![rassoully[1]](https://i0.wp.com/diplomatmagazine.eu/wp-content/uploads/rassoully1.jpg?ssl=1)
In the following period 2011-2013 the Dutch support included a police training mission with an integrated approach, with emphasis on the qualitative strengthening of the civil police and building the capacity of judicial institutions, especially in the province of Kunduz. As part of the police training mission The Netherlands also placed 40 police trainers and five judicial experts at the European Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) in Kabul and Kunduz.
Less known is that the history of the diplomatic relationships between Afghanistan and The Netherlands actually already dates from the ‘30s, when Afghanistan was still a kingdom. In 1938, the Afghans proposed the co-accreditation of the Dutch envoy to the Turkish government. And in 1939 a treaty was signed by the Dutch and Afghan diplomatic representatives in Turkey. However, the German occupation of The Netherlands in May 1940 caused the postponement of its completion. After World War II, an interesting but also complicating development occurred when Afghanistan was one of the first states to recognize the independence of Indonesia, the former Dutch colony in Asia. Finally, in 1956 the diplomatic relationship between The Netherlands and Afghanistan got revived by a new treaty, but still without the establishment of mutual permanent missions. In the 60’s Afghanistan became popular with Dutch tourists, especially among young people expecting a carefree, adventurous and mind-expanding holiday in an exotic faraway land, and who increasingly called upon the then honorary consulate in Kabul for their difficulties. After the events in Afghanistan in 1978 / 2001, a lasting relationship could finally be established, marked with the opening of the present Dutch Embassy in Kabul.
After this short regression to the history of the relationships, let us look ahead. Coming September, the 2014 NATO Summit will take place in Celtic Manor, Wales (UK). A follow up to the ISAF-mission will be on the agenda. The Government of my country is looking forward to a further constructive commitment of The Netherlands and its fellow NATO members.
Dutch-Afghan relationship
By Azizullah Rasoully, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, Embassy of Afghanistan in the Netherlands.
Let me briefly sketch some topics regarding the Dutch-Afghan relationships. There lives a community of about 40,000 Afghans in The Netherlands, mostly with a refugee background, and The Netherlands and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan maintain good relations. Since late 2001, The Netherlands support my country with financial and military resources in its stabilization, democratization and reconstruction, with an emphasis on diplomacy, defense and development. From the beginning of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, The Netherlands contribute to that mission. From 2006 to 2010 they were a leading country in the southern province of Uruzgan, where the mission consisted of about 1,600 soldiers and a dozen diplomats and development experts, engaged in promoting stability and security in the province. Unfortunately, the debate in the Dutch parliament on a further extension eventually led to the fall of the Dutch Cabinet Balkenende IV. It should be noted that during that period 25 Dutch militaries have paid the highest price, which is they sacrificed their lives, to the reconstruction of my country.![rassoully[1]](https://i0.wp.com/diplomatmagazine.eu/wp-content/uploads/rassoully1.jpg?fit=200%2C291&ssl=1)
In the following period 2011-2013 the Dutch support included a police training mission with an integrated approach, with emphasis on the qualitative strengthening of the civil police and building the capacity of judicial institutions, especially in the province of Kunduz. As part of the police training mission The Netherlands also placed 40 police trainers and five judicial experts at the European Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) in Kabul and Kunduz.
Less known is that the history of the diplomatic relationships between Afghanistan and The Netherlands actually already dates from the ‘30s, when Afghanistan was still a kingdom. In 1938, the Afghans proposed the co-accreditation of the Dutch envoy to the Turkish government. And in 1939 a treaty was signed by the Dutch and Afghan diplomatic representatives in Turkey. However, the German occupation of The Netherlands in May 1940 caused the postponement of its completion. After World War II, an interesting but also complicating development occurred when Afghanistan was one of the first states to recognize the independence of Indonesia, the former Dutch colony in Asia. Finally, in 1956 the diplomatic relationship between The Netherlands and Afghanistan got revived by a new treaty, but still without the establishment of mutual permanent missions. In the 60’s Afghanistan became popular with Dutch tourists, especially among young people expecting a carefree, adventurous and mind-expanding holiday in an exotic faraway land, and who increasingly called upon the then honorary consulate in Kabul for their difficulties. After the events in Afghanistan in 1978 / 2001, a lasting relationship could finally be established, marked with the opening of the present Dutch Embassy in Kabul.
