LONDON, 29 March 2022, (TON): Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. He welcomed growing cooperation between the United Kingdom and Egypt on trade, defence and security, and congratulated President Sisi on the impressive development of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Turning to the situation in Ukraine, the Prime Minister set out his deep concerns about the worsening conflict and view that Putin had made a tragic miscalculation.

He said “the UK would continue to work with international partners to increase the economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Russia to end the war.”

RIYADH, 29 March 2022, (TON): Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir received Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ann Linde at his ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The two ministers held official talks during which they reviewed the bilateral relations between their countries, and various ways of cooperation in all fields, in addition to discussing regional and international developments and issues of common concern.

The meeting was attended by Khaled bin Musaed Al-Anqari, director general of foreign ministry, Inas Al-Shahwan, Saudi ambassador to Sweden and Sultan bin Khuzaym, general director of the European Department at the Ministry.

BRUSSELS, 29 March 2022, (TON): Ministers met to discuss further coordination of the reception of refugees from Ukraine.

Since 24 February 2022, around 3.8 million people, mainly women and children, have arrived in the European Union after fleeing from the war in Ukraine.

Ministers took stock of the means of material and financial support deployed with regard to both their level and their flexibility.

They discussed possible additional financial needs as well as potential gaps in the support provided by the agencies. Discussions on medium and long-term needs for assistance will now continue at expert level.

Ministers also addressed the implementation of the decision on temporary protection and expressed their support for further coordination of guidance and travel within the EU.

In particular, they called on the Commission, with the assistance of eu-LISA, to act as quickly as possible to seek an IT solution that would allow for a centralised Europe-wide approach to the registration of Ukrainian refugees.

Such consolidation at EU level of registration in national databases will make it easier to protect refugees, and in particular unaccompanied minors, and their travel within the EU.

LONDON, 29 March 2022, (TON): Foreign Secretary Liz Truss updated the House of Commons on the situation in Ukraine and on the NATO and G7 Leaders meetings in Brussels last week.

With permission, I want to update the House, on behalf of my Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister, on the NATO and G7 Leaders meetings in Brussels last week.

Together with our allies, we agreed to keep the pressure up on Putin to end his appalling war in Ukraine, through tougher sanctions to debilitate the Russian economy; supplying weapons to Ukraine and boosting NATO’s Eastern Flank; providing humanitarian aid and dealing with the wider consequences of this crisis; and supporting Ukraine in any negotiations they undertake.

Strength is the only thing Putin understands.

Our sanctions are pushing back the Russian economy by years.

We owe it to the brave Ukrainians to keep up our tough approach to get peace. We owe it to ourselves to stand with them for the cause of freedom and democracy in Europe and across the world.

It is vital we step up this pressure.

We cannot wait for more appalling atrocities to be committed in Ukraine. We know that the impact of sanctions degrades over time.

NEW YORK, 29 March 2022, (TON): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said “he has asked the organization’s humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, immediately to explore with the parties involved the possibility of a humanitarian truce in Ukraine.”

He said that Griffiths will begin his efforts in pursuit of a ceasefire straight away and has already initiated some contacts.

Guterres said “I hope that (he) will be able to go to both Moscow and Kyiv as soon as that becomes possible.”

“It’s very important to establish a serious dialogue with both parties in relation to the possibility of this humanitarian ceasefire.”

He added “a cessation of hostilities will allow essential humanitarian aid to be delivered and enable civilians to move around safely. It will save lives, prevent suffering and protect civilians.”

He also called for the ceasefire “to allow for progress in serious political negotiations aimed at reaching a peace agreement based on the principles of the United Nations Charter.

AMMAN, 29 March 2022, (TON): The US and Israel see eye to eye on preventing Iran from obtaining atomic weapons, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said “ahead of talks in Israel with Arab foreign ministers skeptical of a nuclear pact with Tehran.”

Blinken sought to reassure Washington’s Gulf allies and Israel that the administration of President Joe Biden is committed to their security ahead of the possible renewal of the international nuclear deal with Iran.

Israel and its neighbors believe any easing of sanctions and the delisting of the IRGC would embolden Iranian-backed militant groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Wadie Abunassar, the Haifa-based director of the International Center for Consultations, told “countries taking part in the summit are concerned about the Iran deal.”

He added “all participants wish to ask the US to introduce additional conditions not only regarding Iran’s nuclear program, but also other Iran-related issues such as production of ballistic missiles and drones.”

Blinken met Israeli officials in Jerusalem on Sunday amid growing hints that the tattered 2015 landmark deal Tehran signed with major powers will soon be restored.

WASHINGTON, 29 March 2022, (TON): Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Rabat, Morocco from March 28 to 30, where he will meet with Prime Minister Aziz Akhanouch and Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to exchange views on regional political issues and bilateral cooperation.

The Secretary will also engage with Moroccan civil society leaders and participate in a media engagement.

The long-standing relationship between Morocco and the United States dates back to the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1787 when Morocco became the first nation to recognize the United States.

The strategic bilateral partnership between the United States and Morocco is rooted in shared interests in regional peace, security, and prosperity. We welcome Morocco’s role in promoting regional stability, prosperity, and the historic normalization of relations with Israel.

This month, we begin the final year of the five-year, $460 million compact administered by the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Together, the United States and Morocco are expanding education and employment opportunities for young people across the Kingdom, as well as land productivity and land rights for women in rural areas.

GENEVA, 29 March 2022, (TON): Russia resolutely rejected an attempt by the United States, EU countries, Canada, Australia, Japan, Ukraine and a number of other states included in the list of unfriendly countries in the Russian Federation to use the platform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to discuss the Ukrainian crisis.

At a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body, the Russian delegation emphasized that the WTO is not a forum for discussing political issues, and attention should be focused on solving existing problems in the organization, and not on creating new ones.

The contents of the discussion were briefed to jo-urnalists by one of the trade representatives, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to him “the representative of Kyiv took the floor at the meeting to condemn Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.

Then the delegations of Georgia, the USA, Great Britain, Canada, EU, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Chinese Taipei came out with a condemnation.

They called on Moscow to stop the special military operation.

ROME, 29 March 2022, (TON): UAE’s undersecretary for the economy “a memorandum of understanding on joint scientific research has been signed in Dubai by Maria Chiara Carrozza, president of the Italian National Council for Research, and Abdulla Al-Saleh.”

Emirati Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al-Marri attended the signing ceremony.

The MoU aims to support joint scientific research programs in areas that serve the sectors of the future economy, most notably renewable energy, technology, food security, space and modern agricultural technology.

The MoU also aims to promote mutual visits by faculty members and academic bodies from both countries.

Al-Marri said “Emirati-Italian relations are based on solid foundations of friendship and cooperation in various fields.”

The two countries, he added, share many common visions for the future, which is reflected in the numerous partnerships that exist between them in areas of the new economy such as innovation and entrepreneurship.

ISTANBUL, 29 March 2022, (TON): A source familiar with the situation told media “negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in Istanbul will start on Tuesday, the meeting will be closed to the press.”

Earlier, the Office of the President of Turkey reported that during telephone talks, the leaders of Turkey and Russia, Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin, agreed to meet the negotiating delegations of Moscow and Kiev in Istanbul.

Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said “these negotiations are expected to start on March 29. For his part, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that there are chances for an agreement between Moscow and Kiev.”

The source said “it is expected that the meeting, which will be held at the presidential residence in Dolmabahce, will begin today. The meeting is closed to the press.”