Latest news with #DepartmentofInternationalRelations
The Star
09-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia solidifies Asean role with peace deal in Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, say analysts
Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, center, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (left), and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai pose for photos after talks on a possible ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Monday, July 28, 2025. -- Mohd Rasfan/Pool Photo via AP KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's success in brokering a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia not only eased border tensions but also reinforced its role as a key leader and facilitator within the Asean framework, according to experts. Senior Lecturer at the Department of International Relations, Security and Law, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia Dr Nor Aishah Hanifa said Malaysia, as Asean chair under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, had displayed strong capability in fulfilling regional obligations. "Malaysia's success in shuttle diplomacy during the Thailand-Cambodian border dispute has significantly bolstered its standing in regional diplomacy. The outcome of the extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on Aug 7 demonstrated the Asean mechanism's effectiveness in resolving regional disputes,' she said when contacted by Bernama. Nor Aishah said that Malaysia's role garnered praise from other countries, as well as support from both the United States and China, reflecting respect for the country's efforts to maintain regional peace. She also emphasised Malaysia's commitment to deploying an observation team to the border and mediating negotiations as a significant contribution to Asean's security cooperation. "Malaysia's role could serve as a model for resolving other border or military disputes in South-East Asia. This success reflects Asean countries' confidence in Malaysia's leadership and the Prime Minister's credibility,' she added. International relations and political analyst from Universiti Utara Malaysia Nur Ashikin Yusof said the success had enhanced Malaysia's reputation as a constructive and credible country in Asean diplomacy. "Malaysia's success as a facilitator in resolving the border tension between Thailand and Cambodia has reinforced the country's standing in international relations as a credible, neutral and constructive actor,' she said. According to Nur Ashikin, this success highlighted the need to reform Asean's security framework to strengthen collective action and conflict prevention mechanisms. "Malaysia's success should be viewed not merely as a bilateral achievement but as a catalyst for reforming Asean's security structure, including strengthening mechanisms such as the Asean Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, the Asean Maritime Forum, and the Asean Eyes Initiative,' she said. In a broader context, Nur Ashikin stated that this success had paved the way for Malaysia to take on a more prominent role in global peace efforts. Meanwhile, Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said Malaysia's role in facilitating peace talks between Thailand and Cambodia reaffirmed its credibility as Asean's rotating chairman and signalled a possible shift in the bloc's approach to regional security. "It also reinforced Malaysia's relations with the United States, as both countries co-organised the peace talks. Assuming Asean sends some form of peacekeeping or monitoring force, it would be the first time the bloc plays a proactive role in maintaining internal peace and security,' he said. Oh said that while the peace agreement could serve as a model for resolving other border or military disputes in South-East Asia, Malaysia should avoid rushing to extend its peace initiatives beyond the region. Tensions between the two South-East Asian neighbours have steadily escalated since a deadly clash on May 28 near the Preah Vihear area that left one Cambodian soldier dead. On July 28, both countries agreed to an unconditional, immediate ceasefire following a special meeting in Putrajaya chaired by Anwar. During the meeting, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai agreed to hold the GBC meeting as part of the ceasefire agreement.- Bernama
IOL News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
US joins Iran-Israel conflict: Essential travel advisories for South Africans to note
Travellers queue at Cape Town International Airport. Image: David Ritchie/Independent Newspapers (File) The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which now includes the United States (US), which carried out attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday, has resulted in a number of travel advisories and alerts that SA travellers should note. On Sunday, the US joined Israel's bombing campaign after days of speculation over whether they would be involvedin the conflict. In a televised address from the White House, after the strikes, US President Donald Trump said: "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace." Previously, on 15 June, the Department of International Relations (Dirco) urged all South Africans in Iran to contact the Embassy in Tehran to ensure that they are registered with and that their whereabouts are known to the Embassy. 'It is important to note that South Africa's support in the country is limited and that it could be assumed that no face-to-face consular assistance will be possible in an emergency, and the South African Government may not be able to help you if you get into difficulty, depending on your location. 