Latest news with #dialogue
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Turkey to support Azerbaijan peace efforts, Erdogan tells Armenian PM
ISTANBUL, June 20 (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Friday and said Turkey will support Armenia's peace efforts with Azerbaijan, Erdogan's office said after the meeting in Istanbul. At the rare bilateral visit, the two leaders also discussed possible steps for Turkey-Armenia normalization, the office said. Pashinyan, writing on the X social media platform, said he had "an in depth exchange" with Erdogan. "Discussed the Armenia–Türkiye normalization process, regional developments, and the importance of sustained dialogue," Pashinyan wrote. "Armenia remains committed to building peace and stability in our region."
Russia Today
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Hungary offers to host Ukraine peace talks
Hungary's offer to host peace talks aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict remains valid, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Thursday. Hungary has maintained a dissenting position within the EU since the conflict escalated in February 2022, advocating for dialogue while most other member states have pledged only to continue military support to Kiev. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Szijjarto reaffirmed Budapest's commitment to a peaceful resolution and said Hungary is prepared to host negotiations. He said he communicated the proposal to senior Russian and Ukrainian officials days after the outbreak of the hostilities, adding, 'This offer is there, is valid, we have not withdrawn that.' Hungary would be willing to organize a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump if such a meeting were requested, Szijjarto claimed. He praised the recent improvement in relations between Moscow and Washington, following the change in the US administration. 'Our clear historic experience is that whenever the US and Russia are able to maintain a civilized relationship, it's always better for Central Europe,' he said. Trump has declined to continue US military aid to Ukraine and has suggested that both Washington and Moscow could benefit from restoring bilateral ties. His efforts to mediate a truce between Russia and Ukraine contributed to the countries restarting direct negotiations in Türkiye, talks that Kiev abandoned in 2022 to focus on its military campaign. Szijjarto noted that European nations that once called for Ukraine's victory are now urging an unconditional ceasefire. He said that many of those countries previously criticized Budapest for promoting diplomacy, arguing that the shift highlights their loss of credibility. At a recent round of talks in Istanbul, Russia proposed two options for a conditional ceasefire, asserting that either would prevent Ukraine from regrouping and resuming hostilities, unlike an unconditional truce. The proposals involved either a Ukrainian withdrawal from territories claimed by Russia or a halt to military mobilization and Western arms deliveries. Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky has rejected both and demanded direct talks with Putin. The Russian president said this week that he is open to such a meeting to finalize a peace agreement, but cautioned that Zelensky is not legally authorized to sign any treaty. Zelensky's presidential term expired last year and no successor has been elected, raising Moscow's concerns about any agreement the Ukrainian politician might sign.
Arab News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan army chief calls for dialogue, diplomacy to resolve regional conflicts
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army chief advocated for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional conflicts in his interaction with American policy experts, analysts, scholars and representatives of foreign media outlets, the military's media wing said on Friday amid Islamabad's simmering tensions with New Delhi. Munir is on a solo trip to the US, where he met President Donald Trump for lunch on Wednesday in an unprecedented White House meeting. Trump told reporters afterward that the two had discussed the ongoing Iran-Israel crisis, and that the main reason he wanted to meet Munir was to thank him for not pursuing war with India last month. Pakistan and India remained engaged in a military confrontation for four days last month before Washington brokered a ceasefire between the two on May 10. Pakistan has since then sent delegations to various capitals around the world, urging countries to persuade India to resolve bilateral issues with Islamabad via dialogue and diplomacy. 'The Army Chief also provided a detailed exposition of Pakistan's balanced approach to regional and global conflicts, advocating for dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law,' the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, said. 'He reaffirmed that Pakistan continues to play a responsible and proactive role in mitigating regional tensions and promoting cooperative security frameworks.' Munir also spoke about Pakistan's recent conflict with India, elaborating on Pakistan's perspective on 'terrorism.' Without naming anyone in particular, the Pakistan army chief spoke about the influence of regional actors in sponsoring and perpetuating 'terrorism' as a tool of hybrid warfare. 'The COAS emphasized that Pakistan has been on the front lines of the global war against terrorism, having rendered immense sacrifices— both human and economic— in pursuit of a safer and more secure world,' the statement said. Pakistan denies India's allegations it supports militant attacks in the part of disputed Kashmir that New Delhi governs. After the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, a tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir, tensions between the two countries surged as New Delhi blamed Islamabad for being involved. Pakistan denied the allegations and called for an impartial, international probe into the incident. The Pakistan army chief spoke about his country's untapped potential in information technology, agriculture and its underexploited reserves in the mining and mineral sectors. Munir invited international partners to explore collaborative opportunities in these sectors to unlock 'shared prosperity,' the ISPR said. The discussion between Munir and the participants also involved an evaluation of the long-standing Pakistan–US partnership, the military's media wing said. 'The COAS [chief of army staff] underlined the historical convergences between the two nations, particularly in areas such as counterterrorism, regional security, and economic development,' the ISPR said. 'He underscored the immense potential for a broader, multidimensional relationship built upon mutual respect, shared strategic interests, and economic interdependence.' The ISPR said the interaction was marked by mutual understanding and was widely regarded as a 'positive step' toward enhancing strategic dialogue between the two countries. Pakistan's military plays a key role in shaping the country's foreign policy, and Munir's high-profile White House invitation is being seen as part of Washington's broader effort to recalibrate ties with Islamabad, a vital but often difficult ally for the US in South Asia. Under Trump, Islamabad and Washington both have appeared eager to rebuild military and economic cooperation after years of strained ties, largely over counter-terrorism disagreements.
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
UN Human Rights Chief expresses concern over ban on political parties in Bangladesh
Dhaka: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has expressed concern over the ban on political parties and all related activities in Bangladesh and stressed that the decision "unduly restricts the freedoms of association, expression and assembly." He urged the Bangladesh's interim government for dialogue with the political parties and urged for free and inclusive elections. "I am encouraged that the Interim Government and political parties in Bangladesh are making progress through dialogue", said Volker Turk in his speech during the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. "I urge meaningful advances on reforms, to create the environment for free and inclusive elections", he added. Turk said, "However, I am concerned about recent changes to legislation to allow the banning of political parties and organisations and all related activities. This unduly restricts the freedoms of association, expression, and assembly. My Office hopes to reach an agreement on our expanded presence soon," he said. Bangladesh's interim government recently banned the activities of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League and its affiliated organisations. In May, the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) suspended the registration of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League as a political party, a senior EC official said. "We have suspended Bangladesh Awami League registration (as a political party) in line with the home ministry notification", Aktar Ahmed, Senior Secretary of EC, told the reporters. However, the Awami League rejected the government's decision and announced that they will conduct their activities properly. "The people of Bangladesh are shocked and outraged by the illegal and unconstitutional occupying fascist Yunus government's announcement to ban the activities of the Awami League", the statement said. "We reject this decision of the fascist dictator Yunus government with hatred and strongly condemn and protest against it", the statement said. "At the same time, we express firm commitment that the Bangladesh Awami League will continue to conduct its activities properly, ignoring this decision of the fascist Yunus government", the statement said. Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in a student-led uprising in August last year. Hasina fled to India, and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed.
Al Jazeera
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
France shuts down 4 Israeli weapon stands at Paris Airshow
NewsFeed France shuts down 4 Israeli weapon stands at Paris Airshow Organisers shut down the four main Israeli defence company stands at the Paris Airshow. Organisers say the companies refused orders to remove bombs and other offensive weapons from their displays. The airshow organizers say they're engaging in dialogue to resolve the dispute.
