Latest news with #bilateralTalks
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistani PM holds informal meeting with Saudi Crown Prince at royal court luncheon
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held 'informal talks' with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman today, Friday, at a special luncheon at the royal court, ahead of bilateral talks between the two leaders. Sharif arrived in the Kingdom on Thursday on a two-day visit in which he will hold bilateral discussions with the Saudi Crown Prince on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment and regional security. A statement from Sharif's office said the Crown Prince gave a 'special welcome' to the PM and personally drove him to attend the lunch. 'The Saudi Crown Prince warmly welcomed Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at the lunch and informal talks were held between the two leaders,' the statement said. 'The lunch was attended by important leaders from the Middle East, including members of the Saudi cabinet and top Saudi civil and military leadership.' Sharif reached Jeddah on Thursday evening and departed for Makkah to perform Umrah, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had said in an earlier statement. 'The two leaders will discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, including trade and investment, welfare of the Muslim Ummah, and regional peace and security,' PMO said about Sharif's meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince later today, Friday. Sharif is also expected to express gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their role in de-escalating recent tensions between Pakistan and India. Last month, following the worst military confrontation between India and Pakistan in decades, Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf nations, played a key role in mediating between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, helping to avert a potential war. The visit also comes amid deepening economic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. In recent months, the two countries have signed multiple agreements aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment. Notably, Saudi Arabia has committed to a $5 billion investment package to support Pakistan's economy, which has been grappling with a balance of payments crisis. Last year, Saudi and Pakistani businessmen signed 34 memorandums of understanding worth $2.8 billion, covering sectors such as industry, technology, and agriculture. Additionally, Saudi Arabia's Manara Minerals is in talks to acquire a 10-20 percent stake in Pakistan's $9 billion Reko Diq copper and gold mining project, one of the largest of its kind globally. Defense cooperation is also a key component of the bilateral relationship. The two nations have a history of military collaboration, with Saudi Arabia providing support to Pakistan during times of regional tension and Pakistan training Saudi forces. Pakistan has a 2.7 million-strong diaspora in Saudi Arabia, which accounts for the highest remittance inflow, a crucial lifeline for the country's economy.
Reuters
28-05-2025
- General
- Reuters
Italy's Meloni will host Macron in Rome on June 3, her office says
ROME, May 28 (Reuters) - Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will host French President Emmanuel Macron for talks in Rome on June 3, Meloni's office said on Wednesday. "The main topics of the bilateral, European and international agenda will be at the centre of the talks," Meloni's office said in a statement, without elaborating further.
Malay Mail
20-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Japan, US finance leaders to base currency talks on past agreement at G7 meeting amid volatility concerns
TOKYO, May 20 — Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said today he expects any bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on exchange rates to be based on their shared view that excessive currency volatility was undesirable. 'In our previous meeting, we confirmed that exchange rates should be set by markets, and that excessive volatility in currency moves has an adverse economic and financial impact,' Kato told a news conference. 'I expect any meeting with the US Treasury Secretary to be based on this understanding,' he said, adding that he hoped to exchange views on various bilateral themes including currency policy. Kato and Bessent are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a G7 finance leaders' gathering to be held this week in Canada. Kato also said Japan was scrutinising the impact on its economy and markets from Moody's decision last week to downgrade the credit rating of the United States. As Tokyo and Washington proceed with separate bilateral talks on tariffs, the thorny currency rate topic has been set aside for the two finance chiefs to discuss. President Donald Trump's focus on addressing the huge US trade deficit, and his past remarks criticising Japan for intentionally maintaining a weak yen, have led to market expectations that Tokyo will face pressure to strengthen the yen's value against the dollar and give US manufacturers a competitive advantage. After a previous meeting with Bessent in Washington last month, Kato said the two agreed to continue 'constructive' dialogue on currency policy, but did not discuss setting currency targets or a framework to control yen moves. — Reuters
Malay Mail
20-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Japan, US finance leaders to base currency talks on past FX agreement at G7 meeting amid volatility concerns
TOKYO, May 20 — Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said today he expects any bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on exchange rates to be based on their shared view that excessive currency volatility was undesirable. 'In our previous meeting, we confirmed that exchange rates should be set by markets, and that excessive volatility in currency moves has an adverse economic and financial impact,' Kato told a news conference. 'I expect any meeting with the US Treasury Secretary to be based on this understanding,' he said, adding that he hoped to exchange views on various bilateral themes including currency policy. Kato and Bessent are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a G7 finance leaders' gathering to be held this week in Canada. Kato also said Japan was scrutinising the impact on its economy and markets from Moody's decision last week to downgrade the credit rating of the United States. As Tokyo and Washington proceed with separate bilateral talks on tariffs, the thorny currency rate topic has been set aside for the two finance chiefs to discuss. President Donald Trump's focus on addressing the huge US trade deficit, and his past remarks criticising Japan for intentionally maintaining a weak yen, have led to market expectations that Tokyo will face pressure to strengthen the yen's value against the dollar and give US manufacturers a competitive advantage. After a previous meeting with Bessent in Washington last month, Kato said the two agreed to continue 'constructive' dialogue on currency policy, but did not discuss setting currency targets or a framework to control yen moves. — Reuters
LBCI
19-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon's President Aoun arrives in Cairo for official visit
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Cairo on Monday at the start of an official visit to Egypt, in response to an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Shortly after his arrival, President Aoun headed to Egypt's presidential palace, Al-Ittihadiya, where he is scheduled to begin bilateral talks with President Sisi.
