Macron On to Africa,
French President Emmanuel Macron is heading to Africa to try to revive French influence and move beyond post-colonial tensions, despite skepticism and threats of demonstrations, AP reports. Unions in Burkina Faso have called for protests for Macron’s trip, which starts Monday night. In his first big speech on Africa policy, the 39-year-old leader is expected to focus on more pragmatic relations, such as supporting startup entrepreneurs instead of giving aid. The president will visit Ivory Coast for a Europe-Africa summit, and Ghana. The trip comes amid protests around Africa and Europe at new revelations about African migrants being sold as slaves in Libya.
Putin urges all states to eliminate chemical weapons
President Vladimir Putin has called on all countries to destroy their chemical weapons stockpiles, following the example of Russia. He sent greetings to the delegates of the 22nd Session of the Conference of the States Parties of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). “We call on the countries which have chemical weapons to follow our example and make every effort to complete soon the elimination of their remaining stockpiles,” Putin said. He urged the countries which are outside the international and legal framework of the convention to immediately join it, TASS reported. The last batch of Russia’s chemical weapons was destroyed on September 27, Putin said, adding that this was “an important step towards a more responsible and stable world.”
Merkel: EU needs stable German
Chancellor Angela Merkel shed pressure on Monday on the Social Democrats (SPD) to rejoin a “grand coalition” with her conservatives. She argues that the EU and the wider world urgently needs a stable German government in place, media said. “There are European elections in 2019… so there is a big expectation that we take positions,” she told reporters.
Merkel referred to proposals by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and by French President Emmanuel Macron on the future governance of the EU’s currency and economic union. Merkel also cited conflicts in the Middle East, tensions with Russia and relations with the US as factors that required a Germany “capable of acting.”
Xi calls for a ‘toilet revolution’
President Xi Jinping clarion call, the country to push ahead with its so-called “toilet revolution” to clean up bathrooms nationwide.
State-run China Central Television gave wide coverage to Xi’s direction on Monday.
Xi hailed the achievements of the program his administration launched 2 years ago. He said the issue must be tackled not just in tourist spots and cities but also in rural areas. He added the initiative should address shortcomings in the people’s quality of life.
State-run Xinhua News Agency says in rural areas some toilets were little more than makeshift shelters surrounded by bunches of cornstalks or open pits next to pigsties.
It notes the country has installed or upgraded 68,000 toilets and many citizens are enjoying the benefits.
President Xi, who started his second term last month, has made improving the quality of the people’s lives one of his policy objectives.
Japan, Israel to ink infrastructure project MOU
Japan and Israel are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding to make it easier for Japanese firms to take part in Israeli infrastructure projects.
The deal will likely be signed by Israel’s Economy and Industry Ministry and a public-private fund, Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development. Covenants, Israel will provide bidding information on domestic infrastructure projects while the Japanese side will introduce companies.
The deal will likely be signed by Israel’s Economy and Industry Ministry and a public-private fund, Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development. Covenants, Israel will provide bidding information on domestic infrastructure projects while the Japanese side will introduce companies.
Israel is carrying out high-speed rail and subway construction projects as its economy and population continue to grow. The projects are worth a total of about 18 billion dollars.Chinese and French companies have won rights to join the projects. Japanese businesses will also be able to participate once the memorandum is inked.
Japanese firms have long been cautious of doing business with Israel as such moves could invite economic sanctions by Arab nations, which are at odds with Israel.
Presently, Arab countries have been less concerned about companies dealing with Israel. This is because rivalries among Middle Eastern nations have become more complicated due partly to Islamic sectarian tensions.
Sagar: India’s Vision for India Ocean.
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Sagar: India’s Vision for India Ocean. Minister Suresh Prabhu address seminar
Eastern Europe, China summit
Leaders and ministers from 16 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Balkan nations, met in the Hungarian capital of Budapest on Monday. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also took part. Eastern and Central European countries are stepping up their pursuit of investment from China for infrastructure and economic development.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told the meeting that European funds are not enough for Eastern and Central Europe to develop and that it will require external technology and financial contributions. He said Eastern Europe welcome China’s participation as part of the new economic order.
Orban unveiled a plan to modernize a railway linking Budapest with the Serbian capital of Belgrade, using China’s high-speed train technology. He said the project will begin soon.Premier Li said China is ready to offer cooperation to help countries in the region promote industrialization and build infrastructure.