After this short regression to the history of the relationships, let us look ahead. Coming September, the 2014 NATO Summit will take place in Celtic Manor, Wales (UK). A follow up to the ISAF-mission will be on the agenda. The Government of my country is looking forward to a further constructive commitment of The Netherlands and its fellow NATO members.
In the following period 2011-2013 the Dutch support included a police training mission with an integrated approach, with emphasis on the qualitative strengthening of the civil police and building the capacity of judicial institutions, especially in the province of Kunduz. As part of the police training mission The Netherlands also placed 40 police trainers and five judicial experts at the European Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) in Kabul and Kunduz.
Less known is that the history of the diplomatic relationships between Afghanistan and The Netherlands actually already dates from the ‘30s, when Afghanistan was still a kingdom. In 1938, the Afghans proposed the co-accreditation of the Dutch envoy to the Turkish government. And in 1939 a treaty was signed by the Dutch and Afghan diplomatic representatives in Turkey. However, the German occupation of The Netherlands in May 1940 caused the postponement of its completion. After World War II, an interesting but also complicating development occurred when Afghanistan was one of the first states to recognize the independence of Indonesia, the former Dutch colony in Asia. Finally, in 1956 the diplomatic relationship between The Netherlands and Afghanistan got revived by a new treaty, but still without the establishment of mutual permanent missions. In the 60’s Afghanistan became popular with Dutch tourists, especially among young people expecting a carefree, adventurous and mind-expanding holiday in an exotic faraway land, and who increasingly called upon the then honorary consulate in Kabul for their difficulties. After the events in Afghanistan in 1978 / 2001, a lasting relationship could finally be established, marked with the opening of the present Dutch Embassy in Kabul.
After this short regression to the history of the relationships, let us look ahead. Coming September, the 2014 NATO Summit will take place in Celtic Manor, Wales (UK). A follow up to the ISAF-mission will be on the agenda. The Government of my country is looking forward to a further constructive commitment of The Netherlands and its fellow NATO members.
Austria (and the Netherlands) beyond stereotypes
By H.E. Werner Druml, Ambassador of Austria.
The two can look back to an old and also complicated past. Their common history began in the 15th Century, they have though taken completely different paths, a land with an ancient calvinist and republican tradition and on the other side a catholic imperial past, the conditions could not have been more different. Today the Netherlands and Austria are two modern and successful countries and important partners in the EU. 
Perceptions of each other, as often is the case, are dominated by stereotypes. Tourism, skiing, Mozart, the New Years Concert and the ball season still dominate the public perception of Austria abroad. There is obviously a lot of truth in all that, but needless to say, Austria is much more, as much as the Netherlands, which goes way beyond cherished, but stereotypical images.
For sure, tourism is an important, and increasingly so, economic and also human factor in our relations. One out of ten Dutchmen go on vacation to Austria, 6 out of 10 winter tourists prefer skiing – and I suppose, everything around it – in the Austrian mountains. However beyond this traditional service sector Austria is an innovative, industrial High-Tec location – a successful automotive industry being only one exemple – and for good reasons an interesting destination for Dutch investments.
For sure, the Ball season with hundreds of balls in the carnival season is a very specific Austrian tradition, and the Viennese Ball in the Netherlands a well cherished institution. The yearly Life (Aids) Ball in the Vienna Rathaus, that is probably the craziest of its kind in the world, is definitely beyond such traditions. For sure, Mozart and the classical music tradition is an important cultural factor, and rightly so, given the highest standard of all kinds of performing institutions in the whole country. But also culturally is Austria a place of and for contemporary expressions. Be it in modern experimental music, be it in theater, the Wiener Festwochen, a major festival for partly eccentric expressions, be it ImPulsTanz, the biggest modern dance festival in Europe – obviously always with Dutch participation – be it in architecture, and here also a significant presence in the Netherlands with the Amsterdam Opera House or recently the spectacular Eye Film Instituut Nederlands in Amsterdam from Austrian Architects.
Admittedly, the tourist boards do, and for good and understandable reasons, use cherished clichés, mostly attractive and simpatici, addressing needs and expectations. But that the “Sound of Music”, one of the most successful films in the US, which has formed stereotypical views of Austria, is practically unknown in Austria should speak for itself.
Austria and the Netherlands are, and how should it be otherwise, open and modern countries, and also with an important international presence. Finally Vienna and The Hague are two cities with a particular international aspiration, here the City of Peace and Justice, there a UN seat and host of many important International Organizations.
Perceptions of each other, as often is the case, are dominated by stereotypes. Tourism, skiing, Mozart, the New Years Concert and the ball season still dominate the public perception of Austria abroad. There is obviously a lot of truth in all that, but needless to say, Austria is much more, as much as the Netherlands, which goes way beyond cherished, but stereotypical images.
