Latest news with #ForeignAffairsMinistry
Leaders
3 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Arab Ministers Condemn Israel's Ban on West Bank Visit
Jordan's Foreign Affairs Ministry has condemned Israel's decision to ban an Arab delegation from visiting Ramallah and meeting with Palestinian officials, according to Arab News. The ministry described the decision as 'a blatant violation of Israel's obligations as the occupying power.' Consequently, members of the ministerial committee decided to postpone their visit to Ramallah due to Israel's rejection of the delegation's entry through the airspace of the occupied West Bank. Planned Ramallah Visit The delegation consisted of ministers from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and as well as United Arab Emirates. Importantly, the ministers were set to participate in 'a provocative meeting' to explore the establishment of a Palestinian state. 'Such a state would undoubtedly become a terrorist state in the heart of the land of Israel,' an Israeli official said. The source also added that Israel will not cooperate with such moves that seek to harm Israel and its security. The meeting proceeds an international conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, that will take place in New York on June 17-20 to consider the issue of Palestinian statehood. Mounting Pressure on Israel Recently, Israel has been experiencing mounting pressure from the United Nations and European countries which made serious steps to recognize a two-state solution in ordered to end the Israeli Palestinian conflict. On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that recognizing a Palestinian state was not only a 'moral duty but a political necessity.' Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel was planning to build a 'Jewish Israeli state' in the occupied West Bank, according to Al-Arabiya. Katz's remarks follow Israel's announcement of the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. 'This is a decisive response to the terrorist organizations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land,' Katz said. Katz also noted that the new settlements would be a clear message to French President Emmanuel Macron and his associates: they will recognize a Palestinian state on paper – but Israel will build the Jewish Israeli state here on the ground. Related Topics: Israel Plans to Build Jewish Israeli State in West Bank France May Toughen Stance on Israel Over Gaza Aid Blockage Israel Accepts Witkoff's New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal: Netanyahu Short link : Post Views: 3
Morocco World
27-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Signed 7,500 International Agreements, Two-Thirds Under King Mohammed VI
Doha – Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita announced Monday that Morocco has concluded approximately 7,500 international agreements, with two-thirds signed during King Mohammed VI's reign. Speaking at the Chamber of Representatives, Bourita said that the conventional framework represents a fundamental tool of the country's foreign policy. 'The importance does not lie in signing conventions but in their effective implementation,' Bourita stated, echoing the King's guidance. Responding to a question from the Authenticity and Modernity (PAM) group about evaluating international agreements, the minister detailed several mechanisms for monitoring implementation. These include bilateral mechanisms such as joint commissions with partner countries, which he described as 'essential instruments to accompany the implementation of commitments.' Governmental departments also ensure agreements are properly executed, Bourita noted. Clear instructions are given to Morocco's ambassadors worldwide 'to make implementation support a key element guaranteeing the credibility of commitments signed by Morocco.' The minister disclosed that Morocco currently maintains about 800 economic agreements capable of generating significant impact in bilateral relations through the facilities and incentives they offer, particularly in the economic sector. Economic diplomacy and diaspora support Economic diplomacy constitutes a fundamental pillar of Morocco's foreign policy established by King Mohammed VI, Bourita told representatives. He pointed out that in today's world of challenges and opportunities, Morocco enjoys enormous potential for international cooperation thanks to 'the royal vision and the country's stability.' The government has taken practical measures to support this dynamic, including creating a Directorate General for Economic Diplomacy within the Foreign Affairs Ministry this year and appointing economic attachés to most Moroccan embassies. Partnership agreements have also been signed as part of the government's foreign trade plan. 'The Foreign Affairs Ministry remains a channel in this field that economic actors must leverage to promote Moroccan products,' Bourita said. He added that economic diplomacy primarily aims to enable economic actors to capitalize on Morocco's diplomatic network of nearly 110 embassies and 60 consulates. Regarding Moroccans residing abroad (MREs), Bourita affirmed that the government's approach focuses on protecting their rights, modernizing administrative services, and mobilizing their economic potential. This vision, Bourita explained, stems from royal instructions expressed in the November 6, 2024 speech calling for a new comprehensive and sustainable strategy. While annual transfers from MREs exceed MAD 117 billion ($11.7 billion), only 10% goes toward investment—a figure the government intends to increase. Bourita stressed the need to rethink dedicated institutions and fully involve Moroccans worldwide in developing public policies, especially regarding investment.
