Latest news with #bilateralrelations
Arab News
19 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan's deputy PM discusses tariffs, bilateral ties with Rubio amid trade talks
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar discussed bilateral relations and tariffs with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week, the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement, as Islamabad gears up for its 'final' round of trade talks with Washington. Pakistan and the US have been engaged in talks after Washington announced a 29 percent 'reciprocal tariff' on Pakistani exports in April. Islamabad said the move, paused on April 9 for a 90-day period, may undercut its fragile, export-led recovery. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb left for the US on Monday to hold a 'final' round of talks with Washington, the Pakistani finance ministry said a day earlier. Dar spoke to Rubio over the telephone on Monday, the Pakistani foreign ministry said. The Pakistani deputy premier met the US official in Washington last Friday in a face-to-face meeting, during which Rubio recognized Pakistan's role for peace in the region. Dar had pointed out that this was the first time in nine years that the foreign ministers of the US and Pakistan had met each other. 'Following up on their productive meeting last Friday in Washington D.C., they discussed key bilateral matters, including tariffs, as well as regional & global issues of mutual interest,' the foreign ministry said about Dar's telephone call with Rubio. Pakistan sees the tariffs issue as an important one, considering the US is Islamabad's key trading partner. The US is Pakistan's top export destination, with shipments totaling $5.44 billion in fiscal year 2023-2024, according to official data. From July 2024 to February 2025, exports rose 10 percent from a year earlier. Aurangzeb's visit to the US to discuss trade and tariffs is his second to the country this month. The finance minister last week said Islamabad and Washington were exploring a shift in their economic engagement, anchored in long-term investment. Pakistan's government has pushed for trade and economic ties with regional countries and traditional allies in recent months. The main motivation behind Islamabad's decision to pursue foreign investment and economic ties is a prolonged macroeconomic crisis that has drained Pakistan's resources. While the South Asian country has made certain economic gains over the past two years, which includes a reduced inflation rate, Pakistan hopes to achieve a sustained economic growth driven by exports and long-term financial reforms.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Solomon Islands PM Manele visiting New Zealand this week
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele is visiting Aotearoa this week. Luxon said Solomon Islands is an important partner for New Zealand and he is looking forward to furthering the bilateral relationship when he meets Manele. "It will also be good to hear about Solomon Islands' plans for hosting the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in September," Luxon said. Manele will also meet with Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. One thousand one hundred Solomon Islanders have taken up Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme spots in Aotearoa in the last year. More than 1000 Solomon Islanders call New Zealand home. Manele was sworn in as Solomons prime minister on 2 May 2024 , following the resignation of Manasseh Sogavare. Shortly after Winston Peters arrived with a delegation on the first leg of his Pacific tour . He was first elected to parliament in 2014 and was the leader of the opposition in the country's 10th Parliament. Prior to entering parliament, Manele was a long-serving public servant and diplomat. He has since faced two leadership challenges but both were withdrawn.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus S.Lukashevich receives copies of Credentials of the Ambassador of Ethiopia
On July 28, 2025 the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Sergey Lukashevich, received copies of Credentials from the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Republic of Belarus with residence in Moscow,Genet Teshome Jirru. During the meeting, topical issues of developing friendly Belarusian-Ethiopian relations were discussed, including deepening political dialogue, increasing trade and economic cooperation, expanding educational and humanitarian ties. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.
Zawya
a day ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Egyptian Ambassador to Seychelles pays farewell call on Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism
As part of his farewell tour, the outgoing Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Mr. Wael M. Nasr Eldin M. Attiya, called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde on Monday 28th July 2025 at Maison Quéau de Quinssy. Minister Radegonde thanked Ambassador Attiya for his dedication towards the advancement of the strong bilateral relations between the Seychelles and Egypt. The diplomats discussed the successful signing of the Visa Waiver Agreement which allows Seychelles' Official and Diplomatic Passport holders to enter Egypt visa free, the agreement will take effect in the next 30 days. Minister Radegonde also reiterated the wish the Seychelles' request to sign a similar agreement for normal passport holders. Collaboration in the areas of Culture, Trade, Tourism, and Health were also discussed, particularly, capacity building for health professionals. Discussions also took place on the possibility of concluding a Prisoner Transfer Agreement. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
First direct flight from Moscow lands in Pyongyang (VIDEOS)
The first direct flight between Moscow and Pyongyang in Russia's post-Soviet history successfully landed in North Korea on Monday morning. Previously, the only direct air route between Russia and North Korea connected Pyongyang with Vladivostok, a major city in Russia's Far East, and was operated by North Korean state carrier Air Koryo. The reintroduction of regular service between the capitals – interrupted for more than 75 years – signals strengthening relations, officials said. Russian airline Nordwind received authorization earlier this month to operate the new route, with plans to offer one round-trip flight per month. The inaugural flight, operated by a Boeing 777-200ER, carried Russian officials alongside regular passengers. This flight 'marks a milestone in the modern relationship between our nations,' said Russian Natural Resources and Environment Minister Aleksandr Kozlov, who co-chairs a bilateral intergovernmental commission on cooperation with North Korea. Kozlov was greeted at Pyongyang International Airport by North Korean Foreign Economic Affairs Minister Yun Jong-ho, his counterpart on the commission. Yun called the new air service a step toward 'the prosperity of the peoples of our two nations.' Media reports indicated that most passengers aboard the flight were North Korean nationals returning home. One traveler told Ruptly video agency she hoped stronger ties with Russia would help promote tourism in North Korea. The flight covers a distance of more than 6,400km and takes approximately eight hours. Tickets for the inaugural trip were priced starting at roughly $570. Last year, Moscow and Pyongyang signed a comprehensive bilateral cooperation agreement, outlining plans to deepen their relationship. The treaty included mutual defense provisions, which provided the legal framework for deployment of North Korean forces to assist Russian troops in repelling a Ukrainian incursion in Russia's Kursk Region.
