“Integrated land consolidation in Bulgaria” seminar
March 18th 2010
On March 18th 2010, at 9.30 a.m., in Sveta Sofia Hotel on 18 Pirotska street, the Dutch Ambassador Karel van Kesteren will welcome the participants of a special seminar, dedicated to the land consolidation in Bulgaria. The seminar will mark the end of the Government-to-Government project “Creating the pre-conditions for the successful implementation of the land consolidation program” implemented by the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture and Food with the expert support of the Dutch Government Service for Land and Water Management.
The Dutch project was the first phase of a pilot project in the village of Katunets. Its main goal was to assist in producing the first integrated land consolidation project in Bulgaria.
The pilot project aims at better structure of agricultural land and integrates improvements of rural infrastructure, water management, nature and environment protection, landscape and recreational measures, etc.
The key findings and recommendations will be presented at the seminar, providing the participants with the opportunity to discuss the future of the land consolidation program in Bulgaria.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Working seminar within “Equal chances” project
March 4th – 6th, 2010
A working seminar within the “Equal chances: Knowledge transfer for integration of children with special needs” project will be launched on March 4th 2010 in Augusta Hotel in Hisaria.
Directors of resource centres, teachers, advisers and “Equal chance” project team are among the 60 experts to participate in the event. Participants will receive information on the project activities carried out till March 1st 2010, plan new activities and discuss the achievements and problems during realisation of the project.
The project aims are adapting and implementing the Dutch methodology for individual and differentiated teaching arithmetic method Remelka and implementing of a special system for teaching social skills through development of individual curricula. The implementation of this methodology will contribute to decreasing of the number of children in special support schools and their successful integration to the mainstream education system.
The seminar will be opened by Martijn Elgersma, Deputy Head of the Dutch Mission in Sofia.
The project is funded by MATRA program of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented with help from Dutch experts.
-------------------------------------------------------------
“Traps to the development and social inclusion of children raised in homes for children deprived of parental care” round table
February 26th, 2010
On February 26, 2010, at 10.00 am, in MATTI'D Hall Tabitha Bulgaria Foundation is organizing a round table - discussion: "Traps to the development and social inclusion of children raised in homes for children deprived of parental care”.
The results of a sociological survey, the difficulties in the process of deinstitutionalization and recommendations to overcome them will be discussed at the event.
As a part of the project a program and methodology for psychological counselling and professional orientation of children deprived of parental care was also developed.
Participants in the discussion will be directors of homes for children deprived of parental care, representatives of the State Agency for Child Protection, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Agency for Social Assistance, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science , NGOs, UNICEF, IWC, The Netherlands Embassy in Sofia, media and experts.
The project has been implemented with the support of MATRA program of the Dutch Embassy in Sofia.
-------------------------------------------------------------
A social laundry opened doors today in Sofia
February 24th, 2010
A social laundry opened doors today in the Complex for psycho-health services within the community on 17 Roglets str. in Sofia. The “Zelena” laundry is a social enterprise, developed under a project of “Global Initiative in Psychiatry – Sofia” with the financial support of MATRA program of the Dutch Embassy in Bulgaria. It is aimed at providing the people with mental disabilities with full of value and autonomous life, by providing opportunities for employment.
“The people in need for special attention are part of the society and have the right to a dignified life.”, said Martijn Elgersma, Counsellor of the Dutch Embassy in Sofia who opened the event.
In addition to specific activities related to construction and operation of the laundry, during the 12-month project (March 2009-March 2010) occupational rehabilitation programme was implemented to help building a supportive environment and enable people with mental problems to acquire skills to find and retain work.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Karel van Kesteren: “Financial investigation is a very strong instrument to discover and prosecute crime”
The Ambassador greeted Bulgarian authorities on the Money Laundering Investigations Manual, developed with Dutch support
February 16th, 2010
“Financial investigation is a very strong instrument to discover and prosecute crime”, Dutch Ambassador Karel van Kesteren said today at the presentation of the first Bulgarian Money Laundering Investigations Manual. The unique document was developed by experts from the Prosecution, the National Investigation Service, Ministry of Interior and State Agency for National Security. The project was coordinated by the Centre for the Study of Democracy with the financial support of the MATRA programme of Netherlands Embassy in Sofia.
The manual describes in detail the methods, processes and techniques for investigating money laundering. After almost a year of intensive discussions the working group developed a document with specific chapters for the different institutions involved in the investigation and prosecution of money laundering. The manual is to become an integral part of the work of the above mentioned institutions and a useful tool in training investigative police officers and prosecutors.
“This project is about bringing together Bulgarian experts fully capable on their own to develop a valuable instrument in the fight against corruption and organized crime. And now, that the Money Laundering Investigation Manual has been developed, it is up to the Bulgarian authorities to apply its concepts to real investigations.”, Mr. Van Kesteren added.
The Minister of Interior Mr. Tsvetan Tsvetanov, who also attended the event, underlined that the numerous attempts for combating organised crime during the past twenty years have been unsuccessful because of a lack of political will. The representatives of the organised crime in the past are legal businessmen today and it is a lot harder to react to the organised crime because its coalescence at all levels, Minister Tsvetanov added.
The event was attended also by Mrs. Vania Nestorova, Prosecutor at Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of Cassation, Mr. Veselin Vuchkov, Deputy Minister of Interior, Mr. Kalin Georgiev, Commissioner General of the Ministry of Interior, Prof. Stoyan Kushlev, Chairman of the Commission for Establishing of Property Acquired from Criminal Activity, CSD Chairman Dr. Ognian Shentov, CSD analyst Tihomir Bezlov and others.
