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Euronews
2 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Agression must never be rewarded - lead MEPs weight in ahead of Alaska
Seven high-profile members of the European Parliament have issued a joint statement ahead of the US-Russia summit in Alaska on Friday, warning that Russian aggression must not be rewarded with territorial gains. The statement was drafted by the chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, David McAllister and signed by six other high-ranking deputies, including Pekka Toveri, (Finland/EPP), Brando Benifei, (Italy/S&D), Ville Ninistő, (Finland/The Greens-EFA), Michael Gahler, (Germany/EPP), Michal Szczerba, (Poland/EPP) and Sandra Kalniete, (Latvia/EPP). The statement demanded that Ukraine be included in the US-Russia talks on Friday. "No peace in Ukraine can be negotiated without the full participation of Ukraine's democratically elected leadership and the backing of its people," it said, underlining that any deal must be grounded in international law and must ensure the prosecution of those responsible for war crimes. The statement rejects the idea of exchanging territories in order to achieve a ceasefire. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said the proposal might include a territorial exchange between Russia and Ukraine. "We emphasise that any arrangement on terms dictated by Russia or that would reward its war of aggression against Ukraine would gravely endanger the security of the European continent," the statement said. The MEPs state Ukraine must be supported by its partners to be in a position to reach a ceasefire. "Aggression must never be rewarded or acknowledged – neither in Ukraine nor anywhere else. If Russia succeeds in altering Ukraine's borders by force, the security of no country's borders can be assured," the statement read. The signatories of the statement stressed that peace negotiations must be preceded by an unconditional ceasefire. and recalled that Russia has made unfeasible proposals in recent months as a pretext for prolonging the war. Finally, the statement called on the EU to remain united and to provide political, economic, military, and humanitarian support to Ukraine until a comprehensive, just and lasting peace is secured.
India Gazette
02-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Algerian Parliament hosts Indian delegation led by Baijayant Panda
Algiers [Algeria], June 2 (ANI): Mohamed Khouane, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and the National Community Abroad in the Algerian Parliament, hosted a formal dinner in Algiers in honour of a visiting Group 1 of the all-party Indian parliamentary delegation. The delegation is in Algeria from May 30 to June 2 to strengthen global cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. Group 1 of the all-party delegation is being led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and senior parliamentarian Baijayant Panda and includes Nishikant Dubey (BJP), Phangnon Konyak (BJP), Rekha Sharma (BJP), Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM), Satnam Singh Sandhu (BJP), Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. Meanwhile, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, a member of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, said India's relationship with Algeria is very old. He noted that India's support for Algeria's freedom struggle remains a key pillar of bilateral goodwill. Speaking to ANI, Nishikant Dubey said, 'Our relationship with Algeria is very supported the National Liberation Front (FLN)...France had threatened us at that time. Then, the Indian government and the opposition decided to support the freedom struggle of Algeria. Algeria acknowledges it.' Before arriving in Algeria, the delegation spent two days in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where they held extensive discussions with senior government officials, policy think tanks, media representatives, and the Indian diaspora. Baijayant Jay Panda told ANI that the talks were open and candid, particularly on the challenge of terrorism. 'Saudi Arabia has a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, like us. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia following the Pahalgam attack and the joint statement by both governments made it clear that there is no tolerance for any kind of terrorism,' Panda said. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. India has sent several all-party delegations to showcase India's resolve against terrorism and garner international support for a united stand against this global threat. The Indian government's diplomatic outreach efforts aim to strengthen partnerships with countries in East and Southeast Asia, emphasising the need for a collective response to the threat of terrorism. (ANI)
India Gazette
01-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
All-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda meets Algerian Parliamentary Foreign Affairs chairman
Algiers (Algeria), June 1 (ANI): All-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda interacted with Mohamed Khouane, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and the National Community Abroad in the Algerian Parliament on Sunday. Earlier in the day, the all-party delegation visited Wilaya D'alger Etablissement De Gestion Des Pompes Funebres Et Cimetieres and paid floral tributes to Emir Abdelkader, the founder of the modern Algerian state. The all-party delegation is in Algeria from May 30 to June 2 to strengthen global cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. Before arriving in Algeria, the delegation spent two days in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where they held extensive discussions with senior government officials, policy think tanks, media representatives, and the Indian diaspora. Baijayant Jay Panda told ANI that the talks were open and candid, particularly on the challenge of terrorism.'Saudi Arabia has a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, like us. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia following the Pahalgam attack and the joint statement by both governments made it clear that there is no tolerance for any kind of terrorism,' Panda said. He also highlighted the strengthening ties between India and Saudi Arabia in defence, counterterrorism, and trade, describing Saudi Arabia as a major regional power. The delegation also visited Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its traditional mud-brick architecture. The delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, also includes Nishikant Dubey MP, BJP; Phangnon Konyak, MP, BJP; Rekha Sharma MP, NJP; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; Satnam Singh Sandhu MP; Ghulam Nabi Azad; and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. India has sent several all-party delegations to showcase India's resolve against terrorism and garner international support for a united stand against this global threat. The Indian government's diplomatic outreach efforts aim to strengthen partnerships with countries in East and Southeast Asia, emphasising the need for a collective response to the threat of terrorism. (ANI)
Middle East Eye
26-05-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
Ireland seeks to ban trade with Israeli firms in occupied Palestinian territories
The Irish government will present plans on Tuesday to ban trade with Israeli businesses based in the occupied Palestinian territories, becoming the first European country to take such a step. In a post on X on Saturday, Ireland's deputy prime minister Simon Harris, who is also the defence and foreign minister, said he hopes that the Committee on Foreign Affairs will begin reviewing the bill next month. Harris's announcement comes days after the majority of European Union countries agreed to review the bloc's trade with Israel. 'It needs to be more than reviewed. It needs to be suspended, because it cannot be business as usual,' the Irish deputy premier said, calling Israel's conduct in Gaza 'war crimes' and 'genocidal activity'. 'It's absolutely clear that the world has to act and the world has not done nearly enough,' Harris added. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Last week, the United Kingdom paused free trade talks with Israel over its expansion of military operations in Gaza and restriction of the entry of humanitarian aid. London also imposed new sanctions on Israeli settler leaders in the occupied West Bank. In 2018, the Occupied Territories Bill was introduced in Ireland by independent senator Frances Black, proposing a ban on trade with businesses operating in illegal Jewish settlements on Palestinian land, but it was ultimately blocked over concerns about breaching EU trade rules. Israel to take full control of land registry in West Bank's Area C, cementing annexation Read More » However, an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last July marked a turning point on reconsidering the enactment of the Irish bill. The ICJ concluded that Israel's presence in occupied Palestinian territories is 'unlawful' and the country should 'end its presence in the occupied Palestinian territory as rapidly as possible'. More than 400 of Ireland's senior legal academics and practising lawyers have called on the government to enact the bill following its original form, prohibiting all goods and services in the occupied West Bank, such as Airbnb. Harris said he had 'no issue' with the provision of banning Israeli services based in the West Bank, but legal concerns were preventing extending the scope of the bill. Ireland's government, together with Spain and Norway, recognised the state of Palestine in May 2024.
Leaders
26-05-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Irish Authorities Seek to Ban Trade with Israeli Firms in Palestine
Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Harris announced that his government seeks to obtain a formal decision to suspend trade ties with Israeli firms in the Palestinian territories, according to Financial Times. Occupied Territories Bill Harris stated in a post on X that Irish government is pushing forward a bill, known as the Occupied Territories Bill, next Tuesday, to halt relations with Israeli companies. He further expressed his hope that the Committee on Foreign Affairs would begin reviewing the bill in June. Strong Condemnation In this context, Harris also condemned Israel's devastating war in Gaza and its blockade of humanitarian aid since March. He also accused Israel of using food as a weapon of war against Palestinian civilians. 'The world has to act, and the world has not done nearly enough,' He added. Apart from this, Harris welcomed and supported the EU's recent remarkable move to review the EU-Israel Association Agreement. However, he noted that the review alone would not make a significant impact. Therefore, 'It needs to be more than reviewed. It needs to be suspended because it cannot be business as usual whilst this is being carried out in Gaza.' Significant Report In February, The Guardian Newspaper indicated that major tourism platforms such as Airbnb and are advertising more than 700 rooms in hotels, apartments and other holiday rentals located in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This report has even sparked more criticism among human rights organizations against Israeli firms in these settlements. Mounting Pressure By taking a step to cut ties with Israeli companies, Ireland joins growing international pressure on Israel as a result to the expansion of its military operations in Gaza and its aid blockade. Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza in 2023, the Israeli strikes have killed more than 53,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 118,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Related Topics: Ireland, Spain, Norway to Recognize Palestinian State Saudi Crown Prince Congratulates President of Ireland on National Day Irish Politician Richard Boyd Barrett Criticizes Western Double Standards on Palestine Short link : Post Views: 1
