Latest news with #defensepartnership
Russia Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
France ends permanent military presence in West Africa
France has withdrawn troops from its last two military bases in Senegal, bringing an end to more than 60 years of presence in the West African nation. The move comes amid a wider push by former colonies to sever military ties with Paris and assert full security sovereignty. On Thursday, the French army handed over Camp Geille – its largest base in Senegal – and an airfield at Dakar airport to Senegalese authorities during a ceremony attended by senior officials from both countries. The event marked the completion of a three-month withdrawal of approximately 350 French troops. The French Armed Forces General Staff said the handover of facilities and the dissolution of the French Elements of Senegal (EFS) reaffirmed Paris and its former colony's desire to 'continue their defense partnership in a renewed format.' 'It is part of France's decision to end permanent military bases in West and Central Africa, and responds to the Senegalese authorities' desire to no longer host permanent foreign forces on their territory,' General Pascal Ianni, the head of the French forces in Africa, also said, according to AP. The pullout from Senegal marks the end of France's permanent military presence in West Africa, following earlier expulsions from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Transitional authorities in Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou have accused Paris of sponsoring terrorism in the Sahel region under the guise of countering jihadist insurgents. Chad also terminated its defense cooperation agreement with France last year. In February, France transferred the Port-Bouet military camp – its only army base in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) – to the West African nation's authorities. In November, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who took office in April 2024, announced his decision to fully remove the French military presence from the country, stating that Senegal's sovereignty is incompatible with hosting foreign bases. Senegalese military chief General Mbaye Cisse said in a speech during the handing over ceremony on Thursday that the primary goal of the withdrawal 'is to affirm the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces while contributing to peace in the subregion, in Africa, and globally.'
Arab News
09-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, Türkiye aim to boost trade to $5 billion, deepen energy and defense ties
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Türkiye on Wednesday announced plans to expand bilateral trade to $5 billion and deepen cooperation in energy, defense, and strategic infrastructure, as senior ministers from both nations met in Islamabad amid growing regional instability. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yaşar Güler arrived in Pakistan late Tuesday for high-level discussions with political and military leaders. The visit, described by Pakistan's foreign office as a sign of 'deepening strategic ties,' included consultations on regional stability, trade expansion, and defense modernization. At a joint news conference with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the Turkish foreign minister said both sides were committed to strengthening what has long been a close bilateral partnership. 'Economy, energy, defense industry, education and culture are areas where we are extending our cooperation each day,' Fidan said. 'The joint working groups under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council — from defense, from energy, from education — are all working in a very productive manner.' 'We are aiming to increase our commercial relations to $5 billion,' he added. 'In the field of energy, we are intensifying joint activities in mining and also in precious stones, as well as natural gas and the oil sector.' Fidan highlighted a recent agreement signed in April between Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and a Pakistani state-owned firm to explore offshore oil and gas, calling it a 'preliminary step toward broader structural cooperation' in the energy sector. On defense cooperation, Fidan described joint initiatives as 'a strategic step for the security of both countries,' noting that multiple projects in defense manufacturing and technology were already underway. ECONOMIC ZONE, RAIL REVIVAL Speaking at the joint press conference, Deputy PM Dar announced several new initiatives aimed at increasing Turkish investment in Pakistan. 'We are pursuing establishment of a Special Economic Zone dedicated for Turkish entrepreneurs in Karachi,' he said, adding that Pakistan was working to revive the long-dormant Istanbul–Tehran–Islamabad freight train, which was once seen as a key transnational trade route linking South Asia with Europe. 'Our delegations are meeting in coming weeks to finalize the roadmap for its revival,' he said. Dar added that Turkish companies were being considered for major upcoming infrastructure and energy projects, including the Jinnah Medical Complex, Danish University, offshore drilling operations, and privatization of electricity distribution companies (DISCOs). The deputy PM said the two nations had also agreed to revive the long-dormant Joint Ministerial Commission after 11 years and the Pakistani minister of commerce and the Turkish minister of defense would be co-chairing a joint session of the Commission in coming weeks. 'All this work will lay a solid foundation for the 8th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, which will be held next year in Türkiye and co-chaired by the Honourable President of Türkiye [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan] and the Prime Minister of Pakistan [Shehbaz Sharif],' Dar said. DEFENSE TIES In a separate engagement, Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler met with Pakistan's Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad to assess the state of bilateral defense cooperation and discuss emerging regional threats. According to Pakistan's military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), both sides agreed to set up joint working groups to deepen collaboration in aerospace technologies, advanced training, and new domains of warfare. Güler praised the operational readiness of the Pakistan Air Force, particularly during its recent conflict with India, and expressed interest in expanding industry-to-industry partnerships. He also emphasized the importance of joint ventures in disruptive technologies, including unmanned aerial systems, advanced avionics and pilot exchange programs. Both parties pledged to enhance joint air exercises and finalize plans for more intensive training cooperation. The ISPR said the meeting reflected the 'shared commitment of both the brotherly nations to enhance strategic cooperation, solidify defense ties and promote lasting institutional linkages between the Armed Forces of Pakistan and Türkiye.'
Globe and Mail
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
How Canada fits into the high-stakes NATO summit
This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney has been in Europe for a series of meetings that are focused on strengthening ties. On Monday, he was in Brussels, Belgium, to sign a new defence partnership with the European Union. Mr. Carney then went to The Hague, in The Netherlands, to attend the NATO summit. Between the war in Ukraine and U.S. involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran, a lot is at stake. Kerry Buck was Canada's ambassador to NATO from 2015 to 2018. She's on the show to talk about why Mr. Carney is trying to move Canada closer to Europe, how the NATO alliance is dealing with growing threats and what's at stake for Canada. Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@
Bloomberg
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Switzerland Seeks Defense Cooperation With EU in New Talks
Switzerland wants to start exploratory talks on a defense partnership with the European Union as worries about a US retreat from the continent prompt a rethink of security policy in the traditionally neutral country. Cooperation should take the form of a 'non-legally-binding declaration of intent,' the government in Bern said in a statement. A partnership of this kind is a prerequisite for any joint procurements in the defense sector, it added.
New York Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Canada and E.U. Pull Together as America Pushes Them Away
Canada signed a defense partnership with the European Union on Monday, the latest indication that two of America's closest allies are deepening their military cooperation as President Trump pulls away and promises to reduce the United States' role in international security. Mr. Trump has been pushing for other countries in NATO — which includes Canada and most European Union nations — to invest far more in their militaries, accusing them of relying too much on the United States. He has called into question America's commitment to defending some NATO members and has launched a trade war against some of the closest traditional allies of the United States. Now, his approach is rewiring the world's web of partnerships. America's longtime allies are moving to ramp up their own military spending, in line with Mr. Trump's demands. NATO leaders will gather in The Hague on Tuesday, where they are expected to agree to sharply raise military spending. But as Canada and Germany, France and other countries in the 27-nation European Union pour money into protecting their own territories and preparing for a future rife with geopolitical tension, they are also striking new alliances. They are seeking to pull closer together, while also moving to be less dependent on an increasingly capricious United States. 'We have an excellent partnership, between two strong democracies, bound by historic ties, and connected by a trade partnership that is dynamic, fair and open,' Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said in Brussels, as she greeted Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada. 'It is time to go to the next level, to step up our the intensity of our partnership.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