A brief on the project is available 
here
-------------------------------------------------------------
Closing conference of the project for “Strengthening the Bulgarian vehicle register”
February 16th, 2010
The closing conference of the “Strengthening the Bulgarian vehicle register” project took place on 16 February 2009 in the Conference hall of the Chief Directorate “Public Order Police”.
The project was initiated by the Public Order Police in 2008 and was implemented with the assistance of the Dutch National Vehicle and Driving Licence Registration Authority - RDW. Among the goals of the project were strengthening Bulgaria’s capacity to register motor vehicles by analysing current procedures and training local traffic police forces.
In 2009, as a part of the project a new functionality to the present automated information system was developed implementing the Regulation 443/2009 for setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars. It modernised the Bulgarian vehicle register, rationalised and modernised the process of registration of the vehicles in conformity with the EU legislation.
28 Directors of Traffic Police Regional Directorates and vehicle registration unit heads took part in a training seminar in Plovdiv, lead by RDW and Dutch Traffic Police experts, on the implementation of the EU regulations.
An assessment on the necessity of connecting the Central Motor Vehicle Register with Eucaris (the EUropean CAR and driving licence Information System) also took place within the project. It was concluded that such a connection would improve the combat with the international car criminality and would help Bulgaria in fulfilling the Prüm requirements. A decision by Bulgaria’s Council of Ministers is pending.
The RDW offered the Bulgarian Road Administration Agency to provide it with access to its Vehicle Type Approval database.
The project has been supported by MATRA programme of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Launch of the 2010 training programme of the Bulgarian School of Politics
February 10th, 2010
Ambassador Karel van Kesteren addressed the students of the Bulgarian School of Politics at the launch of the 2010 training programme. The School is a beneficiary of the MATRA programme of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is committed to training young Bulgarian political and civic leaders from accross the political spectrum. The participants were greeted also by Ms. Meglena Kuneva, Mr Martin Dimitrov and Mr Julian Popov, chair of the board of the BSoP. Ambassador Karel van Kesteren dwelt on the importance of professional education for politicians in the complex global and European reality of today as well as on the moral roots of political action.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Money Laundering Investigations Manual Presentation
February 16th, 2010
On February 16th 2010, at 11.00 hrs in the Conference Hall of the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) at 5 Alexander Zhendov str., a special Money Laundering Investigations Manual will be presented. The paper has been developed by Prosecution, Police and State Agency for National Security experts with financial support from the MATRA programme.
Special guests at the round table will be the Ambassador of the Netherlands Mr Karel van Kesteren and the Minister of Interior Mr Tzvetan Tzvetanov.
The event will be attended also by Mrs Vania Nestorova, Prosecutor at Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of Cassation, the CSD Chairman Dr. Ognian Shentov, Mr. Tihomir Bezlov - CSD Senior Analyst, Mr Ruslan Stefanov - CSD Economic Program Director and others.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Holland Education Days will take place for the first time in Bulgaria
The Dutch Ambassador Karel van Kesteren officially announced the initiative
January 25th, 2010
The first of its kind Holland Education Days fair will take place in Bulgaria this year. Between January 31st and February 4th representatives of Dutch universities will present their programs to the future students in five Bulgarian cities. This was announced today by the Dutch Ambassador Karel van Kesteren at a special press conference in the press club of Bulgarian Telegraph Agency.
The organisers of the event, Bulgarian agencies Integral and Skylines, provided information on the opportunities for EU students to study in Dutch universities, education fees, student loans and scholarships.
The Holland Education Days fair will start on January 31st in Sofia and will take place also in Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Bourgas and Varna. Within the fair the future students will be able to discuss the study opportunities with representatives of Tilburg University, Wageningen University, Fontys University, Saxion University, Stenden University, Hаnze University, Zeeland University and Windesheim Honours College.
“If you want to see a big country - just go and see it. But if you want to see the World, then come to see the Netherlands”, said Karel van Kesteren in his welcoming message. “There are about 76 000 international students in the country and during the last years the number of Bulgarian students is gradually increasing”, he added.
Dutch universities offer some 1 455 international programs entirely in English, covering wide range of disciplines. The country offers affordable fees, very high level of education and good social packages.
More information on Holland Education Days is available at www.studyinholland.bg
-------------------------------------------------------------
Holland Education Days Press conference
January 25th, 2010
On January 25th, at 11 a.m., in the BTA press club the Dutch Ambassador Karel van Kesteren, will officially announce the Holland Education Days in Bulgaria. The opportunities for EU students to study in Dutch universities, education fees, student loans and scholarships will be also presented at the event.
The Holland Education Days exhibition opening will take place in Sofia on January 31st. The fair will continue till February 4th visiting also Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Burgas and Varna.
The Netherlands has become the first country to introduce English language programs in its higher education. Dutch universities offer some 1 300 international programs entirely in English, covering wide range of disciplines.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Dutch expertise is involved in rehabilitation of Sofia wastewater plant
“Kubratovo” is the biggest of its kind in the Balkans
January 12th 2009
The Dutch consultant Tauw is involved in the reconstruction of the Sofia Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) - Kubratovo. This was announced at the official start of the project given by the Minister of Environment and Water Mrs Nona Karadjova and the Mayor of Sofia Mrs Yordanka Fandakova in the presence of the Dutch Ambassador Mr Karel van Kesteren.
The reconstruction of Kubratovo plant is part of an integrated water project for Sofia, financed under the ISPA program and co-financed by the European Development Bank and the Bulgarian government. The budget of the project is EUR 29 980 600 and its aim is to modernize the primary and secondary settling tanks, to create a third step, removing the nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater as well as to build a pumping station in Novi Iskar. The completion is scheduled for the end of this year.
The implementation is managed by Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water. On behalf of the ministry, the operational management of the project WWTP Kubratovo and the pumping station Novi Iskar will be done by the Dutch - Bulgarian consultant combination Tauw - HPC. These consultants have assessed and approved the technical design and based on this the construction permit has been submitted recently.