For sure, tourism is an important, and increasingly so, economic and also human factor in our relations. One out of ten Dutchmen go on vacation to Austria, 6 out of 10 winter tourists prefer skiing – and I suppose, everything around it – in the Austrian mountains. However beyond this traditional service sector Austria is an innovative, industrial High-Tec location – a successful automotive industry being only one exemple – and for good reasons an interesting destination for Dutch investments.
For sure, the Ball season with hundreds of balls in the carnival season is a very specific Austrian tradition, and the Viennese Ball in the Netherlands a well cherished institution. The yearly Life (Aids) Ball in the Vienna Rathaus, that is probably the craziest of its kind in the world, is definitely beyond such traditions. For sure, Mozart and the classical music tradition is an important cultural factor, and rightly so, given the highest standard of all kinds of performing institutions in the whole country. But also culturally is Austria a place of and for contemporary expressions. Be it in modern experimental music, be it in theater, the Wiener Festwochen, a major festival for partly eccentric expressions, be it ImPulsTanz, the biggest modern dance festival in Europe – obviously always with Dutch participation – be it in architecture, and here also a significant presence in the Netherlands with the Amsterdam Opera House or recently the spectacular Eye Film Instituut Nederlands in Amsterdam from Austrian Architects.
Admittedly, the tourist boards do, and for good and understandable reasons, use cherished clichés, mostly attractive and simpatici, addressing needs and expectations. But that the “Sound of Music”, one of the most successful films in the US, which has formed stereotypical views of Austria, is practically unknown in Austria should speak for itself.
Austria and the Netherlands are, and how should it be otherwise, open and modern countries, and also with an important international presence. Finally Vienna and The Hague are two cities with a particular international aspiration, here the City of Peace and Justice, there a UN seat and host of many important International Organizations. Willem Post’s new Book
New book in Dutch about New York by ‘city-expert’ Willem Post.
For the first time in world history a majority of people live in cities. In his newest book ‘The Magic of New York’, Willem Post explains the different factors of success that make New York the number one city of the world for many. What can other international cities learn from New York? In ‘De Magie van New York’ Willem Post will share his view on the success factors of New York, supported with interesting facts and need-to-visit places. This book offers insights about how other cities all over the world can learn andbe inspired to becoming a succesful city. Dutch newspapers like NRC, het Financieel Dagblad, AD en Het Parool highly recommend this ‘sophisticated travelbook’.
Willem Post is based in The Hague and specialised in American politics and foreign policy. He is one of the most requested U.S. experts. He studied Modern American History and International Relations at Leiden University. As U.S. specialist he comments for many media-organisations, such as the NOS, BBC the World and Public Radio International in the United States. During the Nuclear Security Summit Willem Post explained the importance of nuclear security at BBC the World and many other Dutch and international media.
Photographer Ton Wienbelt contributed to this book with remarkable photographs. Book is for sale via bookshops like Paagman and many others in The Hague and The Netherlands. You can also order via www.demagievannewyork.nl, the website of the authors.
Willem Post is writer of six books about the political, historical and social developments in the United States of America, including ‘Obamaworld’ (2009).
A single permit for work and residency from 1 April
Foreign nationals coming to the Netherlands to work for a period longer than three months will receive a combined residence and work permit (gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid, GVVA) as from 1 April. They no longer have to submit separate applications for a residence permit to the Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst, IND) and for a work permit to the Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen, UWV). From today, a single procedure at the IND suffices.
State Secretary Teeven (Security and Justice) and Minister Asscher (Social Affairs) welcome the simplification of the procedure, as only a single application for a single permit must be submitted to a single authority. In doing so, they also comply with an EU directive that prescribes a single application procedure and a single combined permit for work and residency. The combined permit is intended for third country nationals from outside
the EU, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland. This grants them the right to reside and work in the Netherlands for a period longer than three months.
The conditions under which a foreign national can come to the Netherlands to work and live remain unchanged. For instance, a foreign national can only work in the Netherlands if there is no Dutch and EU labour supply for the work. There is also a verification of whether the foreign national enjoys the proper terms of employment. The UWV provides advice to the IND in these matters. The IND becomes responsible for the GVVA and its issuance. The GVVA applies to the majority of the labour migrants from outside the EU. However, seasonal labourers, students, asylum seekers, and Croat nationals remain subject to a work permit. Nothing changes for highly skilled migrants as they already require only a residence permit at present.
