Day: 2 October 2024

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared that he is determined to put his country’s relationship with the European Union back on a “stable positive putting.” Starmer was speaking on Wednesday in a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels He stressed that the British people wants to be back to a pragmatic sensible leadership when it comes to “dealing with our closest neighbours to make Brexit work and to find ways to boost economic growth, strengthening our security and tackle shared challenges like irregular migration and climate change.” Von der Leyen announced that the EU is ready to strengthen bilateral relations with the UK, stating that “in these very uncertain times, like-minded partners like us must cooperate more closely”.

Von der Leyen affrimed that the EU and London jointly support the people of Ukraine in the face of Russia.

The President of the European Commission added that the EU and the UKÂ’s alignment on global affairs provides a goo
d foundation for their bilateral relations. She underlined that whilst they have a set of solid agreements in place, both parties should explore the scope for more cooperation while they focus on the full and faithful implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, the Windsor Framework and the TCA.

Separately, von der Leyen and Starmer called for a ceasefire across the border with Lebanon consistent with Resolution 1701 and in Gaza.

Starmer, who is paying his first official visit to Brussels Wednesday since his election last July, is expected to meet President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. London and Brussels have different priorities on their respective agendas. Whilst the EU wants to raise fisheries and youth mobility, the UK would like to discuss security and defence, migration and health issues. Britain left the European Union in 2020 after a majority of British people voted to exit the bloc in the 2016 referendum (Brexit).

Source: Ku
wait News Agency

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov met on Wednesday with the diplomatic missions heads of Arab states accredited in Moscow to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a press release, the meeting addressed the unprecedented violence escalation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the retaliatory missile attack by Iran on Israel on Tuesday.

Lavrov stressed that peace won’t be achieved until Palestinians exercise their right to their own independent state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Zakharova added that they also emphasized that all parties involved should abandon provocative actions, show restraint, a responsible approach in accordance with the well-known decisions of the UN and its Security Counci.

She noted that the meeting participants called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict zone.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad discusses with visiting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian the latest developments of the situations in the Middle East and beyond with emphasis on the incidents in Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

During the summit talks in Doha on Wednesday, Sheikh Tamim welcomed the Iranian leader and his party, voicing hope for even stronger relations to serve the common interests of both nations.

President Pezeshkian thanked Sheikh Tamim for the warm reception and hospitality, and expressed hope that his first visit to Qatar would open new horizons for cooperation in all areas, according to a statement from the Amiri Diwan.

The summit talks dealt also with bilateral issues, including cooperation in such areas as energy, economy and culture, the statement noted.

Upon his arrival at the Lusail Palace earlier today, President Pezeshkian was given a red carpet reception.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Qatari Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohammad bin Hamad affirmed on Wednesday Doha’s interest in beefing up economic cooperation with states in the Asian continent.

Sheikh Mohammad, addressing inaugural session of the third summit of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), affirmed that Qatar, as one of the founders of the ACD that groups 35 states with 56 percent of the globe population, has been seeking to bolster economic integration among the Asian countries.

In 2022, he said proportion of the inter-Asian trade constituted 57 percent of the whole global trade, as compared to 54 percent in 2000.

Turning to Qatar, he said that since lanuch of the “national Qatar vision 2030,” the country has taken strides at the level of developing the infrastructure. That was a great step that paved the way for economic prosperity and placed Qatar in the 11th position globally at the level of comprehensive comptetiveness, he said.

Over the past years, Qatar launched multiple initiatives to lure foreign investm
ents and skilled foreign personnel, specialized in technology, the infrastructure, health, commerce, investments and finance.

For his part, the head of the Qatari Chamber of Commerce Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassem said in his statement at the event hall that the artificial intelligence future in Qatar is promising and that the country “is on the way to be pioneering in this realms.” “This forum is an opportunity to exchange views and hold talks on the challenges and opportunities provided by the artificial intelligence for businesses,” he said.

Ambassador Nasser Al-Mutairi, the secretary general of the ACD, affirmed that the AI realm is promising in Asia, where 60 percent of the world population live.

Saud Al-Manea, the head of the Qatari league of business personnel, afirmed significance of the forum theme, the AI and means of employing it in the economic sector.

The ACD, he continued, has been growing and now comprises more than 35 states with 4.5 billion souls.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

US Secretary of State Department distanced itself from the statement of Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would be barred from entering the country.

Asked to comment on the move at a press briefing on Wednesday, the Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “We don’t find that step to be productive in any way.” “We don’t think it’s a productive step at all precisely because of the reasons you identify, which is the UN does incredibly important work in Gaza. “It does incredibly important work in the region and the UN, when it’s acting at its best, can play an important role for security and stability. “So, we think it’s important that Israel be able to engage with the UN,” Miller explained. “One of the things we’ve always said that Israel needs to be cognizant of throughout this conflict is its standing in the world, and steps like this are not productive to improving its standing in the world,” he added.

Earlier today, Katz wrote on his X account “I have dec
lared UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres persona non grata in Israel and banned him from entering the country.” “Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel, as almost every country in the world has done, does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil,” he added.

Yesterday, the Secretary-General condemned “the broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation.” “This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire,” he stressed in a tweet following the Iranian missile attack on Israel.

“I am extremely concerned with the escalation of the conflict in Lebanon and appeal for an immediate ceasefire. “An all-out war must be avoided in Lebanon at all costs, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon must be respected,” Guterres added.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken convened a call with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom on Wednesday to coordinate with them “a response to Iran’s attack on Israel” yesterday.

The discussions, which preceded US President Joe Biden’s call with the G7 leaders, dealt also with how to coordinate diplomatic efforts moving forward to ensure stability in the Middle East, Spokesperson of the State Department Matthew Alan Miller said in a press briefing.

“The Secretary then joined the president’s call with the G7 — where they made clear that the G7 condemns Iran’s attack on Israel and is working together on a response including new sanctions.” Miller added.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad said on Wednesday his talks with visiting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian highlighted cooperation fields.

Speaking in a joint news conference with President Pezeshkian, the Amir stressed the importance of exploring potential opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in commercial and economic domains.

He noted that the talks are held in light of the accurate circumstances the region is going through, in terms of the Israeli occupation aggression on the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Al-Aqsa Mosque and Lebanon The martyrdom and wounding of thousands of people put the entire region on the brink of the abyss and lead to expansion of the circle of violence, he said, affirming Qatar’s support to any regional or international efforts to reach de-escalation and maintain the stability and security of the region.

The Amir calls on the international community to urgently take action to compel the Israeli occupation authorities to stop their brutal aggression on the G
aza Strip and Lebanon.

Qatar has warned against the latest escalation on Lebanon since the start of Israeli aggression, he said.

On mediation efforts for a ceasefire, the Amir reiterated Qatar’s continued endeavors and efforts to halt the war in Gaza and release hostages, elaborating that mediation is a strategic option for Qatar.

He reiterated that establishing an independent viable Palestinian state on June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital is the only way for a sustainable and permanent peace in the region.

Meanwhile, Pezeshkian underlined the significance of multiple mechanisms to develop ties between Qatar and Iran, saying that bilateral collaboration supports the region’s stability and security.

On the latest regional happenings, he emphasized that Iran is keen on peace and calls for lull. He noted that wars do not serve the region’s countries.

The Iranian leader thanked the Amir for hospitality and warm reception, referring that his country is looking forward to boosting ties wit
h Qatar through talks on varied fields.

Source: Kuwait News Agency