“99.9% of Dutch households have access to clean, chlorine free drinking water, which is the highest percentage in the world”, said in his address Karel van Kesteren. “The Dutch water sector counts about 2 000 companies, with a work force of about 15 000 people. The turnover of the sector both on the domestic market and in export is about EUR 17 billion and the Netherlands spends EUR 3.5 billion per year on preparing drinking water, managing the sewer system and treating waste water”, he added.
“There is intense cooperation between our two countries in the water sector. During the last two decades the Netherlands supported bilateral projects with up to EUR 4 million through the Dutch pre-accession programmes. In December 2008 the Dutch embassy organised a seminar to support Bulgarian-Dutch partnerships and cooperation in the water sector”, said Karel van Kesteren. Consultative bodies such as the Netherlands Water Partnership, of which the consultancy Tauw is a member, focus on international cooperation and the creation of water networks.
Kubratovo was introduced in 1984 and is the biggest plant of its kind in the Balkans. It covers area of 600 decares and is capable of processing 480 000 m³ per day. At the moment it purifies household waste water, storm water and industrial water of around 360 000 m³ per day. After completion the integrated water project for Sofia will lead the sewage of more than 342 000 citizens.
More Information on the Netherlands Water Partnership is available here.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Theodora Zaharieva became Human of the Year 2009
The Dutch Ambassador personally congratulated the winners in the contest
December 10th
The founder of the Centre for the Protection of Rights in Health Care Theodora Zaharieva won the Human of the Year Award 2009 at the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee Annual Awards, which took place on December 10th - the World Human Rights Day.
“Theodora and the Centre have been successful representing their clients in cases of significant public value against state authorities, and their victories in court benefited thousands of people, winning thousands of leva in compensation for damages. The cases concern medical malpractice, medical care denial, and inadequate medical equipment, the authorities' failure to introduce legislation that would guarantee the right to adequate health care and to provide medications.” These were among the considerations of the jury in selecting the winner.
Karel van Kesteren, Ambassador of the Netherlands, personally congratulated Mrs Zaharieva and the winners in the other categories awarded by the jury.
The Ambassador shared with the participants and the public the message of Minister Verhagen that “proactive promotion of human rights, on moral grounds and out of conviction” is a key feature of the Netherlands foreign policy. “Men, women and children, no matter who they are, no matter where they live, no matter what the do, have rights that can never be taken away from them.”
In addition to the Human of the Year Award, the jury awarded two Second Awards and two Special Awards.
Donka Panayotova and the Facebook group Voting Without Borders won Second Awards. Donka Panayotova (Roma rights organization Drom) received the award for her advocacy work on equal access to education for Roma children in Bulgaria and the Facebook group Voting Without Borders received an award for mobilising the civil society in order to protect the equal right to vote.
The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee and the jury for the Human of the Year Award 2009 presented two Special Awards. Architect Kalina Pavlova from Varna received the prize for her fearless fight against any unlawful or questionable decision of the municipal authorities which favoured corporate interests and held the potential to harm the public good or the transparency in local government. Mrs Kapka Panayotova received the award for her general contribution to the protection of human rights in Bulgaria. Kapka Panayotova is founder of the Centre for Independent Living – Sofia, an organisation which since 1995 has been working on promoting independent living and equal opportunities for all.
The Public Choice Award was handed to an organisation whose mission for the last three years has been to support campaigns for the treatment of children - is “Spasi, dari na...”.
The journalist Ivo Indzhev received a certificate for most nominated person of the year. He was nominated fourteen times before and four times after the official deadline for submitting nominations.
22 nominations were admitted in the contest. In making the selection, the jury was looking for deeds with the potential to effect change that are unprecedented in the human rights sphere or are simply original and creative. The votes on the web-site for the Public Choice Award went beyond 15 500.
Human of the Year Award is supported by the Netherlands Embassy in Sofia.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Human of the year award 2009
December 10th 2009
On December 10th 2009 at 12.00 hrs in Sofia Hall of Grand Hotel Sofia the Human of the year award ceremony will take place. The prize is established by Bulgarian Helsiniki Committee and is given as a recognition to those contributing to the protection of human rights in Bulgaria.
The award is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and is given for the second consecutive year.
The jury consisting of six members follows objective criteria. Six prizes are given out – Audience award, Award for civil courage, two Runner up awards, Award for overall Contribution to human rights and the 2009 Human of the year award.
The Ambassador of the Netherlands Karel van Kesteren will welcome the participants and guests of the event. Among the invited are ministers, members of Parliament, politicians, public figures and others.
Proactive promotion of human rights is a key feature of the Netherlands foreign policy.
In a 
written statement distributed on the occasion of Human Rights Day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Verhagen reiterates that “men, women and children, no matter who they are, no matter where they live, no matter what they do, have rights that can never be taken away from them” and recalls that the EU has as part of its human rights policy issued Guidelines on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, in particular when it comes to ensuring the 
protection of human rights defenders throughout the world.
-------------------------------------------------------------
HE Karel van Kesteren will participate in the unveiling of Slovenian wall within the Wall-To-Wall Poetry project
December 9th, 2009
The Ambassador of the Netherlands Karel van Kesteren will participate in the unveiling ceremony of the Slovenian wall created in the framework of the Wall-To-Wall Poetry project. The ceremony will take place at 11.30 hrs in the 22nd Primary and High School “G. S. Rakovski” on 134 Vitosha Blvd in Sofia. The wall will be inaugurated by the Deputy Minister of Culture of Bulgaria Mr Dimitar Dereliev. Among the guests there will be the creator of the artwork Prof. Minekov, ambassadors and other public officials.
