Exploring the Maltese Islands

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By Martin Valentino, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta. The Maltese Archipelago consisting of mainland Malta, and the two sister islands Gozo and Comino, are situated at the centre of the Mediterranean between Europe and Northern Africa offering a unique holiday destination which is truly a Mediterranean experience for all. With a population today of 420,000, with just 316 square kilometres in area and its 7,000 years of history, Malta has seen successive civilizations from the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians to the Ancient Romans, the Byzantines, the Normans, the Aragonese, the Knights of St. John, the French and the British. Malta offers to its visitors not only sun, sea, sand and a mild Mediterranean climate throughout the year, but also a rich history, architectural wealth, archaeological sites and many cultural treasures. The seven megalithic temples found on the islands of Malta and Gozo are the oldest free-standing monuments in the world, some of which are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Valletta, the capital city of Malta is built on a peninsula, encircled with fortifications and bastions and has several Auberges that today house various government offices and museums. Following the Great Siege in 1565, the Knights of St John decided to build a city that could withstand future threats. DSC_9957Francesco Laparelli, one of the finest exponents in the art of military fortification at the time, was commissioned to help design the new city. The foundation stone was laid on 28th March 1566 by Grand Master de La Vallette. It took less than five years to build the main fortifications, a venture that involved 8,000 persons. After World War II, there was a considerable decline in Valletta’s population, however, people are now flocking back, partly due to the city’s unique characteristics. Valletta has become a hub of commerce, civil administration and business activities, abounding with quaint cafes, restaurants and international brand shops. In Valletta one finds a host of churches together with the magnificent St. John’s Co-Cathedral, considered unique for its treasures. In fact it incorporates a gem of Baroque art and architecture, as well as a Museum that displays the beheading of St. John, considered as one of the greatest masterpieces of Michelangelo Merisi, better known as ‘Caravaggio’. Last May, Valletta has been declared European Capital of Culture for the year 2018 by the Councils of Ministers of the European Union during a meeting of the same Council of Ministers responsible for Culture. Malta’s beautiful year-round weather makes it ideal for a number of sports and outdoor leisure activities. Deep sea diving is quickly becoming more and more popular not only with local enthusiasts but also with tourists who visit the island to witness Malta’s stunning underwater world of dive sites. To this extent, this year the MalteseIslands have once again been awarded 3rd place in the category of ‘Best Diving Destination of the Year’, in the international Diver Magazine voting poll, making the Islands the top diving location in the Mediterranean. One can also opt to board a yacht and sail around the islands or else take a special tour of Malta’s countryside on a bike adventure. Cultural attractions on the islands are abundant. Cities such as Valletta, Mdina, Rabat and the Three Cities hold cultural gems and sites found only in Malta. Brave the Mdina Dungeons, explore Malta’s religious history, take a Medieval pilgrimage or experience an unforgettable night of Maltese folklore and Mediterranean cuisine and enjoy the village festas especially during the summer months. Whether you’re in or above the water, the Maltese Islands are full of natural wonders and distinctive beauty. Explore the picturesque cave of the Blue Grotto, and the tranquil and open spaces in the countryside of Malta’s sister Island in Gozo by taking just a 25 minute ferry crossing from the Cirkewwa port or else by seaplane from the Grand Harbour. Retrace part of Homer’s Odyssey at Calypso’s Cave, where the beautiful nymph Calypso is said to have kept Odysseus as a prisoner of love for seven years, and marvel at the spectacular natural Azure Window, which is a giant doorway through which you can admire the blue expanse beyond the cliff. In addition, explore the tiny Comino just a stone’s throw away from Gozo, with the glistening jewel of the Blue Lagoon and its own share of bays to enjoy. The MalteseIslands are renowned for being a fun and cosmopolitan destination. With many top-notch hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues to suit all tastes and budgets, one is spoilt for choice. Eating out is a treat, not only for the quality and freshness of the food, but for the location of some restaurants with spectacular views and backdrops. The islands are not short of entertainment either, with an events calendar packed with activities for people of all ages; concerts like the Isle of MTV Malta Special, theatrical and musical performances, sporting events like the Rolex Middle Sea Race and a myriad of exhibitions, to mention a few, are on all year round. Whatever the reason you choose to visit Malta, rest assured a warm Mediterranean welcome awaits you!

