UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ARE HEAVING A HISTORY RICH IN ACHIEVEMENTS, DECLARES H.H. SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID – PRIME MINISTER OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

On 1 December 2011 an European media delegation, headed by Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and attending United Arab Emirates National Day Celebration,  was received  by  H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

The delegation headed by professor Dr. Anton Caragea witnessed the extraordinary and charged with love atmosphere of the meeting between Dubai Ruler and Vice-President of United Arab Emirates and the people of Emirates .

H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid-Vice-President of United Arab Emirates, Prime -Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed welcomed his guests by reciting a short poem in which he reflected his nationalistic feelings of the UAE’s 40th National Day and his pride in the second of December which forms a turning point for the UAE people and leadership.

Addressing the audience, especially the young people who were born after the union, Sheikh Mohammed said that the age of 40 is the age of maturity, that’s why God sent down His revelation on his Prophet Muhammad ( peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) when he reached 40 years.

Sheikh Mohammed said that the 40th national day is the stage of maturity for our country which has made great achievements at the national, cultural and humanitarian levels. Through these achievements, he said, the UAE has not only vied with others but has also set an example for others to follow and learn from its long experience.

He added that contrary to what others, who live in prosperity and luxury today, believe, the way was not planted with flowers, but it was full of challenges and dangers in addition to other outside influences, which without Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid’s resolve and national sense such a union would not have been possible.

Sheikh Mohammed went on to point out that the most important achievement made during the time of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and sustained today by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is man, especially the youth who represent the highest percentage of the UAE citizens. He added that the youth are the future and we, as leaders, rely on them and their ability to shoulder the responsibility and take the initiative to build their future and the future of the generations to come to achieve the national goals, hopes and aspirations of their people.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed hope that when the UAE celebrates its 50th national day it will be ranked as one of the best countries the world in all fields; our people, amongst the most civilized and forward looking of nations, by God’s guidance and the support of its leadership.

Speaking about his wishes before the establishment of the modern state many of which, he said, have been achieved today, Sheikh Mohammed said that when he had visited European and non European countries for study or tourism and saw great achievements in those countries ‘ infrastructures, armies, cultural and educational institutions and others; he wished such achievements would be made at home.

Talking further about his dreams and wishes, Sheikh Mohammed went on to say that he dreamed of a strong country, strong people, strong leadership, strong economy, and strong achievements, adding that when he saw the fighter planes during the Dubai Air Show, he wished his country would have this kind of weapon; now I tell you that our factory in Al Ain manufactures spare parts for these planes; this national factory is part of my national dreams.

Talking with pride about the perseverance and heritage of the fathers and ancestors, Sheikh Mohammed said that the people and the leadership of the country inherited perseverance from our fathers and forefathers, who have suffered hardship to keep alive and provide their children with food and drink. They used to dive in the dangerous sea to bring the fish to their children. They lived with all kinds of challenges in the Arabian Peninsula from which they started their journey to the world spreading Islam; they are the pioneers who defended their island and their land. I would like to tell you, young people, that despite all the challenges achievements were made and you, in the UAE, are harvesting the fruit of the challenges your fathers and forefathers had endured and overcome.

H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid-Vice-President of United Arab Emirates

Sheikh Mohammed went further to touch on the invasion of the Gulf region by foreign powers, which brought about devastation and havoc to the land and the sea, and destruction and exploitation of the riches and which adopted other colonial and abhorrent methods, forcing the people of the region to fight those occupiers and expel them to attain independence. After liberating their land from the enemies, our grandparents returned to fishing and diving for pearls. As a result, the pearl industry flourished and the people felt a kind of prosperity. Those people survived and resisted until they have become in line with developed countries, able to have influence on and make change in the world’s economic and political map.

He warned the youth against despair, calling on them to equip themselves with patience, perseverance and determination to achieve their ambitions through reviving the heritage of their grandparents and ancestors.

Sheikh Mohammed briefed his guests about the differences and difficulties the rulers of the emirates faced before signing of the Union’s constitution and the declaration of the state of the United Arab Emirates. In this regard, he said that the late Sheikh Zayed and the late Sheikh Rashid met in a tent in the Al Sameeh area on the borders between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, accompanied by some other people and I was among those who witnessed the meeting and the signing of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rahshid on the draft constitution, despite the reluctance of the rest of the rulers of the Emirates; Ras Al Khaimah was the last to sign.

