Showing posts with label Belgium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belgium. Show all posts

20 March 2017

News Story: Japan PM departs for Europe for talks on trade, DPRK nuclear issue

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
TOKYO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe set off on Sunday on a four-day visit to Germany, France, Belgium and Italy for talks on trade and security issues.

He is set to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande, European Council President Donald Tusk, and the new Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni during the trip.

"I want to exchange opinions openly with G7 leaders," Abe told reporters at Tokyo's Haneda airport before departure.

"We hope to work with the European Union on issues the international community is facing such as the problems on North Korea and free trade," he added.

Read the full story at Xinhua

17 February 2017

AUS: Counter Daesh conference, NATO Head Quarters

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, attended a meeting of Defence Ministers today in Brussels to discuss progress in the coalition's military campaign to counter Daesh.

The Ministers reviewed the progress of the military campaign, which remains on track, and discussed next steps. After three months of operations to liberate Mosul, East Mosul is liberated and operations will commence shortly to liberate West Mosul, Daesh's last major stronghold in Iraq.

As Daesh continues to lose ground in Iraq and Syria, the Ministers discussed the importance of the coalition's efforts in tackling the threat of Daesh directed or inspired violent extremism around the world. Minister Payne emphasised the importance Australia places on countering extremism in Southeast Asia, particularly as Daesh’s losses in Iraq and Syria may lead to some foreign fighters returning to our region.

15 February 2017

AUS: Visit to Brussels for counter-Daesh conference

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne will travel to Brussels today for discussions on key Australian defence, security and strategic interests.

The Minister will attend a meeting of Defence Ministers from the counter-Daesh coalition in Brussels on 16 February, to discuss the military campaigns in Iraq and Syria.

Daesh has now lost more than 60 per cent of the territory it once held in Iraq and this meeting will be an opportunity to further progress the coalition campaign against the terrorist group.

While in Brussels, Minister Payne will meet with the new US Secretary of Defense James Mattis to discuss a range of shared defence and security issues.

Minister Payne will also meet with the new Iraqi Minister for Defence Irfan al‑Hayyali and reiterate Australia’s ongoing commitment to help Iraq’s Security Forces in the fight against Daesh, including current operations to liberate Mosul.   

15 December 2016

News Story: Vietnam, EU hold annual human rights dialogue

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and the European Union (EU) have held their annual human rights dialogue in Brussels, exchanging viewpoints and sharing experience and good practices in promoting and protecting human rights.

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Vu Anh Quang – Director General of the Foreign Ministry’s International Organisations Department, include representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, public security, justice, information and communications, and home affairs, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium and the EU.

Meanwhile, the EU side was headed by David Daly, head of the South East Asia division in the European External Action Services.

In an open, straightforward and friendly manner, the dialogue on December 8 looked into relevant issues of shared concern with a view to enhancing mutual understanding, thereby fostering the Vietnam-EU comprehensive partnership and cooperation.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

08 December 2016

News Story: Geneva workshop on East (South China) Sea issue

An international workshop is being held in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss disputes in the East Sea, and the enforcement of the Permament Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague’s ruling on the Philippines’s lawsuit against China’s claims in the waters.

Talking to Switzerland’s Leman Bleu television channel on December 5, Pierre Schifferli from the Geveva lawyer delegation – one of the event’s organisers, said the workshop is bringing together experts in law and international affairs from universities and research institutes of the US, the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and Australia. 

Read the full story at VietnamNet

26 November 2016

News Story: International defense show concludes in Karachi

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 9th International Defense Exhibition and Seminar 2016 (IDEAS) concluded in Pakistani city Karachi on Friday. The four-day show witnessed bigger-than-ever participation by Chinese, Russian, and Turkish companies.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif inaugurated the event on Tuesday. The strategic show was organized by the Defense Export and Promotion Organization.

The theme for this year's exhibit was "Arms for Peace" which was spelled out by PM Sharif on the inaugural day.

Chinese, Turkish and Russian companies made their presence felt with an enormous participation. The number of Russian defense manufacturers increased to three this year including the state-controlled arms import and export company Russia Rosoboron export.

Nine Chinese companies including China Aerospace Long-March International, China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation and Poly Technologies Inc. took part in the exhibition.

Read the full story at Xinhua

04 October 2016

News Story: Afghan president heads to Brussels to attend key meeting

KABUL, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Afghan president on Monday left for Brussels to attend a key meeting on Afghanistan, said the country's presidential palace in a written statement.

"Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, leading a high-level delegation, left this noon to Brussels, Belgium to take part in Brussels Conference on Afghanistan," the statement said.