H.E. Sa’ad Abdul Majeed Ibrahim Al-Ali, Ambassador of Iraq

His Excellency Sa’ad Abdul Majeed Ibrahim Al-Ali is the new Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Kingdom of The Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the OPCW. His name is mentioned in the Encyclopaedia of distinguished Iraqi figures of the twenty century.

Ambassador Al-Ali speaks English and Arabic and has a great technical background, thanks to his studies in Zoology, Microbiology and Biochemistry.

His Excellency started his career back in 1976 as a Lecturer in the Department of Medical Technology of the Ministry of Higher Education. Later on, he held the role of Lecturer in the Chemistry Department of the College of Science for Women, in Baghdad University. In 2006 he became a member of the Iraqi National Assembly and, one year later, in 2007, he was named Advisor of the Iraqi Prime Minister and Director of the Education Office, Primer Minister Advisory Commission (PMAC).

Ambassador Al-Ali participated in several National and International conferences and meetings. He wrote three remarkable books, Biochemistry for Medical Technologists (1981), Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (1986) and Development of Technical Education in Iraq (1983) and a variety of outstanding technical publications.

Youth unemployment and geographic mobility in the EU

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EUKN Publication The current recession has increased unemployment levels in the EU Member States. Young people are hit hardest: one out of three young people in the EU is currently unemployed while the unemployment rates are rising rapidly. The increasing numbers of unemployed affect social cohesion. Furthermore, the economic crisis has reinforced not only economic but also demographic disparities between and within European regions. What are possible and effective strategies in times of crisis? The new publication of the European Urban Knowledge Network (EUKN) intends to provide an impetus for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities. The publication starts with setting the scene, by outlining relevant EU policies. Next, EUKN presents data and characteristics of the youth unemployment situation. The subsequent section focuses on the issue of geographic youth mobility and how governments may create favourable conditions for mobility, taking into account both the interests of migrants and those of the regions of origin and departure. Finally, EUKN discusses the perspective of cities and local governments. Attracting and developing human capital is vital for the prosperity of cities. What are implications of this insight for tackling youth unemployment and dealing with the consequences of youth mobility within and between countries? The paper concludes with an overview of the policy-relevant conclusions, questions and implications. Please download the publication from the EUKN-website.

The Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Mr. Willys Delvalle Velasco

As of per May 13th, 2013 His Excellency Willys Delvalle Velasco has been named Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the Kingdom of The Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the OPCW.

His Excellency DelValle completed his studies among Panama, Guatemala and Florida. On graduating in 1986, he joined the international shipping line, Crowley Caribbean Transport in Panama City, in the area of operations until 2000, when transitioning to the area of logistics with Crowley Logistics Inc., holding the position of General Manager up to 2004.

From 2004 until 2006, Ambassador DelValle established and managed a personal business in the service area.

As of 2006 and until 2012, he held the position of General Manager for APL (American President Line) in charge of the areas of operations, finance, sales, customer service and human resources for the company. Since 2012, he held the position of Senior Marine Operations Manager for Latin America, with responsibilities for the entire region from Mexico to Chile.

From 2007 until 2014, His Excellency was part of the Board of Directors of the Panama Maritime Chamber holding various positions in the Board, before getting elected President of the Chamber from 2012 to 2014. During this time Mr DelValle participated in various forums in the Area of logistics, bunkers, maritime operations and The Panama Canal, among others.

He also signed various cooperation agreements in education with various universities, the Ministry of Education, and the Panama Canal. In conjunction with Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF – Developing Bank of Latin America), His Excellency signed an agreement to create the school of Arbitration which allowed developing the Centre of Reconciliation and Arbitration for Maritime Services, a joint initiative of the Panama Maritime Chamber and the Association of Maritime Lawyers.

