Weekly Roundup

22 November 2023

Welcome to a brand new week!

Here, The Diplomatic Insight ’s “Weekly Roundup” brings you its compelling publications and extensive coverage from across the globe, published within a week.?

Europe

First Minister, Humza Yousaf, gave Dr. Husam Zomlot, the Head of the Palestine Mission to the UK, a cordial welcome on Friday at Bute House. The meeting focused on the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.?

In a significant achievement, the European Union's trade through free trade agreements (FTAs) exceeded €2 trillion for the first time last year. This milestone, revealed in the 3rd Annual Report on implementing and enforcing EU Trade Policy, reflects collaborative efforts.?

The Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, has announced the reversal of the decision to close the Danish Embassy in Tanzania by 2024. The confirmation came during a meeting with Tanzania's Foreign Minister, January Makamba.?

Eli Lilly has unveiled an ambitious plan to invest €2.3 billion in the construction of a high-tech manufacturing facility in Alzey, Germany. Robert Habeck, Germany's vice chancellor and minister of economics, and Karl Lauterbach, its minister of health, were present for the announcement.

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has approved a €100 million loan to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to aid in the country's reconstruction efforts. This funding is essential for addressing urgent medical needs as well as rebuilding the healthcare system.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has voiced her complete support for Finland's choice to temporarily close a section of its eastern border with Russia for the next three months. The move highlighted a coordinated effort to address the challenges posed by increased migration at the Finnish-Russian border.

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to welcome Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday. Despite historical tensions between Berlin and Ankara, the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in October has placed them on opposing sides.?

The foreign ministers of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and France, Catherine Colonna, engaged in constructive discussions on recent developments in Gaza during a meeting in Geneva. The officials exchanged views on the Gaza war and avenues to bring an end to the conflict.?

South Asia

Donald Blome, the Ambassador of the USA to Pakistan, held meetings earlier this week with various leaders of political parties in Pakistan. Former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani hosted a gathering where the ambassador met with representatives from different political parties.?

On the occasion of the National Day of the Sultanate of Oman, Pakistan conveyed warm greetings to the people and the government of Oman. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan shared a message on social media expressing heartfelt felicitations.?

The closing ceremony of the bilateral navy exercise, Sea Guardian-2023, between the Pakistan Navy and the People’s Liberation Army (Navy) took place on Friday at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi.?

During the Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly press briefing, spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch asserted Pakistan's sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws.

The tenth meeting of the Pakistan-Russia Joint Working Group on Combating International Terrorism and Security convened in Islamabad.?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is recognized as a vital force for regional cooperation and global unity. Addressing key challenges, the SCO plays a significant role in promoting stability in a complex geopolitical landscape.

Pakistan and Belgium commemorated the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations this year. The Joint Communique, issued in 1947, symbolizes the decision of both governments to accept respective diplomatic missions to strengthen the bonds of friendship and mutual interest.?

Pakistan has been successfully re-elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization for the term of 2023-2027. The elections follow the "procedure for the election of Members of the Executive Board".?

East Asia?

President Xi emphasizes unity for better Asia-Pacific cooperation. He called on the APEC members to promote peace, prosperity, and stability in the region, stressing the need for a common vision and commitment to open trade and investment.

Tragic fire in the Northern China coal industry claimed 26 lives. ?President Xi Jinping has called for a thorough investigation into the incident and has urged authorities to implement stricter safety measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

The USA and China released a joint statement to address climate change. Both nations outlined their commitment to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean energy technologies.

President Joko urges President Biden to stop Gaza's atrocities.? in the Gaza Strip and enforce a ceasefire between the two sides.

China-US Presidents renewed bonds at the APEC summit, the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues such as climate, trade, and security. This meeting was seen as a positive step forward in the relationship between the two global powers.

US-China premiers to meet on the sidelines of the APEC summit. Since 2021, it’s the first meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders discussed issues related to climate, trade, and global security.?

Middle East

The caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwar-Ul-Haq Kakar, held separate bilateral meetings on Monday with the Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Prime Minister's house. The discussions centered around the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrel, visited Qatar to participate in a joint press conference discussing the Gaza crisis. He visited Hamas-targeted kibbutzim close to Gaza as well as cities like Ramallah, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem during his travels.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the Israeli Occupation Forces' bombardment in the vicinity of a Jordanian field hospital in occupied Gaza. The spokesperson for Foreign Affairs issued a statement denouncing the attack as inhumane and labeling it a violation of international law.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine has issued a strong condemnation against the ongoing genocidal war in the Gaza Strip, denouncing the 41st consecutive day of relentless aggression.?