The Wall-to-Wall Poetry project was launched in 2004 when the Netherlands held the Presidency of the European Union. Within the project each participating embassy adopted a wall in the centre of the city and decorated it with a poem in its national language as well as translations in Bulgarian and English, thus bringing Europe's values closer to people.
The Dutch wall is unveiled at the Natural History Museum, the corner of Moskovska and Benkovski streets.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Sinterklaas (Arrival of St. Nicholas)
December 5th, 2009
On Saturday, December 5th 2009 at 14.30 hrs in front of Matti Hall of the National Palace of Culture an old Dutch tradition will come to life - the arrival of Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas).
Riding a white horse Sinterklaas will arrive at the court of the hall to meet the Dutch children and give some presents to those who were good during the year. The benevolent old man will be welcomed by the Dutch Ambassador Karel Van Kesteren.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Premiere of the movie Prima Primavera, starring the famous Dutch actor Antonie Kamerling
November 23rd, 2009
The famous Dutch actor Antonie Kamerling is coming to Sofia for the premiere of the Bulgarian-Dutch-Hungarian-British movie Prima Primavera to take place on Monday, November 23rd at 6.30 pm in the Lumiere Hall of the National Palace of Culture.
The film is a contemporary romantic love story, which has already received three awards at specialized screenings and is suitable for almost every age of spectators.
Prima Primavera is an example of successful artistic, technical and financial cooperation between countries from Eastern and Western Europe, between the Netherlands and Bulgaria.
The premiere will take place during the Cinemania 2009 film festival.
Tickets for the movie are sold at the Ticket centre of the National Palace of Culture.
Additional screenings will take place on:
- November, 26th at 19.00 hrs in Odeon Hall;
- November, 28th at 17.00 hrs. in the EuroBulgarian Cultural Center;
- December, 03rd at 21.15 hrs in the EuroBulgarian Cultural Center.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Seminar “The Netherlands - Partners in Waste Management”
Organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
November 19th (Thursday), 2009 at 13.00 h.
Hilton Hotel Sofia
(working language Bulgarian and English)
Representatives of the Bulgarian Government, environmental and municipal specialists will be present at the seminar and will discuss policy measures and implementation of economic instruments in the field of waste management, as well as waste treatment. Representatives of Dutch companies and organisations working in the field will present good case practices in waste management and technology.
The seminar is organised with the participation of the Netherlands Waste Management Partnership. It gathers all parties involved in the waste management chain in the Netherlands and is a successful example of public private partnership that collectively promotes Dutch waste management knowledge and skills abroad.
The programme is available for download here.
During the seminar the following presentations were given (they can be downloaded):
Ministry of Environment and Waters
National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria
Makmetal Holding
Bulgarian Industrial Association
Netherlands Waste Management Partnership
Senter Novem
Ecorys Nederland
VAR B.V.
Bollegraaf Holding / Gicom Composting systems
Brochure of The Netherlands Waste Management Partnership in Bulgarian language for download: here
For more information please contact the economic department of the embassy at 
sof-ea@minbuza.nl.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Transforming obstacles into opportunities" conference
November 11th, 2009
Representatives of Bulgarian and Dutch institutions and organizations, involved with the work with children and families at risk will gather in a conference to discuss the main priorities of the state policy in the field, services offered, the qualifications of professionals, etc. The conference "Transforming obstacles into opportunities" is organised by FICE-Bulgaria and will start at 10 a.m. on 11th of November 2009, in Alexander’s Ballroom RADISSON BluGrand Hotel Sofia, 4 Narodno Sabranie sq.
A special Centre for trainings, researches, analyses, consultations and education – TRACE will be presented at the conference. The establishment of the centre is a part of the project “TRACE - new wave of thinking about social transformation”, funded by Dutch Ministry of Foreign affairs under the MATRA Program.
The Dutch Ambassador Mr. Karel van Kesteren, Mrs. Valentina Simeonova – Deputy minister of labour and social policy and Mrs. Svetlana Lomeva – Deputy minister of education, youth and science will take part in the conference.
-------------------------------------------------------------
“Equality and non-discrimination: Peer Review of two Equality Bodies' Experiences – First Study Visit” workshop
November 3rd - November 5th 2009
Bulgarian and Dutch experts in the field of non-discrimination will exchange practices and know-how within a three-day workshop “Equality and non-discrimination: Peer Review of two Equality Bodies' Experiences - First Study Visit”. The forum starts at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3rd and will take place at the Commission for Protection against Discrimination on 35 “Dragan Tzankov” blvd. in Sofia.
The workshop is a part of the project “Exchange of Expertise and Mutual Learning Between the Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Dutch Equal Treatment Commission (CGB) and is supported by MATRA Program of the Dutch Government.
The experts from the two bodies will discuss the best practices and specific cases in the fields of religion, sexual orientation, labour market for women and minorities, communication and information strategies, etc.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Energy Diplomacy and the EU Integrated Policy for Energy and Climate Change" conference
November 2nd, 2009
The Dutch Ambassador Karel van Kesteren and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Dr. Rumiana Jeleva will open the Energy Diplomacy and the EU Integrated Policy for Energy and Climate Change conference which will take place on November 2nd in Sofia Hall, Grand Hotel Sofia. Among the topics of discussion will be Bulgaria and the EU Energy Policy, Energy Security and the Climate Change in the International Context, etc.
The event is organized by the Diplomatic Institute to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael, with the cooperation of Energy Observer Magazine.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The Dutch choir Slavuj will perform in Sofia
October 24th
The Dutch choir Slavuj, together with Bulgarian chamber ensemble Te Deum will perform in the crypt of the Alexander Nevski Cathedral on October 24th, 2009. The concert starts at 18.30 and is a part of the first tour of Slavuj in Bulgaria. Among the special guests will be the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Bulgaria Karel van Kesteren.
