BEIJING (AP) — China’s top diplomat has held a virtual meeting with NATO’s chief to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, amid longstanding disagreements between Beijing and the U.S.-led alliance over regional policies.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the discussions had been “positive and constructive”. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had spoken the previous day, according to the statement, focusing on “issues of common concern.”
Chinese officials gave no further details of the talks.
Beijing long opposed the presence of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan — with which it shares a narrow border — while benefiting from the relative stability that presence provided. It has been strongly critical of the shambolic U.S. withdrawal that paved the way for the Taliban sweeping to power, calling it hasty and irresponsible.
BEIJING (AP) — China’s top diplomat has held a virtual meeting with NATO’s chief to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, amid longstanding disagreements between Beijing and the U.S.-led alliance over regional policies.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the discussions had been “positive and constructive”. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had spoken the previous day, according to the statement, focusing on “issues of common concern.”
Chinese officials gave no further details of the talks.
Beijing long opposed the presence of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan — with which it shares a narrow border — while benefiting from the relative stability that presence provided. It has been strongly critical of the shambolic U.S. withdrawal that paved the way for the Taliban sweeping to power, calling it hasty and irresponsible.
Afghanistan is now a hot issue among the world powers. China has talked to NATO while Russian Foreign Minister has said about a common approach by U.S., China, Russia and Pakistan.
Media reports said:
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held a virtual meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, amid longstanding disagreements between Beijing and the U.S.-led alliance over regional policies.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the discussions had been “positive and constructive”. Wang Yi and Jens Stoltenberg had spoken the previous day, according to the statement, focusing on “issues of common concern.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has hosted his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for what was considered the most consequential meeting between the two leaders in years.
The September 29 talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi follow two weeks of self-isolation for Putin -- a measure that came after dozens of members of his inner circle tested positive for COVID-19.
They also come 18 months after Putin and Erdogan held their last face-to-face meeting in Moscow, during which time issues between the two countries have only accumulated.
In addition to the conflicts in Syria and Libya, the two were expected to discuss the South Caucasus and Ukraine, expanding Russian gas exports, and the possible purchase by Turkey of a second batch of Russia's S-400 missile system despite objections from the United States.
As the two leaders sat down for about three hours of talks in Sochi, Putin said that relations between Moscow and Ankara were developing positively thanks to their ability to find "compromises."
"Negotiations are sometimes difficult, but with a positive final result," he said.
Erdogan said he believed that "there is great benefit in continuing our Turkish-Russian relations by strengthening them every day."
Afghanistan is now a hot issue among the world powers. China has talked to NATO while Russian Foreign Minister has said about a common approach by U.S., China, Russia and Pakistan.
Media reports said:
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held a virtual meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, amid longstanding disagreements between Beijing and the U.S.-led alliance over regional policies.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the discussions had been “positive and constructive”. Wang Yi and Jens Stoltenberg had spoken the previous day, according to the statement, focusing on “issues of common concern.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has hosted his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for what was considered the most consequential meeting between the two leaders in years.
The September 29 talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi follow two weeks of self-isolation for Putin -- a measure that came after dozens of members of his inner circle tested positive for COVID-19.
They also come 18 months after Putin and Erdogan held their last face-to-face meeting in Moscow, during which time issues between the two countries have only accumulated.
In addition to the conflicts in Syria and Libya, the two were expected to discuss the South Caucasus and Ukraine, expanding Russian gas exports, and the possible purchase by Turkey of a second batch of Russia's S-400 missile system despite objections from the United States.
As the two leaders sat down for about three hours of talks in Sochi, Putin said that relations between Moscow and Ankara were developing positively thanks to their ability to find "compromises."
"Negotiations are sometimes difficult, but with a positive final result," he said.
Erdogan said he believed that "there is great benefit in continuing our Turkish-Russian relations by strengthening them every day."
Beijing:China’s top diplomat has held a virtual meeting with NATO’s chief to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, amid longstanding disagreements between Beijing and the U.S.-led alliance over regional policies.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the discussions had been positive and constructive . Foreign Minister Wang Yi and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had spoken the previous day, according to the statement, focusing on issues of common concern.
