Day: 2 October 2024

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita discussed in a meeting late Tuesday the current tension in the Middle East and fears of a wider regional conflict.

In statement prior to the meeting Secretary Blinken said that he was looking forward to consulting on a lot — a variety of issues that we work on together, particularly stability both in the Middle East as well as in Africa and North Africa.” “We’re, of course, tracking events in the Middle East very closely,” he affirmed.

“We’re watching developments, as I said, very carefully in this moment,” said Blinken On his part, Bourita said, “We are witnessing escalations in the Middle East, problems in the Sahel, in Libya, in Europe,” adding, the meeting today was “an opportunity to coordinate, and his majesty (King of Morocco) values this partnership. And we would like to work together to bring peace to all these parts of the world.” The Middle East had witnessed rising tension yesterday. The region is approaching the anni
versary of the Israeli occupation’s brutal assault on the Gaza Strip. The Israeli aggressors also began a bullish campaign against southern Lebanon with air strikes supposedly aimed at the Lebanese resistance forces but caused serious casualties on the civilian population Iran launched an assault on the Israeli occupation in retaliation to its inhumane attacks on Palestine and Lebanon as well as numerous assassinations of prominent regional figures.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

The United States and Bahrain held the fourth round of their annual Strategic Dialogue in Washington, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation and the conditions in the Middle East, especially in the Gaza Strip.

A joint statement was issued on Tuesday, following the consclusion of the session, stating the commitment of both countries to enhance bilaterial and regional security, promoting economic innovation and prosperity, strengthening cultural and public relations as well as supporting fundamental rights and values. “The dialogue is a platform to advance practical cooperation in areas like border security, counterterrorism, energy security, trusted technology, education, cultural exchange, and trade and investment” the statement added. During the current session, the United Sates praised the leaderships of Bahrain as the current Arab League president and the host of the 33rd Arab Summit. Both countries reaffirm their commitment to a more peaceful and stable region including achieving permanent end to
the war in the Gaza Strip, release of hostages and detainees, reconstruction of Gaza, and the expanding of unhindered flow of humanitarian aid to civilians. Both sides reiterated their call for a two-state solutions “that would allow Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side in security, sovereignty, and economic opportunities” The US government commended Bahrain’s “invaluable role as a partner in maintaining regionl security, highlighting its commitment to “Operation Prosperity Guardian” launched by the US at end of last year amid Houthi attacks on ships allegedly linked to the Israeli occupation. Both countries condemned the ongoing Houthi attacks on commercial shipping and innocent mariners, which have harmful effects on regional and international economies. Washington and Manama reiterated calls for the Houthis to release United Nations staff, U.S. embassy employees, and international organization personnel unlawfully detained in Yemen.

The two nations stated that the open and comprehensive discussi
ons within the Strategic Dialogue reflect the decades-long U.S.-Bahrain friendship and security alliance. Both government explained that economic cooperation would continue to grow in the context of US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, signed 20 years ago in September 2004. Joint initiatives in higher, secondary, and primary education was discussed among other areas in the dialogue, as well as opportunities to enhance media cooperation and develop skills in journalism.

he joint statement noted that Bahrain and the United Sates look forward to holding the 2025 Strategic Dialogue again, with follow up sessions to advance progress on specific initiative.

The 2023 dialogue took place in Washington, culminating in a meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Bahraini counterpart Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Japan’s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and US President Joe Biden agreed Wednesday on the importance of continuing to enhance the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

During their first phone talks since Ishiba took office on Tuesday, which lasted 15 minutes, the two leaders also vowed to work together on economic security cooperation, the ministry said in a statement.

In addition, Ishiba and Biden agreed to further develop networks of like-minded countries, including Japan-US-Korea, Japan-US-Australia-India, and Japan-US-Philippines, according to the statement.

Ishiba told Biden that strengthening the Japan-US alliance is a top priority of his administration’s foreign and security policy and that he wishes to continue working closely together with the US as global partners at the core of a free and open international order.

Ishiba also expressed his gratitude for Biden’s strong commitment to the Japan-US alliance.

Over the recent attack b
y Iran against Israel, the two leaders expressed their serious concern about the potential escalation into a full-fledged war in the Middle East, and reaffirmed their strong condemnation of such escalation.

Furthermore, Ishiba and Biden pledged to continue working closely on issues related to China, dealing with North Korea including on the nuclear and missile development programs, Japanese abductions by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, and the situation in Ukraine.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

The Egyptian government warned on Wednesday that the region might be dragged to total war if the Israeli occupation continued to escalate the situation in the region.

A statement by the cabinet said during its meeting that it was very concerned over the alarming developments in Lebanon as the result of the Israeli assault, expressing full solidarity towards the Lebanese government and people and standing the fellow Arab country’s security and unity.

The rapid developments from yesterday signals an alarm for the international community to intervene and imposed an immediate ceasefire in the region to save lives and safeguard Mideast security.

A ceasefire must especially implemented in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip to deescalate the situation, it affirmed.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Wednesday received a telephone call from South Korea’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun.

The two sides discussed means of boosting bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries within quarters of the international organizations.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

The Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Al Thani is set to inaugurate the third summit of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Doha on Thursday, with the participation of Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

ACD, established in 2002 by Thailand, aims to enhance cooperation between regional Asian organizations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

It also aims to expand Asian commerce and finance market, increase Asia’s competitiveness in international markets, creating an Asian community that can perform equally with the rest of the world.

The first ministerial meeting of the ACD was held in Thailand in 2002, while the first summit was held in Kuwait in October 2012. During the events, the participants announced pledges worth USD two billions, with USD 300 million provided by Kuwa
it.

Kuwait continues to commitment to boost Asian dialogue on all levels, to tacke issues and challenges facing the continent’s countries.

The second summit was held in Thailand in 2016, where the countries agreed on establishing a permanent general secretariat for ACD, headquartered in Kuwait.

The theme for this year’s edition of the conference is “Sports Diplomacy”, as sports is a soft power that plays a big role in developing countries and bringing nations and cultures closer. It also involves supporting youth, women and development, as main pillars in the sports field.

Despite the variations in natural and human resources, significant economic power and energy sources, Asian countries are still facing many challenges that require joint work and cooperation.

These include different development rates between Asian countries, as well as security issues. ACD is aiming to enhance its role on a regional and international level to tackle these issues.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Indian government on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the escalation of security situation in the Middle East and appealed on the concerned parties to maintain restrain.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs reiterated the call for restraint by all concerned and protection of civilians as the situation in the region grew tense. “It is important that the conflict doesnÂ’t take a wider regional dimension and we urge that all issues be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement said. New Delhi also advised nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran saying it is closely monitoring recent escalation in security situation in the region.

“Those currently residing in Iran are requested to remain vigilant and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran,” the statement said.

Source: Kuwait News Agency