Belgium–the Leadership to reckon……and the Land that will represent European Ideals
Indicated by the UN 2015 Annual Statistic Report on UN Procurement.
News from MFA of Belgium News from Belgian Armed-Forces
News from Belgium Mission to the UN
The Sea Breeze 2016 has been launched in the Black Sea, with the main objectives of enhancing:
There are 13 participant Nations from: Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States in this Training Exercise to maximize their joint capabilities. The United States also provides most required Military assets to execute this Training.
Additional Reference: Sea Breeze 2016 Opening Ceremony July 25
‘The devastating impact of landmines doesn’t stop when the violence ends. Emergency workers are left unable to reach the places where they’re needed, refugees can’t return home and farmers can’t access their land. Before peace and stability can return, these deadly things have to be cleared away.’ Explained Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Lilianne Ploumen July 20, 2016 © The MFA of the Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the largest donors when it comes demining, and wants to see Landmines eradicated within 10 years. The Dutch government will provide its full support in 3 Major Demining Projects in 13 Countries in the Word. Announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In the last last 4 years, Worldwide, the Netherlands has:
News from PM Mark Rutte
News from MFA of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
News from Dutch Armed-Forces
Denmark – with Norway, Sweden, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands is part of an exclusive group of countries. Announced by the MFA of Denmark
The countries are the only ones to live up to the UN’s goal of giving at least 0.7 percent of the GNI in development aid. These are the findings of a preliminary report for 2015 published today by the OECD, an international economic cooperation organisation.
“We can be proud to belong with this group of countries that live up to the UN’s goal. We were part of it last year and this year, and we will be part of it again next year,” expressed Minister for Foreign Affairs Kristian Jensen.” April 13, 2016 © The MFA of Denmark
Additional Reference: Denmark and WFP sign Strategic Partnership agreement at World Humanitarian Summit
July 29, 2016 © U.S Army Europe
Counter-ISIL Coalition Conference in Washington DC
Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop has attended in the Counter-ISIL Coalition Conference in Washington DC on July 21
“I will represent Australia at the first joint Counter-ISIL Coalition Foreign and Defence Ministers’ meetings in Washington on 21 July. I will be joined by my colleague, the Minister for Defence Marise Payne.”
“I will also take part in a panel discussion with leaders of the international security community on the importance of intelligence sharing and cooperation in the fight against ISIL. As part of Australia’s ongoing commitment to Peace and Stability in Iraq and announce that Australia will provide a further $15 million in Humanitarian and Stabilisation Assistance. This will include $5 million to Clear Landmines from Civilian areas, $5 million for the World Food Programme for urgent food relief, $3 million for UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and $2 million for the UN Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund.
This additional assistance brings Australia’s Humanitarian Response to the Iraq crisis to $60 million since 2014. Since 2011, Australia has also provided $213 million in response to the Syrian crisis, and we have committed a further $220 million for Humanitarian Relief in Syria and neighbouring countries over the next three years.” Stated Minister of Foreign Affairs Bishop July 20, 2016 © DFAT of Australia
Additional: Speech by Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop to Counter-ISIL Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting, Joint Plenary Session Intervention. Department of State Washington D.C, 21 July 2016
Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with Minister of Defense of Australia Marise Payne July 20, 2016
Netherlands to Co-Chair anti-ISIL Coalition Conference in Washington DC
Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders will participate in a conference in Washington DC on Wednesday 20 July on stabilising the Security situation in Iraq, which has been seriously disrupted by the terrorist organisation ISIL. The Netherlands is Co-Chairing the conference, at which Foreign Minister Koenders will meet counterparts from more than 20 countries. July 19, 2016 © MFA of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
July 11, 2016 © The PM Netanyahu Office
Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Israel and met with Prime Minister Netanyahu. During their meeting the two Leaders discussed Regional Security and Peace, and the important Role that Israel holds, not only in the Region but also in the World.
Additional: Israel and Egypt deeper Partnership: Statements by PM Netanyahu and Egyptian Foreign Minister, on PM website
Speech by Prime Minister Mark Rutte to the European Parliament on July 5
July 5, 2016 © The Office of PM Rutte
Secretary Kerry has travelled to Brussels, from July 17–18, and met with EU Member State Foreign Ministers and EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, to discuss range of important subjects on Foreign Policy. During the press conference Secretary Kerry reaffirmed:
“It is that the U.S-EU Partnership is strong – strong today, will remain strong into the future, it is enduring, and it is unbreakable. And it is all of those things for some very simple reasons.”
On the issue of Turkey and the fate of the detainee of the failed Coup Secretary Kerry stated:
“So very quickly, let me just say with respect to NATO and the movement of Turkey, obviously, NATO also has a requirement with respect to Democracy, and NATO will indeed measure very carefully what is happening. And my hope is that Turkey is going to move in ways that do respect what they have said to me many times is the bedrock of their country. Now, obviously, a lot of people have been arrested and arrested very quickly, and so as Federica has said, I think the level of vigilance and scrutiny is obviously going to be significant in the days ahead. And we’ll work very closely, and hopefully we can work in a constructive way that prevents a backsliding, and that is our hope. Brussels July 18, 2016 © Department of State
On the same subject the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini stated:
“Let me be very clear on one thing – actually, on two. One, no country can become a EU member-state if it introduces death penalty. That is very clear in our acquis, as we call it. So this is for sure. The other point I would like to stress, even if this is not the institution I am entitled to speak for, but Turkey is part – an important part – of the Council of Europe. It’s an important member of the Council of Europe, and as such is bound by the European Convention of Human Rights that is very clear on death penalty. I hope I’ve been clear.”
“And let me add something that maybe it’s useful to stress here: We have been the first to stress the need during that difficult hours – the need for having the legitimate institutions protected against the attempt of coup. This is no excuse to take the country away from fundamental rights and rule of law, and we will be extremely vigilant on that for the sake not of the European Union or negotiations, but for the sake of Turkey itself.” Brussels July 18, 2016 © Department of State
Joint Press conference of Secretary Kerry with the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini
US-Europe World Affairs 