandan tea bags to enjoy at home.
The lively conversations went almost until mid-night, new contacts were made, business cards exchanged. It was a very pleasant and memorable evening for which we say “asantesana” to our three honorable hosts!
A record of 273 diplomats and special guests attended this novel version of Diplomats Meet&Greet at Carlton Ambassador Hotel.
By Baron Henri Estramant His Excellency President Thein Sein of the Union of Myanmar is on a two-day official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands after a visit to Switzerland.
President Thein Sein is accompanied by his personal representative Ambassador Paw Lwin Sein (based in Brussels) and a delegation meant to boost Dutch-Myanma trade relations, particularly in water management and horticulture.
Minister of Infrastructure and Environment, Schultz van Haegen, shows the delegation about the Maeslantkering, a storm surge located at the Hook of Holland. Minister Ploumen of Foreign Trade and Development Aid offers a lunch on behalf of His Majesty’s Government at the Catshuis with focus on trade and development aid.
On 9 September 2014, the President of Myanmar was received in an audience by Prime Minister Rutte at the Ministry of General Affairs. President Sein was also granted an audience with His Majesty King Willem-Alexander at Noordeinde Palace. Her Majesty Queen Máxima was not present at the audience in Noordeinde but likewise welcomed President Sein and his delegation separately at Villa Eikenhorst in Wassenaar in her capacity as special representative of the UN Secretary-General for inclusive finance for development (UNSGSA).
Myanmar used to be known as Burma up to 1989 when the military government changed the country’s name. The name change has not been officially recognised by a plethora of countries. Myanmar has an Honorary General-Consulate in Breda.
OPCW Fact Finding Mission: “Compelling Confirmation” That Chlorine Gas Used as Weapon in Syria
The fact-finding mission (FFM) appointed by the OPCW Director-General to examine alleged uses of chlorine gas as a weapon in Syria has found information constituting “compelling confirmation” that a toxic chemical was used “systematically and repeatedly” as a weapon in villages in northern Syria earlier this year.
In its second report that includes key findings, the Mission states that “the descriptions, physical properties, behaviour of the gas, and signs and symptoms resulting from exposure, as well as the response of patients to the treatment, leads the FFM to conclude with a high degree of confidence that chlorine, either pure or in mixture, is the toxic chemical in question.”
The report says chlorine was used in attacks on the villages of Talmanes, Al Tamanah and Kafr Zeta, all located in northern Syria. In May this year, the FFM had attempted to visit Kafr Zeta to gather on-site evidence in the aftermath of an alleged use there but was prevented from doing so when the convoy was attacked. The FFM then decided to carry out witness interviews in a safe location outside of Syria.
The FFM’s report presents the key findings from dozens of interviews with victims, physicians, first responders and eyewitnesses to the attacks, together with a considerable amount of documentation such as video, medical records and other evidence collected since the publication of the FFM’s first report in mid-June.
Following the establishment of the FFM in late April 2014, there was a marked reduction in reported chlorine attacks in the months of May, June and July. But there was a spate of new allegations in August. The Director-General has asked the FFM to continue its work.
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 more than 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.
Diplomat Magazine was pleased to cover this warmth reception yesterday September 9th on the occasion of the 23nd Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, offered by H.E. Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mr. and Mrs. Vladimir Norov.
Her Excellency Ms. Adia Sakiqi is the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Albania to the OPCW in The Hague.
Adia Sakiqi (b.1977) was born in Tirana, Albania. She read Philosophy and Political Science at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium and holds a Master’s Degree in Philosophy (2003) and in Public Administration – EU Policy (2004).
Adia Sakiqi started off her career as simultaneous court interpreter for ICTY (2002-2004), UN in The Hague, to later combine her communication career also with high level simultaneous interpretation assignments for European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Europe (2008-2012). Adia Sakiqi continued her career in communication and diplomacy at the Albanian Mission to EU in Brussels (2004-2008).
Later, she worked for civil society organization in the field of migration, in Flanders and Brussels and is a political and social activist (2008-2010). Adia Sakiqi was the G-Consultancy representative in Brussels (2010-2014) working as communication consultant on Western Balkans, EU Affairs, International Relations as well as political speech writer and public speaking consultant.
In September 2014, Ms. Adia Sakiqi joined the Albanian Foreign Service and is actually holding the position of the Ambassador of Albania to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Albania to the OPCW in The Hague.
Mid-July 2014, H.E. Ambassador Gilles Tonelli representing His Serene Highness The Sovereign Prince of Monaco organised a reception at the verily princely Residence of Monaco to celebrate the enthronement of H.S.H. Prince Albert II back on 12 July 2005.
The Embassy of the Principality of Monaco is based in Brussels yet accredited to all three Benelux countries. Furthermore the mini-state has three honorary general consulates located in The Hague, Amsterdam as well as Rotterdam.