'Therefore, citizens are further encouraged to assess their own safety and security and act accordingly.' Following Israeli strikes on Iran in the early hours of 13 June, airspace in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Israel has been closed. According to Flightradar24, the closures affect approximately 3,000 flights per day through cancelled flights or re-routes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ According to Flightradar24, the closures affect approximately 3,000 flights per day through cancelled flights or re-routes. Image: Flightradar24 Emirates and Qatar Airways are among the few airlines that have issued travel advisories for travellers and have had to suspend their flights. Emirates said on Saturday that due to the regional situation, they have temporarily suspended all flights to Iran (Tehran) and Iraq (Baghdad and Basra), until and including Monday, 30 June 2025. 'Customers connecting through Dubai with final destinations in Iraq and Iran will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice. Customers impacted by flight cancellations must contact their travel agency for rebooking. If booked directly with Emirates, please contact us.' They also urged travellers departing or arriving at Dubai International Airport to check their flight status on for the latest information. 'We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers. We continue to closely monitor developments. The safety of our passengers, employees and operations will always be our top priority.' The Iranian flag is pictured in front of Iran's Foreign Ministry building in Tehran November 23, 2009. Image: Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters Qatar Airways said they have temporarily cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq and Syria. The affected airports in Iran include Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA), Mashhad Airport (MHD), and Shiraz Airport (SYZ). In Iraq, the affected airports are Baghdad Airport (BGW), Erbil Airport (EBL), Basra Airport (BSR), Sulaymaniyah Airport (ISU) and Najaf Airport (NJF). In Syria, the affected airport is Damascus International Airport (DAM). The United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has advised against all travel to Iran. 'If you are a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying. British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention. Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you,' they said.
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
South African citizens in the Islamic Republic of Iran requested to ensure they are registered with the Embassy
South Africa wishes to urge all its citizens currently in the Islamic Republic of Iran to contact the Embassy in Tehran to ensure that they are registered with and that their whereabouts are known to the Embassy. It is important to note that South Africa's support in the country is limited and that it could be assumed that no face-to-face consular assistance will be possible in an emergency and the South African Government may not be able to help you if you get into difficulty, depending on your location. Therefore, citizens are further encouraged to assess their own safety and security and act accordingly. The following contacts may be used: Tehran: Telephone: +98-912-230-8968 Telephone: +98-930-495-8965 Helpline of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Pretoria, RSA: Telephone: +27 12 351 1000 The web page of DIRCO may be consulted for further contact information ( Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
‘Our support in Iran is limited': South Africa urges citizens in Iran to register amid escalating conflict
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola. The Department of International Relations has announced that South Africa's support to citizens in Iran is limited it can be assumed that no face-to-face consular assistance will be possible in an emergency. Government has appealed to South African citizens currently in the Islamic Republic of Iran to contact the Embassy in Tehran to ensure that they are registered, and that their whereabouts are known to the embassy. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) in Pretoria has been closely following developments, amid the military conflict between Iran and the State of Israel. 'It is important to note that South Africa's support in the country is limited and that it could be assumed that no face-to-face consular assistance will be possible in an emergency, and the South African government may not be able to help you if you get into difficulty, depending on your location,' Dirco said in a statement.
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Minister Lamola attends the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Ministerial Coordinator's Meeting, in Changsha, People's Republic of China, from 10 to 12 June 2025
Minister Ronald Lamola has undertaken an Official Visit to Changsha, Hunan Province, to attend the Ministerial Coordination Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The purpose of the meeting is to discuss implementation of the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC Summit which was held in Beijing on 5 and 6 September 2024. The FOCAC 2025–2027 Action Plan it includes cooperation in ten partnership areas including trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, connectivity and development cooperation. This significant gathering coincides with the commemoration of FOCAC's 25th anniversary, underscoring the enduring partnership between Africa and China. Minster Lamola, said 'Our participation reflects our strategic priority to strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations within this important framework.' The Ministerial Meeting will be immediately followed by the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE), from 12 to 15 June 2025, where further avenues for economic collaboration and mutual prosperity will be advanced. Twenty South African companies will exhibit their products and engage with Chinese investors with a view to opening further avenues for the export of South African products to China. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
