30 June 2022 (QT-QNA)
Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with Army Chief of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to the country, at the Amiri Diwan on Thursday.
During the meeting, bilateral relations and the ways of enhancing them were reviewed, in addition to the latest developments in the regional and international arenas.
Madrid, 29 June 2022 (Anadolu News)
The NATO leaders summit takes Off in Madrid Today, on Wednesday.
Following are the major decisions taken during the 1st working session on Wednesday:
On the sidelines of the conference, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Joe Biden agreed on "continued close consultations" between Washington and Ankara during a meeting in Madrid, the White House said on Wednesday. The two leaders discussed Sweden and Finland's NATO membership bids, the Ukraine war, as well as the situation in the Aegean and Syria.
"President Biden reiterated his desire to maintain constructive bilateral relations, and the leaders agreed on the importance of continued close consultations between our governments," the White House said in a statement.
The US president also welcomed Ankara's conclusion of a trilateral agreement with Finland and Sweden that paved the way for NATO to invite them to join the alliance.
"The leaders discussed their continued support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression, as well as the importance of removing Russian obstacles to the export of Ukrainian grain," the statement said.
The two leaders also talked about the importance of maintaining stability in the Aegean and Syria.
In a brief conversation before a closed-door meeting, Erdogan said steps being taken to strengthen NATO will have a "special contribution" in the context of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
The Russia-Ukraine war has had negative effects on grain and oil, the Turkish president said, adding: "We are trying to resolve the process with a balanced policy in this regard. We hope that we will get results with this balanced policy."
He expressed hope of opening corridors soon to the countries that are currently lacking grain.
Biden thanked Erdogan for his efforts to get millions of tons of grain out of Ukraine and supporting Sweden and Finland's NATO membership.
Tehran, 29 June 2022 (IRNA)
Iran’s Political Deputy for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Bagheri Kani on Wednesday described the hosting by the Qatari government of the current round of negotiations for removing the sanctions as a show of the country’s goodwill in promoting dialog and interaction.
Bagheri Kani, today in the morning, held talks with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and discussed mutual cooperation between the two countries and the regional developments.
During the meeting, Bagheri Kani described the friendship and fraternity between the two countries as a valuable asset for all-out improvement of ties between Tehran and Doha and underlined the resolve of the Islamic Republic of Iran to strengthen bilateral relations.
The Qatari foreign minister, for his part, talked about the reciprocal visits by the Iranian president and the Qatari Emir and described the implementation of agreements reached during these visits as a show of the serious will of the leaders of both countries to expand relations across all spheres.
Bagheri Kani underlined that Iran supports the constructive role of Qatar in regional and international arenas and described the hosting by the Qatari government of the current round of negotiations for removing of the sanctions as a show of the country’s goodwill in promoting dialog and interaction.
Doha, 28 June 2022
Ali Bagheri, Iran's chief negotiator joined his US counterpart Robert Malley in Qatar on Tuesday ahead of indirect talks between both the rival countries at reviving a landmark nuclear deal, as pef the official statements and media sources.
Iran's IRNA News Agency said today that Ali Bagheri and his delegation arrived in Doha, after US special envoy Robert Malley held talks with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
US embassy in Qatar said via Twitter that Malley and Sheikh Mohammed met "to discuss the strong partnership and our joint diplomatic efforts to address issues with Iran", the US embassy in Doha tweeted.
Jeddah, 26 June 2022 (Daily Saudi Gazette)
Present on the occasion were Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Defense; Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili and a number of senior officials from the two side.
Schloss Elmau, Germany
G7 leaders have pledged to raise US$ 600 billion under The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) to counter China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative of 2013. The infrastructure plan was first unveiled at the 2021 G7 summit in Britain. Called the Build Back Better World at the time, the US-driven plan faltered from a lack of progress, and the project was renamed to PGII before being resuscitated at the 2022 summit.
The plan calls on G7 leaders to raise $600bn over five years to fund the launch of infrastructure projects in middle and low-income countries. The initiative will be geared towards tackling climate change, improving global health, achieving gender equity and building digital infrastructure.
US President Joe Biden said the plan would deliver returns for everyone. China's multi-trillion dollar infrastructure initiative is criticised for hitting nations with too much debt.
"I want to be clear. This isn't aid or charity," Mr Biden said of the G7's PGII scheme. "It's an investment that will deliver returns for everyone." The scheme would allow countries to "see the concrete benefits of partnering with democracies," the US president added.