Slavuj choir consists of 22 people coming out of different professional fields – doctors, teachers, office managers etc. and performs Bulgarian folk songs. The conductor of the choir is Ivo Boswijk who also conducts the choir Čubrica, which performed in the crypt in April this year.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Closing conference of “The system of complaints and signals against judicial misconduct in the courts – review of the current situation and analysis of best practices in Europe” project
October 20th
On Tuesday, October 20th, the closing conference of “The system of complaints and signals against judicial misconduct in the courts – review of the current situation and analysis of best practices in Europe” project will take place. The event is scheduled to start at 14 hrs in the Conference Room of the Supreme Judicial Council, 9 Saborna Street, Sofia.
The project has been implemented by the Program for the Development of the Judicial System with the participation of representatives of the Supreme Judicial Council, the Inspectorate at the Supreme Judicial Council, judges and administrative heads in the judiciary.
The project is funded by the MATRA/KAP Programme of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Special guest at the conference will be the Dutch Ambassador Karel van Kesteren.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ongoing reforms in the judiciary will be the topic of discussion between HE Karel van Kesteren and the Minister of Justice Margarita Popova
October 15th
On Thursday, October 15th, at 15.00 hrs. Ambassador of the Netherlands Mr Karel van Kesteren will meet the Minister of Justice Mrs. Margarita Popova. Topics of discussion will be the ongoing reforms in the judiciary to increase its effectiveness, as well as further cooperation between the Netherlands and Bulgaria in this field.
The Netherlands follows this process closely and is hopeful about the ambitious reform agenda of the new government. An effective judiciary - which is also important for a positive environment for private investment - is in the interest of Bulgaria and its further economic development.
The meeting will take place in the Ministry of Justice and will continue 30 minutes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
H.E. Karel van Kesteren will meet the Prosecutor General Boris Velchev
October 13th, 2009
Tomorrow, October 13th, at 10.00 a.m. the Ambassador of the Netherlands Karel van Kesteren will meet the Prosecutor General Boris Velchev. The meeting will take place at the premises of the Prosecution in the Palace if Justice on 2 Vitosha blvd.
Topics of discussion will be the prevention of crime and corruption and the ongoing cooperation between the Netherlands and Bulgaria in the field of justice reform. The role of the Public Prosecutor's Office in the proposed reforms of the new government and the possibilities of providing assistance in that process will also be a matter of discussion.
-------------------------------------------------------------
H.E. Karel van Kesteren will host a lunch at the final seminar of the LogoEast project of the Association of Dutch municipalities and the NAMRB
October 8th, 2009
On Thursday, October 8, in Sandanski H.E. Karel van Kesteren will host a lunch and will address the final seminar under the LogoEast project implemented by the Association of Dutch municipalities (VNG) and the National Association of Municipalities in Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB). The project is financed by the MATRA programme of the Dutch foreign ministry and aims at strengthening the relations between Dutch and Bulgarian municipalities as well as transferring best practices in municipal service provision.
Twinning activities were implemented by the municipalities of, respectively, Doetinchem and Pernik, Dordrecht and Varna, and Haaglanden and Sandanski.
The seminar takes place as part of the annual NAMRB conference thus highlighting achievements of the Dutch-Bulgarian intermunicipal cooperation.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Official launch of the MATRA-project on the “Introduction of Correctional and Therapeutical Programmes for Work with Juvenile Offenders at the Reformatory in the Town of Boytchinovtsi”
October 5th, 2009
Today, October 5th, Andri van Mens, Justice and Home Affairs Advisor of the Embassy of the Netherlands, welcomed the participants in the conference on “Correctional and Therapeutical Programmes for Work with Juvenile Offenders at the Reformatory in Boytchinovtsi”. The conference, was opened by Deputy Minister of Justice Hristo Angelov and was organised by the General Directorate “Execution of Penalties” of the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice and the National Agency for Correctional Institutions of the Dutch Ministry of Justice. Experts from the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Italy were among the participants.
The conference coincides with the official launch of the similarly entitled project for co-operation between the Reformatory for juvenile boys in the town of Boytchinovtsi and the Juvenile detention centre “Den Hey-Acker”. The project aims to introduce new therapeutical programmes in the juvenile prison facility in Boytchinovtsi in order to prevent drug abuse, enhance social skills and reduce recidivism by juvenile offenders. The project is supported by the MATRA-programme of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
-------------------------------------------------------------
“The Response of the justice system to children in conflict with the law: UN standards and European experience in juvenile justice” International Workshop
October 2nd, 2009
H.E. Karel van Kesteren will welcome the participants in “The Response of the justice system to children in conflict with the law: UN standards and European experience in juvenile justice” International Workshop. The two-day forum will start at 9 a.m. on October 2nd and will take place in Hall 1 of the Palace of Justice, 2 Vitosha Blvd.
The workshop is aimed at sharing good practices and comparing of experiences between Bulgaria and other EU countries as well as issuing a set of conclusions on the practices to be adopted in the area of protection of the rights of children in conflict with the law and at risk.
-------------------------------------------------------------
H.E. Karel van Kesteren is the new Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bulgaria
September 24th
On September 24th, the President Mr. Georgi Parvanov accepted the credentials of Mr. Karel van Kesteren. Karel van Kesteren was born in 1948. He graduated in international law from Nijmegen University, the Netherlands, and joined the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1974. During the next ten years he held various posts in the United Nations Department of the Ministry, attending numerous UN and other international meetings.
