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Ottobre 2017 - page 22

US to get involved in talks; Kosovo to have army this year

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Kosovo President Hashim Thaci says US Vice President Mike Pence “promised that the US would get directly involved” in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. “The time has come for direct involvement of the United States in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. Vice President Pence confirmed the commitment and engagement of the White House in this significant process,” Thachi told RTK. According to his, this engagement of the United States will give “new significance, dynamism and credibility to a successful conclusion of the talks.” He “explained that he discussed three issues with Pence, the main issue being the formation of the Kosovo army, which will take place this year”. The first issue was, as Thaci said, “a continuation of the dialogue on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia as the final phase of this process, with a historic agreement on normalization and reconciliation, with the leading role of the EU”. He added that the US administration was “asking from Kosovo to resolve the issue of demarcation with Montenegro as soon as possible”.

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Putin urges global community to pitch in to demine Syria and provide humanitarian aid

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that all countries should join the process of providing humanitarian assistance to Syria and demining efforts in that country. A pressing task today is increasing the supply of humanitarian aid and demining the liberated territories”, the head of state said at the presentation of foreign ambassadors’ credentials ceremony. According to the Russian president, “everyone who sincerely wishes peace to Syria and its people, who sincerely wants refugees to return to their homes should join these processes with the leading role played by the UN and without any preconditions”. Putin recalled that the agreements on four de-escalation zones in Syria reached with the participation of the guarantor countries – Russia, Iran and Turkey – had been finalized in the Astana format recently and supported by many other countries. He stressed that “these agreements create conditions for making progress in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2254 on the basis of a direct dialogue between the government and the opposition, pooling efforts in the interests of eliminating the hotbed of terrorism at an early date, establishing peace and preserving Syria’s unity”. The Russian leader noted that “the process in the capital of Kazakhstan is to create favorable conditions for approaching a political settlement within the framework of the Geneva talks”.

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Egypt found by UN

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In an investigation led by the United Nations, it was discovered that North Korea and Egypt had struck a secret weapons deal worth 23 million dollar. The UN investigators revealed that Egypt had ordered 30,000 weapons from North Korea. UN officials and Western diplomats revealed that as part of the deal, Egyptian business executives ordered millions of dollars worth of rockets from North Korea for their country’s military. According to reports, business executives planned to keep the transaction hidden. The investigation also found that its cargo was hidden by large, heavy tarps. The ship entered Egyptian waters, customs agents boarded and discovered a stockpile of more than 30,000 rocket-propelled grenades concealed underneath bins of iron ore. In a statement quoted in the Washington Post, the UN said it was the “largest seizure of ammunition in the history of sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”. The Egyptian Embassy in Washington, D.C., said Egypt will “continue to abide by all Security Council resolutions and will always be in conformity with these resolutions as they restrain military purchases from North Korea”.

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North Korea opens second internet connection via Russia

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In a move that cybersecurity experts believe could give Pyongyang greater capability to conduct cyber attacks, Russian state-owned company TransTeleCom has provided a new internet connection to Kim Jong Un’s regime. In a brief statement, TransTeleCom said that it has telecommunications links with North Korea under a deal signed in 2009 but refused to elaborate. The new connection was revealed by North Korea monitoring project 38 North and cybersecurity experts too confirmed the new Russian link. Experts believe that the move strengthens North Korea’s cybersecurity capabilities at a time of heightened tensions with the U.S. and also reduces its reliance on China. More importantly, the new internet connection boosts North Korea’s cybersecurity strength. Bryce Boland, a cybersecurity expert with FireEye said, “By increasing the number of internet connections in and out of the country, it increases its resilience to attacks”. Over the weekend, the U.S. Cyber Command carried out an operation attacking hackers affiliated with North Korea’s military spy agency. Now, cybersecurity experts claim that with Russia involved in North Korea’s internet, things could get more complicated.

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Tripoli clashes between Tajouri forces and Nawasi brigade leave three dead

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Three people, including a civilian, were killed in fighting last night in Tripoli’s Gurji district, west of the city centre, between the powerful Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade of Haithem Tajouri and the Nawasi Brigade. The clashes occurred late last night after Tajouri sent in forces to Gurji’s Massara area to clear it of a Nawasi unit consiting of an extended local family, the Alwad Radiah, said to be in control of it. Tajouri’s forces are reported to have succeeded. As well as the civilian killed in the fighting, one on the leaders of the Alwad Radiah was also reported killed. The third person was unidentified.The fighting was triggered by a move earlier in the evening by Nawasi to take over Tajouri’s headquarters on the corniche (Shara Al-Shatt), just opposite the TV station next to the foreign ministry buildings. There was no serious fighting, just shooting in the air, but Tajouri called in reinforcements and the corniche east of the Mahari Radisson Blu hotel was closed off. His forces were then dispatched to Gurji.