Some of the highlighted initiatives include a solar-powered project in Angola, a vaccine manufacturing facility in Senegal, and a 1,609 km submarine telecommunications cable connecting Singapore to France via Egypt and the Horn of Africa.
The plan has been pitched as a way to counter China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Launched by Chinese president Xi Jinping in 2013, the BRI provides financing for emerging countries to build infrastructure like ports, roads and bridges. While it has developed trade links, it has also been criticised as a means of providing "predatory loans", forcing debt-saddled countries to cede key assets if they fail to meet their debt repayments.
Doha, 26 June 2022
TAJIK Community in Qatar commemorated 25th anniversary of Unity Day with patriotic fervor held at the Diplomatic Club Doha on Thursday.
The event was attended by Ambassador of Tajikistan to Qatar, Khisrav Sohibzoda; members of Tajik business and professional community; and officials of Tajikistan embassy.
Ambassador Sohibzoda congratulated his compatriots and wished them and their families peace, unity, happiness and wellbeing. He said, “June 27th is a milestone and important date for our noble people since the young and independent Tajik state was saved from the threat of disappearance and the nation was
saved from split.
He said that 25 years before, it became the start of the process of revival from the destructions caused by the imposed war and creation of our homeland.” He added, “Tajik peace is the highest reflection of willingness and the will of our peace-loving people. From the very first days of attaining peace, we started
building a state with a message on peace, for the sake of peace and stability of our country, happiness and pride of our noble nation and future generations. We
intend to continue this policy onwards.”
Tajik envoy paid his gratitude to President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon for his unprecedented efforts to strengthen national statehood pillars, protecting of borders of their ancestors homeland, ensure the national integrity and by protecting peaceful environment and strengthening national consciousness.
He said that tajikistan president was able to protect and strengthen national values and take the country towards development and modernisation in spite of uneven circumstances and the sacrifices by thousands of valiant sons of the nation.
He said, “The leader of Tajik nation, Emomali Rahmon has acknowledged repeatedly that he was proud of brave and constructive people of Tajikistan and was fully confident that with the support of our wise people we will overcome all difficulties in our life, reach the desires and initiatives we commenced, thanks to our dedicated efforts to strengthen our national statehood and ensure development of our independent country.”
Sohibzoda expressed concerns about the tragic events taking place in various corners of the world as a result of expansion of extremist and terrorist groups’ activities. “Horrifying terrorist acts have been taking place even in developed countries. People are leaving their residence areas and homelands to save their
lives and those of children. People escaping to peaceful and safe countries become victims in on their pathway to safety,” he said.
He said the integrity and unity as the sources of happiness and welfare of the Tajik people, development of democratic, law-based and secular state will always remain strong.
Master of ceremony on the occasion was Ms. Takhmina, officer at the embassy.
Youngsters enjoyed the event by dancing on the folk songs and later joined dinner hosted by embassy of Tajikistan in Qatar.
Doha, 25 June 2022
THE Embassy of Nepal and the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Qatar jointly organised an awareness program on the topic “Remittances and
Financial Literacy” for the community members at the embassy premises.
Present on the occasion were Lakshuman Khanal, Charge d' Affaires at the embassy; Mohammad Mutda Musalman, President NRNA, Qatar, Ratna Raj Bajracharya, CEO, Global IME Bank Ltd.Nepal; Khilendra Paudel, CEO, IME Ltd. Nepal, and 70 Nepali community leaders representing Qatar based various community organizations.
The event was broadcast live for community members at large to benefit from it. The program was intended to impart basic knowledge of the benefits of using official and formal banking channels to remit money back home.
Welcoming the participants to the program, Mohammad Muktda Musalman, President of NRNA Qatar, shed light on the objective of the program. He encouraged each and every member of Nepali community working in Qatar to contribute to the national economy by channeling their remittances through formal official banking system.
Ratna Raj Bajracharya, CEO, Global IME Bank Ltd. and Khilendra Paudel, CEO, IME Ltd. Nepal delivered the keynote addresses virtually from Kathmandu.
In his address, Bajracharya highlighted the importance of remittance in Nepal’s economy, especially in reinforcing foreign reserves. He pointed out that remittances transmitted informally or unofficially might promote informal economy and illegal activities in the country.
Emphasizing the productive utilization of hard-earned remittances, Bajracharya informed the audience of the various incentives introduced by Government of Nepal to promote remittance through formal banking channels.
Khilendra Paudel stressed that remitting money through formal banking channels is the main way of getting registered in the formal economy of the country.
