August 29, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, and Poland meet in Weimar, Germany Image credit - Hackman /depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
Sri Lankan and Pakistani Finance Ministers meet
The Minister of Finance, Ravi Karunanayake, held talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, during a visit to Islamabad, on 26 August.
Minister Karunanayake commended the performance of the Pakistani economy during the past three years, and added that South Asian countries could learn from Pakistan’s economic reforms. Minister Ishaq Dar made further assurances of the Pakistani government’s commitment toward enhancing bilateral relations.
New Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka appointed
The current Indian Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington, Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu,has been appointed as the new Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Sandhu has served in the Indian Foreign Service for over 28 years, and was at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York from 2005 – 2009. He has also previously worked in Sri Lanka as the Head of the Political Department at the Indian High Commission.
International Chamber of Commerce to discuss WTO agreement
The International Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka will hold an interactive panel discussion on 30 August, on the World Trade Organisation Trade Facilitation Agreement’s impact on Sri Lankan businesses.
The session will focus on possible protocol mechanisms for implementing the Agreement, the benefits of the Agreement for local businesses, and initiatives to improve trade facilitation in Sri Lanka.
Germany, France, and Poland revive Weimar Triangle
The Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, and Poland, have met in the German town of Weimar on 28 August to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ‘Weimar Triangle’ political forum, and to revive the group.
The leaders of the Weimar group last met five years ago. The group also plans to meet with other groups such as the Visegrad Four, and called for an increase in efforts to end the Ukraine crisis.
Claims of fraud in Gabon presidential elections
The President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba, and his main opposing candidate, the former Foreign Minister, Jean Ping, have exchanged accusations of alleged fraud in the presidential elections held on 27 August.
The Interior Ministry acknowledged possibilities of fraud in some polling stations, but did not offer further details. President Bongo has ruled since 2009, when he replaced his father, who had ruled as President for 42 years.
President of Brazil to testify in impeachment trial
The President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, will take the stand in her impeachment trial today. President Rousseff is currently suspended, and faces accusations of taking illegal state loans to help cover budget shortfalls, and concealing the state of the economy during her 2014 reelection campaign.
Two-thirds of the 81 senators must vote for impeachment to trigger President Rousseff’s immediate removal.
Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Germany, France, WTO, Brazil, Gabon, Poland
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