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.
By Barend ter Haar
It might seem premature to discuss what to do when the current crisis in Ukraine is over, but it would be shortsighted not to do so. In a Policy Brief for the Clingendael Institute (Lessons of the MH17 disaster, September 2014[1]) I have suggested some lessons to be drawn from the downing on 17 July 2014 of a civilian plane above eastern Ukraine, in this column I will point to the pitfalls that we should try to avoid in the aftermath of the current crisis.
Do not return to short-term policy making
After the end of the cold war many politicians were tempted to believe that they could afford to concentrate on short term national interests and neglect geo-strategic challenges. It took the MH17 disaster to wake these politicians from their naïve dreams. They should not fall asleep again.
Do not squander this opportunity
The current crisis does not only presents problems, but also an opportunity not to be missed. A significant majority of the Ukrainian population, also in the east of the country, wants Ukraine to become a European style democracy. The heavy-handed Russian interference has boosted Ukrainian national feelings and the resolve to make Ukraine into a functioning democracy. This provides European democracies with a historic opportunity to help Ukraine to fulfil this ambition.
A similar opportunity presented itself twice, first in 1991 when the Soviet Union broke apart and again at the time of the Orange Revolution in 2004, but twice Western democracies missed the opportunity by reacting halfheartedly. They thereby played into the hands of corrupt private interests and Russian interests. This time the opportunity should not be squandered.
Do not copy Russian thinking but use your own strength
The Russian use of armed forces, after occupying parts of Georgia and Ukraine, to support the rebels in eastern Ukraine has forced European governments to reconsider whether they can continue to economize on their defence budgets. Rightly so, but they should not be seduced by Russia to change the Ukrainian crisis into a military conflict. At the bottom of the current crisis lie corruption and lack of good governance. Russia has very little to offer in these fields, but Europe has and the great majority of the Ukrainian population knows that. It is not by Russian hard power, but by western soft power that a sustainable future for Ukraine can be built.
Do not let the “domestic” ministries off the hook
Transforming Ukraine is in essence a matter of domestic policy. The expertise to help Ukraine to set up good education, proper health care, a functioning system of justice etcetera is to be found with the so-called domestic ministries of other European countries. They should not be given a chance to avoid their responsibility.
By Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Heino Matzken, M.Sc. Ph.D.Translated from the German version by: Baron Henri Estramant
At the age 89, King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud is older than deposed Arab leaders such as Saleh, Gaddafi, Mubarak or Ben Ali. So far the “Arab Spring” has only claimed non-royal leaders; in stark contrast to the political stability enjoyed by the oil-rich monarchies such as Saudi Arabia. This kingdom is ruled since its foundation in 1932 by King Abdulaziz ibn Abdulrahman (Ibn Saud) of the House of Saud (Al Saud) with a rather complicated order of succession.
More than 40 sons and about 2,000 potential heirs
The country is literally ruled by the clan of Saud. Since the death in 1953 of the state-founder King Abdulaziz ibn Abdulrahman his sons have ascended the Saudi throne according to private arrangements made by them alone. With 22 wives (at different periods of his life), Ibn Saud begot about 40 sons and hence potential heirs for the kingdom does not follow the principle of primogeniture. About 15 of his children are still alive. Because Islam permits up to four wives at any given time to a man, the children’s ages differentiate widely. Adding grand-children and great-grand-children makes about 2,000 technically eligible successors within the wider Al Saud which accounts for about 15,000 members.
One year before his demise in 1952 Ibn Saud dictated a complicated line of succession excluding Al Saud members from aside his line, and leaving the throne to the “sons of his body”. Therefore he has since been succeeded by his sons Saud (1953-63), Faisal (1964-75), Khalid (1975-82), Fahd (1982-2005) and current Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Abdullah (2005-). The incumbent monarch has de facto ruled Saudi Arabia since 1995 after his brother King Fahd suffered a stroke.
In a matter of a couple of years two “crown princes” have passed away. In October 2011, the former Minister of Defence and Crown Prince Sultan. The nominated heir and Minister of Interior since 1975 Crown Prince Nayef passed away already in June 2012 from leukemia. The incumbent heir is since Crown Prince Salman (born 1935).
King Abdullah had already appointed Prince Salman as Minister of Defence, a position normally given to the heir apparent. Crown Prince Salman is deemed to be loyal to Washington; something in fact quite common since the historic get-together of US President Roosevelt and Ibn Saud aboard of the USS Quincy in 1945. The late Crown Prince Nayef as well as the incumbent Salman belong to the “Sudairi 7”, that is, the sons of Ibn Saud with his favourite spouse Hassa Al Sudairi. This internal dynastic branch has held a lot of power which King Abdullah having a Syrian-born mother cannot enjoy.
Albeit the monarch appoints the Crown Prince, King Abdullah created in 2006 a 33-members strong “Allegiance Council” to ensure the stability and transparency of a future heir after the children of Ibn Saud have been exhausted, or have declined the throne. The idea behind it is for The Ruler to present candidates in such a forum. Surely a good idea, however, this procedure is yet to be put into practice. The population has no say in the matter. Yet the time for a grandson to ascend the throne is nearing as the youngest still living son of Ibn Saud is over 70 years old, most of them are also somewhat ill.
