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Tag: Netherlands

  • Netherlands orders expulsion of Russian diplomats

    Netherlands orders expulsion of Russian diplomats

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    The Dutch government on Saturday ordered the expulsion of several Russian diplomats over Russia’s “continued attempts to place intelligence officers into the Netherlands under diplomatic cover.”

    The Netherlands also said it will close its consulate general in St. Petersburg on Monday and the Russian trade office in Amsterdam by Tuesday.

    The moves are the latest development in ongoing negotiations over visas for diplomats: The Netherlands expelled 17 Russian diplomats last March over espionage concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — after which Russia expelled 15 Dutch diplomats.

    “Negotiations with Russia over the terms of sending diplomats back and forth to diplomatic posts have so far come to nothing,” the government said in a statement Saturday. “Russia keeps trying to surreptitiously place intelligence officers in the Netherlands as diplomats. At the same time, Russia refuses to issue visas for Dutch diplomats to staff the consulate general in St. Petersburg and the embassy in Moscow.”

    It described the situation as “unacceptable” and “untenable.” The Dutch government added that it was “important to keep the embassies open as a communication channel, even now that relations with Russia are more difficult than ever.”

    The diplomats now have two weeks to leave the country.

    The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will “give an appropriate response” to the Dutch decision, according to a report by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.



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    ( With inputs from : www.politico.eu )

  • Gulf countries condemn tearing up copy of Holy Quran in Netherlands

    Gulf countries condemn tearing up copy of Holy Quran in Netherlands

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    The Gulf countries expressed strong condemnation and denunciation of a far-right politician of the Netherlands tearing a copy of the Holy Quran.

    On Monday, Edwin Wagensveld shared a video clip on his official Twitter page of him tearing the Quran in front of the parliament building in The Hague.

    The video shows the Dutch police standing behind the politician without moving a finger. Wagensveld later burned the torn pages of the Quran in a frying pan.

    Gulf countries condemn

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Kuwait on Tuesday condemned Wagensveld’s act.

    In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the act as a provocative step to the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world.

    The four countries foreign ministries affirmed their position calling for a need to respect religious symbols and sanctities, to avoid incitement and polarization at a time when the world needs to work together to spread the values ​​of tolerance and coexistence.

    GCC condemn

    The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Nayef Al-Hajraf, condemned the burning of the Holy Quran and affirmed its firm position calling on the international community to assume responsibility to stop such unacceptable actions.

    This comes days after the far-right Rasmus Paludan, leader of the Danish hard-line party burned a copy of the Holy Quran near the Turkish embassy in the Swedish capital Stockholm under strict police protection on January 20.

    This incident sparked widespread Gulf condemnations, amid intense popular calls for a comprehensive commercial boycott of Swedish goods.



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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Indian women’s hockey team lose 1-3 to Netherlands

    Indian women’s hockey team lose 1-3 to Netherlands

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    Indian women's hockey team lose 1-3 to Netherlands

    Cape Town: After a strong outing against home team South Africa in a four-match series which the Indian women’s hockey team won 3-0, the Savita-led side lost 1-3 to World No.1 Netherlands in a hard-fought match here.

    The Indian team are scheduled to play three matches against the Netherlands as part of their Tour of South Africa. Riding on good form, the Indian side got off to a strong, attacking start with young sensation Beauty Dungdung scoring a brilliant field goal in the 24th minute of the match.

    While the 1-0 lead gave India a head start, the lead didn’t last long enough with Netherlands scoring an equaliser in the 29th minute. It was a PC converted by Felice Albers.

    While both teams played on par with each other in the third quarter, no goals were scored but Netherlands went into top gear in the final quarter scoring two important goals to end the match with 3-1 on board. It was Yibby Janssen and Freeke Moes who scored in Netherlands’ victory.

    On January 26, India will play Netherlands again in the second match.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )