Latest news with #strategiccooperation
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
China's Xi meets with Lukashenko of 'all-weather' partner Belarus
BEIJING, June 4 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus in Beijing, the official Xinhua news agency reported, as the two "all-weather" partners looked to further deepen strategic ties and cooperation. Lukashenko's visit to Beijing was his first to the Chinese capital since he was declared a winner of a presidential election in January, extending his 31-year rule of the former Soviet republic.
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
Italy and the UAE are forging the future together
Today, Italy celebrates its Republic Day – a time to reflect on the values of freedom, the rights of the person and labour that underpin our Constitution. It is also a moment to honour the partnerships that allow us to project those values on to the global stage. Few are as vibrant and future-oriented as the one between Italy and the UAE. This year, our celebrations take on special significance. Just a few months ago, Italy welcomed the first-ever state visit by a UAE President. The visit of President Sheikh Mohamed was, in every sense, historic. It marked the beginning of a new strategic co-operation between our nations. Italy and the UAE are no strangers to each other. For centuries, Italian and Arab merchants crossed the spice route, trading goods, ideas and talent. Even in a time without trade insurance, Swift codes or arbitration mechanisms, Italians came to the Gulf driven by trust in their partners. That trust endures. In an uncertain world, our ability to rely on one another is what makes us, truly, unstoppable together. Its legacy continues to surface even today, as shown by the recent exhibition 'From Sharjah to Rome via the Spice Route', held at the Roman Forum, which celebrated our long-lasting exchanges and mutual influences. Our bond is more than historical. It is visionary. A vision we now encapsulate in this year's Republic Day motto: 'Forging the Future Together.' Over the past months, that vision has turned into reality. Trade between our countries has reached record highs, with Italian exports to the UAE exceeding those to Egypt, Morocco and Libya combined. Remarkably, we export more to the UAE than to India – a nation with more than 140 times its population. Over 600 Italian companies now operate in the UAE, and Italian investments in the country have grown by more than 50 per cent in the past five years. It is no surprise then that Italy was the first country to ask the European Commission to start negotiations for a free trade agreement with the UAE. Now that these negotiations have started, we hope they will be finalised soon. Italy and the UAE are also partners in the new India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor, a crucial link to connect our continents and create new opportunities for growth. The UAE's decision to invest up to €40 billion (Dh167 billion) in Italy reflects a deep level of trust and alignment. These investments focus on shared priorities: artificial intelligence, energy transition, real estate, digital infrastructure, space exploration and rare earth supply chains. Our co-operation stretches across every frontier, from the depths of the sea to the vastness of space. New ambitious partnerships have been recently launched, such as the construction of a next-generation data centre in Italy with advanced carbon capture technology; a massive project to use Europe's largest supercomputer cluster in Italy; new co-operation programmes on space. Our relations are grounded not only in strategic interests, but also in people. In the strength of personal relationships, family ties and social bonds. Over 20,000 Italians live and work in the UAE, fully integrated into a society of more than 200 nationalities. They bring expertise, innovation and the Italian way of life. Among them, more than 160 Italian researchers and academics contribute daily to cutting-edge projects across UAE institutions. Together with the UAE, we feel responsible for helping those in need with humanitarian aid Our partnership has also a global reach. Italy and the UAE are conducing efforts in Africa with a common approach. We co-operate with African governments and peoples to foster prosperity in this dynamic continent full of opportunities. This same spirit shapes our global diplomacy. Italy and the UAE stand for dialogue over divisive agendas, hope over despair, and tolerance over extremism. Together with the UAE, we feel responsible for helping those in need with humanitarian aid. We have provided significant assistance to the civilians in Gaza who have been suffering for far too long. It is the children, the elderly and the sick who are suffering the most. Now, as Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani clearly stated, the bombings in Gaza must stop, humanitarian aid must resume as soon as possible, and respect for international humanitarian law must be restored. In particular, we share the words of peace of Pope Leo XIV, echoing from Rome to the world, and we remain inspired by the Document on Human Fraternity, signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019, which guides our commitment to interfaith dialogue. The message of this Republic Day is clear: Italy and the UAE have a long history in common based on mutual trust. However, our strength lies not only in our past, but also in our forward-looking partnership. By building on our mutual trust and our common vision, we can 'Forge the Future Together'.
Asharq Al-Awsat
28-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi and UK Defense Ministers Explore Strategic Military Cooperation
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held talks in London on Tuesday with British Secretary of State for Defense John Healey. They reviewed the longstanding historic ties between their countries and discussed strategic cooperation in defense fields, as well as opportunities to boost it in ways that serve common interests. They also tackled regional and international developments, and issues of mutual concern and the efforts being made to address them. Several senior officials from both sides attended the meeting.
Malay Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Anwar, China's Premier Li agree to boost cooperation ahead of Asean-GCC-China Summit in KL
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 — Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Premier Li Qiang have agreed to further enhance strategic cooperation, particularly through the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit, scheduled to take place here, today. In fact, Anwar said Malaysia, as Asean Chair 2025, truly appreciated China's strong commitment to enhancing regional collaboration in the years ahead. 'On the sidelines of the Asean Summit 2025, I met with China's Premier Li Qiang, where we discussed efforts to enhance strategic cooperation, particularly through the Asean-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur. 'We focused on key areas like the economy, the halal industry, trade, transportation (especially the East Coast Rail Link), green energy, and artificial intelligence technologies,' Anwar said in a post on X. The Prime Minister said he had also expressed gratitude to China for its support for Malaysia's modernisation efforts, highlighting the solidarity of the Global South. 'This collaboration will benefit Malaysia, China and Asean, fostering regional economic growth,' he said. Li arrived here earlier today to attend the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit slated to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre tomorrow, along with the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit. The summits serve as strategic platforms to advance regional and inter-regional cooperation. This evening, Li also joined Asean leaders in attending the gala dinner hosted by Anwar in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit, held under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship theme, 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.' This year marks Malaysia's fifth term as Asean Chair, following previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. — Bernama
South China Morning Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China-Thailand meeting yields agreement on strategic cooperation and military exercises
Senior military officials from China and Thailand reached 'important consensus' on strategic cooperation when they met on Thursday, according to the defence ministry in Beijing. The meeting was held between China's chief of joint staff, Liu Zhenli, and Thailand's top defence official, Songwit Noonpackdee, during his visit to the Chinese capital. The two military leaders 'reached important consensus on strengthening strategic communication and deepening cooperation in joint exercises and training', according to a readout on Thursday. They also 'exchanged views on issues of common concern, such as relations between the two countries and their militaries and the international and regional situation'. 03:57 'We won't survive': Thai rice farmers brace for impact of US tariffs 'We won't survive': Thai rice farmers brace for impact of US tariffs Liu is a member of the Chinese Central Military Commission, the highest decision-making body of the People's Liberation Army. The high-level meeting followed a series of diplomatic activities between China and the Southeast Asian country, which is also a traditional US ally in the region.
