European Union in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Post

Read my latest op-ed in iPolitics on Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly’s high-level meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. The timing of the high-level discussion is notable for both #China and #Canada, as both nations face economic pressures with their leaders needing to demonstrate strength and confidence to their respective audiences. There are motivations underscoring the extension and acceptance of the invitations by #Beijing and #Ottawa that has thwarted the bilateral relationship. Canadians should pay close attention to the outcomes of the meeting between Joly and Yi, as both are likely to utilize this meeting to advance their respective domestic agendas. https://lnkd.in/gpvs_j98

Today it is 1 year since the Norwegian Consulate General in Houston was permanently closed. A decision was made by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in 2022 to permanently close the Houston office, reprioritize resources, and to strengthen the diplomatic presence in Europe, due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The fact that Houston was one of Norway’s most important international trade stations abroad during the last 50 years was simply ignored by incompetent and arrogant decision makers. Norway is now on top of the list of countries making financial contributions to Ukraine per capita. This is all good and important, but it is a paradox that Ukraine opened a new Consulate General in Houston in 2022 while Norway’s MFA decided to permanently close the Houston office, … to strengthen the support of Ukraine. Where do Norwegian MFA funds originate from…? This is the kind of absurd situations we face when incompetence makes suboptimal and intransparent decisions, and get away with it. There is an election in Norway next year. Some parties are accountable for this terrible MFA decision and some parties strongly disagreed with the decision. I say no more… 🇳🇴🇺🇸

A very interesting and constructive dialogue with Enrico Letta yesterday at the residence of the Swedish Ambassador together with Nordic and Baltic colleagues on one of Sweden's priorities, the future of the EU Single Market. Embassy of Denmark in Italy Embassy of Finland in Italy Royal Norwegian Embassy in Rome Estonian Embassy in Rome Embassy of Latvia in Rome Embassy of Lithuania to Italy #Swedeninitaly #SwedeninEU #UnioneEuropea

Morocco-Peru Parliamentary Friendship Group Pushes for Stronger Ties https://lnkd.in/ep42PUau The Morocco-Peru Parliamentary Friendship Group aims to strengthen bilateral relations following Peru's withdrawal of support for the Polisario Front. Key initiatives include a free trade agreement, visa-free travel, establishing a Peruvian consulate in Dakhla, and port cooperation. These developments promise enhanced economic and diplomatic ties between the nations.

On 26 April, 2024, a series of significant events took place during the visit of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Thailand, culminating in productive bilateral discussions and the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Bangladesh and Thailand. #BangladeshThailandRelations #DiplomaticEngagement #MemorandaOfUnderstanding #BilateralMeetings #PrimeMinisterMeetings #InternationalRelations #DiplomaticRelations #BilateralCooperation #DiplomaticDiscussions #BilateralAgreements

🧾 In the following press release of KEDISA - you can learn all about the latest Webinar's discussion regarding the #sanctions posed to #russia by the West and the future of the Russian economy. 👉 A very interesting topic that is closely related to the #warinukraine. 📌 The #webinar was co-organised with the Embassy of Lithuania in Greece. 👇Learn more (5' min read) here 👇 https://lnkd.in/dBuutEhs

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It’s interesting to see the Irish government, through its Department of Foreign Affairs, promote the concept of a “ Global Ireland”. Given the extent of the Irish diaspora worldwide, and the fact that Ireland, enjoys remarkable access to the corridors of power in Brussels, Washington and elsewhere despite its small size, it makes sense for this country to take full advantage of the global opportunities which present themselves over the coming years.. However, it is to be hoped that presenting itself as “ Global Ireland” means that this country is about more than just turning future global opportunities to its own advantage and to the advantage of the Irish people more generally. Geopolitically., the world is at a very uncertain juncture at the moment. Many commentators have suggested that the “ old global order “ ( ie Post WW2 & characterised by American/ Western hegemony) is already in flux and will soon be replaced by a new global order, the shape of which is as yet unclear. Hopefully Global Ireland will play an important role ( despite its size)) in exercising political and intellectual leadership over the coming years, drawing on its own lived experience of colonization and famine amongst other things, to help shape a fairer, more equitable and representative international order where countries of the Majority World ( Global South) can enjoy the same status, regard,, represebtation and political influence in important international institutions as their western counterparts have done to date. There may be many useful opportunities that Ireland will be in a position to leverage as the “ new world order” takes shape. However,, there is also scope for this country to take its role as a good global citizen seriously in pushing for the kind of fair, equitable, sustainable and rights- based international order that is described in the founding documents of the United Nations and which is further elaborated in the U.N. Sec Gen’s “Our Common Agenda “ document , and in the recent “ Pact for the Future” agreed by U.N. MS at UNGA in September this year. Let’s hope that “ Global Ireland” will be proactive and propositional over the coming years in setting out its vision and proposals for how countries of the Majority World / Global South can benefit from additional financial investment and other important Means of Implementation linked to the global SDG policy framework ( eg transfer of technology, access to trade opportunities, capacity development etc) so that these countries can take their place as equals alongside Ireland and other Member States in U.N. institutions and in other important global policy & decision making fora.

This was a terrific conversation. EU’s 10 country expansion 20 years ago became a huge political and economic success story for new and old members alike, as well as for U.S. jobs, investment and trade. We should keep that in mind as countries today seek to join the EU and NATO. Center for European Policy Analysis

Russian consulate general’s office may be opened in Azerbaijan, says ambassador This issue is in the stage of discussions MOSCOW, August 19/ A Russian consulate general’s office may be opened in Azerbaijan and this issue is currently under discussions, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu told TASS. "Russia expressed a desire to open a consulate general’s office, because we [Azerbaijan] have two consulate general’s offices in Russia, namely in Yekaterinburg and in St. Petersburg," the diplomat said. "This is natural considering the size of your country and the number of Azerbaijanis living in your country." "However, in Azerbaijan itself, the field of work for consulates is limited," Bulbuloglu continued. "Nevertheless, the work in this direction is underway and various options have been proposed. This issue is in the stage of discussions." Head of the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Committee on International Affairs Grigory Karasin earlier stated that preparations might be soon launched to establish a Russian consulate general’s office in Khankendi. #business #finance #financialservices