He touched on the role of the British in fueling negative feelings among some rulers, using the method of “divide and rule”, taking advantage of the marginal disputes that prevailed during the consultations and meetings held by Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid with the other rulers; Sheikh Zayed managed lastly through his expertise, patience, wisdom and patriotism to convince them to join him and his brother, Sheikh Rashid and sign on the interim constitution, and then, he announced the Union on the second of December, 1971 at the Union House in Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed went on to relate to his guests the various challenges , which faced the union, which without the perseverance and insistence of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid, our dream to live today under one leadership and one flag and have a stable, sovereign and an independent country, would not have been possible.

Commenting on what others write and say about the country and its people, denying us our values, culture, history and heritage and claiming that we are merely an oil country and luxury loving people, Sheikh Mohammed responded: yes, we are a rich and an oil producing country; nevertheless, we have our own civilization, Arab and Islamic culture and a history that is rich in achievements.

We possess all elements of a decent life based on equality, justice, humanity, and we reach out to all people of the world who need our support. “Concluding his lecture, Sheikh Mohammed recited some love and nationalistic poems, adding an atmosphere of intimacy to the gathering and knocking down barriers between His Highness and the young people who were happy with this talk and proud of their leader, wishing him and the UAE leadership all good health and glory.

Prime Minister Kamla Pershad Bissessar – TRINIDAD TOBAGO DESERVES TO BE WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2012

The award of World’s Best Tourist Destination will significantly assist in branding destination Trinidad and Tobago globally. We must change the perception of our country in the overseas markets. We must celebrate our country and work hard to sell our country abroad. It is anticipated that this award will open us to untapped European markets that are perhaps weary of the traditional leisure destinations and desire a more exciting vacation experience.

Honorable Kamla Pershad Bissessar –Prime Minister of Government of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago 

Date: Wednesday October 19, 2011

Venue: Regency Hall-  Hyatt Regency Trinidad

Time: 12.30pm

I am indeed truly humbled and deeply honoured to be standing here today to accept, on behalf of the People of Trinidad and Tobago, the World’s Best Tourism Destination Award for 2012 from the European Union Council on Tourism and Trade. A non-governmental organisation, this body has a wide ranging membership of tourism representatives within the European Union.  

We were also declared the World’s Favourite Cultural Destination in 2012 by the European Union Council on Tourism and Trade.  

It is my understanding that this award was unanimously given to Trinidad and Tobago primarily for our history of impressive cultural festivals, environmental conservation and biodiversity protection amongst other factors.  

It is not an award that is traditionally given to well-established tourism destinations but it is the highest honour awarded to non-European Union countries that have embraced sustainable tourism as a tool for cultural and social development and that respect and preserve their cultural and natural heritage.  

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the European Union Council on Tourism and Trade for having us join other distinguished winners of this award such as the United Arab Emirates, Syria and South Koreea. 

But moreover, I thank the Council for recognising what most of us fail to acknowledge and value. And this is … Trinidad and Tobago is brim-full with tourism potential.  

We are not the traditional sun, sea and surf destination. What differentiates us from the rest of our Caribbean neighbours is our diverse and rich natural, cultural and built heritage.  

This People’s Partnership Government is seriously committed and dedicated to the development of the tourism industry in Trinidad and Tobago. Tourism is an incredibly important pillar in our national economic diversification effort.  

We are not paying “lip service” to the industry as some may have done in the past. For too long tourism has been looked down on as a second class service sector. 

We recognise that tourism is a business and fiercely competitive. Tourism requires skills, talent, enterprise and more importantly the support of government. 

The award of World’s Best Tourist Destination for 2012 is important for several reasons.  

Firstly, it facilitates the formation of closer linkages with Europe for tourism, trade and investment possibilities. The European continent, as in its colonial past, is a formidable trading partner especially with the fall of communism and the rise of new economic powers.  

Europe is, and will certainly continue to be, a cornerstone for our international business.  

Ladies and gentlemen,  

The economic and social advancement of this beautiful twin island Republic of ours depends to a large extent on how well we develop and harness our resources. And one such untapped resource is that of tourism.  

The award of World’s Best Tourist Destination will significantly assist in branding destination Trinidad and Tobago globally. We must change the perception of our country in the overseas markets. We must celebrate our country and work hard to sell our country abroad.  

