Monthly Archives: June 2016

The United States and Israel an enduring Partnership

Posted on by

U.S Secretary of State Kerry and PM Netanyahu Rome June 27 2016

Rome 27, 2016 © Prime Minister’s office

Secretary of State John Kerry met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Rome to discuss range of Regional and Intentional issues.

“We discussed everything that the Secretary spoke about, challenges in the region from ISIL, East, West, South. We discussed not only American-Israeli security cooperation, but security cooperation in a larger regional context. We discussed how we could advance a process with the Palestinians, difficult though it may be. We discussed regional implications for stabilizing the Middle East, moving it to a place where it would be less convulsive. And we discussed some bilateral issues between us. This was a far-ranging discussion that I think was meant to bring us both in a common direction for common purposes and I found it very valuable. Thank you.”  elaborated Prime Minister Netanyahu  27, 2016 © Department of State

“We had a very productive conversation  and we talked at some length about ways in which we might be able to try to work to move things in a more positive direction.”    “And of course, finally, we talked about Brexit – impossible not to – and how that might or might not affect all economies.”  stated Secretary Kerry  and continued:   “Most importantly, Israel is, as everybody knows and we reiterate again and again, a critical ally and friend of the United States ”   June 27, 2016 © Department of State

The Netherlands Leadership in pressing a new Security Strategy in Europe

Posted on by

Logo kleur hoge resolutie Protected by Copyright Law

At the last European Council of the Dutch Presidency a new Strategy was presented for the EU’s external policy. As holder of the Presidency, the Netherlands has pressed for just such a joint European Security Strategy.

‘The geopolitical Security situation in Europe has changed dramatically over the past few years,’   ‘This strategy gives a fresh impetus to the EU’s Foreign policy, with an emphasis on security and resilience. If member states act in concert, like members of an orchestra, we can accelerate Europe’s responses to world events and boost the impact of our diplomatic engagement.’  highlighted Foreign Minister Bert Koenders. June 29, 2016  © The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands

 

The leadership of Israel in NATO

Posted on by

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin visited NATO HQ in Brussels and met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on June 21.  The meeting was to establish a closer partnership between Israel and NATO.         The new measure to deepen the NATO-Israeli cooperation followed by the decision made earlier this year, on May 4th 2016,  by NATO to agree on opening an Israel Mission at the NATO HQ.

“NATO and Israel have a long relationship and we are longstanding partners. I very much look forward to visiting Israel and to develop an even closer relationship with Israel in the coming years.” Reaffirmed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, June 21, 2016 © NATO

June 21, 2016 © NATO 

  1. Additional:  NATO agrees Israel Mission to NATO
  2. NATO Standing Maritime-2 visited Israel 

Interview with the Deputy Director of EUROPOL, Operations Department

Posted on by

In the exclusive interview series, this time we have the occasion of getting a glimpse inside of the European Union’s Law-Enforcement Agency,  and the honour of an Interview with Mr Wil van Gemert, Deputy Director of EUROPOL the Operations Department.

Deputy Director of Europol, Operations Department Mr Wil van Gemert June 2016

 

 

 

 

 

Deputy Director of EUROPOL, Operations Department Mr Wil van Gemert 2016 © EUROPOL

Q:  In the recent years, EUROPOL and the U.S Law-Enforcement Agencies have been expanding their strategic cooperation by signing numbers of new agreements on various issues from Cyber Crime to Counter-Terrorism, that could enable both sides to work more effectively to tackle the un-foreseen challenges of 21 century.

  • How this close partnerships at the Law-Enforcement level can benefit the both sides, in general?

Mr Wil van Gemert, Deputy Director of EUROPOL: The US is by far the most important partner of Europol, and especially in the fight against cybercrime.  Both in the field of online child sexual exploitation and cyber-attacks, the FBI, the US Secret Services and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement are making invaluable contributions to EU efforts to arrest criminals. Because both the EU and the US face common threats from terrorism and organised crime, transnational law enforcement cooperation is particularly important to enhance the security of citizens, and even more necessary when it comes to fight against borderless crimes, namely cybercrimes. Indeed, cooperating for more than 11 years, Europol and the US recently agreed on joining efforts to counter foreign fighters and to combat illegal immigration, especially as exploited by organised crime groups. Europol cooperation initiatives with non-EU countries and international organisations are crucial to exchange strategic and technical information, such as trends and developments in the methods used to commit offences or new methods of criminal intelligence analysis. Every year, Europol supports approximately 500 cases involving US authorities and joint operations lead to the arrest of top targets on both sides of the Atlantic. Europol’s cooperation with US authorities has reached an unprecedented level. Europol is now perceived as an efficient and reliable point of contact in many key crime areas in Europe and US authorities see Europol as an instrument to maximise their engagement with investigators in the Member States.

