Latest news with #MinistryofForeignAffairs
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Thailand pushes for diplomacy after ex-Cambodia PM's 'extraordinary' attack
BANGKOK: Thailand's foreign ministry said on Friday it was taken aback by an unprecedented public attack on the Thai premier and her family by Cambodia's influential former leader, but stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve an escalating bilateral dispute. In a televised address that lasted more than three hours, veteran Cambodian politician Hun Sen rebuked Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for her handling of a festering border row between the neighbours. Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades until stepping down in 2023, also took aim at Paetongtarn's father, divisive billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, until recently his close ally. "It surprised us, and it's quite extraordinary in terms of diplomatic norms," foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters. "Thailand has opened a lot of doors, and I insist that these doors remain open even after what happened this morning." Hun Sen, who is now president of Cambodia's senate but still holds enormous clout, accused Paetongtarn of looking down on him and his son, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. On Thaksin, who faces an impending court case over the legitimacy of a hospital stay that allowed him to skip prison time, Hun Sen said the former Thai leader faked his illness. "Thaksin was not sick," he said. "He pretended to be sick." Paetongtarn, 38, has come under enormous domestic pressure following the leak of the audio of a 15 June phone call between her and Hun Sen, in which she appeared overtly deferential to him and also criticised a Thai military commander. That call came after an escalation in tensions along a disputed border between the Southeast Asian nations, where a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief exchange of gunfire with Thai forces in late May. Despite Hun Sen's public vilification, Thailand is working to open a dialogue between both foreign ministers. "We are looking at the earliest possible venue where both sides can talk," Nikorndej said. "Speaking for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are a strong advocate for peaceful resolution through dialogue." At the root of the current tensions is a longstanding dispute over various undemarcated points along their 817 km (508 miles) land border. Following the recent flare-up, which also led to reinforcement of troops on both sides of the border, Cambodia said it would seek resolution by the International Court of Justice. Thailand does not recognise the ICJ's jurisdiction, but has gathered legal teams to study Cambodia's application and also talked with members of the United Nations Security Council to push its position, Nikorndej said, without naming those members. "We're doing everything we can to try to convince Cambodia to come to bilateral talks," Nikorndej said.
Arab Times
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Settler Violence In West Bank Draws Strong Kuwaiti Condemnation
KUWAIT CITY, June 27: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the recent attacks carried out by Israeli settlers on several villages and towns in the occupied West Bank. The most recent incident was a terrorist attack targeting the village of Kafr Malik, east of Ramallah, which resulted in multiple Palestinian casualties and injuries. The Ministry warned that the repeated occurrence of such actions undermines the prospects for peace and risks plunging the region into further violence and instability. It called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities by compelling the occupying authorities to cease these ongoing violations and to provide international protection for Palestinian civilians under international humanitarian law. The Ministry reaffirmed Kuwait's unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their pursuit of establishing an independent state based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Daily Tribune
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Successfully Completes Return of Stranded Citizens from Affected Countries
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the successful return of all Bahraini citizens who were stranded abroad and had requested to come back home from countries affected by the current regional situation. This was made possible after the full or partial reopening of airspace in those nations. The repatriation efforts were carried out in line with the royal directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and under the instructions of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The final two repatriation flights, operated by Gulf Air, Bahrain's national carrier, arrived from Turkmenistan carrying 203 citizens who had previously been in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In addition, the ministry confirmed the return of 103 other citizens from various countries where airspace had been temporarily closed due to the ongoing situation. In total, 2,586 Bahraini citizens were brought back from Iran through coordinated efforts involving nine Gulf Air flights and 37 buses operating by land routes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended its gratitude to the diplomatic missions of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as to the governments of Iraq and Turkmenistan, for their support in easing travel and border procedures, and for helping Bahraini citizens return safely.
Libya Herald
8 hours ago
- Business
- Libya Herald
Libyan Russian Economic Forum starts in St. Petersburg
The Libyan Russian Economic Forum was launched in St Petersburg, Russia, yesterday, the Benghazi based Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation reports. The forum, expected to continue for a week, included the participation of an official delegation representing the eastern Libyan authorities, along with several representatives of eastern based ministries and economic institutions, and a group of businessmen and investors from the two countries. The Benghazi based Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the forum aims to enhance economic and trade cooperation between (eastern) Libya and Russia, and open wide horizons for establishing strategic partnerships in vital sectors including industry, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and maritime transport. The programme of the forum includes specialised working sessions, bilateral meetings between representatives of the public and private sectors, in addition to presentations of Libyan investment projects to Russian partners. The forum will also witness the signing of memorandums of understanding and preliminary understandings in several areas of common interest. It will be recalled that in February this year the forum was held in Benghazi. . Second edition of the Libyan Russian Economic Forum to be held in Moscow and St. Petersburg from 18 to 22 May MoU signed at Libyan Russian Economic Forum in Benghazi Libyan Russian Forum to be held in Benghazi on 22 February Libyan and Russian ministries of health sign cooperation agreement in development, training and experience exchange Union of Libyan Chambers of Commerce and the Russian Chambers sign agreement Reopening of Russian consulate discussed with Benghazi based Libyan government Aldabaiba receives new Russian ambassador to Libya Aganin – embassy to reopen in August ( Libyan Railroads and Russian Railways discuss activating stalled Sirte-Benghazi rail project Minister of Oil and Gas Aoun discusses with Russian Ambassador Aganin activation of Libyan-Russian Ministerial Committee
Nikkei Asia
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
China hosts Pacific island countries' envoys as Taiwan issue looms
Participants pose for a group photo at the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting on May 27 in Xiamen, China. (China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs) SOPHIE MAK SYDNEY -- China's top diplomat hosted Pacific island leaders on Wednesday as Beijing seeks to weaken Taiwan's diplomatic standing in the region. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with 11 of his counterparts and representatives from Beijing-friendly Pacific countries at the third China-Pacific Island Countries (PICs) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the southern city of Xiamen.
