![hollande-présidentes-ménat[2]](https://i0.wp.com/diplomatmagazine.eu/wp-content/uploads/hollande-pr%C3%A9sidentes-m%C3%A9nat2.jpg?w=248&h=140&ssl=1 "hollande-présidentes-ménat[2]")
President Hollande visits The Netherlands
By Nicole H Pierre.
It was with great enthusiasm that the members of the French community in The Netherlands welcomed the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, at the Scheepvaartmuseum (the National Maritime Museum) in Amsterdam on Monday January 20th 2014. The event culminated the one day visit of the President during which he met with King Willem-Alexander, Prime Minister Mark Rutte and other leaders of parliament, as well as a visit to the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, in The Hague.There were more than 600 invited guests in attendance and President Hollande highlighted the importance of the long standing economic ties between the two countries. While he addressed certain pressing political issues, he did so with a humor which is very characteristic of the president. At the end of the evening, which was organized by the French Embassy of The Netherlands and the General Consulate of France to the Netherlands, President Hollande took the time out to interact with, and thank, members of the audience.
The new Rijksmuseum and Cruz y Ortiz Arquitectos
By Eva Maria Elisabeth Mennes.
The CEO of the architect office Cruz y Ortiz Arquitectos of Seville, Mr. Antonio Cruz and director of the project gave an extremely interesting power point presentation of the renovation of the Rijksmuseum for the members of the Spanish community. The event was organized by Cruz y Ortiz and the Spanish Association of Professionals in the Netherlands chaired by Mr. Rogelio Vargas Sånchez, who is also the director of the Spanish Agency of International Trade. Project architect of Cruz y Ortiz, Mrs. Muriel Huisman showed us the building, and at the same time we had the chance to view the beautiful arte facts of the museum. Following a European tender process, the Spanish architects Cruz y Ortiz Arquitectos of Seville were chosen by a committee chaired by the chief government architect Jo Coenen to lead the transformation of the Rijksmuseum. Cruz y Ortiz proposed minimal alterations to the building itself.
The firm has recreated the clear layout conceived by the museumâs original architect, Pierre Cuypers, stripping the building of its later transformations to ensure that it is once again a coherent whole. By adding a floor under the existing building the new Rijksmuseum features now an impressive new entrance area. Added were firther a new Asian Pavilion, a new outdoor exhibition space and garden, state-of-the-art facilities including new dining spaces, a shop, a restored library and auditorium; renewed education facilities, a new service entrance, a separate building for the conservation of the collection; and climate-control and security features, which are in line with todayâs requirements. The result transforms the 19th century building into a bright and spacious 21st century museum.
Le Club de Droit International is born
Le Club de Droit International (Le Club) was launched on Tuesday 21 January at the Embassy of Germany situated at at Groot Hertoginnelaan 18-20 in The Hague.  The first speaker was H.E. Mr. Peter Tomka, President of the International Court of Justice.
The aim of Le Club is to provide an informal forum for discussion to the benefit of diplomats in charge of the legal affairs of the Embassies represented in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as to promote an understanding of international law in a city that has become âthe legal Capital of the Worldâ, through active and dynamic meetings between diplomats and the broader legal community.
We took the initiative to launch Le Club because we consider that there is an interest in having a forum for informal discussions on legal topics of relevance to the work of diplomats in charge of the legal affairs.
Contact:Â leclubdedroit@gmail.com
Mr. Klaus Keller
Embassy of the Federal
Republic of Germany
Ms. Thanisa Naidu
Embassy of the Republic of South Africa
Mr. Sasa Obradovic
Embassy of the Republic of Serbia
Mr. Edgardo Sobenes
Embassy of the Republic of  Nicaragua
BID 2014: John Fentener van Vlissingen calls for changes
For photo album of this magnificent event click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98057281@N02/sets/
âą Links between the government, the private sector, education and the public stronger than ever
âą International business opportunities and local inspiration
âą Launch of BIDNEX
âą Award winners announced
âą Record number of 796 visitors
The Hague, 22 January 2014 â The seventh edition of âBig Improvement Dayâ was held yesterday
at the RAI in Amsterdam. In addition to Dutch business leaders, seven Ministries took part in BID
2014. Under the leadership of Mark Frequin, Director General of Housing and Construction at the
Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, many innovative initiatives and special issues were
presented to the private sector, showing the governmentâs enterprising side. Leading entrepreneur John
Fentener van Vlissingen then challenged the government with a ten-point plan with which he called
for a number of substantial corrections to our current political system.
John Fentener van Vlissingen: âHow do we make the Netherlands workable again?â
As presented at BID 2014
Ten-point plan
1. Set the election threshold at 5% of the votes.
2. Admit new political parties with 1 seat if they win the required number of votes but do not
attain the 5% election threshold.
3. After 4 years in Parliament, a new party also has to attain the election threshold of a minimum
of 5%.
4. Reduce the number of election districts to 6. This will increase the local involvement of
peopleâs representatives.
5. MPs must live in the districts in which they are elected.
6. The Senate should lose the right to reject a Bill.
7. The Senate should be given the right to alter a Bill.
8. The Lower House will then adopt or reject the Bill in a second round.
9. Reduce the number of seats in the Senate from 75 to 50.
10. Reduce the number of seats in the Lower House from 150 to 100. 
Worldhotel Bel Air hosting violin competition
By Marjolein Sosef – Van den Berg
Marketing Executive, Worldhotel Bel Air The Hague.
Discover new violin talent at Iordens Violin Competition.
The Dutch Iordens Violin Competition is thé place to discover new violin stars. From 11 to 25 January dozens of young violinists compete for the prizes and on Sunday January 26th over 80 violin-players will perform together in a large violin orchestra.
