■ Recent weeks have been marked by mounting tension between the Netherlands and Turkey, culminating in a ban on Turkish officials entering the Netherlands and harsh words directed against the Netherlands from Ankara. What kind of dynamics of relations between the two countries should be expected in the coming months? - The Netherlands and Turkey have had a good relationship for 400 years. We do not wish to jeopardise this relationship. Within this context, we will continue to strive for dialogue and acceptable solutions.
■ Turkey is a key partner for the EU in terms overcoming or lessening the impact of the migrant crisis. Do you fear that the coming spring and disagreements between the EU and Turkey could lead to a new wave of refugees heading towards European countries? - The influx of migrants has affected the EU, Serbia and Turkey alike. It is in the interest of both the EU and its partners to cooperate on this issue. We need to take a comprehensive approach, involving support to countries of origin, destination, and those in between. We can only reap the potential benefits of migration with an approach that involves burden sharing, solidarity, and a long-term perspective. Serbia in particular deserves praise for its humanitarian assistance, in line with international agreements.
servants and representatives of the judiciary and is supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands? - The Matra Rule of Law Training Programme is a two-year (2017 – 2018) programme designed to strengthen institutional capacity in the field of the Rule of Law within governmental organisations in the Western Balkans, Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. To this end, seven training programmes are offered per year, each introducing the participants to Dutch best practices in a wide range of rule of law themes: Integrity of Civil Servants, Administration of Justice, Public Procurement, Human Rights and Minorities, Decentralisation and Citizen Participation, Freedom of the Media, Public Finance Management, Detention and Alternative Sanctions. Through interactive sessions combining theory, practical skills and study visits, policy advisors, members of the judiciary and other civil servants working in the government and justice sectors acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to drive reforms in their home countries. In addition, by taking part in the training programme, participants become part of a large transnational network of alumni, lecturers and relevant government departments in the Netherlands and in the target countries. This network offers a platform for learning, exchange and collaboration. The Matra Rule of Law Training programme is designed and delivered by the Netherlands Helsinki Committee, Leiden Law School, and The Hague Academy for Local Governance, and is financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
■ Is there room to strengthen economic cooperation between Dutch and Serbian business leaders and, if so, in which areas? - As Serbia progresses on the EU integration ■ You began your career as a journalpath, it is coming more under the spotlight of The Netherlands attaches ist. And when you arrived in Serbia you Dutch businesses and economic stakeholders. As far as the Dutch are concerned, this noticed a lack of pluralism and different great importance to media is probably more important than Serbia’s opinions in the media, as well as insuffreedom and freedom of ficient levels of independent investigative position in the World Bank’s Doing Business expression, and therefore our journalism, growing tabloidisation and rankings. The Embassy works continuously Embassy will continue media leaks. Do you still have that kind on strengthening economic ties between of impression today? our two countries, and I am pleased to anmonitoring the media nounce BalkanDay, which will take place landscape in Serbia. Focus on - Unfortunately, the media situation did not in The Hague this June. This event, which improve since my previous statements on this the media situation through will be organised by the Dutch Ministry of issue and freedom of expression remains a cause Chapter 23 of the acquis Foreign Affairs and the Dutch Enterprise of concern. The self-regulatory Press Council has Agency, has the aim of jointly promoting the remains of utmost importance registered an increasing number of violations of countries of the Western Balkans among our the Journalistic Code of Ethics. According to the business community. We expect and hope that some local stakeholders, European Commission’s 2016 Country Report, which offers a relatively positive such as the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia, will take part in assessment of Serbia’s overall progress on the EU track, freedom of expression this event and help us to additionally highlight the Serbian economy. I am stands out as one of the few areas where no progress has been made. very positive about this event and see it as one of the channels to further The Netherlands attaches great importance to media freedom and improve our economic relations. freedom of expression, and therefore our Embassy will continue monitoring the media landscape in Serbia. Focus on the media situation through Chapter 23 of the acquis remains of utmost importance. We hope that the ■ On the Embassy’s website you have announced the start of The new Media Strategy will reflect the Chapter 23 Action Plan, which contains Matra Rule of Law Training programme. Could you tell us something about this two-year programme, which is intended for civil the EU’s requirements for free media. ■ 18 |
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