The non-EU open embassies were better

The European Union Delegation building at K and 22nd was the only "open embassy" I found Saturday which had no waiting, perhaps because it was far (relatively speaking) from the embassies and because it's not an embassy!/By Patricia Leslie

Better for shorter wait times, more food and drink, more tours, more interiors, almost three times as many open (59 v. 24) which helped spread out the crowds and afforded opportunities to see more embassies!

Comparing last week's "open embassies" with this week's and there was no disputing the winner.  

No close horse race.  Not even a horse in sight May 13 but Saudi Arabia had one May 6. (Huh?  See last week's link above.) 

No overweight ambassadors allowed at the ambassadors' table at the EU Delegation building since it's a bit of a squeeze to get in and sit down/By Patricia Leslie

Although not a member (yet), Ukraine had a table and representatives at the EU Delegation building/By Patricia Leslie

Between the couple is a signature on the Ukrainian flag by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy which says "Ukraine is Brave!" The fellow pictured above did not appear that glum when chatting, only when photographed. They gave out lapel pins which said "Ukraine NOW." Yes!/By Patricia Leslie

Only at the European Union Center on K Street was there no waiting on Saturday to enter and check out the digs for a few moments, welcome the Ukrainian delegation, see the ambassadors' meeting table (so small and crowded, even empty), collect an EU bag (nice) and  thermos and move on.

The crowds Saturday!  

Oh, my!  The waits!  Of no less than an hour each at Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Romania and Slovenia.  

Too much and too many!

Student art depicting the importance of water was displayed in a hallway at the EU Delegation building. A description of the artist, an elementary school student in Croatia, Nela Bolfek, included: "The water in Croatia is still clean and she [the artist] realizes that she is the one who will in the future protect the cleanliness of the water."/By Patricia Leslie

A gallery of student art at the EU Delegation building/By Patricia Leslie

From the EU building, up 22nd I walked to find massive crowds, here at the Luxembourg embassy on the left and, across Mass Ave., a line waiting for Greece/By Patricia Leslie

The line at Luxembourg wrapped left around the building and then down a street. Beer's always a good draw but it wasn't necessary Saturday since the crowds came, beer or not which was usually the latter/By Patricia Leslie

After an hour's wait, finally!  Here we are at the Romanian embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Nothing to consume at Romania (like I only go for the eats, but they do make a difference; sure) but dancers and singers to entertain under a tent outside.

 Romanian dancers entertain those in the line/By Patricia Leslie

More Romanian dancers entertain/By Patricia Leslie

At last!  Inside one of the EU embassies which was Romania here where a wine salesman talked about the goodness of Romanian wines, but (sorrow) none to sample! Perhaps, I was too young/By Patricia Leslie

Upstairs at the Romanian embassy. See the beautiful railing and the luxurious room which overlooks 23rd/By Patricia Leslie

Upstairs at the Romanian embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Upstairs at the Romanian embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Upstairs at the Romanian embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Meanwhile, back on the streets, take a look at this!  The line on the left was waiting for Greece, while the line on the right which is hardly visible, was waiting for Bulgaria.  Wait on, brothers and sisters!  Wait on! I won't be there/By Patricia Leslie

The line to Croatia was too long but these musicians played for the weary/By Patricia Leslie

Alas, the line was too long at Slovenia for me to wait. After three hours, all I got in was one embassy (Romania) and the EU House. Last week I visited eight of the embassies where none of us starved.  Maybe, the non-EUs can give classes to the EUs and show them how "open embassies day" is done right/By Patricia Leslie

At Croatia I did not wait, nor at Bulgaria, Greece, Slovenia, or Luxembourg, but on the sidewalk beyond the line at Luxembourg, I chanced upon some lads who told me they skipped the tour line and headed straight for the tented outdoor bar (okay with the guard) which took me about 20 seconds to join them and sample beer (which tasted like apple beer ?) and collect American candy bars (?) and cookies.

Ahhh...some sustenance.  It was after lunch, but everyone seemed happy and no one was complaining, although several gave up waiting in the lines and moved on.  Smart people!

On my way to Slovenia (having missed the California Ave. turn), I passed by the former Venezuelan embassy and residence, all closed up now but not several years ago when Hugo Chávez was president, and the Corcoran Gallery (or the Smithsonian? can't remember) hosted a wonderful (paid) dinner for members and a first-floor tour of the facility.

Nice!  

Today we were blessed by cloudy skies, a drizzle here and there, excellent waiting temperatures and, after all, opportunities to visit embassies, presuming you had all day and night, if they were open that long. Not!

patricialesli@gmail.com

At the think tanks: the Romanian Ambassador to the United States

George Maior, Ambassador of Romania to the United States, speaking at the Hudson Institute, March 19, 2019/Photo by Patricia Leslie


"I am a diplomat," said George Maior, ambassador of Romania to the United States, answering a question about NATO at a talk he gave at the Hudson Institute Tuesday.


"NATO functions well despite differences," and its members "have values and common interests. We should work for creating harmony" rather than talk about disagreements, said Mr. Maior, 51, whose nation in January began its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union.
  
Europe faces "many challenges on a global scale," Mr. Ambassador said.


The E.U.'s main concern is the upcoming departure of the United Kingdom from its ranks, a topic of utmost interest at the Hudson.

Ambassador Maior said the E.U. will "remain just as strong without the U.K." but countries in north central and Western Europe "really, really consider [Brexit] a great loss," and "we must face this pragmatically."

The U.K. exit can become "lose, lose" for the E.U. and the U.K.

High on the agenda at a May summit will be E.U.'s future, said Mr. Maior.

At the crowded afternoon session, Mr. Maior addressed the relationship between the E.U. and the U.S., stressing the importance of cooperation and "shared values."

"European and American destinies have always been and need to be interconnected" to "benefit both."

The U.S. and the E.U. share "a great track record" which "has made a difference to people around the world."

Europe "needs more, not less" U.S. involvement in Europe, based on the agreement of the Transatlantic Partnership, the ambassador said.

On left is Walter Russell Mead of the Hudson Institute with George Maior, Ambassador of Romania to the United States, at the Hudson Institute, March 19, 2019/Photo by Patricia Leslie


After Ambassador Maior's remarks, there was time for a few questions and answers, some about Turkey, which, moderator Walter Russell Mead noted, is "an important part of Romania's economy."

"From NATO's point of view," said Ambassador Maior, "Turkey's presence is vital for the alliance." 

And how about reported human rights violations in Turkey?

"We are concerned everywhere in terms of the rule of law and human rights."

He labeled the area around the Black Sea, "a region in turmoil," affected by the war in Georgia and Russia's "illegal annexation" of Crimea.

A man who identified his organization as the Russian News Agency asked about missiles in Romania which belong to the U.S.*

"I do not agree [with the question]," Mr. Maior said. The missiles do not belong to the U.S. "but they are a NATO project" for protection for Europe against missiles from the Middle East.  "They have nothing to do with Russia."

The ambassador talked about 45 minutes in this chapter in the institute's "Ambassadors Series."

*When it woke up this morning, missiles were on Russia's mind. See comments by the Russian ambassador to the U.S., Anatoly Antonov, at the Stimson Center, March 4, 2019.
 
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