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Egyptian FM stresses need for political solution to Yemeni crisis in meeting with his Yemeni counterpart in Cairo

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Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry held a meeting with his Yemeni counterpart Abdulmalik Al-Mekhlafi in Cairo on Monday, in which both discussed bilateral relations and solutions for Yemeni crisis. Shoukry expressed Egypt’s continuous support to the unity and stability of Yemen, asserting that there is no military solution for the ongoing crisis, instead a comprehensive political settlement is needed. Shoukry has also stressed Egypt’s support for recent efforts made by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh, towards attaining a peace settlement by urging all sides to return to negotiations, and to deal positively in attempying to resolve initiatives. From his side, Al-Mekhlafi tackled different topics in the meeting, including the latest political and security developments in Yemen, as well as the situation of Yemenis living in Egypt. The Yemeni minister has also praised Egypt’s role in supporting Yemen on various occasions in the international arena.During the UN general assembly in September, Shoukry addressed the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen with the United Nations and the International Crisis Group (ICG) top officials, highlighting the need to boost aid efforts for the Yemeni people, who are facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

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President Radev: The Decision for New Fighters, Modernisation of the Army Is in the Hands of the Prime Minister

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“The decision for buying new fighters and the comprehensive modernization of the army is in the hands of the Prime Minister. As I have already said, the responsibility is also his”, President Rumen Radev told journalists. Taking a question whether he will discuss the key issues related to the modernization of the army with the PM, Radev said he had hoped the Prime Minister to curb his supporters in Parliament, but that had not happened. “To judge by all actions of GERB, I can see that either the Prime Minister is losing control or else he is encouraging his party in its actions, so that I no longer see any sense in such a meeting”, the Head of State said. Asked whether there is some tension between GERB and the President, Radev answered that such a “battle” is under way, although the party does not dare to declare it, that is if they want a conflict – they will get it. What concerns him more is not such a conflict, but all processes under way in the country, and that against the backdrop of the forthcoming Presidency of the EU. Radev added that he is also concerned with the manner in which this EU Presidency is regarded, with what Bulgaria will gain from it, rather than whether it will be successful or not, for the European practice is to “get a pat on the back”. Radev thinks the incumbents regard this Presidency as some omerta which will guarantee peace at home and legitimacy abroad.

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Eurozone: the next national goal

Bulgaria’s Economic and Social Council (ESC) declared that the accession to the Exchange Rate Mechanism and the Eurozone should be

Ghani and Pakistani army chief hold talks on key bilateral issues

in MIDLE EAST/PRESS RELEASE/REGIONS by

In the wake of new US strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia the environment has changed and new opportunities have come into existence for Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani told a high-level British official on Monday. British Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth, Mark Field, and President Ghani exchanged views on various topics, including the US strategy of Afghanistan and South Asia, peace and stability in the region and Afghanistan, upcoming elections, transit and trade, and other regional affairs. A statement from the Presidential Palace received by Pajhwok Afghan News said President Ghani expressed gratitude to the government and people of United Kingdom for its assistances to Afghanistan in the past few years. Ghani said as a result of the US strategy, the environment changed and fresh opportunities took shape for Afghanistan that would be achieved in collaboration with international partners in order for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan and beyond.

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WFP confirms commitment to help Yemen

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The World Food Program has confirmed its commitment of helping Yemeni people and working with the government under President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. WFP Regional Director  said that The Program deals seriously with all issues made by the Supreme Relief Committee and has proved its commitment through its activities. He noted the program changed the plan of supply and transport for sending food assistance to Taiz Province from Aden and increased the productivity of grinding in Aden so that it will be able to send more of wheat flour based on suggestions made by the committee. Responding to demands of the Yemeni supreme committee to activate UN offices in the transitional capital of Aden, the program has increased its staff to 6 international employees and 35 local employees, and confirming commitment of visiting Aden every month by him or his deputy.

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Ukraine-Australia trade almost 60% up in seven months, to US$112.93 mln

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Trade between Ukraine and Australia in January-July 2017 grew by 56.3%, to US$112.93 million, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman’s press service. In particular, Ukrainian exports amounted to US$7.82 million, which was 53.8% up, while imports of goods from Australia were estimated at US$105.11 million, which was 56.5% up, the press service said after a meeting between Groysman and President of the Senate Stephen Parry in Kyiv on Monday, October 2. Groysman in turn invited businesses from Australia to boost investment in Ukraine and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. “We are far away from each other geographically, but we can deepen our relations during this historical period. I’d like to confirm our intention to deepen diplomatic and political ties and intensify our economic cooperation. I am convinced we need to look for mechanisms for cooperation in the economic sphere, as our bilateral trade potential is much higher than the real numbers now”, the Ukrainian prime minister said. In particular, Ukraine is interested in developing cooperation in the oil and gas, metallurgy, chemical, energy, automotive and infrastructure sectors. It is also ready to propose projects for the modernization of production processes in various industries and open to discuss farm produce and food supplies to Australia. UNIAN memo. The Ukrainian government says Australia is interested in investment in wholesale and retail trade, repairs to vehicles, professional activity, R&D and engineering, information technology and telecoms. Ukraine is also of interest in view of its proximity to the EU and its Association Agreement and a free trade area with the EU. The possibility of organizing the supply of energy carriers, in particular coal, to Ukraine is a separate area of cooperation. Australia also run the Direct Aid Program in Ukraine, providing small grants. In 2016-2017, priority is given to projects aimed at improving the situation of internally displaced persons, especially women and children. The Union of Ukrainian Organization in Australia says that up to 38,000 Ukrainians live in that country.

 

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