Orban unveiled a plan to modernize a railway linking Budapest with the Serbian capital of Belgrade, using China’s high-speed train technology. He said the project will begin soon.Premier Li said China is ready to offer cooperation to help countries in the region promote industrialization and build infrastructure.
Analysts say that struggling Eastern European nations are eager to draw investment from China, showing interest in Beijing’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative to establish a wide trans-Eurasian economic zone.
Pak PM Abbasi visit Saudi Arabia
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia discussed bilateral relations as well as the regional and international issues of mutual interest in a meeting here on Monday during the former’s one-day visit to the Kingdom.
During his meeting with the King, the two dignitaries reviewed the entire spectrum of their bilateral relations in addition to regional and international issues.
They also discussed ways and means to further enhance their bilateral relations in diverse fields.
Abbasi was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar.
During the visit, the premier held meetings with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
The Saudi King also hosted a luncheon in honour of Abbasi and his delegation.
The Prime Minister lauded the efforts of the Saudi leadership in bringing peace and stability in the region and assured the Saudi King of Pakistan’s full support in this regard.
The Saudi King praised the excellent relations that exist between the two sides and efforts of Pakistan in rooting out the menace of terrorism and extremism from its soil.
During his meeting with the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister praised his vision for launching the national economic transformation plan ‘Vision 2030’ and offered Pakistan’s technical and human resource assistance in achieving it.
Abbasi also appreciated the efforts and dedication of the Crown Prince in launching a unified platform of Muslim countries — in the form of Islamic Military Alliance to Combat Terrorism (IMCTC) — for countering the menaces of extremism and terrorism that were distorting the real essence of Islam.
The Crown Prince — while appreciating the efforts of Pakistan in fighting terrorism and its active participation in IMCTC — said Saudi Arabia and other countries of the coalition looked forward to learning from Pakistan’s experience in this field.
He underscored the fact that there was a great potential for further strengthening of our bilateral relations, especially in the fields of economy, trade, investment, and defence.
Earlier upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister was received at King Salman Airbase by Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Al Saud — the Governor of Riyadh province.
This was Abbasi’s second visit to Saudi Arabia. Prior to this, he had visited the Kingdom soon after assuming office.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy close and fraternal relations.
The traditionally warm bilateral relations are based on mutual trust and common aspirations of the people of the two countries.
In 1951, the two countries had signed a ‘Treaty of Friendship’, which lays the foundation of our bilateral relations.
Abbasi later left for Pakistan at the conclusion of his visit.
Earlier, the prime minister and General Bajwa attended the IMCTC conference, where the Alliance’s military commander General (retd) Raheel Shareef addressed the attendees
Speaking to the defence ministers at the IMCTC, General (retd) Shareef emphasised on the multilateral counter-terrorism efforts. He said while all individual states were making efforts against the menace of terrorism, the required level of synergy and resources were lacking, said a press release issued here.
The former Army chief noted that the IMCTC would support its partners mainly through intelligence sharing and capacity building, underlining how the Muslim world was the biggest sufferer of the menace of terrorism.
“Fight against the faceless enemy with extremist ideology is complex and challenging, requiring collaboration. Pakistan has turned the tide and has had defeated the menace,” he stated further, as officials from 40 Muslim countries gathered Sunday in the first meeting of an Islamic counter-terrorism alliance.
During last six years alone, General (retd) Shareef said, more than 70 percent of all deaths attributed to terrorism had occurred in Muslim countries.
Saudi Arabia, in response, vowed that the new Islamic alliance “will wipe terrorists from [the] earth”.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — who is also the Saudi defence minister — vowed to “pursue terrorists until they are wiped from the face of the earth”.
“In past years, terrorism has been functioning in all of our countries… with no coordination” among national authorities, he said in his keynote address to the gathering.
“This ends today, with this alliance.”
‘Pan-Islamic unified front’
The summit is the first meeting of defence ministers and other senior officials from the IMCTC, which comprises 41 countries and identifies as a “pan-Islamic unified front” against violent extremism.
The alliance was announced back in 2015 under the auspices of Prince Mohammed, whose rapid ascent since his appointment as the heir to the throne in June has shaken the political scene across the region.
Sunday’s meeting comes as several military coalitions — including key Saudi Arabia’s the ally the United States — battle to push Daesh from its last remaining bastions in Iraq and Syria.
The alliance excludes Iran, as well as Syria and Iraq, whose leaders have close ties to Tehran. Geo News