The international conference is expected to be held on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Read the full story at Xinhua

29 September 2016

News Story: Missile that downed MH17 came from Russia - joint investigation team

A Buk-M1-2 SAM system 9A310M1-2 TELAR
(Image: Wiki Commons)
THE HAGUE, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Buk missile that downed flight MH17 was brought from Russia and fired from a region in eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian rebels, according to the Joint Investigation Team's (JIT) report released Wednesday by the Netherlands Public Prosecutor's Office.

The report concluded the Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 was shot down by a Buk missile which was brought from Russia to Ukraine.

The weapon was fired from a field in the Ukrainian village Pervomaysk, which at the time of the disaster was in the hands of pro-Russian rebels, it said. The launcher was then brought back to Russia, according to the JIT's initial probe.

In a response to the report, Russia's Foreign Ministry said it was "disappointed" by the findings and the investigation was biased and politically motivated.

The investigation team said they based their findings on information collected from radar images, thousands of pieces of wreckage, photos, videos, tapped phone calls and testimonials from people who have seen the Buk missile being driven.

"Intercepted telephone conversations show that during the days prior to July 17, the pro-Russian fighters mentioned they needed better air defense systems to defend themselves against these air strikes. In this respect, a BUK was discussed explicitly. The fact is that a BUK has a higher range than the air defense systems in use by the separatists at that moment, such as the Strela and Igla," said the JIT report.

Read the full story at Xinhua

03 June 2016

News Story: Islamic State seen shifting to more international attacks - UN

By Carole LANDRY

The Islamic State group is moving into a new phase of warfare that is likely to lead to more attacks on international civilian targets, according to a new report by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

In the last six months, IS has been linked to attacks in 11 countries that have killed over 500 people, in Bangladesh, Belgium, Egypt, France, Germany, Indonesia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey and the United States.

"Recent international attacks perpetrated by members of ISIL demonstrate that the terrorist group is now moving into a new phase, with the increased risk that well-prepared and centrally directed attacks on international civilian targets may become a more frequent occurrence," said the report obtained by AFP on Wednesday.

UN member-states are reporting a marked increase in the number of foreign fighters returning from Syria and Iraq where IS has suffered military setbacks, Ban said in the report to the Security Council.

The Paris and Brussels assaults demonstrate the jihadist group's "ability to mount complex, multi-wave attacks" that were coordinated by foreign fighters returning from Syria, with some direction from IS leaders.

Read the full story at SpaceWar

28 May 2016

News Story: G7 summit highlights downside risks, counter-terrorism efforts

ISE, Japan, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Global economic growth is an "urgent priority" that should be enhanced with "all policy tools," and joint efforts would be made to combat terrorism and climate change, said leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations after wrapping up a two-day summit on Friday.

In a joint declaration adopted at the summit, G7 leaders reiterated that while global recovery continues, growth remains moderate and uneven, and downside risks to the global outlook have increased.

"Escalated geo-political conflicts, terrorism and refugee flows complicate the global economic environment," it said, adding that Britain's possible exit from the EU would reverse the trend toward greater global trade and investment, and is a further serious risk to growth.

The leaders pledged to strengthen economic policy responses in a cooperative manner and to employ a more forceful and balanced policy mix in order to swiftly achieve a strong, sustainable and balanced growth pattern.

The declaration highlighted the need to strengthen global demand and address supply constraints while continuing efforts to put debt on a sustainable path. It also called for all countries to refrain from competitive devaluation. A stable and resilient international financial architecture is critical for economic growth, it said.

But the summit failed to come up with detailed action plans on bolstering growth, only noting that the G7 member states should act "individually and collectively."

On countering terrorism, the G7 leaders "strongly condemn terrorism in all forms and manifestations ... terrorist organizations pose serious challenges to peace and international security." France, a G7 member, and Belgium were attacked by militants related to the Islamic State, which also launched attackes in other countries.

Read the full story at Xinhua

14 May 2016

USA: Secretary Kerry's Travel to Saudi Arabia, Austria, Belgium, Burma, and Vietnam

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Saudi Arabia, Austria, Belgium, Burma, and Vietnam from May 14 to May 26.

On May 15-16, the Secretary will travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for meetings with Saudi government officials to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues.

