Latest news with #diplomaticrelations
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Seychelles and Lebanon establishes Diplomatic Relations
In the spirit of promoting bilateral relations and the strengthening of friendship, the Republic of Seychelles and the Republic of Lebanon have formally established diplomatic relations through the signing of a Joint Communiqué on the 25th of June 2025. The establishment is founded on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and respect for international law and cooperation, and will allow for the promotion of exchanges in various fields of mutual interests for the benefit of the two countries. The signing took place in New York between the Permanent Representative of Seychelles to the United Nations, Ambassador Ian Madeleine, and the Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Lebanon to the United Nations, Ambassador Hadi Hachem. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE, Pakistan sign visa exemption agreement for some passport holders
The UAE and Pakistan have signed a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passports, said Ishaq Dar, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of Pakistan. The announcement was made following the 12th session of Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The UAE is home to one of the largest foreign workers, housing over 1.7 million Pakistanis. Official figures revealed earlier showed more than 64,000 Pakistanis securing jobs in the UAE last year. Dar said JMC is 'an important step in further deepening strategic, economic, and development cooperation between our two brotherly countries. We reviewed progress in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, and IT.' 'Three important MoUs were signed: Visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders; Cooperation in AI & the digital economy; and joint investment promotion, which will pave the way for enhanced engagement to the mutual benefit of both nations,' Dar said in a statement on social media platform X. My Brother HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed @ABZayed and I signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for the holders of diplomatic & official passports of our two countries, at the conclusion, very late last night, of a highly productive 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Jointâ�¦ — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 25, 2025 The 12th session of JMC held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday was co-chaired by Ishaq Dar and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of the UAE. Prior to the formal proceedings, a working group meeting of the JMC was held under Tariq Bajwa, special assistant to the prime minister of Pakistan, and Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State of the UAE. The JMC reviewed the full scope of bilateral relations and agreed on concrete measures to strengthen cooperation in trade, banking, culture, investment, aviation, railways, energy, food security, climate change, defence, healthcare, manpower, higher education and information technology. Both sides emphasised enhancing institutional mechanisms and promoting inter-ministerial coordination.
CNA
5 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Trust and understanding in Singapore-China relationship 'cannot be taken for granted': Lawrence Wong
SINGAPORE: The relationship between Singapore and China has continued to deepen and grow because it is a partnership built on a 'deep level of mutual respect, trust and understanding', said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at his meeting with Chinese premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People on Monday afternoon (Jun 23). 'This deep level of trust and understanding cannot be taken for granted. It has to be cultivated, nurtured year after year, generation after generation,' said Mr Wong, adding that his team is 'fully committed' to strengthening their interactions and exchanges with their counterparts in China. This is Mr Wong's first visit to China as Singapore's prime minister, commemorating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China. The current international landscape is marked by intertwined turbulence and changes, with increasing uncertainty and instability, said the Chinese premier during the meeting, adding that it is especially vital for China and Singapore to strengthen cooperation and exchanges. 'The Chinese side is willing to work together with the Singaporean side, in light of the new changes in the situation, with a view to safeguarding our shared interests, upholding the fine tradition of mutual respect, mutual trust, equality, and win-win cooperation, and advancing bilateral relations and collaboration to bear even more fruitful outcomes,' said Mr Li. On Monday, Mr Wong was welcomed at the Great Hall of the People, and will attend a dinner banquet hosted by Mr Li. The two last met in October 2024 on the sidelines of multilateral meetings. On this trip, Mr Wong will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chairman of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Japan and South Korea mark 60 years of ties despite lingering tension and political uncertainty
TOKYO (AP) — Japan and South Korea are marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations Sunday. The two Asian powers, rivals and neighbors, have often had little to celebrate, much of their rancor linked to Japan's brutal colonial rule of Korea in the early 20th century. Things have gotten better in recent years, but both nations — each a strong ally of the United States — now face political uncertainty and a growing unease about the future of their ties. Here's a look at one of Northeast Asia's most crucial relationships, from both capitals, by two correspondents from The Associated Press. The view from Seoul, by Kim Tong-hyung South Korea's new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, is determined to break sharply from the policies of his disgraced predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who now faces a trial on charges of leading an insurrection over his imposition of martial law in December. Relations with Japan, however, are one area where Lee, who describes himself as a pragmatist in foreign policy, may find himself cautiously