As from 1984 he has been consecutively Deputy Head of Mission at the Dutch Embassy in Colombia, Head of Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague working on development finance issues, Head of Mission at the Dutch Embassy in Nicaragua, Deputy Head of Mission at the Dutch Embassy in Spain, Director of the United Nations and International Financial Institutions Department in the Ministry in The Hague, and till July 2009 Dutch ambassador to Tanzania with three countries of co-accreditation, Madagascar, Mauritius and the Comoros.
Karel van Kesteren is the author of various publications on development financing, the use of aid money for reduction of external debts of developing countries, Dutch-Nicaraguan relations in the 19th century, Official Development Assistance and global public goods, Security Council reform and UN reform in general.
He speaks Dutch (mother tongue), English, French, Spanish and German.
-------------------------------------------------------------
International conference: “The European city – urbanization and architecture, security and finance”
September 17th and 18th, 2009
Fourth International conference “The European city – urbanization and architecture, security and finance” will be launched this Thursday, September 17th. The two-day event is organised by the National Association of Municipal Clerks in Bulgaria and will discuss the investments, private-public partnerships, project management, water supply and sewage systems, urban security and counteraction to corruption.
Martijn Elgersma, Chargé d’Affaires of the Netherlands Embassy in Sofia will welcome the participants and guests together with the Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, the acting Mayor of Sofia Minko Gerdjikov and other officials. The opening will take place in Sofia Hall of Grand Hotel Sofia at 9 a.m. on September 17th.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Martijn Elgersma will open the „The profession “Health mediator” - successful integration policy” working meeting
September 18th, 2009
Health mediators and local authorities will discuss projects on improving the access of the vulnerable groups to health care at special round table on September 18th. „The profession “Health mediator” - successful integration policy” working meeting will be opened by Martijn Elgersma, Chargé d’Affaires of the Dutch Embassy in Sofia who will address the participants. The meeting is organised by the National Network of Health mediators and supported by MATRA/KAP program of the Netherlands Embassy in Sofia. The results of the cooperation during past year, local and national projects and programs will be in the focus of discussion.
The meeting will start at 9.30 a.m. on September 18th in Adakta hall of Rila hotel in Sofia.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Martijn Elgersma will attend the official presentation of “Fair and Balanced History” hand-book
September 18th, 2009
Innovative manual on learning and teaching of history in Bulgaria, prepared by Bulgarian and European history teachers will be presented this Friday, September 18th, 2009. Martijn Elgersma, Chargé d’Affaires of the Netherlands Embassy in Sofia, will attend the official presentation of “Fair and Balanced History” hand-book and will greet the participants. The publication represents a collection of lesson-modules on common Bulgarian, European and global historical topics, falling into five modern themes in History education. The project was supported by the MATRA program of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The official presentation of the manual will take place on Friday, 18th September, 15:30 hrs in the Main Conference Hall of the Sofia University “St. Klement Ohridski”.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The VU-Orkest (Free University Orchestra) from the Netherlands is coming to play in Bulgaria
June 30th, 2009 - Sofia
July 1st, 2009 - Plovdiv
VU-Orkest, one of the best known amateur orchestra in the Netherlands, is coming to play in Bulgaria. The orchestra, comprising of between 80 and 120 students from the Free University of Amsterdam (VU), is going to give two concerts before the Bulgarian public and the Dutch community in the country. The first performance will take place on June 30th at 19.00 hrs in Sofia ’s Bulgaria Hall and the second one will be in Plovdiv’s Philharmony at 19.00 hrs on July 1st, 2009. Both concerts are with free admittance.
The program of the concerts include Igor Stravinsky’s “Petroushka”, “Arcade” by Dutch composerTristan Keuris and the Symphony no. 6 of Dmitri Shostakovitch.
The Conductor of the orchestra is Daan Admiraal.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Boiko Borisov and Martijn Elgersma opened a 6 km long cycling path in Sofia
June 21st, 2009
On June 21st, the Major of Sofia Boiko Borisov and Martijn Elgersma, Chargé d’affaires of the Netherlands Embassy in Sofia, opened a 6 km long cycling path along the Tsar Boris III boulevard. Two employees of Sofia Municipality were trained in design of cycling infrastructure at Haskoning, a Dutch engineering consultant. Having 27% of all trips made by bicycle, the Netherlands is world leader in use of bicycles and design of cycling infrastructure.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Seminar “EU funding for projects of Dutch / Bulgarian companies”
Wednesday, June, 17th 2009
Over fifty participants attended the seminar ‘EU funding for projects of Dutch / Bulgarian companies’ organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sofia together with the EVD - Agency for International Business and Co-operation. The aim was to inform the Dutch business community in Bulgaria about opportunities for them to make use of EU funds in Bulgaria.
In the period 2007-2013 Bulgaria is entitled to use an amount of around 13 billion euro in EU structural/cohesion funds for further development. This offers interesting opportunities for Dutch companies; however, finding information about the programmes that are being financed and the ways to get involved is not easy.
After a general overview of the Operational Programmes by a representative of the ministry of Finance, several programmes were discussed more in depth and a company shared its experience with preparing proposals and projects with the audience. During the traditional Embassy Business Drink the participants exchanged their ideas and experience further. The programme contained presentations of the following organisations:
Ministry of Finance Ministry of Economy and Energy State Fund Agriculture I,
State Fund Agriculture II Ministry of Labour and Social Policy Ecorys South East Europe EVD – Agency for International Business and Co-operation
More information:
- about doing business with Dutch companies and other relevant information in English:
http://www.hollandtrade.com/vko/home.asp
- list of Dutch / Bulgarian companies in Bulgaria:
http://www.netherlandsembassy.bg/europa_en_economie/economie_en_handel/nederlandse_0
- pre – and co-financing by the Bulgarian Development Bank:
http://www.nasbank.bg/opencms/opencms/menu/en/
-------------------------------------------------------------
Sofia Design Week
June 5th – June 12th, 2009
During the SOFIA DESIGN WEEK between June 5th and June 12th, Bulgaria’s capital city will be transformed into a vibrant centre of design, welcoming some of the most avant-garde international names in the contemporary product, communication, interactive and graphic design.
 |  |
“Does form follow function or does function follow form? Intriguing questions with equally amazing answers by Dutch designers.”, said the Ambassador Willem van Ee at the opening of the festival. | Dutch design is famous with its 'Out of the box' ideas, simplicity, humour and pragmatism. |
Dutch design takes a special place in the SOFIA DESIGN WEEK. Dutch design products are world famous for being both a feast for the eyes, practical and functional. The series of events within the week are aimed at providing the Bulgarian public with a wide range of impressions on Dutch design and architecture. Some 22 expositions with free access, 17 lectures and 5 workshops will take place during SOFIA DESIGN WEEK.