Secretary Kerry will then travel to Vienna, Austria, May 16-17. The Secretary will co-host a ministerial meeting on Libya with Italian Foreign Minister Gentiloni to discuss international support for the new Government of National Accord, with a focus on security. He will also co-host the ministerial meeting of the International Syria Support Group to reaffirm and strengthen the Cessation of Hostilities, to discuss ways to ensure humanitarian access throughout the country, and to expedite a negotiated political transition in Syria. Together with Russia and France, the United States will also co-host a meeting on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenian President Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev.

12 April 2016

News Story: G7 foreign ministers agree to strengthen cooperation on countering terrorism, other global issues

HIROSHIMA, Japan, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The two-day G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting closed here on Monday, with the foreign ministers of the seven industrialized countries issuing a joint communique, reaching consensus on a variety of global and regional issues including terrorism, refugees, and the DPRK nuclear problem.

Countering terrorism was placed ahead of other challenges in the communique. The communique condemned recent terrorist attacks in Turkey, Belgium and other regions and said a concrete G7 action plan on countering terrorism would be adopted at the G7 Ise-Shima Summit in May.

The communique also condemned "in the strongest terms" the nuclear test and missile launches by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK), and demanded the DPRK not to conduct any further nuclear tests or launches that use ballistic missile technology, nor engage in any other destabilizing or provocative actions.

Read the full story at Xinhua

11 March 2016

News Story: Dassault Says It's Close to Rafale Deal With India

By Pierre Tran

PARIS — Dassault Aviation is in the “final phase” of price negotiations with India for 36 Rafale fighters, with the company in talks with potential local partners to build a hoped-for 90 more units, chairman Eric Trappier said March 10.

“We are getting closer,” he said as the company presented 2015 results. “We are in the final phase.”

The talks continue after Trappier had in January set a four-week target, when France and India signed an intergovernmental agreement on New Delhi buying 36 fighters.

Dassault seeks to set up “a real partnership” with Indian industry rather a conventional offset, which requires investing in unrelated sectors, he said. That partnership approach would see Safran, Thales and other French suppliers working with local partners on the Rafale if New Delhi agreed the order for 36 and followed up with a further 90 units, he said. That second order was needed as the former figure was too small to justify a local build.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

06 November 2015

USA: Experts Gather in Seoul for Second Annual MCM Symposium

By Commander, Naval Forces Korea, Public Affairs

Nov. 05, 2015 (NNS) -- Representatives from eight United Nations Command (UNC) Sending States (SS) joined mine warfare experts from the U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK), for a week-long mine countermeasures symposium, Nov. 2-6.

The second annual UNC SS Naval Component Commander MCM symposium, hosted by Commander, Naval Forces Korea (CNFK), was designed to exchange expertise and enhance coordination and training in critical mine countermeasures capabilities.

"This symposium was very important," said ROK Rear Adm. Park, Ki-khung, the commander of Flotilla Five. "It allowed us to share mine warfare information and tactics among our sending state partners who share our commitment to defend and support the Korean peninsula."

23 March 2015

News Story: 71% of Chinese say they would fight for their country

"Freedom Is Never Free"; Veterans memorial in
Hutchinson County,Texas (Image: Wiki Commons)

Only 11% of Japanese respondents in a Win/Gallup International poll said they would be willing to fight for their country, the lowest proportion in the world, while in China the number is 71%, reports China's nationalistic tabloid Global Times.

The international market research and polling firm asked people in 64 counties and regions between September and December last year the question: "If there were a war that involved your country, would you be willing to fight?" A total of 62,000 people responded to the poll, of which 67% of male and 52% of female participants said they would.

The highest percentage of people saying they were willing to fight came from Morocco and Fiji at 94% while the figure in Netherlands was the second-lowest at 15%. The percentage in Russia stood at 54%, the US 44%, South Korea 42%, Italy 20%, Belgium 19% and Germany 18%. Figures from in countries suffering unrest or where conflicts have broken out showed significantly higher numbers.

Read the full story at Want China Times

14 September 2013

USA: Bold Quest Promotes Coalition Interoperability


By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

<< Army Lt. Col. Scott Brooks monitors activity over the 4G LTE Jolted Tactics system being tested during Bold Quest 13.2, U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brad Staggs 

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2013 – Representatives from every U.S. military service and 11 other nations are taking part in a coalition capability demonstration designed to increase combat effectiveness and interoperability while minimizing the risk of fratricide.

Bold Quest 13.2, officially kicked off Sept. 2 at Camp Atterbury, Ind., with testing commencing earlier this week.

The Joint Staff-sponsored exercise includes about 800 participants from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command, as well as Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, John Miller, joint operational manager for the exercise, told reporters yesterday.

In addition, members of NATO’s Airborne Early Warning and Control program are taking part in the demonstration.