Day: October 27, 2022

European Council chief Charles Michel met Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday for talks focused on enhancing the bloc’s ties with Central Asia.

“Central Asia and Europe are coming closer together and becoming more and more connected,” Michel said at a joint press conference in the Kazakh capital Astana.

He hailed Kazakhstan as a “crucial partner for the EU” and an “important player on the international stage and in the region.”

Michel and Tokayev are due to meet other regional leaders in Astana later for the first EU-Central Asia summit.

“Today’s meeting is much more than just a policy dialogue between two regions,” said the EU Council president.

“It’s a powerful symbol of our reinforced cooperation and a strong signal of the EU’s commitment to this region,” he added.

The EU’s outreach to Central Asia has been spurred by the Russia-Ukraine war and its wide-ranging geopolitical impact.

Michel and Tokayev emphasized the importance of “expanding existing and developing new international transport corridors between Europe and Central Asia to facilitate global production and supply chains,” according to a joint press statement issued by the EU Council.

“They also discussed the opportunities offered by the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and options for developing it further, and the role of other transport connections in the region,” read the statement.

On bilateral ties, they underlined the “high level and dynamic development of relations” over the past 30 years, agreeing to “further strengthen, deepen and expand the Kazakh-EU multifaceted cooperation in the years ahead.”

“Kazakhstan is the biggest EU trading partner in Central Asia … (and) also a regional transport connectivity hub between the East and the West,” Michel said at the news conference.

According to the press statement, the two sides will work on “further and full implementation of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the EU, the EU Strategy on Central Asia, as well as the new EU initiatives for Central Asia on connectivity and other sectors.”

The meeting also included discussions on regional and international issues, including the situation in Afghanistan.

“The parties underlined the importance of strengthening regional dialogue in Central Asia, which is a key to prosperity, resilience and further sustainable development of the region,” the statement added.

Kazakhstan and its capital have been a hub of political activity in recent weeks, hosting an array of international forums and summits that included Russia and countries outside of the West.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Astana two weeks ago for the first Central Asia-Russia summit, a meeting of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the sixth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, which was also attended by Türkiye and China.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday termed a maritime border deal with Israel as “technical work” without any political dimensions.

“Demarcating the southern maritime border is technical work that has no political implications or effects contradicting Lebanon’s foreign policy,” Aoun said.

On Thursday, Aoun signed the maritime deal with Israel mediated by the United States.

The Israeli government also ratified the deal, according to an official statement by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Israel and Lebanon have been locked in a dispute over a maritime area of 860 square kilometers (332 square miles) rich in gas and oil, according to maps sent by both countries to the UN in 2011.

Negotiations over the territory in the Mediterranean Sea, which contain part of the Karish gas field and Qana, a prospective gas field, have been ongoing since 2020.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi in Ankara contributed to this report

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Egyptian pound on Thursday lost over 12%, falling to a record low of 22.4526 against the dollar in offshore trading after the Central Bank said it is opting for a more flexible currency regime.

The country is working to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund for a fresh loan.

The Central Bank also hiked official borrowing costs by 200 basis points.

A more flexible exchange rate has been considered a condition for new financing that Egypt started seeking this year from the IMF.

Egypt agreed to a three-year IMF program in late 2016 that included a currency devaluation, sweeping reforms, and a $12 billion loan.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Russia is ready to ensure its interests at the negotiating table with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

Media reports suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy through Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, inviting him to a dialogue as the war in Ukraine enters its ninth month.

Speaking at a press conference in Moscow, Peskov said: “Our colleague from the African state was willing, said that he would have contacts (with Zelenskyy), and that he would convey Putin’s position to the Ukrainian side.”

“There is no specific message in this case,” Peskov said.

Putin informed Embalo about the Russian-Ukrainian peace talks that took place in March, that an agreement was almost achieved when the Ukrainian side “disappeared,” declared its unwillingness to continue negotiations, and subsequently adopted a law prohibiting the Ukrainian side to hold talks with Russia, the spokesman said.

“At the same time, the president stressed that such unwillingness to negotiate and the rejection of already agreed understandings occurred clearly by decree of Washington.

“Now, de facto, Russia has not changed its position, we are ready to ensure our interests at the negotiating table, we want this, but in this case we are talking about complete unwillingness on the part of Ukraine,” Peskov said.

On Feb. 24, Russia started what it calls “a special military operation” in Ukraine.

In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have advanced a counteroffensive, while Moscow has called up more reservists and annexed four Ukrainian regions following what the West denounced as “sham” referendums.

Source: Anadolu Agency

South Africa has assured its citizens of safety after the US Embassy issued a terror alert on Wednesday.

In a statement, the South African presidency said that the alert “is part of the US government’s standard communication to its citizens.’’

“It is the responsibility of the South African security forces to ensure that all people within our country feel safe,” the statement said.

On Wednesday, the US Embassy issued an alert saying it has received information that terrorists may be planning to conduct an attack targeting large gatherings of people at an unspecified location in the greater Sandton area of Johannesburg on Oct. 29.

Sandton is South Africa’s richest suburb frequented by some of the wealthiest and most influential people in the country.

The US said it did not have further information regarding the timing, method, or target of the potential attack but advised embassy staff to avoid crowds of people and other large public gatherings in Sandton during the weekend.

“Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor for any threats to our citizens, our nation and our sovereignty,” the South African presidency said.

It further stated that threats are assessed continuously and are acted upon to ensure the safety of all.

“Should the need arise; the South African government will be the first to inform the public about any imminent threat,” President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said.

Source: Anadolu Agency

European stocks opened Thursday with losses ahead of a European Central Bank rate decision and amid recession fears and rising inflation.

The bank is expected to hike policy rates by 75 basis points, and investors are focused on what ECB President Christine Lagarde will say.

The STOXX Europe 600 benchmark index fell 0.36% to 408.8 points, and Germany’s DAX 40 index lost 0.38% to 13.146 points.

The UK’s FTSE 100 index went down 0.29% to 7,036 points, while France’s CAC 40 index was down 0.33% to 6,255 points.

Spain’s IBEX 35 index stood at 7,855 points, down 0.21%, and Italy’s MIB 30 index declined 0.48% to 22,282 points.

Euro/dollar parity continues to rise amid expectations that the US Federal Reserve’s ultra-hawkish policies are coming to an end.

The parity rose above the 1 level for the first time on Sept, 20, and is currently at the level of 1.0060.

Sterling/dollar parity, on the other hand, tested above 1.16 for the first time since Sept. 13, up 1.4% Wednesday, and is currently trading just below this level.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Greek basketball superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 43 points in a Wednesday NBA match that saw his Milwaukee Bucks beat the Brooklyn Nets 110-99 at home.

Antetokounmpo had 43 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and produced five assists to dominate the game at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum.

He scored 34 points in the second half.

Brooklyn coach Steve Nash, a former NBA point guard, was ejected in the third quarter after arguing with a game official. The Nets were leading the game 70-66 when the Canadian coach was sent to the locker room after getting his second technical foul.

Kyrie Irving hit his double free throws as the Nets led the game 55-43 before the break. However in the final two quarters, the Bucks outscored their opponents 67-44 to secure a 110-99 win.

Milwaukee forward Bobby Portis had 20 points and took 11 rebounds against the Nets.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn’s Irving and Kevin Durant combined for 60 points as Irving added 27 points and Durant racked up 33.

Irving also took nine rebounds to just miss a double-double.

Eastern Conference leaders Bucks have won all three of their games this season.

The Nets have a 1-3 win/loss record to come in 11th in the East standings.

Lakers go winless

Now 15th in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers were handed their fourth consecutive loss to remain winless this season.

The Denver Nuggets beat the Lakers 110-99 at Denver’s Ball Arena as the winning team’s Serbian star Nikola Jokic, the 2021 and 2022 NBA most valuable player, scored 31 points, took 13 rebounds, and produced nine assists.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 22 points and 14 rebounds.

The Nuggets are eighth in the Western Conference. They won three games but lost two others.

Results:

Detroit Pistons – Atlanta Hawks: 113-118

Cleveland Cavaliers – Orlando Magic: 103-92

New York Knicks – Charlotte Hornets: 134-131 (Overtime)

Toronto Raptors – Philadelphia 76ers: 119-109

Milwaukee Bucks – Brooklyn Nets: 110-99

Minnesota Timberwolves – San Antonio Spurs: 134-122

Chicago Bulls – Indiana Pacers: 124-109

Utah Jazz – Houston Rockets: 109-101

Denver Nuggets – Los Angeles Lakers: 110-99

Portland Trail Blazers – Miami Heat: 98-119

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday condemned Wednesday’s armed attack in Iran’s southern Fars province.

“We strongly condemn the heinous and cruel terrorist attack in #Iran, which targeted a holy Shia shrine in the city of #Shiraz. We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and quick recovery to the injured,” Cavusoglu said on Twitter.

At least 13 people were confirmed dead and 40 others injured as an armed assailant on Wednesday evening opened indiscriminate fire at Shah Cheragh shrine in Shiraz.

The incident took place at around 5.45 p.m. local time (1415GMT) when people were preparing for congregational evening prayers, local officials said.

Shah Cheragh shrine, which houses the grave of a revered Shia scholar, is a popular pilgrim destination in southern Iran, thronged by both local and foreign pilgrims.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and his Spanish counterpart Margarita Robles spoke over the phone on Thursday and discussed defense cooperation between the two countries.

“Had a productive conversation with Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles. Grateful for your support and for being the 1st to provide Hawk systems to make our skies safer,” Reznikov said on Twitter.

He further noted that Kyiv looks forward to the new military aid package that will arrive “soon,” adding that Ukraine’s cooperation with Spain “will result in a common victory.”

On Tuesday, Reznikov also spoke over the phone with his Swedish counterpart Pal Jonson on Tuesday

The talk between the two ministers came as a similar conversation took place between Reznikov and his Swedish counterpart Pal Jonson on Tuesday.

This followed similar discussions held on Monday between the Ukrainian defense minister and his counterparts from Türkiye, the US, UK, France, and Israel.

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the EU to speed up shipments of air defense systems, noting that nearly a third of the country’s power stations have been destroyed in Russian attacks.

Reiterating the need for more air defense systems to counter Russian attacks, Zelenskyy asked European leaders to speed up the implementation of resolutions in this regard as much as possible.

Source: Anadolu Agency