Latest news with #ForeignMinister
LBCI
21 hours ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Israel welcomes US withdrawal from UN cultural body UNESCO
Israel's Foreign Minister on Tuesday hailed the United States' decision to withdraw from the UN cultural and education agency UNESCO, thanking Washington for its "moral support and leadership." "This is a necessary step, designed to promote justice and Israel's right for fair treatment in the UN system, a right which has often been trampled due to politicisation in this arena," Gideon Saar posted on X. Announcing its exit, the United States accused UNESCO of being biased against Israel and promoting "divisive" causes. AFP
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Japan avoids criticizing Israel for bombing and invading Syria
TOKYO: Despite the recent attacks on Gaza and Syria, Japan has notably refrained from condemning Israel's actions. This stance contrasts sharply with Tokyo's more vocal criticisms of military actions taken by other nations, such as Russia. Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya reiterated Japan's commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, emphasizing the need for restraint and dialogue. He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of countries working to resolve the situation in Syria. 'As I mentioned previously, we are deeply concerned about the situation in Syria,' Iwaya stated, adding that Israel's attacks on Syria could be 'severely worsening' the situation there. 'We are calling for the steadfast implementation of the ceasefire agreement agreed upon by the involved parties and strongly urging all parties, including Israel, to exercise maximum restraint.' Furthermore, Iwaya emphasized that Syria's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence should be respected. He acknowledged that the Syrian government has engaged in dialogue aimed at achieving a political solution and national reconciliation. 'We are committed to demanding that all parties play a constructive role in achieving a peaceful and stable transition in Syria,' he added. Israel's aggressive invasion of Syrian territories and its ongoing bombings of critical Syrian establishments — most recently, airstrikes on the presidential palace and the defense ministry — have raised serious concerns. When Iwaya was asked whether Japan would take a stronger stance, including condemnation and sanctions against Israel like its response to Russia's actions in Ukraine, he reiterated, 'We are committed to demanding that all parties play a constructive role in achieving a peaceful and stable transition in Syria.'
Arab News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan deputy PM to travel to US next week for UN meetings on Palestine, multilateralism
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar will travel to the United States next week to chair UN Security Council meetings in New York focused on multilateralism and the Palestinian issue, the foreign office said in a statement on Saturday. Pakistan assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council earlier this month and is hosting a series of 'signature events' — or high-level meetings organized by the Council president — to spotlight key diplomatic priorities. Dar will chair an open debate on strengthening multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes, and preside over a quarterly debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. 'The high-level debate aims at exploring ways to strengthen multilateralism, and at enhancing diplomacy and mediation for peaceful settlement of disputes,' the foreign office said. Dar will also lead a briefing at the Council on enhancing cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as part of Pakistan's broader effort to bolster institutional partnerships for international peace and security. 'To express Pakistan's strong commitment, and unwavering support for the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, the DPM/FM will also attend the high-level Conference on the 'Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the implementation of Two-State Solution,'' the statement added. Pakistan has consistently supported Palestinian statehood and called for an end to Israeli occupation in various multilateral forums. During his stay in New York, Dar is expected to hold bilateral meetings with UN officials and counterparts from other member states. The foreign office said he will also travel to Washington for other official engagements. 'Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar's visit to New York and Washington exemplifies Pakistan's growing role and importance in the multilateral arena as well as its expanding multifaceted relations with the US,' the statement said.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Regional unity not at risk amid tensions between NZ and Cook Islands, says Peters
By 'Alakihihifo Vailala , PMN Foreign Minister Winston Peters Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Foreign Minister Winston Peters has dismissed criticism over the government's decision not to send a minister to the Cook Islands' 60th anniversary celebrations. In an interview on Pacific Mornings , Peters insists that regional unity in the Pacific remains strong despite recent tensions between New Zealand and the Cook Islands. His comments follow the New Zealand government's choice not to send any ministers to the Cook Islands' 60th anniversary of self-governance. Peters describes Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro's attendance as "proper procedure". "I was in the Prime Minister Cook Islands position, I'd regard that as the proper procedure, the proper protocol, and I'd be entirely happy with it," Peters says. "It is, after all, a special realm relationship, and here comes the person in the shoes of the King of the Commonwealth." The absence comes shortly after Peters announced a pause in $18.2 million of development funding to the Cook Islands, citing a lack of consultation over a recent agreement with China. Peters' last meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown was in Nice, where they met briefly. But