Chinese officials gave no further details of the talks.
Beijing long opposed the presence of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan with which it shares a narrow border while benefiting from the relative stability that presence provided. It has been strongly critical of the shambolic U.S. withdrawal that paved the way for the Taliban sweeping to power, calling it hasty and irresponsible.
Beijing said the two officials speaking Monday agreed to raise the standard of dialogue to advance practical cooperation between China and NATO on issues including counterterrorism, anti-piracy, cyber security and international peacekeeping.
Stoltenberg told China’s foreign minister that the alliance went into Afghanistan to ensure the country did not serve again as a platform for terrorists, according to NATO’s press release Monday, adding that no attacks against China or alliance members had been organized from the country since 2001.
Stoltenberg also stressed in the meeting the importance of a “coordinated international approach, including with countries from the region, to hold the Taliban accountable for their commitments on countering terrorism and upholding human rights, not least the rights of women.
China has kept open its embassy in Kabul and maintained dialogue with the Taliban group, including hosting a delegation in July led by top leader Abdul Ghani Baradar.
At that meeting, Wang referred to the Taliban as a pivotal military and political force in Afghanistan” that is expected to play an important role in the in process of peace, reconciliation and reconstruction.”
Beijing has also called on the Taliban to uphold its pledge to restrain militants seeking independence for the traditionally Muslim northwestern region of Xinjiang. Wang has urged the group to keep border crossings open, while offering 31 million in humanitarian assistance, along with 3 million doses of Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines.
China has also previously signed deals for oil, gas and copper mining in Afghanistan, although those have long been dormant.
Apart from calls to fight terrorism, China has said virtually nothing about the Taliban’s approach to human and women’s rights. It has condemned foreign intervention in the country and has shown little enthusiasm for establishing a major economic presence.
While pledging cooperation with NATO, Wang criticized the dispatch of planes and ships from member states to areas near China’s borders, saying the Asia-Pacific region does not need new military groups, nor should it involve a confrontation between great powers, even less a small circle designed to incite a new Cold War.
Stoltenberg said the alliance does not see China as an adversary, but called on China to uphold its international commitments and act responsibly in the international system,” the NATO news release said.
He also raised NATO’s concerns over China’s coercive policies, expanding nuclear arsenal and lack of transparency on its military modernisation,” the release added. (AP)
Kashmir reader.
Beijing:China’s top diplomat has held a virtual meeting with NATO’s chief to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, amid longstanding disagreements between Beijing and the U.S.-led alliance over regional policies.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the discussions had been positive and constructive . Foreign Minister Wang Yi and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had spoken the previous day, according to the statement, focusing on issues of common concern.
Chinese officials gave no further details of the talks.
Beijing long opposed the presence of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan with which it shares a narrow border while benefiting from the relative stability that presence provided. It has been strongly critical of the shambolic U.S. withdrawal that paved the way for the Taliban sweeping to power, calling it hasty and irresponsible.
Beijing said the two officials speaking Monday agreed to raise the standard of dialogue to advance practical cooperation between China and NATO on issues including counterterrorism, anti-piracy, cyber security and international peacekeeping.
Stoltenberg told China’s foreign minister that the alliance went into Afghanistan to ensure the country did not serve again as a platform for terrorists, according to NATO’s press release Monday, adding that no attacks against China or alliance members had been organized from the country since 2001.
Stoltenberg also stressed in the meeting the importance of a “coordinated international approach, including with countries from the region, to hold the Taliban accountable for their commitments on countering terrorism and upholding human rights, not least the rights of women.
China has kept open its embassy in Kabul and maintained dialogue with the Taliban group, including hosting a delegation in July led by top leader Abdul Ghani Baradar.
At that meeting, Wang referred to the Taliban as a pivotal military and political force in Afghanistan” that is expected to play an important role in the in process of peace, reconciliation and reconstruction.”
Beijing has also called on the Taliban to uphold its pledge to restrain militants seeking independence for the traditionally Muslim northwestern region of Xinjiang. Wang has urged the group to keep border crossings open, while offering 31 million in humanitarian assistance, along with 3 million doses of Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines.