building on Yoon's approach. Before his removal from office in April, the conservative former president tried to repair relations with Japan. Yoon wanted to also tighten the countries' three-way security cooperation with Washington to counter North Korean nuclear threats. In 2023, Yoon announced a South Korea-funded compensation plan for colonial-era forced laborers. That decision caused a strong backlash from victims and their supporters, who had demanded direct payments from Japanese companies and a fresh apology from Tokyo. Yoon's outreach boosted tourism and business ties, but there's still lingering resentment in South Korea that Japan failed to reciprocate Seoul's diplomatic concession by addressing historical grievances more sincerely. While advocating for pragmatism and problem-solving in foreign policy, Lee has also long criticized Japan for allegedly clinging to its imperialist past and blamed that for hurting cooperation between the countries. Some experts say the stability of the countries' improved ties could soon be tested, possibly around the Aug. 15 anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II, when Lee is expected to publicly address the nation's painful history with Japan. Some in Seoul want Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to mark the anniversary with a stronger statement of remorse over Japan's wartime past to put bilateral ties on firmer ground. While wartime history will always linger in the background of Seoul-Tokyo relations, Lee and Ishiba may face a more immediate concern: U.S. President Donald Trump's rising tariffs and other America-first trade policies. South Korea's Hankyoreh newspaper in an editorial this week called for South Korea and Japan to 'collaborate immediately' on a joint response to Trump's policies, arguing that the proposed U.S. tariffs on automobiles pose similar threats to both countries' trade-dependent economies. The view from Tokyo, by Mari Yamaguchi Ishiba, eager to improve ties with Seoul, has acknowledged Japan's wartime aggression and has shown more empathy to Asian victims than his recent predecessors. His first encounter with Lee seemed positive, despite worries in Japan about South Korea's stance under a liberal leader known for attacks on Japan's wartime past. Lee, in that meeting with Ishiba at the G7, likened the two countries to 'neighbors sharing the same front yard' and called for building a future-oriented relationship that moves beyond their 'small differences and disagreements.' Ishiba and Lee agreed to closely communicate and to cooperate on a range of issues, including North Korea's nuclear and missile development. Under a 1965 normalization treaty, Japan provided $500 million in economic assistance to South Korea, saying all wartime compensation issues were settled. However, historical issues including forced labor and sexual abuse of Korean women during the war have disrupted ties over the decades, while South Korea has become an Asian power and a rival to Japan, and while Tokyo, especially during the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 's rule, has promoted revisionist views. Japan has since offered atonement money twice for the so-called 'comfort women,' an earlier semi-private fund and a second one unilaterally dissolved by former South Korean President Moon Jae-in's liberal government. Things have improved in recent years, and Japan is watching to see whether Lee sticks with his conservative predecessor's more conciliatory diplomacy or returns to the confrontation that marked previous liberal governments. Cooperation between the two sides is 'more essential than ever' to overcome their shared problems such as worsening regional security and Trump's tariffs that have shaken free trade systems, Japan's largest-circulation newspaper Yomiuri said in a recent editorial. At a 60th anniversary reception in Tokyo, Ishiba said that he sees 'a bright future' in the relationship. He expressed hope also for cooperation in 'common challenges' such as low birth rates and declining populations. ___ Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea.
CNA
6 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Lawrence Wong to make first visit to China as prime minister, meet with Li Qiang and Xi Jinping in Beijing
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will visit China from Jun 22 to Jun 26 and meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping in Beijing. This will be Mr Wong's first visit to China as Singapore's prime minister, and both sides will commemorate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China. 'It is also an opportunity for leaders on both sides to exchange views on bilateral issues as well as regional and international developments,' said the Prime Minister's Office in a statement on Sunday (Jun 22). Mr Wong last met Mr Li and Mr Xi respectively in October and November 2024 on the sidelines of multilateral meetings. He last visited China in December 2023 as deputy prime minister for the 19th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation. This time, he will meet Mr Xi, and be hosted to a welcome ceremony and a dinner banquet by Mr Li. He will also meet Mr Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress In Beijing, Mr Wong will also engage Singaporeans in the Chinese capital at a reception. In Tianjin, the Prime Minister will attend the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Annual Meeting of New Champions, often referred to as Summer Davos, and take part in a dialogue session with WEF president Borge Brende. Mr Wong will also attend an official dinner hosted by Mr Li for foreign leaders attending Summer Davos. On this trip, he will be accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu and Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow. Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and for Home Affairs Sim Ann, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Syed Harun Alhabsyi and other government officials will also be part of the contingent. Mr Wong will conclude his trip on Jun 26 and be on leave on Jun 27. In his absence, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong will be Acting Prime Minister from Jun 22 to Jun 25, while Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam will take on the role from Jun 26 to Jun 27.