Notably a palace coup went unnoticed in most of the Western media when in February 2014, King Abdullah appointed his half-brother Prince Muqrin ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud to be the second Deputy Prime Minister and “Deputy Crown Prince”. A rank created exclusively for him. The appointment officially makes the 70 years old Prince Muqrin second in line to the throne. He is a close adviser to the King, and does not belong to the “Sudairi 7”.
However many analysts expect true certainty is to arrive in Saudi Arabia through a generation change, a rejuvenation on and around the throne. Pinning thus hope on the grand-children of Ibn Saud. Some are already well-position. For instance, the new Minister of Interior, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef (born 1959), who took over the latter ministry from his late father Crown Prince Nayef in 2012. Prominently stationed is likewise the commander of the National Guard, and son of the incumbent monarch, Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah. The appointment of Prince Muqrin as second Deputy Prime Minister thus seems more a tactic of King Abdullah to gain more time for his generation.
Only with a new generation at the helm new impulses could be felt in the oil kingdom. King Abdullah has been determined to push forward progressive yet shy reforms such as the first local elections held in 2005 along with the start of his reign. For women it is still not socially acceptable to drive, nevertheless, the monarch has encouraged female education and universities. His justice reform included the creation of courts of appeal, a novelty in the kingdom. The latter furthermore allows for more legal security, and the ability of foreign firms to fight judgments from Riyadh. Moreover the move buttressed up Saudi Arabia’s bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Until then the legal system was solely based upon the interpretation of the Qu’ran and the Hadith, Shariah law, which nevertheless remains the main source of jurisprudence. The country does not possess a criminal code nor a constitution, which gives a monopoly on the jurisprudence to the Wahhabi religious scholars.
King Abdullah has also permitted male and female researchers to work side by side at universities.
Regardless on who inherits the throne from the generation of Ibn Saud’s grandchildren, it is likely that the alliance with the USA shall remain imperative. Nonetheless it should be exciting to observe to which extent the Al Saud retains its alliance with the Wahhabi religious élite. Also to which extent the young population of Saudi Arabia will be allowed to partake in the governing of their country. Reality is that for the moment neither the “Arabellion” nor the Shi’ia minority in the Northern part of the kingdom menace the country’s immediate stability.
Lecture by Professor Jan Pronk on Preventing Conflict Escalation
In UPEACE The Hague’s Lecture Series “Peace building in Progress”, Professor Jan Pronk, Chair in the Theory and Practice of International Development at the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam, gave a lecture on:
Preventing Conflict Escalation. Hearts & Minds. Boots & Brains
The lecture was held on 27 May 2014, at the Academy Building of the Peace Palace in The Hague. It was attended by some 50 people, young and old, from various backgrounds.
Based on his long experience in international development Prof. Pronk raised the question to which extent peace operations could be improved in the field: Can we learn from experience and formulate some general guidelines, based on the insights gained in development policy and conflict management?
A summary of the guidelines offered by Prof. Pronk for improvement of peace operations in the field:
There are no general guidelines, uniformly applicable in all situations. Just as with development policy or adjustment policy there is no fit for all, such policies should be tailor made.
Peace building is a bottom up endeavour, just like development, with people and by people themselves. Peace building and peacekeeping ought to be mutually integrated and take place at the same time.
Give the highest priority to multilateral prevention of escalation of conflicts within countries. Strengthen the capacity of the UN system to this end, build up a strong knowledge base regarding individual countries, far in advance of a possible peace intervention.
When it has been decided to launch a peacekeeping operation, this should be done on the basis of the principle of the Responsibility to Protect “R2P”. The acceptance of R2P in 2005 as a norm justifying international intervention in situations of mass atrocity, genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing was a major step forward.
The so called DDD approach for international peace operations should imply more than carrying out diplomatic, defence and development activities at the same time. They should also serve the same purpose: ensuring human rights, together with human security and human development.
Once a peacekeeping operation has started the utmost should be done in order not to harm peace building, for instance if carried out as a narrow exercise, a military intervention only, or when it results in many civilian casualties, rape or sexual misconduct, causing loss of credibility.
Peace operations should use boots on the ground. Using a direct approach, person to person: listening to people, talking with them, seeing them in the eye, understanding body language, exchanging information and sharing insights.
A unified approach by all components of a peace operation in conjunction with each other is essential. This implies that all agencies, units and organizations declare having the same objective and obey the same boundary conditions set by those who carry the ultimate political responsibility for launching the operation.
It is crucial that peacekeepers and development workers understand that they are guests, not new occupants of the house. They come and go, the locals stay. It is their country, their history, their culture, their future.
Peace-making, peacekeeping and peace building require talking and negotiations. It is not up to peacekeepers from abroad to decide who should be invited to sit at the negotiation table, and who not. Foreign powers acting as mediators should exercise restraint.
Peacekeeping based on R2P should leave space for relief workers, taking care of food and nutrition, health care and medication, and water and shelter.
Lasting peace requires justice, and justice requires ending impunity. In most cases peace-making requires talking, and talks require the cooperation of people in power. Atrocities should stop and the perpetrators should be held accountable. However, bringing them to court before concluding the talks will not bring peace close by.
This 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.
This 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.
