International Court of Justice, The Hague. The United Nations’ highest court drew a new maritime boundary between Peru and Chile on Monday, awarding Peru parts of the Pacific Ocean but keeping rich coastal fishing grounds in Chilean hands. The line drawn by the International Court of Justice ended decades of debate about how to carve up some 38,000 square kilometers (14,670 square miles) of fish-rich waters off the coasts of the Latin American neighbors. Peru’s fishing industry estimates the annual catch in the region to be worth some US$200 million. Peru wanted a maritime border heading roughly southwest, perpendicular to the point where the two countries’ land border meets the ocean. Chile insisted the border should extend from the coast parallel to the equator. The court found a compromise by saying a border already existed parallel to the equator extending 80 nautical miles from the coast and then drawing a line southwest to a point where the countries’ 200-mile territorial waters end. A professor of international relations at Lima’s CatholicUniversity, Farid Kahhat, said Peru had won a bit more than half the territory it sought. Chilean government figures put Peruvian investment in Chile at $11 billion last year with Chile investing $13.5 billion in Peru.

By Zelmys María Domínguez Cortina, Ambassador of Cuba. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands, His Excellency Mr Frans Timmermans, performed a successful official visit to Cuba from 5 to January 7, 2014. During his stay, Mr. Timmermans and his delegation completed an extensive program that included official talks with the Vice President of the Council of State and Ministers, HE Ricardo Cabrisas, with HE Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and with HE Rodrigo Malmierca , Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment. The Dutch Minister also met with the Historian of Havana, Eusebio Leal Spengler, which is in charge of the restoration of the historical center of the city, which, some time ago, was declared by UNESCO Patrimony of Mankind. One of the most important moments of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum for the establishment of a mechanism for bilateral consultations between the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which marked another important step in the process of improving the bilateral relations between the two countries. Other important steps were: the visit of the previous Director of Political affairs of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign affairs in May 2013, when it was signed the Declaration of restarting the cooperation between Cuba and the Netherlands; and the signature, in July 2013, of an agreement for exchanging of prisoners. Among other highlights of the visit were the opening of a soccer training activities for children and young Cubans by Feyennord Rotterdam Football Club, and the tour through the facilities of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana. The Minister saw Sports and Science, two important fields were Cuba has a lot of success. He also met with representatives of civil society and the church, among other official and private activities. At the same time of the visit of the Minister, a big delegation of Dutch businessmen also visited Cuba and met with Mr. Timmermans and Cuban Counterparts. Mr. Timmermans was satisfied with the results of his visit and said to the press that there will be an increasing bilateral cooperation in various fields. He also expressed his interest in strengthening the political dialogue between the two governments and said it’s time to update the EU relations with Cuba, based on respectful dialogue. The visit was made in the context of the pro-tempore Presidency of Cuba of CELAC (Conference of Latin-American and Caribbean States), and in a moment where inside EU there are talks about the establishment of a bilateral agreement between Cuba and EU, which will represent a great success in the normalization of the relations between the two parties. The visit of Mr. Timmermans to Cuba not only is consider as a very positive step, but also it is the first time in history that a Dutch Foreign Minister visits the Caribbean nation, and reaffirmed the commitment of both parties to move forward in strengthening economic, political and social ties.

                            On January 23 the The Swedish Chamber of Commerce and the Ambassador of Sweden Mr. Håkan Emsgård welcomed the members of the Swedish Chamber and distinguished guests at a New Year’s Reception at the beautiful Museum Escher in Het Paleis in The Hague. More than 100 guests representing the Swedish and Dutch Business network in the Netherlands were attending the reception together with the Swedish Consul of North Netherlands, Mr. Lukas Joel, and Honorary Members of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Clas-Ivar Schultz, Mr. Gerard Perik and Mr. Henk Lokin. In their New Year’s speeches, Mr. Nils van Dijkman, Chairman of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Ambassador Mr. Håkan Emsgård both emphasized 2014 as year of excellence celebrating the 400 years diplomatic relations between Sweden and the Netherlands. The reception was accompanied by a performance by the Swedish/Dutch group De Andersons.

                          For photo album of this magnificent event click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98057281@N02/sets/ • Links between the government, the private sector, education and the public stronger than ever • International business opportunities and local inspiration • Launch of BIDNEX • Award winners announced • Record number of 796 visitors The Hague, 22 January 2014 – The seventh edition of ‘Big Improvement Day’ 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 government’s 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: ‘How do we make the Netherlands workable again?’ 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 people’s 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.