The reception was extremely well-attended by heads of missions to the Benelux countries, to the EU, NATO and the international organisations in The Hague and Brussels.
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco paid an official visit to The Netherlands in May 2014 to open an exhibition about her late mother, Princess Grace at Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn. Thereafter he was welcomed by Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Netherlands, Prime Minister Rutter and the Chairpersons of the States-General. Sovereign Prince Albert II is Head of the House Grimaldi which has reigned with but a few interruptions over Monaco since 1297.
Farewell reception Ambassador Hungary.
His Excellency Mr. Gyula Sümeghy, Ambassador of Hungary, and his charming wife Klara hosted a farewell reception at their residence in Wassenaar. After having served his country for almost four years Ambassador Sümeghy will return to Hungary. The Hungarian-themed reception, with Hungarian food, wine and live music, was well attended. Former Prime Minister Balkenende was among the guests as were many members of the Diplomatic Corps and International Organizations. After returning to his home country Ambassador Sümeghy will start his new job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Budapest.
Ambassador Hungary receives Certificate of Merit.
After having served his country for almost four years, Ambassador Gyula Sümeghy of Hungary will leave The Netherlands. On behalf of Diplomat Magazine Ambassador Sümeghy was presented with the Certificate of Merit as a token of appreciation for his contributions to and support of the Diplomatic Community and the Diplomat Magazine.
The ceremony took place at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel in the presence of several Ambassadors and other guests. Ambassador Sümeghy will return to his home country Hungary, where he will start his new job in Budapest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGVqM_wG4-EDr. Mayelinne De Lara, José Debouza Serrano Ambassador of Portugal and Ambassador Gyula SümeghyAmbassador Gyula Sümeghy and Anne Daly from Diplomat Magazine.
Certificate of Merit – Ceremony of Merit- Farewell ceremony
On the occasion of Embassy Festival The Hague, celebrated Saturday Sept 6, Arthur Pronk and Rick van Oosterhout, directors of this extraordinary event, offered a High Tea in front of Hotel Des Indes on Lange Voorhout.
The Embassy Festival counted with a record of diplomatic missions participating in the 2014 version, achieving 35% increase of registrations in relation to last year. Ambassador Ibarrola-Nicolin from Mexico was invited to address a welcome speech amongst diplomats, guests and distinguished authorities from MINBUZA, such as the new Director Cabinet and Protocol, Mr. Roelof van Ees.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko6pvXuiY3wThis years’ festival was fully supported by Diplomat Magazine, which will continue to be a very close sponsor of Embassy Festival for years to come. Diplomat Magazine received many visitors and ambassadors in its orange stand, sponsored by Carlton Ambassador Hotel, Diplomatic Card and AAAHotel. Diplomat Magazine is very grateful to Mr Pronk and Mr. van Oosterhout for taking into account our publication to co-organize the High Tea.
Direct from the Representation of the European Commission. Extra money for EU agricultural promotion to mitigate impacts Russian boycott.
The European Commission proposes additional EUR 30 million available from EU funds for the promotion of European agricultural products in 2015. That money is in addition to the 60 million already provided for in the agricultural budget. Because there is co-financing system, there are 60 million made available for special promotions.
European Commissioner Dacian Ciolos (Agriculture and Rural Development) has just announced this during a press conference in Brussels. The measure is designed to mitigate the effects. on Russian boycott of a number of EU agricultural products.
“Karibuni” said H.E. Ms. Rose Makena Muchiri, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, which means welcome in Swahili, a language spoken in all five member countries. She praised the beauty of the East African region: the beaches of Mombasa, the Masai Mara and wild beast migration in Kenya, Lake Kivu in Rwanda, the safari parks in Uganda, the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, and the night life in Kampala, she added with a wink. The new East Africa Tourist Visa now allows visitors to move freely between all those amazing attractions. It is expected that Tanzania and Burundi will join soon in this initiative to promote tourism in all five countries under the motto “Trade instead of Aid”.
H.E. Mr. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda, explained that previously visitors to East Africa had to solicit visas for each country separately and pay $40 Euros to each individual consulate. The new visa can now be obtained with just one request. It is valid in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda and costs only $80 Euros.
After extending a warm invitation to visit the region, all three Ambassadors joined their guests in a champagne toast as the flag of the East African Community was lifted to unveil a giant copy of the new visa. African delicacies, such as tasty meatballs from Rwanda, delicious fritters from Kenya, Chapati flatbread and a delicately spiced meat preparation were passed around while images of the region’s tourist attractions were projected on a large screen and displayed in a variety of magazines and folders. In addition every guest received a box of fragrant Kenyan or Ugandan tea bags to enjoy at home.
The lively conversations went almost until mid-night, new contacts were made, business cards exchanged. It was a very pleasant and memorable evening for which we say “asantesana” to our three honorable hosts!
A record of 273 diplomats and special guests attended this novel version of Diplomats Meet&Greet at Carlton Ambassador Hotel.
