July 26, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Iran and Sri Lanka to sign oil trade deal. Image credit - javarman / depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
Germany grants development loan
The German government has approved a grant of EUR 13 million for the implementation of five development projects in 2016.
The grant, pledged to President Maithripala Sirisena during his tour of Germany in February, was signed at the Ministry of Finance on 24 July. The projects covered by the grant include theWilpattu National Park and Buffer Zone Management Project, a Social Integration Project, and a Transformation Facilitation Project.
Iran and Sri Lanka to confirm oil sale deal
The Minister of Petroleum Resources Development, Chandima Weerakkody, and the Iranian Minister of Petroleum, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, have begun a new round of talks to formalise an oil sale contract.
Minister Zanganeh stated that previously halted bilateral ties would be restored, as restrictions on enhancing relations, particularly in the oil, gas, and petrochemical areas, no longer exist.
Sri Lanka to enhance economic ties with Japan
The meetings will focus on Japanese assistance with Sri Lanka’s national development plan, as well as further bilateral cooperation in trade and investment.
Arab league summit commences in Mauritania
Arab leaders have gathered in Mauritania for the 27th Arab League summit. Leaders pledged to defeat terrorism, and discussed issues ranging from the situations in Syria and Yemen, to the re-launch of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
The summit, originally scheduled for 25-26 July, was cut short by one day, as only seven heads of state were in attendance. The 2017 summit will be hosted in Yemen, despite the ongoing conflict.
UN grants the CPJ accreditation
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has been granted consultative status at the UN, after the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) voted in favour of the accreditation.
The CPJ is an independent body that promotes universal press freedom, and upholds the rights of journalists. Its bid for consultative status took four years, and involved several deferrals, and a denial in May 2016.
South Sudan replaces Vice President
The Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, has replaced his rival, Vice President Riek Machar, with the Minister of Mining, Taban Deng Gai.
The replacement came after members of Mr. Machar’s party backed Mr. Gai and appointed him as acting Vice President. Prior to this, Mr. Machar had fired Mr. Gai for defecting to President Salva Kiir’s party.
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