October 24, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Prime Minister of New Zealand to visit New Delhi, India. Image Credit - szefei / depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
President meets Indian Foreign Secretary
President Sirisena has met with the Foreign Secretary of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, in Colombo. Key areas of discussion included transport, energy, infrastructure development, as well as investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Representatives of India’s public sector, accompanying the Secretary Jaishankar, will hold discussions with their Sri Lankan counterparts on 24 October. Partnerships in the energy and power sector will be discussed. The proposed Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), will not be discussed during this visit.
Sri Lanka to host UN law enforcement agencies
The 40th meeting of the UN-affiliated Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (HONLEA), for Asia and the Pacific, will be held in Colombo from 24-27 October. Law enforcement agencies from 22 countries in the Indian Ocean region are expected to attend.
During the meeting, the Sri Lankan government will propose the creation of an international inter-agency intelligence and information unit.
Poland seeks to enhance economic ties
Poland’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joanna Wronecka, has stated that there is potential to strengthen economic ties with Sri Lanka through trade and tourism. Polish tourist arrivals have risen by 7.5% from January to September this year.
Speaking in Warsaw, Deputy Minister Wronecka also stated that Poland will seek to enhance engagement with Sri Lanka in 2017, as the countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.
New Zealand Prime Minister arrives in India
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, will arrive in India for a state visit on 25-27 October. Discussions with Prime Minister Key are expected to include India’s entry into the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG).
A spokesperson of India’s External Affairs Ministry has stated that India’s bid for entry into the NSG stems from the country’s need for clean energy and its commitments to climate change.
EU to modernize trade defence instruments
At the European Council meeting, held on 21-22 October, EU leaders have agreed that the the Council should come to a consensus on the modernisation of its trade defence instruments, which includes anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, by the end of 2016. This follows the growing opposition to trade deals in Europe.
The trade ministers of EU member states have been entrusted with the responsibility of breaking the deadlock on consensus, by the European Council.
Turkey joins Mosul offensive
The Prime Minister of Turkey, Binali Yildirim, has stated that Turkey has joined the offensive on Mosul, despite Iraq’s objections to Turkey’s assistance and the presence of Turkish troops in Iraq.
The Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi, stated that Turkey must respect Iraq’s sovereignty, and Iraq will officially request any assistance that is required. The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has responded that Turkey has a ‘historical responsibility’ in the region.
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