February 25, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
The U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry. Image Credit - palinchak/depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
U.S. Secretary of State notes democratic gains in Sri Lanka
The United States’ Secretary of State, John Kerry, has remarked that the U.S. government strongly endorsed Sri Lanka’s demoractic progress in 2015. Secretary Kerry made these remarks before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Secretary Kerry noted that Nigeria and Burma are two other nations that have also demonstrated “important democratic gains”.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka agree on dairy cooperation
New Zealand will support two development projects in Sri Lanka, pursuant to the Dairy Cooperation Agreement that the two countries signed in 2013.
The projects include the Dairy Training Excellence Initiative and an extension to the Wanni Dairy Regeneration Activity.
Iran may sell oil to Sri Lanka at concessionary prices
The Minister of Finance, Ravi Karunanayake, has stated that Iran has indicated a positive response to Sri Lanka’s request to buy oil at reduced prices.
Mr. Karunanayake noted this development at the conclusion of bilateral talks between the Ministry of Finance and a visiting delegation from Iran, headed by Iranian Energy Minister, Hamid Chitchian.
FIFA moves to reform and elect new president
The FIFA will hold elections to elect a new president this Friday, in Zurich. It will also vote on proposed reforms to ensure greater transparency, and to include term limits for high ranking officials.
Several FIFA officials have been indicted for their involvement in graft scandals, including the current president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, who was banned for eight years.
IMF warns G20 of vulnerable global economy
In a report prepared for the G20 summit, the International Monetary Fund has stated that the global economy is “highly vulnerable“, and has called world leaders to take appropriate action.
The report urged G20 nations to “plan now for coordinated demand support using available fiscal space to boost public investment.”
EU and Balkan leaders meet to discuss migrant crisis
The leaders of countries in the European Union and the Balkan peninsula are to meet in Brussels to settle their differences over approaches to the migrant crisis, and to consider a coordinated approach.
The lack of an EU-wide approach, despite the heavy influx of migrants, has destabilized the Union. The European Council’s President, Donald Tusk, has warned that the issue could result in Britain voting to exit the EU.
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