It is anticipated that this award will open us to untapped European markets that are perhaps weary of the traditional leisure destinations and desire a more exciting vacation experience.

Ladies and Gentlemen,  

An important opportunity that this award presents is a platform to advance the commitments of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). 

As many of you may or may not be aware, in 2008 Trinidad and Tobago, along with its neighbours in the rest of the region, embarked upon a reciprocal trade agreement with one of our largest trading partners – the European Union (EU). The signing of the EPA signalled a shift in our trade and economic development. 

We are now required to open our markets to Eastern Union manufacturers and service providers; but the EPA also provides market access for our country’s export of services to the European Union.  

The Economic Partnership Agreement also speaks to specific disciplines on tourism services because of its importance to the social and economic development of the European Union and the Caribbean. These rules are complemented by a commitment to legally binding open market conditions for each other. For instance, the Europe Union has made commitments for travel agencies, tour operators, tourist guides services.  

Trinidad and Tobago, on the other hand, have made commitments in relation to hotels and restaurants, marina services and spa services.  

The EPA also includes measures that would make it easier for European Union investors to invest in the Trinidad and Tobago. This award, then, will provide a platform to attract increased investment and to promote growth and development in the tourism sector. The Economic Partnership Agreement is, therefore, rendered more relevant, more strategic and more focused on deliverables.

Honorable Prime Minister Kamla Pershad Bissessar receives WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD  for 2012.

The World’s Best Tourism Destination award will, moreover, engender a measure of national pride amongst our citizenry and raise the level of public confidence in Trinidad and Tobago as a tourist destination. 

We should be proud of our country and its tourism potential. We have so much to be proud of, so much to share with each other, and so much to show off to the rest of the world. Let us not doubt or question our intrinsic value.

In closing, ladies and gentlemen, I must take a moment to publicly acknowledge the hard work and sacrifices of our tourism community … the stakeholders in our midst. The last few years have been quite challenging for all in the tourism industry. 

But rest assured that the tourism industry will get the backing it needs. 

But we cannot do it alone. We have all to work together. The private sector in the lead but with government acting as a facilitator; supporting every step of the way.

I want to urge you to continue working with commitment, energy and enthusiasm for the betterment of the tourism industry. 

I thank you. God’s richest blessings on us all.

EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS INAUGURATES AN AMBITIOUS GERMAN-ROMANIAN MEDICAL PROJECT

On 22 September 2011, in a large ceremony, will be marked the opening of the most ambitious medical project in South East Europe, under the High Patronage of European Council on International Relations: LARA LIFE MED CLINIC .

Lara Med Life Clinic Headquarters

The project is the fruition of European cooperation between MedNord Klinik   from Germany and Romanian Med Clinic and the new medical facility will offer at European Union standards medical assistance in Eastern Europe. The ambitious project is uniting the high proficiency of Romanian medical school and technical knowhow of German Medical environment.

European Council on International Relations had accepted to offer his High Patronage to the new institution as this is an example of trans-European cooperation, is offering medical services for benefit of all European Union members’ states and is improving transnational cooperation.

The 22 September 2011 ceremony will be hosted by UNICEF Ambassador Andreea Marin and H.E President of European Council on International Relations, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and will include a presentation of the new clinic and hospital that will offer services on lab analyses , work medicine , family medicine ,   cardiology, gastro , psychology , ORL, ophthalmology, nutritional disorders , neurology and frontier medicine ( non-invasive ).

The scientific part of the conference will be held by Professor Dr. Norbert Pfuetzenreuter, the founder of MedNord Klinik in Munich, who will present the latest successes of endoscopic surgery (surgery without blood) and Prof.Dr. Ralf Senner from Munich Institute for Study of Nutritional Disorders, who will present the latest achievements in over-weight patient’s treatment and recuperation.

(from left to wright) Minister of Energy-Petru Lificiu , Mrs. Laura Ciuhu-Director Lara Med Life , Professor Dr. Anton Caragea , President of European Council on International Relations and H.E. Ambassador of Nigeria

The conference will conclude with the presentation of managerial team of this important medical project by H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on International Relations. Mrs. Laura Ciuhu, head of managerial team will then formally present to the public the new managerial and medical team.

The opening of LARA LIFE MED CLINIC is representing the fruition of a long time project of European Council on International Relations of fostering the cooperation between European Union member’s states and entities on all levels and on all fields of activity as only friendship and mutual knowledge could build a United Europe.