Lastly, he was a member of the advisory board of Georgia Tech Campus in Panama (2012-2014), member of COEL, Private Logistics Council and member of various social and sport clubs.

The Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr Yasumasa Nagamine

H.E. Ambassador Yasumasa Nagamine of Japan received his bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Tokyo University in 1977. He then went on to obtain a Special Diploma in Social Studies from Oxford University.

Ambassador Yasumasa started off his career by joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Japan in 1977, before studying at Oxford University from 1978 to 1980. He then served in various bureaus from 1980 to 1987, including the Economic Affairs, Asian Affairs, and Treaties bureaus, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From 1987 to 1990, he worked as the First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C., and later the Counsellor of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau of the Prime Minister’s Office from 1990 to 1994.

Shortly after, Ambassador Nagamine served as the Director of the Second West Europe Division of the European Affairs Bureau, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1996, before becoming the Director of the Legal Affairs Division of the Treaties Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1996 to 1998.

Ambassador Nagamine became the Minister of the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi, India, as well as the Minister of the Embassy of Japan in London, United Kingdom from 1998 to 2002 in that order.

Ambassador Nagamine has also worked as the Deputy Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau, the Deputy Director-General of the Treaties Bureau, and the Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2002 to 2007.

More recently, he as served as the Consul-General of Japan in San Francisco, United States of America, and the Director-General of the International Legal Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2007 to 2010.

As of September 2012, Ambassador Nagamine was designated as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Netherlands.

Ambassador Nagamine is married with two daughters.

Mackinder’s Heartland vs. Rimland and the nature of contemporary Sino-Pakistani relations