The slogan of the week is NEXT IDENTITY. As one of the aims of the project is triggering development of new visual identity in long-terms. The guests and exhibitions from the Netherlands include Kesselskramer Agency, graphic designer Henk Groenendyk, Lust design agency, Richard Niessen, Esther De Vries, the Director of Young Designers & Industry Foundation Peik Suyling, and exhibitions by Droog studio, Cor Unum, Werkplaats Typographie, Chris Kabel and Studio Stallinga.
SOFIA DESIGN WEEK is sponsored by the Netherlands Embassy in Sofia.
More information about Sofia Design Week is available at http://sofiadesignweek.com/
-------------------------------------------------------------
Final Conference of the MATRA Flex project “Enhanced Capacity in Child Protection in Bulgaria”
3 June, 2009
H.E. Willem van Ee, Ambassador of the Netherlands, and the Deputy minister of labour and social policy Mrs. Svetlana Diankova will open together the final conference of the project “Enhanced Capacity in Child Protection in Bulgaria”. The project is aimed at improving child protection in Bulgaria. It is funded under the MATRA Flex program of the Dutch Government and was implemented by a consortium of Dutch organisations - International Child Development Initiatives, the Netherland Youth Institute and the Netherlands Centre for Social Development MOVISIE.
The event will take place at 13.00h at the Conference Hall N 5, floor 5, of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, 2 Triaditza str.-------------------------------------------------------------
Effective investigation and prosecution of misuse of EU funds
Monday, June 1st 2009
H.E. Willem van Ee, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bulgaria will open the conference on the official presentation of the Manual “Handbook for effective Investigation of Misuse of EU Funds”. The Manual has been developed within the project “Effective investigation and prosecution of misuse of EU funds” of Transparency International – Bulgaria and has been financed under the MATRA/KAP program of the Dutch Government. The goal of the project is to enhance the competence of investigation authorities and streamline practices of investigation of crimes affecting EU financial interests.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Visitors' Centres in Vratsa and Sofia prisons
Monday, June 1st 2009, 14.00 hrs
Martijn Elgersma, Counsellor at the Netherlands Embassy will open the a Visitor’s centre in Sofia prison. The first one was opened in Vratsa in September 2008. The centres were developed by Prison fellowship Bulgaria in the framework of a project funded by the MATRA KAP programme of the Netherlands Embassy in Sofia. The aim of the project is to reduce stigma, improve conditions for visitors and involve local communities in the work with prisoners and their families by introducing voluntary service at the Visitor centres.
-------------------------------------------------------------
February 18th, 2009
The Netherlands with 38 companies second largest at AGRA 2009
The Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, Mr Valeri Tsvetanov and H.E. Willem van Ee, Ambassador of the Netherlands opened the Holland stand at the exhibition on Febyary 18th
 |  |
H.E. Willem van Ee, discusses the fair oportunities with the Dutch Agricultural Counselor, Herman van Wissen and Mr Stefan Beacke from Primary Investment Management | Holland Stand at AGRA 2009
18 - 22 February 2009
Plovdiv, BULGARIA |
38 companies were representing the Netherlands at this years’ issue of International Agricultural exhibition AGRA 2009. Ten of them - Hotraco Agri, Boix Europe, Agriprom, Heco Stekcultures, Nedap Velos, Wiefferink, Hoogendoorn, Primary Investment Management, Pagter Innovations and De Ruiter displayed their products and technologies at the special Holland Stand.
The Holland Stand was organised by the Netherlands Embassy in Sofia and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands. It aimed to provide first-hand information about what the Netherlands can offer in the field of agriculture and to seek opportunities for establishing successful partnerships.
The Netherlands is the biggest exporter of agricultural products in Europe and Bulgaria’s core partner in agriculture. It is among the biggest foreign investors in Bulgaria’s agriculture and the Dutch export to Bulgaria has doubled after the EU accession and reached EUR 107 million in 2007. It represents almost one third of the total Dutch export to Bulgaria amounting to EUR 372.5 million.
The Netherlands is an important supplier of agricultural inputs, planting materials and farming equipment in the country. The companies participating in the AGRA Fair represent wide range of activities from production of agricultural machinery and supply of greenhouse technologies to investments in long term agro projects, with a focus to sustainability.
-------------------------------------------------------------
January 26, 2009
The Netherlands contributes 600 000 Leva for equal access of children to social services
H.E. Willem Van Ee visits Ruse for the launch of the project ”Planning and Improvement of Social Services” and to meet with local authorities and Dutch companies in the region
On Monday, January 26, 2009, the Ambassador of the Netherlands H.E. Willem Van Ee is visiting Ruse to open, together with Minister of Labor and Social Policy Emilia Maslarova and UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria Octavian Bivol, the pilot project Planning and Improvement of Social Services at regional level in Ruse region. The project was developed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and UNICEF and is funded with a 600 000 Leva grant from the Netherlands. The aim of the project is to guide municipalities in better planning and implementation of social services, in order to make the best use of the possibilities of the decentralisation policies of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and in this way to improve the access of children and their families to quality social services based on the needs of the children. The Dutch involvement in this project is a follow up to the promise of Dutch Minister for EU Affairs Timmermans to further support the Bulgarian government’s child protection policies after his visit to the Home for Disabled Children in Mogilino in February 2008.