he reassures that the situation is being managed between senior officials. While former Prime Minister John Key attended the 50th anniversary in 2015, and both Peters and Christopher Luxon visited Niue ahead of its commemorations last year, Peters says the government believes the current arrangement is appropriate. Peters also discussed developments in New Caledonia, saying he is satisfied with the increased responsiveness to some concerns of the local population. Fomer Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna with the former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key at the 50th anniversary of self-government for the Cook Islands. Photo: Cook Islands Government France has agreed to grant New Caledonia special status, but it has not granted independence to the Pacific island nation, which has been a French territory since the mid-1800s. Between 2018 and 2021, New Caledonia held three votes to decide on independence, none of which were successful. Recently, tensions rose when new voting rights were extended to non-Indigenous residents, which made it more challenging for Kanaks to influence local governance. "When you've got a country like France with an aid programme of billions of dollars to a place like New Caledonia, that is something you want to save at all costs if you possibly can," Peters says. "Now, what we are saying in New Zealand and what we're saying to the French is that we can in any way help if we want to, but the pathway forward is being ironed out as they speak, and let's hope and pray that it works." Despite not having yet spoken with the President of the government of New Caledonia following the agreement in Paris last weekend, Peters stressed the importance of self-determination. "We expect to be treated with equality when we're dealing with big nations, and by comparison, these countries are as small to us as we are to China, but it doesn't mean we should be treated any differently. We say that small states matter." "They matter big time. They've got a right to their own self-destination, determination, and our job is to help them get there and ensure that the Pacific, in the meantime, remains proud of the phrase itself, 'Pacific means peace'." As Peters prepares to attend the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting in Suva in August, he underscores the importance of regional dialogue at this time. He signalled more cross-party delegations to the Pacific are planned and called for less talk and more action. "I know Talanoa is a great way of relying and relaxing and waiting around and having conversations, but we need action right here, right now, and that's what we'll be talking about." -This article was first published by PNM .
Arab News
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan deputy PM to visit Kabul for rail project pact with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to Kabul today, Thursday, to sign a framework agreement to conduct a joint feasibility study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, the foreign office said in a statement. The UAP Railway Project aims to establish a vital trade and transit corridor linking Uzbekistan with Pakistan via Afghanistan, offering the Central Asian republics direct access to Pakistani seaports. The rail link is expected to significantly boost regional connectivity, facilitate trade and contribute to long-term economic integration and political stability in the broader region. For Pakistan, which seeks to position itself as a regional connectivity hub, the UAP railway is also strategically important in strengthening economic ties with Central Asia and securing stable transit through Afghanistan, a country whose internal security dynamics continue to impact broader regional development goals. 'The DPM/FM's visit underscores the importance Pakistan attaches to the successful realization of the UAP Railway Project,' the foreign ministry said in a statement. 'The signing of the Framework Agreement on Joint Feasibility Study between the three participating countries in Kabul will be an important step toward its implementation.' Uzbekistan and Afghanistan signed an agreement in 2017 to extend a railroad connecting the two countries that would eventually give Uzbekistan a direct link to seaports. Landlocked Uzbekistan's access to marine shipping is very limited. RENEWED ENGAGEMENT While in Kabul, Dar will also meet Afghanistan's acting foreign minister and is scheduled to call on the country's acting prime minister. The meetings will cover a wide range of bilateral issues as well as regional and international developments. The visit comes amid a tentative thaw in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, which have been strained in recent years due to a surge in militancy in Pakistan that Islamabad blames on Afghan-based insurgent groups. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban-led government to prevent militant groups, particularly Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), from launching attacks on Pakistani security forces and other targets from Afghan soil. Kabul denies harboring militants. In December, the Afghan Taliban said bombardment by Pakistani military aircraft in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province had killed at least 46 people, most of whom were children and women. Pakistan has not confirmed the strikes but has said that it is carrying out 'anti-terrorist operations' against militants it blames for attacks in Pakistan and who it says have safe havens in Afghanistan, a charge that Kabul denies. Efforts to repair the fractured ties gained momentum during a China-hosted trilateral dialogue in Beijing in May between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. Islamabad and Kabul agreed in principle to send ambassadors to each other's country as soon as possible, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had announced after the summit. The upcoming signing of the UAP railway pact, a long-discussed infrastructure project championed by all three governments, is also being seen as one of the first tangible outcomes of renewed engagement between Islamabad and Kabul.