Read more

The aftermath of UK Referendum on EU

Posted on by

UK FCO

24 June 2016 © UK Foreign Office

Statement by President Obama on the outcome of the UK referendum:

“The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision. The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom’s membership in NATO remains a vital cornerstone of U.S. foreign, security, and economic policy. So too is our relationship with the European Union,” June 24, 2016 @ The White House

Statement by Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands on the outcome of UK referendum:

“The result of the UK referendum is disappointing. We must now look for stable solutions, calmly, and one step at a time. It is important to ensure stability. We are in the process of reforming the European Union. This result is an incentive to carry on with that reform and work hard for more prosperity, more jobs and more security. Particularly for a country like the Netherlands, cooperation is of vital importance.”  June 24,  2016 © MFA of the Netherlands

Statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg  on the outcome of the referendum in UK:

“The British people have decided to leave the European Union. As it defines the next chapter in its relationship with the EU, I know that the United Kingdom’s position in NATO will remain unchanged. The UK will remain a strong and committed NATO Ally, and will continue to play its leading role in our Alliance”   June 24, 2016 © NATO  

Dear Readers, from our side we don’t have any words to add except ‘We are devastated by this out come as we see it, how in a broader context it would affect unfortunately– the entire Europe not only the United Kingdom. (the Editor)

The United Kingdom Stay with us et Pour toujours…..

Posted on by

The United Kingdom…… its Leadership in Europe ………and in the World

EUCOM, UKThe United Kingdom and its deep rooted Western Values,  its long standing Philosophical Ideals, Visions…….and Leadership. 

An Empire, whilst it thrived for centuries…….. changed the  World with its Alluring touch forever ……..

Read more

The Netherlands EU Presidency and the Cooperation between Europe’s Security Services

Posted on by

The Netherlands thrusts forward to increase the Cooperation between Europe’s Security Services

Logo kleur hoge resolutie Protected by Copyright LawCooperation between Europe’s security services is being stepped up in order to combat terrorism and jihadist violence. A recently launched platform is allowing intelligence to be shared more effectively. This means that information on European foreign fighters is now available to all participating security services. This is important, as jihadist networks are increasingly operating across national borders. The increased cooperation has led to considerable advances in the way European security services work together.

Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk emphasised this in his speech at the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 10 June.   10 June 2016  © MFA of the Netherlands

NATO Exercise BALTOPS 2016

Posted on by

NATO Exercise BALTOPS  June 3-19, 2016,  launched in the Baltic Sea Region of Estonia.…. Finland….. and  Sweden, with the successful upshot,  completes its final strike in Kiel-Germany on June 18th.

BALTOPS 2016June 12, 2016 © U.S. Navy

The BALTOPS 2016,  was the largest Exercise combining of Naval Maritime and Air Defence of 17 Allied Nations, contributing over 6,100 Troops, more than  60 Military Aircrafts,  45 Ships and Submarines, added with over 800 Amphibious Troops,  to Exercise and Enhance their Joint Capabilities during the time of peace as well as crisis and conflicts.

Vice Adm. James G. Foggo, III, speaks with Finnish Coastal Rangers in BALTOPS Excercise. UTO_SWEDEN JUNE 12, 2016

 

 

Vice Adm. James G. Foggo, III, commander Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, speaks with Finnish Coastal Rangers during the Exercise BALTOPS 2016. June 12, 2016 © U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class America A. Henry

“We completed an extremely successful BALTOPS 2016. Over 5,000 Sailors, Airmen and Marines from 17 nations trained across the full spectrum of Maritime Operations. Similar to trust, you can’t surge Interoperability—we have to train together to Operate together seamlessly. We are committed to Baltic Security and have already starting planning BALTOPS 2017.”  Affirmed Vice Admiral James Foggo III, Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO and the Commander of U.S. 6th Flee.  June 2016   © U.S NAVAL Forces Europe-Africa.

Additional:  NATO Multinational Exercise BALTOPS 2016

NATO and Collective Cyber Defence

Posted on by

Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg  following the North Atlantic Council’s Ministerial meeting in Brussels:

“Just like Air, Sea and Land, Cyber Defence is part of collective Defence.

Most crises and conflicts today have a Cyber dimension.

So treating Cyber as an Operational domain would enable us to better protect our missions and Operations.”  emphasized  Secretary General Stoltenberg on the importance of Cyber Defence. June 14, 2016 © NATO

 

Also on Cyber Defense:  EU and NATO cyber Defence cooperation

The Netherlands EU Presidency and creating a Smart Europe

Posted on by

Logo kleur hoge resolutie Protected by Copyright Law More than 160 speakers at ‘European Industrial Technologies 2016 – Creating a Smart Europe’ Conference in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is honoured to be hosting the fourth European Industrial Technologies Conference, an associated event tying in with the Netherlands EU Presidency in the first half of 2016. The conference will be held from 22 to 24 June in RAI Amsterdam. Industrial Technologies 2016 is the largest networking conference in the field of new production technologies, materials, nanotechnology, biotechnology and digitisation in Europe.  June 2, 2016© the MFA

« Older Entries