China has also previously signed deals for oil, gas and copper mining in Afghanistan, although those have long been dormant.
Apart from calls to fight terrorism, China has said virtually nothing about the Taliban’s approach to human and women’s rights. It has condemned foreign intervention in the country and has shown little enthusiasm for establishing a major economic presence.
While pledging cooperation with NATO, Wang criticized the dispatch of planes and ships from member states to areas near China’s borders, saying the Asia-Pacific region does not need new military groups, nor should it involve a confrontation between great powers, even less a small circle designed to incite a new Cold War.
Stoltenberg said the alliance does not see China as an adversary, but called on China to uphold its international commitments and act responsibly in the international system,” the NATO news release said.
He also raised NATO’s concerns over China’s coercive policies, expanding nuclear arsenal and lack of transparency on its military modernisation,” the release added. (AP)
Under Mr. Stoltenberg’s leadership, NATO has responded to a more challenging security environment by implementing the biggest reinforcement of its collective defence since the Cold War, increasing the readiness of its forces and deploying combat troops in the eastern part of the Alliance. He believes in credible deterrence and defence while maintaining dialogue with Russia. He has also advocated for increased defence spending and better burden sharing within the Alliance, and a greater focus on innovation. NATO has also stepped up its efforts in the fight against terrorism. He strongly supports a partnership approach, with cooperation between NATO and the European Union reaching unprecedented levels.
Before coming to NATO, he was the UN Special Envoy on Climate Change from 2013 to 2014. He has also chaired UN High-level Panels on climate financing and the coherence between development, humanitarian assistance and environmental policies.
As Prime Minister of Norway, Mr. Stoltenberg increased the defence spending and transformed the Norwegian armed forces with new high-end capabilities and investments. He also signed an agreement with Russia on establishing maritime borders in the Barents and Polar Sea, ending a 30-years dispute.
Mr. Stoltenberg was also Prime Minister during the deadly terrorist attacks, which killed 77 people in Oslo and Utøya on 22 July 2011, urging in response, “more democracy, more openness, and more humanity, but never naïvete”.
Mr Stoltenberg holds a postgraduate degree in Economics from the University of Oslo. After graduating in 1987, he held a research post at the National Statistical Institute of Norway, before embarking on a career in Norwegian politics.
Under Mr. Stoltenberg’s leadership, NATO has responded to a more challenging security environment by implementing the biggest reinforcement of its collective defence since the Cold War, increasing the readiness of its forces and deploying combat troops in the eastern part of the Alliance. He believes in credible deterrence and defence while maintaining dialogue with Russia. He has also advocated for increased defence spending and better burden sharing within the Alliance, and a greater focus on innovation. NATO has also stepped up its efforts in the fight against terrorism. He strongly supports a partnership approach, with cooperation between NATO and the European Union reaching unprecedented levels.
Before coming to NATO, he was the UN Special Envoy on Climate Change from 2013 to 2014. He has also chaired UN High-level Panels on climate financing and the coherence between development, humanitarian assistance and environmental policies.
As Prime Minister of Norway, Mr. Stoltenberg increased the defence spending and transformed the Norwegian armed forces with new high-end capabilities and investments. He also signed an agreement with Russia on establishing maritime borders in the Barents and Polar Sea, ending a 30-years dispute.
Mr. Stoltenberg was also Prime Minister during the deadly terrorist attacks, which killed 77 people in Oslo and Utøya on 22 July 2011, urging in response, “more democracy, more openness, and more humanity, but never naïvete”.
Mr Stoltenberg holds a postgraduate degree in Economics from the University of Oslo. After graduating in 1987, he held a research post at the National Statistical Institute of Norway, before embarking on a career in Norwegian politics.
In defense of this particular diatribe. The forum is politics and although American drama is indeed headline most events political.leaders do indeed hold dialogue at state levels at times....
They even have elections...
Ps if Putin ever hits the betting board I have to bet chalk.....
In defense of this particular diatribe. The forum is politics and although American drama is indeed headline most events political.leaders do indeed hold dialogue at state levels at times....
They even have elections...
Ps if Putin ever hits the betting board I have to bet chalk.....
Hot Forum Topics