Nadir Al Turk, Deputy Head of the Palestinian State Mission Embassy, provided information on the dire conditions in Gaza, emphasizing the worsening situation. Al Turk reported that the majority of hospitals in Gaza are currently closed, and Israeli tanks have surrounded Al-Shifa.

Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, disclosed that the majority of Iran's proposed initiatives were successfully included in the resolution adopted at the emergency summit of the OIC held in Riyadh.

Eurasia and Central Asia

According to a Sunday announcement from Russia's emergency ministry, over 550 Russian citizens, including 230 children, have successfully left the Gaza Strip during a week-long evacuation process.?

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III undertook a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday, emphasizing support for Ukraine by maintaining the flow of weapons and financial assistance amid global challenges exacerbated by the Israel-Palestine conflict.?

Batyar Yalov, the recently appointed Consul General of Turkmenistan for Herat province, paid an honorary visit to the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi. The leaders commended 30-year diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, participated in the first Azerbaijan-Morocco Business Forum held in Rabat, Morocco.

The 4th Session of the Kyrgyz-Pakistan Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation took place in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic. The Pakistani delegation, led by Muhammad Ali, the Federal Minister for Energy of Pakistan.?

The Commerce Ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan, along with the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, jointly led the inaugural trilateral meeting aimed at enhancing economic ties, regional cooperation, and connectivity.?

Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister for Trade and Investment, Dr. Jamshid Khodjaev, has arrived in Pakistan for a two-day visit to bolster bilateral trade and investment ties. The visit included meetings with senior government officials to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation.

Africa

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan, particularly in Darfur, has reached a critical stage, impacting over 5 million children who face severe deprivation of their rights and heightened protection risks due to the ongoing conflict that began in April 2023.?

The European Union and its Member States have recently replaced the Cotonou Agreement with a new partnership called the "Samoa Agreement" with the African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS). This comprehensive legal framework was established for the next two decades.

Americas

Donald A. Blome, the United States Ambassador to Pakistan, held meetings with leaders of various political parties in the country. A wide range of Pakistani political actors were involved in the discussions, according to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.?

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed his welcome for the newly formed government in Spain and has commended the democratic process and its credibility. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez secured a second term.?

The United States and Japan recently engaged in a high-level dialogue during the second ministerial meeting of the Japan-US Economic Policy Consultative Committee (EPCC).?

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden met for over two hours in San Francisco ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. The discussions included regional and global challenges, with a focus on potentially resuming military ties.?

China and the U.S. released the Sunnylands Statement, expressing a joint commitment to cooperate with other nations in addressing the climate crisis. They announced the formation of a working group to focus on key climate-related topics.?

Multilateral Institutions and INGOs

Dr. Tedros, the chief of the WHO, highlighted the devastating situation in Gaza during a UN General Assembly meeting. Describing his meeting with affected families, he called for the release of all hostages, and advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The IASC principals strongly opposed unilateral proposals for establishing "safe zones" in Gaza, reiterating their dedication to humanitarian principles.?

The UN Syria Commission of Inquiry supports a crucial order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) directing Syria to stop torture and other inhumane treatments. The ICJ order mandates Syria to ensure its officials and entities refrain from such acts.?

The United Nations offices in Pakistan observed Remembrance Day on Monday to honor their UNRWA colleagues who lost their lives in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict. This local memorial ceremony was part of the global commemorations held by United Nations offices worldwide.?

National and International Days

In 2019, UNESCO officially recognized November 18 as the International Day of Islamic Art. The day aims to celebrate the richness of Islamic art, including visual arts, crafts, calligraphy, architecture, and music.

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2023 is "Access to Diabetes Care." This theme emphasizes the importance of staying connected with dietary changes and exercise to maintain acceptable blood glucose levels in both the short and long term.?

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global event that happens every year from November 13th to November 24th. With a goal to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and encourage best practices.

The International Week of Science and Peace, inaugurated from November 9 to 15, as part of the International Year of Peace, marked a crucial milestone in acknowledging the interconnection between scientific advancements and the promotion of peace on a global scale

World Pneumonia Day, observed annually on November 12th, is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness and educating individuals on combating pneumonia, the leading infectious killer of adults and children worldwide.

On the 53rd National Day of the Sultanate of Oman, the leadership of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik celebrated, recognizing notable achievements in various aspects of life. The occasion marked a time to honor the progress and accomplishments made under the wise leadership of the Sultan.

On November 18, 1918, Latvia officially proclaimed its statehood, marking the beginning of its independence. On Latvia's Independence Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly of Pakistan extended warm congratulations to the government and people of Latvia.

Morocco's Independence Day, celebrated on November 18th, signified the nation's successful path to sovereignty, rooted in the return of King Mohammed V from exile in 1955.?

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