Malaysian Reserve
27-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
ASEAN adopts KL Declaration, reaffirms centrality and long-term goals
By HIDAYATH HISHAM ASEAN member states have adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the ASEAN Community, renewing their collective commitment to deepen integration and advance the region's shared future. The Foreign Affairs Ministry (Wisma Putra) said the declaration was endorsed during the 46th ASEAN Summit on May 26, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur. 'We pledge to continue working together in the maintenance and promotion of peace, security, and stability, as well as further development and growth in the region, to ensure that the ASEAN Community continues to thrive and remains adaptive and responsive to the impacts and inherent opportunities of existing and future megatrends,' it said in a statement. The declaration outlines nine key commitments, including the strengthening of ASEAN centrality, enhanced cooperation with external partners, deeper economic integration, and improved coordination across sectors and pillars. Wisma Putra also highlighted the need for a forward-looking agenda to respond to rapid change, including challenges related to climate, technology, and evolving power dynamics. 'We reaffirm our commitment to the ASEAN Community's next phase through ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, which is people-centred, sustainable, dynamic, and resilient, with an inclusive, rules-based, and economically vibrant framework,' it said. Member states agreed to integrate the experiences of ASEAN 2025 into future plans, and to build a more cohesive regional identity with inclusive and equitable development.
LeMonde
27-05-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
Russian opposition figure Ilya Yashin: 'If Ukraine is handed over to Putin, it will be a tragedy, and the prologue to a global confrontation'
A prominent figure in the liberal opposition to Vladimir Putin since the 2000s, Ilia Yashin, 41, was a Moscow city councilor when he was arrested in June 2022. He was sentenced in December 2022 to eight and a half years in prison for criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and denouncing crimes committed against Ukrainian civilians in Bucha, near Kyiv. He was released on August 1, 2024, as part of the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries since the end of the Cold War. He now lives in Berlin. Visiting Paris for meetings at the Elysée and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, he spoke with Le Monde on Monday, May 26. The Kremlin took more than two years of your life. Did these 25 months in prison change your perspective on Vladimir Putin? It is a heavy feeling. It is extremely hard on both physical and psychological health. But the regime killed several of my friends, other figures from the anti-Kremlin opposition, including Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny [the most prominent opposition leader, who died under suspicious circumstances in detention on February 16, 2024]. Those two assassinations were far more painful for me than my own imprisonment. Vladimir Putin started the war in Ukraine, which kills innocent people and deprives families of their homes every day: That leaves a much deeper mark on me than the memory of prison.
Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Spain hosts European, Arab nations to pressure Israel on Gaza
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Madrid, Spain, on May 25. PHOTO: REUTERS MADRID - The international community should look at sanctions against Israel to stop the war in Gaza, Spain's foreign minister said, as European and Arab nations gathered in Madrid on May 25 to urge an end to its offensive. Some of Israel's long-standing allies have added their voices to growing international pressure after it expanded military operations against Gaza's Hamas rulers, whose 2023 attack on Israel sparked the devastating war. A two-month aid blockade has worsened shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine in the Palestinian territory, stoking fears of famine. Aid organisations say the trickle of supplies Israel has recently allowed to enter falls far short of needs. The talks in Madrid aim to stop Israel's 'inhumane' and 'senseless' war in Gaza, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told reporters before the meeting opened. Humanitarian aid must enter Gaza 'massively, without conditions and without limits, and not controlled by Israel', he added, describing the Strip as humanity's 'open wound'. 'Silence in these moments is complicity in this massacre... that is why we are meeting,' said Mr Albares. Representatives from European countries including France, Britain, Germany and Italy are joining envoys from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Norway, Iceland, Ireland and Slovenia, who like Spain have already recognised a Palestinian state, are also taking part, alongside Brazil. Sanctions on the table After the European Union decided this week to review its cooperation deal with Israel, Albares told reporters Spain would request its 'immediate suspension'. Spain would also urge partners to impose an arms embargo on Israel and 'not rule out any' individual sanctions against those 'who want to ruin the two-state solution forever', he added. May 25's meeting will also promote a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa (front row, fifth from right) and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares (front row, sixth from left) pose for a group photo with other foreign ministers ahead of the meeting in Madrid, on May 25. PHOTO: EPA-EFE French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke by video link with Arab counterparts on May 25 and would press 'the need for coordinated pressure' for a ceasefire, aid and the release of Hamas-held hostages, his office said. Mr Barrot will also meet the Palestinian Authority's minister of state for foreign affairs, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, during a trip to Yerevan next week, the French foreign ministry announced on May 25. The diplomatic drive comes one month before a UN conference on the Israel-Palestinian conflicted presided over by France and Saudi Arabia. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said his country will back draft resolutions at the United Nations aimed at ramping up aid access to Gaza and holding Israel to account over its international humanitarian obligations. Madrid's attempt to rally a wider consensus on the war comes a year after it broke with some European allies by recognising a Palestinian state, infuriating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Hamas's Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mainly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Palestinian militants also took 251 hostages, 57 of whom remain in Gaza including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed almost 54,000 people, mostly civilians, according to Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