“Today’s project touches upon the very essence of the European Union: cohesion and solidarity. There is one set of standards for all member states. Bulgaria has made tremendous progress, but the work is not over yet. That is why we give Bulgaria a helping hand, as a real friend and partner.”, says H.E. Willem Van Ee.
The Netherlands has been working actively with Bulgaria during its pre-accession process and continues to do so now Bulgaria is a full-fledged member of the EU. Numerous bilateral activities have been supported by the Dutch government and Dutch non-governmental organisations in the area of justice and home affairs, environment, energy, social inclusion, child care, care for people with a handicap or with special needs, welfare and civil society.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Seminar “The Netherlands – Partners in Water Management”
Organised by the Netherlands Embassy
December 11th, 2008 at 14.00 h.
Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan
(working language Bulgarian and English)
Representatives of the Bulgarian Government, environmental and financial specialists will be present at the seminar and will discuss the implementation of economic instruments in the field of water resources, as well as water treatment. Representatives of leading Dutch companies and organisations working in the field will present good case practices in water management and technology.
For more information please contact the economic department of the embassy, sof-ea@minbuza.nl
------------------------------------------------------------
Sofia Baroque Arts Festival
2 – 30 November 2008 with concerts in Sofia, Pernik and Varna
The Netherlands Embassy in Sofia supports two concerts of the Dutch Ensemble CORDeVENTO in the framework of the Sofia Baroque Arts Festival.
The concerts will take place on 26 November at 6 pm at the Cultural Palace in Pernik and on 27 and 28 November at 7.30 pm at the Sofia Art Gallery. Tickets are available at 02/8029137 and 0878633574 and www.luxuriaeuropae.com.
For more information in English about the festival program, please click here and about Ensemble CORDeVENTO and Sofia Baroque Arts Festival, please click on their names.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zuco 103 in Sofia op 24 oktober
On Friday 24 October at 20.00 hrs the Dutch group Zuco 103 will perform in the Hristo Botev Hall in Sofia. The concert take place in the framework of the Meet the World Festival and is supported by the Netherland Embassy in Sofia. They play the specific brazilelectro – a term especially made up to define the style of the sounds Zuco 103 produce, resembling energetic launch music.
Tickets for the concert at www.ticketplus.bg , in "Djukan Meloman", the NDK ticket centre and Picadilly and Photosynthesis supermarkets, costs 30 leva.
More info about Zuco 103 at: http://www.musicfrom.nl/artiesten/3359/zuco-103.html
The Netherlands Ambassador bestows the BG-NL NATURA 2000 guidelines, 17 October 2008
H.E. Willem van Ee, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bulgaria will hand over the final recommendations of the "Favorable Conservation Status for Natura 200 species and habitat type in Bulgaria" projects to the Deputy Minister of Environment and Waters Mr. Alexander Kostadinov.
For more information, please click here.
Neco Novellas in Sofia/Rousse - 10 - 11 October, 2008
On 10 December, Friday, Neco Novellas will surprise us with rhythmic jazz mix of African, Brazilian and European sound in the Sofia Military Club at 8 pm. On the next day, 11 December, his band is performing at the Rousse Opera House. The concerts take place in the framework of the Meet the World Festival and are supported by the Netherland Embassy in Sofia.
Tickets are available at the Ticket Center of the National Palace of Culture, online via the websites of Eventim, Ticketstreem and TicketPlus and in Piccadilly supermarkets and Germanos shops.
For more information about Neco Novellas, click here.
A Seminar on Domestic Violence under the MATRA KAP programme
On 26 September Mr. Andri van Mens, advisor in JHA at the Netherlands Embassy in Sofia will address the closing session of the seminar for police inspectors in the framework of the Creation of a Model for Counteracting Domestic Violence in Dupnitsa Region MATRA project.
For additional information, please read the attached 
press release.
“Safeguarding Refugee Protection in Bulgaria” Conference
On Thursday, 25 September 2008, H.E. Willem van Ee, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sofia will address the starting conference of the “Safeguarding Refugee Protection in Bulgaria” project implemented by the Bulgarian and the Dutch Councils for Refugees with the financial support of the MATRA programme of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For more information, please read the attached press release.
JAM ON IT Festival
The well renowned Dutch hip-hop group Sour Warriors famous for its unique dancing style is taking part in the JAM ON IT Festival in the period 19 – 22 September in Smoljan and Sofia with the kind support of the Netherlands embassy in Sofia. The young dancers will participate in the festival competition and organize workshops in its framework.
JAM ON IT is taking place for the 9th time in both cities. It’s organized by Sleepwalkingz, a young NGO crew working for the development of street arts and culture in young people’s life and society in Bulgaria.
The Sofia event is scheduled for 22 September at 19.30 in front of the National Palace of Culture. Access is free.
For more information, please go to the JAM ON IT Festival website.
Vratsa opent een nieuw bezoekerscentrum in de gevangenis
Donderdag 18 september zal in de gevangenis van Vratsa een nieuw bezoekerscentrum worden geopend. Dit gebeurt in het kader van een project ter verbetering van de bezoekerssystemen in de gevangenissen van Vratsa en Sofia. Het project wordt geïmplementeerd door de 'Prison Fellowship Bulgaria' met financiële steun van het Nederlandse Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken in het kader van het MATRA KAP programma van de ambassade.
Klik hier voor meer informatie