He said this helps in attesting the source of income and there is no risk of losing money in between. Sending money unofficially or informally is illegal and the sender runs a high risk of being cheated and remaining unpaid.
He highlighted that the Government of Nepal has arranged for 1 percent additional interest for people who remit their income through formal channels. Similarly, the Government has also announced an IPO quota for people working abroad.
Hemraj Subedi of Global IME Bank Limited, and Dipendra Paudel, of IME Limited, made a presentation in the program highlighting the need to for remit money through formal channels.
They also touched upon the incentives being provided by the Government of Nepal to facilitate the flow of remittances. There was a question answer session in which experts from Kathmandu answered queries from the participating expatriates in the online live session.
Charge D’ Affaires at the Embassy of Nepal in Doha, Lakshuman Khanal thanked the experts as well as the participants for their valuable contribution and active participation in the program.
He stressed that remitting money through the formal banking channels is the right and legal thing to do.
Khanal shared there were unconfirmed reports that some people send money informally and unofficially sometimes due to lack of awareness of the process and at others due to the promised higher exchange rates. He advised that this is risky for the individual, for their families as well as to the society and the country.
Shedding light on some of the incentives the Government has announced for encouraging remittance through formal channels, he requested the participants to spread the message of the program to each and every member of Nepali community
Lefkosa (North Nicosia), 24 June 2022
Ersin Tatar, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) held bilateral talks with the visiting Turkiye Vice President Fuat Oktay who arrived in the TRNC for an official visit on Thursday. Later, both addressed to a press conference at the TRNC Presidency.
Referring to his earlier letter sent to the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, Tatar said that it was out of the question to return Maraş or to handover the control of Ercan Airport to the UN and the EU, which were proposed as part of the so-called confidence-building measures (CBMs).
He reiterated that a process may only proceed on the basis of sovereign equality of two states. He said that they would offer a proposal for cooperation between the two states in response to Anastasiades' letter and suggestions. He added that the proposals will also include natural gas and the field of hydrocarbons.
In regards to Maraş initiative, Tatar said that this is an important and valuable step. Tatar noted that the region was visited by 500,000 people, that the opening was made in accordance with international law, and that they will evaluate the applications of former property owners.
He said “I would like to underline that Maraş is located within the borders of the TRNC and they shall be further upgrading the town’s infrastructure.
Türkiye’s Vice President Fuat Oktay stated that both sides discussed common issues of interests and evaluated the steps to be taken with a consensus and unity of purpose in the future.
He said that he had an extremely productive meeting with President Tatar and both sides discussed the latest developments on the issue of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the opening of Maraş.
Accusing the Greek Cypriot administration of constantly sabotaging the sincere initiatives of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding a settlement through its maximalist demands, Oktay added the only way that will pave the way for a solution is the registration of the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people and the sovereign equality and equal status of the state.
Oktay also reiterated his view that such a solution would also contribute to the development of the cooperation environment in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Turkish Vice President also took a swipe at the European Union, accusing the bloc of seeing the Cyprus Issue through the eyes of the Greek Cypriot side. He stressed on EU to adopt its own independent policies on the Cyprus Issue.
Doha, 25 June 2022 (QT)
By Ashraf Siddiqui
GROUP Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Akbar Al Baker has said that the airline will suspend flights to about 15 to 20 destinations for around 30 days to meet anticipated heavy inflow of football fans during 2022 FIFA World Cup Tournament.
Talking to the media after a press conference on the conclusion of 78th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of International Air Transport Association (IATA) hosted
by Qatar Airways from June 19 to 21, 2022, Baker said that the plan is yet to be finalised about the routes where Qatar Airways flights will be suspended during
the period.
He said that it was an absolute pleasure to host the 78th International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting, eight years after it was last held in
Doha in 2014 He said the past three days provided great discussions on important global issues affecting the aviation industry between leaders and experts from around world.
He thanked IATA’s Director-General Willie Walsh for his exemplary support. On his part, IATA director-general said that aviation industry is resilient and
witnessing rebounding as people who longed for the freedom to fly are taking to the skies again in growing numbers.
He hoped that by next year, most markets would see traffic reach or exceed pre-pandemic levels. “Our industry is now leaner, tougher and nimbler. Our latest analysis shows losses in 2021 close to $42 billion, a huge loss, but down from our earlier estimate of $52 billion. We now believe that global losses will be cut
further to $9.7 billion this year. Industry-wide profit should be on the horizon in 2023,” Walsh told aviation industry leaders during presentation of his report during the 2022 AGM Doha