The GVVA is a residence permit that includes an additional document specifying at which employer, in which function, and under which conditions the foreign national is allowed to perform the work. If these conditions are not fulfilled, the Inspectorate for Social Affairs and Employment can impose a fine on the employer.
China and the Netherlands strengthen bilateral relations
The People’s Republic of China and the Netherlands are to step up their bilateral cooperation. The decision is outlined in a joint declaration following the State visit to the Netherlands by the Chinese president, Xi Jinping. The Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Partnership for Comprehensive Cooperation confirms the intention of both countries to work together in a broad framework, focusing on political and economic issues, international developments and security, culture and science, and exchange visits. China and the Netherlands have also agreed to strengthen their existing dialogue on human rights, including through regular bilateral consultations. The Joint Statement also reaffirms the two countries’ mutual commitment to promote and protect human rights.
At the State banquet, President Xi underlined the importance of good relations with the EU and said that the Netherlands was China’s gateway to Europe. During the visit, contracts worth hundreds of millions of euros were signed with Dutch businesses, including KLM and the dairy sector. The Chinese president also attended an economic forum in Noordwijk, along with representatives from over 500 Chinese and Dutch companies.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Rutte received the Chinese president at the Catshuis, where they discussed a range of topics, including global security, the economic situation and relations between the two countries. Also present were foreign minister Frans Timmermans, foreign trade and development cooperation minister Lilianne Ploumen, economic affairs minister Henk Kamp and education minister Jet Bussemaker. The meeting concluded with the signing of agreements on cooperation in the fields of energy and dairy production and on setting up a Chinese cultural centre in the Netherlands
At Keukenhof Castle, President Xi attended a presentation of Dutch agricultural innovations, including LED lighting for growing cheaper tomatoes, an ultra-modern manure processor and a milking robot. The event also featured technology for improving food security.
Sri Lankan, Tamil and Sinhalese New Year
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Buddhi Athauda, has the pleasure to invite everybody who wants to join in to take part in the celebration of Sri Lankan, Tamil and Sinhalese New Year on Sunday the 27th of April 2014 (09.00-21.00 h.), on the grounds of (football club) SVV Scheveningen, Laan van Poot 38-C, 2566 EC DEN HAAG (free entrance) and to enjoy there:
* sport and games for young and old
* the delicious dishes served from the Sri Lankan cuisine
* the prizes that can be won in a number of activities
* song and dance
* and many more nice surprises
Thank you for helping us turning this event into a success
Royal Family at Dominican DMG in The Hague
Direct from Diplomat Magazine’s Publisher Robert Buurke and Honorary Associate Publisher Dr. Eugenio Matos G. and the Special collaboration of Baron Henri Estramant.
H.E. Mr. Luis Arias, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, will be hosting Diplomats Meet & Greet at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel on 3 April, from 6pm, in the presence of Their Imperial and Royal Highnesses Archduke Sándor & Archduchess Herta Margarete of Austria-Tuscany, Royal Prince & Princess of Hungary and Bohemia, Prince & Princess of Croatia. As matter of anecdote the “Braşov” (Romanian) line of the Habsburg Dynasty whereto this archducal couple belongs is the only one wherein the lineage of Maria Theresia mixes with British Queen Victoria.
Herta Margarete of Austria-Tuscany
Sándor of Austria-Tuscany
Which is the link between Their Imperial and Royal Highness and the Dominican Republic?
Archduke Sándor attended the « Colegio Carol Morgan » in Santo Domingo. His father, Archduke Dominic, who is co-owner and administrator of Bran Castle (known colloquially as “Dracula Castle”, www.bran-castle.com) He was lecturer at the “Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo”.
During the II World War some members of the Habsburg House led by Crown Prince Otto of Austria, Hungary, Bohemia and Croatia, assisted the Portuguese Consul-General in Bordeaux, Aristides de Sousa Mendes, to smuggle Jewish refugees and obtain visa for them to the Dominican Republic as “farmers”. The Dominican Government was amongst the few countries welcoming Jewish refugees.
His Imperial and Royal Highness Archduke Sándor was born in 1965 in Vienna, Austria, as a direct descendant of Empress and Queen Maria Theresia of the Holy Roman Empire, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary, of Bohemia, of Croatia, etc. He is a member of the Tuscan line of the Habsburg Dynasty. He spent his youth in Austria, the Dominican Republic as well as Antigua and Barbuda. After he completed his university studies in the USA, his professional activities took him back to Europe, particularly to Austria. Presently he is on the board of directors of several companies and organisations.
