Latest news with #regionalSecurity
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aus ‘realistic' on China's influence: Wong
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says China has purposefully chosen to 'wield its strength' in a way that threatens regional security, saying Australia is 'realistic' about the superpower's 'objectives in changing the regional balance of power'. Currently in Malaysia attending the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting, Senator Wong said while no country, including the United States, seeks military confrontation 'it is clear' that China intended to increase its 'strategic influence' and 'military power'. 'China's size and weight makes it central to solving global challenges, from climate change to global public health, from international trade to the energy transition,' she told the Institute for Strategic and International Studies Malaysia. 'China continues to assert its strategic influence and project its military power further into our region. 'And we have seen the worrying pace of China's nuclear and conventional military build-up, without the transparency that the region expects.' Her comments comes days before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leaves for a six-day visit to China, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping to discuss global and regional issues. With US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also set to attend the ASEAN meeting in Malaysia, Senator Wong said Australia's security should not defined by the actions of China or the United States. 'We take our own approach to our relationships, to the rules and to this region that we share,' she said. 'We are not naive about the headwinds blowing in global trade, or the risks of economic interdependence creating vulnerability as well as strength. 'But economic security does not have to be code for putting up walls. It is about making the right investments, with the right partners, at the right time.' Recently, Mr Albanese also invoked the words of former Prime Minister John Curtin in a major speech and said Australia should speak for itself as a 'sovereign nation,' and not just as an ally of the US. Senator Wong's speech also coincided with a $10m funding commitment boost, including $6m for disaster response to be delivered through the Australian Red Cross and the Australian Humanitarian Partnership. The remaining $4m in aid will be delivered via the UN Population Fund to delivery maternal, child and newborn care and support services for mental health, gender-based violence and psychosocial programs.
Reuters
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Saudi crown prince meets Iranian foreign minister in Jeddah
July 8 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Jeddah on Tuesday, in the first visit by the Iranian official to the Gulf kingdom since Tehran's air war with Israel. The two discussed relations and the latest regional developments, Saudi state news agency SPA said. Araqchi held "fruitful" conversations with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said in a post on X Earlier, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson had said Araqchi would visit Saudi Arabia on his way back from Brazil to discuss the peace and security of the region. Araqchi's visit to the Gulf kingdom is the first since Iran and Israel concluded a 12-day air war in June.
Al Bawaba
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Abbas Araghchi meets Saudi counterpart in Mecca
ALBAWABA- In a significant step toward regional diplomacy, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Tuesday at the Ministry's branch in Mecca. Also Read Two Missing, two injured after ship attacked off Yemen The meeting was Araghchi's first official visit to Saudi Arabia since attending the BRICS summit in Brazil, which indicates an easing of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran after years of tension. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the visit aimed to deepen dialogue on bilateral ties and explore pathways to enhance regional peace and security. The two top diplomats discussed ongoing regional developments, including efforts to stabilize the Middle East amid escalating threats and political unrest. Araghchi's visit comes at a critical moment. In a sharply worded op-ed published by the Financial Times, the Iranian Foreign Minister criticized the United States' regional posture, claiming that 'America First' has effectively become 'Israel First.' He argued that true diplomacy must be built on mutual respect and warned against coercive policies masked as dialogue. 'Negotiations held under the shadow of war are inherently unstable,' Araghchi wrote, cautioning that real dialogue cannot exist while threats and third-party interference persist. He pointed to Israeli airstrikes on Iran and U.S. policy shifts as key factors derailing progress. Araghchi also revealed that U.S.-Iran nuclear talks had gained momentum in recent months, but claimed the diplomatic channel was disrupted just days before a crucial sixth round of talks by what he described as 'an unprovoked Israeli attack.' He expressed doubt over renewed U.S. engagement, citing the collapse of the 2015 nuclear agreement and the lack of trust after repeated setbacks. Despite his sharp criticism of the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi emphasized Iran's commitment to preventing a full-scale regional war and reiterated Tehran's openness to responsible diplomacy. He described recent conversations with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff as more productive than four years of prior negotiations.
The National
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Sheikh Tahnoon and Saudi Crown Prince address regional security in Jeddah talks
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks in Jeddah on Thursday in support of efforts by the two nations to bolster regional security and stability. Sheikh Tahnoon stressed the need for 'joint Arab action' to address challenges in the region and to promote development. They also explored ways to strengthen partnerships in a number of key sectors, during the meeting at Al Salam Palace in Jeddah. 'My visit to Jeddah comes as part of the ongoing consultation and co-ordination between the leaderships of our two brotherly nations, aimed at addressing key issues concerning regional security, stability, and discussing current developments in the region,' Sheikh Tahnoon said on X. 'The United Arab Emirates reaffirms its firm belief in the importance of joint Arab action, both at the bilateral and collective levels, and the need for constant communication to effectively address current challenges and secure a stable, sustainable future for the region.' President Sheikh Mohamed last month spoke by phone with Prince Mohammed and other Gulf leaders as part of consultations aimed at calming tensions prompted by the Israel-Iran conflict. A ceasefire between Israel and Iran which came into effect last month after 12 days of hostilities has held firm. However, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the country still needs time and assurances from the US before it can resume nuclear talks, adding that the country is ready to enrich uranium again to 'make up for lost time.' After the truce came into effect, US President Donald Trump had said talks that were being held with Tehran before the war would soon resume.
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
New accords on trade, security strengthen Egypt-Oman relations
Egypt - Talks between the foreign ministers of Egypt and Oman in Cairo on Tuesday concluded with the signing of seven agreements to enhance cooperation in areas ranging from investment and labour to regional security. Egyptian Foreign and Emigration Minister Badr Abdelatty hosted his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, for the 16th session of the Egyptian-Omani Joint Committee. The talks resulted in new memorandums of understanding covering labour, mineral wealth, investment promotion, media cooperation, food safety, and religious affairs. According to a statement from Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tamim Khallaf, the discussions were aimed at strengthening all aspects of their bilateral relationship, in line with directives from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. Minister Abdelatty expressed Egypt's desire for a 'qualitative leap' in economic integration, particularly in trade, industry, renewable energy—including green hydrogen and ammonia—logistics, and technology. He stressed the need to activate a joint business council and affirmed that Egyptian companies are prepared to contribute to development projects outlined in Oman's Vision 2040. A key proposal involved enhancing cooperation between the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority in maritime transport and logistics. On regional issues, the two ministers discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip. Abdelatty emphasised the necessity of resuming a ceasefire, releasing hostages and prisoners, and ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid. He outlined Egypt's preparations to host an international conference for Gaza's early recovery and reconstruction once a ceasefire is reached. The ministers affirmed their complete rejection of the displacement of Palestinians and agreed to intensify efforts to rally international support for an Arab plan to rebuild the territory and support a two-state solution. The talks also addressed tensions between Iran and Israel, with both ministers stressing the importance of stabilising the ceasefire and favouring diplomatic solutions for the Iranian nuclear file to reduce regional tensions. They found a convergence of views on developments in Yemen, Syria, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa. From his side, Omani Minister Al Busaidi conveyed greetings from Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to President Sisi and praised the deep ties between the two nations across trade, culture, and education. He also affirmed Oman's support for Egypt's water security. The meeting, which was also attended by Egyptian Minister of Labour Mohamed Gibran, touched upon the status of the Egyptian community in Oman. Gibran praised the support they receive and expressed Egypt's interest in expanding cooperation in labour training. Additionally, Abdelatty thanked Oman for its support of Egyptian candidates in regional and international organisations, including the nomination of Khaled El-Enany for the position of Director-General of UNESCO.