In every edition of the competition a number of highly talented young violin-players has emerged, becoming successful violinists later in life. Accordingly, discovering talent is an important goal of the competition.
The exciting Final and the Listening Competition afterwards will be held January 25th at Worldhotel Bel Air. In the Final 6 finalists aged 10 to 14 years will strive for the title of Winner of the 2014 Iordens Violin Competition. In addition, Amarins Wierdsma, winner of the 2006 Iordens Violin Competition and 2007 Davina van Wely Violin Competition, will recite Debussy and Chausson.
The Listening Competition is an event especially for violin lovers. The audience will compete in recognizing 5 violins that renowned British-Dutch violinist Daniel Rowland will play.
For the full program and tickets, please visit: http://www.vioolconcoursen.nl/event/finale-iordens-vioolconcours-2014/
Big Improvement Day
By Bonnie Klap.
As a prelude to the Big Improvement Day, which actually takes place on Tuesday, January 21, Mr. Ralph van Hessen, Director of Winkelman van Hessen and a driving force behind the Big Improvement Day in The Netherlands, hosted a beautiful lunch at the elegant âCastle de Wittenburgâ in Wassenaar. Big Improvement Day is â in short â a unique event, where the top echelon of the Government and business community get together to exchange ideas and strive for improvement in general. One of the attendees was, amongst others, the highly succesful and well known entrepeneur Mr. John Fentener van Vlissingen of BCD Holdings, as well as Mrs. Tasoula Hadjitofi, an impressive business woman from Cyprus, who is nominated to be the next European Woman of the Year. Â CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES:Â http://www.flickr.com/photos/98057281@N02/sets/72157640010934266/
Passing of former ICC Judge Karl T. Hudson-Phillips
It is with great sadness that the International Criminal Court (ICC) learnt of the passing of Karl T. Hudson-Phillips (Trinidad and Tobago), one of the first judges of the ICC, on 15 January 2014. The Court presents its deepest condolences to his family and friends in this time of sorrow.
âJudge Hudson-Phillips made important contributions to establishing the judicial foundations of the Court. He chaired the first meetings of judges before the election of the Presidency and was influential in drafting the Regulations of the Court as well as the Code of Judicial Ethics. His passing is a great loss to us all and his contribution will be cherished for a long time to comeâ, said ICC President Judge Sang-Hyun Song.
National of Trinidad and Tobago, Judge Hudson-Phillips was elected by the States Parties to the Rome Statute from the Latin American and Caribbean Group of States (GRULAC) in February 2003 and served until September 2007. Judge Hudson-Phillips had extensive private practice experience in his home country and throughout the Commonwealth Caribbean. He also served as Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2010, he was named Chair of the Human Rights Council fact-finding mission to investigate the Gaza flotilla events of 31 May 2010
Catch by Simonis, Top Resto
Welcome to Catch by Simonis
We proudly present our new restaurant: Catch by Simonis. Catch is located directly on the water, in the most beautiful place in the second inner harbor, and offers fantastic views over the marina.
Catch restaurant is spread over 4 floors and features an indoor elevator that can take you to any floor, including the toilets in the basement. We can seat up to 500 guests, inside and outside, for a welcome breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks or big event.
On the upper floor of the characteristic property, is an exclusive venue that is ideally suited for parties, business meetings, conferences and weddings. Step outside and you are on our roof terrace with breathtaking views over the harbor and even the sea.
CATCH BY SIMONIS
- DR. LELYKADE 43
- 2583 CLÂ Â SCHEVENINGEN 070-3387609
- INFO@CATCHBYSIMONIS.NL
Da Sebastiano Trattoria
Welcome to the Italian Restaurant Da Sebastiano (Da Sebastiano 1) . Located in the Hague Archipelbuurt, it aims to serve and provide real authentic Italian cuisines. Whether it is for a quick bite or an extensive dinner party, we are open every day. You start with antipasto, followed by primo, secondo and finally a dolce with caffe and limoncello.
Javastraat 138.
The Hague.
070-345-5291
www.dasebastiano.nlÂ
RISTORANTE-PIZZERIA.
Sebastiano has the top real Italian pizza in The Hague. Please visit our Website.
Lan van Meerdervoort, 214.
The Hague. Â 070-392-5585
http://www.dasebastiano.nl/
RISTORANTE-PIZZERIA.
Sebastiano has the top real Italian pizza in The Hague. Please visit our Website.
Lan van Meerdervoort, 214.
The Hague. Â 070-392-5585
http://www.dasebastiano.nl/ Thais Restaurant Phuket
The unique and charming restaurant Phuket lies at the top of the second harbour of Scheveningen. The Thai chef guards over his ingredients, much of which is directly imported from Thailand. With the luxurious interior and friendly service, you imagine yourself to be in the heart of Thailand. Welcome.
Opening times
Mon to Fri  12.00 – 14.30 & 17.00 – 23.00
Sat to Sun  12.00 – 23.00 open throughout the day
Tables of 1-6 people may be booked online. For larger parties or same-day bookings, please contact us by telephone.
Tel: +31 (0)70 306 38 88
We also offer take-away service.
http://www.restaurant-phuket.nl/Â
Opening times
Mon to Fri  12.00 – 14.30 & 17.00 – 23.00
Sat to Sun  12.00 – 23.00 open throughout the day
Tables of 1-6 people may be booked online. For larger parties or same-day bookings, please contact us by telephone.
Tel: +31 (0)70 306 38 88
We also offer take-away service.
http://www.restaurant-phuket.nl/Â