Latest news with #BilateralCooperation
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Final preparations underway for Putin-Trump summit: Live updates
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, are set to hold high-stakes talks on resolving the Ukraine conflict in Anchorage, Alaska. The negotiations, due to begin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Friday at around 20:00 GMT, will primarily focus on finding a settlement to the Ukraine conflict. According to Moscow, global 'peace and security' as well as 'further development of bilateral cooperation' in the economy and trade will also be on the agenda. In addition to Putin, the Russian delegation includes Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, and presidential economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who has been a key figure in the Ukraine settlement process. The US has yet to confirm the line-up of its delegation, although apart from Trump, it is expected to include Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy to Ukraine and the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Ahead of the talks, Moscow said it has a 'clear and well-defined' stance as well as arguments to present to the US side. Trump has described the summit as a 'feel-out meeting,' assessing that it has a 25% chance of failing. The US president has suggested that the talks could focus on a land swap deal between Russia and Ukraine. Moscow maintains it will not give up Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions, which joined the country in public referendums in 2014 and 2022.
LBCI
22-07-2025
- Business
- LBCI
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun says visit to Bahrain a step toward stronger bilateral ties
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described his official visit to Bahrain as a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties between Lebanon and Bahrain across political, economic, and cultural fields. "I look forward to fruitful meetings with His Majesty the King and senior Bahraini officials to discuss ways of advancing bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on regional and international issues," Aoun said. He affirmed Lebanon's pride in its longstanding relationship with Bahrain and expressed appreciation for the kingdom's consistent support in international and regional forums. Aoun also praised Bahrain's constructive role in promoting stability and development throughout the Arab region. The president emphasized that the visit would help open new avenues for strategic partnership, particularly in economic, investment, and tourism sectors. "We are working together in the interest of both our peoples and to elevate the status of our two countries amid the challenging circumstances facing the region," Aoun concluded.
The National
09-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Chinese Premier Li Qiang visits Egypt to deepen ties as US relations sour
Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Egypt on Wednesday for a two-day official visit aimed at deepening economic ties and 'strategic co-ordination' between Beijing and Cairo. The trip highlights Egypt 's growing role within the Brics bloc of emerging economies and its pivot towards diversifying alliances amid strained ties with the US and Israel. Premier Li was welcomed at Cairo International Airport by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and senior government officials. A formal ceremony, including the national anthems of both countries and a review of the Egyptian honour guard, marked the start of a visit focused on enhancing bilateral co-operation across trade, investment and infrastructure. 'China and Egypt, as important members of the Global South, should further strengthen strategic co-ordination to safeguard their common interests,' Mr Li said during a short address upon his arrival. Egypt's growing frustration with Israel 's policies in Gaza and its perception of US inaction have driven Cairo to recalibrate its foreign policy. Analysts say Egypt is increasingly prioritising partnerships with China and Brics nations to reduce its reliance on Washington. The shift has been partly motivated by US President Donald Trump's staunch support for Israel, including his repeated demands to resettle Palestinians from Gaza into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Cairo has firmly rejected that plan, viewing it as a threat to its national security and a move that would undermine the Palestinian cause. Egypt's main telecoms building catches fire, paralysing city Though Egyptian officials insist that Cairo's ties with the US remain vital, recent Chinese investments and military co-operation, including the procurement of advanced HQ-9B air defence systems and joint air drills, underscore the shift in Cairo's orientation. Premier Li's visit comes as China's role grows as a key economic partner for Egypt. Discussions between Chinese and Egyptian officials during the trip are expected to culminate in agreements aimed at expanding Chinese investments in Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), a hub for trade and logistics, according to a cabinet statement on Wednesday. Under China's Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese companies have played a pivotal role in large-scale Egyptian projects, including Africa's tallest skyscraper and the country's first electrified light rail system. The SCZone's China-Egypt Teda Economic and Trade Co-operation Zone has become a focal point for these efforts, housing 185 enterprises with a total investment of $3 billion. The recent groundbreaking of a $70 million glass production facility further highlights the zone's success. Mr Li's visit follows his participation in the 17th Brics Summit in Brazil. Egypt's engagement with the bloc has been growing after joining as a formal member in January 2024. Cairo's role has allowed it to take part in initiatives addressing global trade and food security. Two senior Egyptian officials − Mahmoud Momtaz, chairman of the Egyptian Competition Authority, and Aly Abdelkawy from the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade – attended a Brics-led session on the global grain trade held by the UN on Tuesday, a representative of the Brics Competition Law and Policy Centre told The National. The session addressed systemic risks in the food supply chain, a critical issue for Egypt given its reliance on grain imports and vulnerability to price volatility, particularly amid growing uncertainty over global inflation. Egypt's military modernisation, partly driven by Chinese co-operation, has also become a critical element of its foreign policy. The recent acquisition of Chinese military equipment and the joint Eagles of Civilisation 2025 military drills were viewed in Cairo as proof that China could fill any political vacuum left by a weakened US role in the Arab world. The strained relationship with Israel, exacerbated by its military presence in Gaza's Philadelphi Corridor propped up by US support, has left Cairo with few options to safeguard its interests, which analysts say is at the heart of the shift towards Beijing. Beyond economic and military collaboration, Egypt and China have fostered strong cultural and technological ties. Chinese companies like Huawei have trained tens of thousands of Egyptians in information technology, and educational partnerships have introduced Chinese language courses in Egyptian schools and universities. Tourism has also flourished, with 300,000 Chinese visiting Egypt last year. To accommodate this influx, Egypt has introduced Chinese language signs at major attractions and increased the availability of Chinese-speaking tour guides. Air China's new direct flight between Beijing and Cairo, launched on Wednesday, is expected to further boost people-to-people exchanges.
Washington Post
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Russia becomes first country to recognize the Taliban government
Russia formally recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan, becoming the first country to do so since the group seized power amid the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan four years ago. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that it had received the credentials of the Taliban's ambassador to Moscow, Gul Hassan Hassan, and that its recognition of the Taliban government would enable 'productive bilateral cooperation,' including in the fields of trade and counterterrorism.
Washington Post
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Russia becomes the first country to formally recognize Taliban's latest rule in Afghanistan
MOSCOW — Russia on Thursday became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban's government in Afghanistan since it seized power in 2021, after Moscow removed the group from its list of outlawed organizations. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it had received credentials from Afghanistan's newly appointed Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan. The official recognition of the Afghan government will foster 'productive bilateral cooperation between our countries,' the ministry said in a statement.