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By Syeda Dhanak Fatima Hashmi. China has played a crucial role in maintaining regional peace and security by upholding its concept of an inclusive, cooperative and sustainable security. This has clarified the country’s stance on issues of regional concern, contributing to long-term stability and development in Asia, which includes the promotion of common development, building of partnerships, improvement of existing multilateral frameworks, rule-setting, military exchanges and proper settlement of differences. To ensure long-term stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific, China has put forward a number of proposals that have been highly valued by the international community. To ensure common development is the fundamental guarantee of peace and stability, and the ‘master key’ to solving security problems. The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative is not only a path of development but also a path of peace, as it will not only bring opportunities to the economic development of regional countries, but also provide ideas and solutions for them to solve security problems. The central theme behind the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is to open new economic and trade avenues that would lead to the overall social and economic prosperity of the region. The fruit of this economic cooperation is a market far larger in scope than the one that exists because of economic conflict in the region. The envisaged economic route from Gwadar to Kashgar can serve as an alternative and economically shorter sea route instead of the far longer straits of Malacca. This has always been the most compelling reason for multilateral and regional cooperation. Two of the most reputable theories that support the idea of regional stability, regional integration and strategic cooperation can be stated in terms of ‘economic opportunity cost hypotheses and ‘neo-functionalism’. The first theory assumes that trade and economic interdependence increases stakes amongst economically integrated nations and thereby reduces chances of conflicts erupting. Whereas the proponents of neo-functionalism are of the view that cooperation in one area produces cooperation in other areas.CPEC will pass through Gilgit-Baltistan in the north which will connect Kashgar in China’s western province of Xinjiang. Almost 80% of China’s oil is currently transported through the Strait of Malacca to Shanghai. The calculated distance is almost 16,000km and takes two to three months, with Gwadar becoming operational, the distance would be reduced to less than 5,000km. When fully operational Gwadar will promote not only the economic development of Pakistan but also serve as a gateway to the Central Asian countries. Keeping in view the regional stability, Pakistan and India are both important neighbours for China which wants to promote trade with its neighbours. Pakistan is a victim of terrorism and that all countries were responsible for contributing towards the eradication of terrorism. But the brutalities of the Indian army in Indian-held Kashmir cannot be ignored here.   Pivot to Asia: Status quo or a challengerpower ? Hence, regional integration is not possible as long as regional trade is sacrificed for so-called security. Pakistan needs to follow the Chinese model whose trade with India had crossed over $100 billion despite serious political issues between them. Some elements also fear that if there is peace in the region, it will challenge their predominance in the business of the state.Furthermore, the dimension of CPEC that is ignored is its potential to defeat terrorism in the region by raising and improving socio-economic conditions of the people. The Sri Lankan polity, at first divided over the role of China in the region, has come to recognise that the Belt Road Initiative approach fits well with Colombo’s goals of rebuilding a war-torn economy through enhanced connectivity. China also calls for improving regional security architecture to lay a solid foundation for enduring peace and stability in the region, and also calls on countries to properly handle differences and disputes to maintain the peaceful and stable environment in the region. In the context of Pakistan, CPEC is often termed a game changer for the weak economy of Pakistan. The corridor project carries vital significance as it promises to elevate Islamabad’s economic growth. Unlike US aid, the Chinese aid to Pakistan has offered infrastructure and energy projects that would serve as a means to improve Pakistan’s economy. Despite the cheapness of land, Pakistan is lagging behind in connectivity which increases the trade cost. However, under the umbrella of CPEC the cost would be minimised and export incentives increased. Pakistan expects 4% of global trade. The kind of toll tax, rental fees that Pakistan will gain is roughly $6 billion to $8 billion by 2020. A strategic and economic balance of power in the region would ensure peaceful resolution of conflicts but also enhance strategic stability leading to a win-win situation. Or by words of professor Anis H. Bajrektarevic: “Asia has to answer itself whether the newest concepts – such as the OBOR/CPEC vs. Indo-Pacific oceanic triangling – are complementary to its development or the heartland-rimland sort of dangerous confrontation. Asia needs a true multilateralism, not a hostage situation of getting caught in a cross-fire.” The CPEC itself with its focus on Gwadar, has also given impetus to maritime cooperation between China and Pakistan, and beyond. Both states wish to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of maritime security, search and rescue, and the blue water economy. Thus, it would not be wrong to say that CPEC has the potential of accruing strategic cooperation. This approach serves as strategic enabler in a rapidly transforming world order. It is therefore the need of time to move from archaic geopolitical vendetta of 19th and 20th centuries to interstate strategic play in the 21st century. The pursuit of a state’s national interest in the international arena constitutes its foreign policy. A successful foreign policy should employ a balance of economic, diplomatic, and military tools. It is the national interest that shapes the possibilities of state to behave collectively. Through a balanced foreign policy approach, the South Asian region can achieve its mega development projects and establish into a peaceful integrated region. Confidence-building measures between regional players is the first step in this direction to uplift the socioeconomic standards of the people of this region. ——————– An early version of this text has been published by the China Daily Author is a Foreign Policy Analyst and Research Head at a think tank based in Islamabad. She has done Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Governance and Public Policy. Her areas of research include both regional as well as global issues of contemporary international relations.  

H.E. Dr. Virachai Plasai, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand

Dr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of the Netherlands has served in this capacity since May 2009. Previously, he has held many other positions in service of the Thai Diplomatic Service since January 1987. These include Minister Counsellor for Legal Affairs from the Kingdom of Thailand to the World Trade Organization in Geneva from 1998 to 2002 in which capacity he acted as litigator and arbitrator in many WTO dispute cases.

In private sector experience he has served as Member of the Board of Directors for the Export-Import Bank of Thailand from 2006 to 2007, and for the Malaysia Thailand Joint Authority from 2007 to 2009.

Ambassador Dr. Plasai has obtained degrees including Masters and Doctorate from the University of Paris. Additionally, he received a certification from the United Nations International Law Seminar and from the Director Certification Program of the Thai Institute of Directors. 

Ambassador Dr. Plasai is married with Elizabeth and speaks French, English, and Thai.