Up close and personal with H.E. Mr Bastiaan Freark Hakse
- Maša Recek
- May 3, 2017
- 5 min read
Having the opportunity to interview the newly appointed Permanent Representative of Russian Federation to the United Nations H.E. Mr. Bastiaan Freark Hakse we met in a very informal way. As I have introduced myself as Maša Recek, the Editor-in-Chief of The Intercpetor, he simply introduced himself as 'the boss'. And that's how I called him. After we have spoken a few words I have also asked him to tell me something personal about himself.
I'm Bastiaan Hakse (Bas for short) and I am representing the Russian Federation in the General Assembly. I am from the Netherlands but came to Ljubljana to experience the foreign student life. Thus far it has been a really good and educative experience. In my free time I love to read classical literature and philosophy, but I also go to the gym about 3 times a week since I can't function without working out/playing sports. During the past Summers I visited a lot of European music festivals with my group of high-school friends but lately I've been more interested in exploring the world having crossed China off my list last year. I am looking forward to GASIM 2017!
Why did you decide to represent Russia? Was it your first choice, or something random?
Russia was indeed my first choce, but because I had made a silly mistake at the beginning where I though one of the topics was the Arctic not Antarctic, because the Arctic is more interesting currently for Russia. But Antarctica is also interesting for Russia, because it has a lot of ice-breakers, interests within the region, particularly, because Russia always seeks to get more buffer zones, gain more influence within the regions, especially after the disintegration of the USSR and the lost of territories and with former Warsaw pact countries joining the NATO or even the EU. Russia has been kind of an 'under-dog' in some of the aspects, but it's getting back on the map, finding its spot between China and United States of America, where it can't really position itself completely on either pole, but it rather sits in between. Russia is also building a lot of scientific bases, making progress within the scientific and techological sphere etc.
You have mentioned a lot of progress and kind of scientific endeavour that Russia is clearly interested in when it comes to the Antarctic, but can we expect the same behaviour when it comes to claiming the territories and natural resources that go with it?
No comment on that, but we will work within the Antarctic Treaty.
With regards to the Outer Space Treaty, Russia has always had good relations with the US, in terms of reaching mutual independence and it seeks to prolong the cooperation. We are actually trying to get to the moon by the 2030, so we seek to establish a colony there. We would also like to preserve the Outer Space Treaty, especially in terms of the arms race, we want to prevent any countries from building or using weapons in outer space, the Treaty should be used as a peaceful base, upon which we can all build on.
Seeing Russia being very concerned about preventing the arms race within the space and also in the Antarctica region, can you tell me something more about the diversity management and how will you work in this direction?
Well, Russia has some issues or is trying to address the status of guest workers that come from other countries to work. We are trying to do our best, when it comes to providing only the best to these people and to address their everyday needs, however, we are being heavily sanctioned from the EU, which is putting a lot of constraint on our country and we cannot provide for this people in the sense of giving them the opportunities to develop and prosper in the broadest terms. If we extend the diversity management even further, to womens rights and women emancipation, Russia actually has the highest number of women in the high axis of power, the number is 47 %. So, we're doing quite well in these areas.
Can we expect Russia sticking to old friendships and alliances or are we in for surprise?
We expect to get along with everybody, so we can all prosper in coherence and fruitful collaboration. We dont' see issues only as friends or foes, it's more about mutual cooperation and even further deepening our relations.
At the first Mock session we could really see Russia being open to collaboration and being very open in terms of helping others and being very ready to get things done.
We're an interdependent and global country and this is our strategy to help and further integrate. Especially in terms of Outer Space Treaty, we're counting on the help of USA, because they will need our capsules to get to the International Space Station, on the other hand we need some of their solar reflective material, so there's a lot of mutual coperation to be expected. And with China as well, we think we're stronger – the three of us. And of course other, younger space agencies and countries on this endeavour.
With regards to your National Strategy and individual areas, is there anything specifically you are working on?
With regards to the Antarctic Treaty, we wish to stay within the compounds of the Treaty. With regards to the Colonisation of Outer Space, we wish to talk about the Moon Treaty and its possible implications. We wish to further strengthen the Outer Space Treaty with regards to the use of weapons and other applicable regulations.
So with regards to the Outer Space Treaty, could you say the parts of it can stil be applicable, but in general, could we say it is outdated and that it needs to be revised?
On the some parts it can still be applicable, but hopefully there will be some issues that might come up in the General Assembly and we'll be able to elaborate and work on that.With the world changing so rapidly, there a lot of issues that countries have to deal with, especially with the migrant crisis and it is in the interest of Russia to understand other countries and their views on these issues. As of just mentioned the Outer Space Treaty from 1967, but there are a lot of new changes in technology and science so we think the debate will be very fruitful for the countries to address these issues.
Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to?
Russia is much looking to mutual collaboration. Thank you.
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