Main lineage of Archduke Sándor & Archduchess Herta Margarete.
Maria Theresia ,Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary, Bohemia and Croatia and Franz I Stefan of Lorraine, Holy Roman Emperor, Grand Duke of Tuscany.
Leopold II of Austria, Grand Duke of Tuscany (as Pietro Leopoldo I), Holy Roman Emperor, King of Hungary and Bohemia and Maria Luisa de Borbón, Infanta of Spain
Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany, Archduke of Austria and Luisa Maria Princess of the Two Sicilies
Leopoldo II, Grand Duke of Tuscany, Archduke of Austria and Maria Antonia Princess of the Two Sicilies
Karl Salvator, Archduke of Austria, Prince of Tuscany and Marie Immaculata Princess of the Two Sicilies
Leopold Salvator, Archduke of Austria, Prince of Tuscany and Blanca de Borbón, Infanta of Spain
Anton Maria, Archduke of Austria, Prince of Tuscany and Ileana, Princess of Romania
Dominic, Archduke of Austria, Prince of Tuscany and Engel Virginia von Voss
Sándor, Archduke of Austria, Prince of Tuscany and Herta Margarete, Archduchess of Austria, Princess of Tuscany
Russian Imperial Family
Catherine II the Great, Empress of Russia and Peter III, Emperor of Russia
Pavel I Petrovich, Emperor of Russia and Sophia Dorothea Princess of Württemberg
Nikolai I Pavlovich, Emperor of Russia and Friederike Luise Princess of Prussia
Aleksandr II Nikolaievich, Emperorof Russia and Marie Princess of Hesse and by Rhine
Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Maria Aleksandrovna, Grand Duchess of Russia
Ferdinand, King of Romania and Marie of Edinburgh, Princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
Anton Maria, Archduke of Austria, Prince of Tuscany and Ileana, Princess of Romania
Dominic Archduke of Austria, Prince of Tuscany and Engel Virginia von Voss
Sándor Archduke of Austria, Prince of Tuscany and Herta Margarete Archduchess of Austria, Princess of Tuscany
British Royal Family
Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Albert Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Saxony and Maria Aleksandrovna, Grand Duchess of Russia
Ferdinand, King of Romania and Marie, Princess of Edinburgh
Anton Maria, Archduke of Austria, Prince of Tuscany and Ileana Princess of Romania
Dominic, Archduke of Austria, Prince of Tuscany and Engel Virginia von Voss
Sándor,Archduke of Austria, Prince of Tuscany and Herta Margarete Archduchess of Austria, Princess of Tuscany.
National Day of Pakistan
By Bonnie Klap, Editor in Chief.
On the occasion of Pakistan Day the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Moazzam Ahmad Khan hosted a reception. The reception was held at the Ambassador’s historic residence, which was built approximately 150 years ago and was purchased by the Government of Pakistan in the early 1950’s. The reception was well attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps, Government and representatives of the Pakistani and Dutch business community. After the reception the guests were invited into the magnificent diningroom to enjoy a delicious buffet of Pakistani dishes.
Photo album click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157643032781933/
More recent diplomatic events: https://diplomatmagazine.eu/category/event/
National Day Tunisia
By Bonnie Klap, Editor in Chief.
The Ambassador of Tunisia and Mrs. Karim Ben Bécher hosted a reception in the Worldhotel Bel Air to celebrate the National Day. A seemingly endless line of well wishers came to congratulate Ambassador Ben Bécher. The overwhelming attendance can no doubt be attributed to the Ambassador’s vast diplomatic and social network and his affable personality. Following the reception an elaborate buffet with Tunisian specialties was offered to the guests. In addition to the delicious Tunisian cuisine, a slideshow, which was played in the background, gave an impression of various highlights of this beautiful country. 
For more recent diplomatic events click here: https://diplomatmagazine.eu/category/event/
Philippines’ nr.2 in The Hague
H.E. Jejomar C. Binay at the ISS.
The Vice-president of the Philippines, Mr Jejomar C. Binay, gave a very sharp and interesting lecture at ISS. His speech included topics such as migration and development perspectives of the Philippines, investment and legal recognition of citizens. H.E. Jaime Victor B. Ledda, Ambassador of the Republic of Philippines, also directors and representatives from migrations agencies, ONG’s and more than two hundreds expats from Philippines living in the Netherlands attended the event. Jejomar Binay was Mayor of Manila for 21 years before becoming number two of the Country.
