LONDON, 28 January 2022, (TON): Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown expresses UK concerns about the situation in Belarus and urges Belarusian authorities to fully implement its OSCE commitments.

Mr Chair, we thank the Delegation of Belarus for adding this issue to today’s agenda and for providing additional information to the Permanent Council. We will report those comments back to our colleagues in London.

The UK continues to follow developments in Belarus closely. We have regularly expressed our concerns about the situation in Belarus, and have urged the Belarusian authorities to fully implement its OSCE commitments and to make use of the OSCE’s tools and mechanisms.

That includes engaging constructively with OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) as well as taking up the offer of the current and previous Chairs-in-Office to facilitate a genuine national dialogue.

DUBAI, 28 January 2022, (TON): Qatar’s top diplomat visited Iran, days before Qatar’s emir holds talks in Washington at a crucial time for efforts by Tehran and major powers to revive a 2015 nuclear pact.

The visit by Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani comes after his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian said “Tehran is ready to consider direct talks with Washington if it feels it can get a good nuclear deal.”

However, Iran’s state news agency IRNA said the visit was not intended to help set up direct talks with Washington.

Local media said “although Doha and Tehran are experiencing good and close relations, this visit has fueled some misconceptions. Some are fabricating it to facilitate direct talks with the United States.”

The US and Iran have held eight rounds of indirect talks in Vienna since April aimed at reinstating the pact that lifted sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program.

WASHINGTON DC, 28 January 2022, (TON): White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed that US President Joe Biden will receive German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House on February 7.

The White House said in a press release “Leaders will discuss a shared commitment to diplomacy and joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the German Chancellor’s visit to Washington would confirm the strength of ties between the two countries.

MOSCOW , 28 January 2022, (TON): Collective Security Treaty Organization’s spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov told reporters “CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas called for an immediate ceasefire on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.”

The press service said “Zas held telephone conversations with Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Tajikistan Nasrullo Mahmudzoda and Secretary of the Security Council of Kyrgyzstan Marat Imankulov, “during which the CSTO Secretary General called for an immediate ceasefire between the parties on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.”

The renewed clashes on the border, as a result of which there are wounded, cause serious concern. The armed confrontation on the Tajik-Kyrgyz border must be immediately stopped. The conflict must be resolved exclusively at the negotiating table by peaceful means. For this, the CSTO is ready to provide Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan with the necessary assistance in resolving conflict.

Zas, whose words are quoted in the message said “I am sure that the leadership of both CSTO member states will find mutually acceptable ways to resolve this complex border issue.”

Earlier, Skirmishes between the servicemen of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan took place at one of the sections of the border between the two states.

This was reported by the Border Service of the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security (GKNB).

TALLINN, 28 January 2022, (TON): The annual Winter Camp exercises with the participation of the NATO battle group stationed in Estonia will be held in the republic from January 29 to February 6. Almost 1.4 thousand soldiers will be involved in the maneuvers.

This was reported on Thursday by the BNS agency with reference to the Main Headquarters of the country’s Defense Forces.

The exercises are aimed at testing the preparation of infantry and mechanized units for combat operations in winter conditions.

Nearly 1,400 soldiers from the First Infantry Brigade of the Defense Forces, as well as British and French troops from the NATO battle group in Estonia, will take part in the maneuvers. Armored vehicles, infantry, headquarters and engineering units will be involved in the exercises.

Exercising against a simulated enemy on difficult terrain in winter conditions is a great opportunity to gain invaluable experience. Undoubtedly, the soldiers and commanders of units from Great Britain, France and Estonia will acquire useful skills.

The commander of the First Infantry Brigade of the Defense Forces, Colonel Andrus Merilo “they will have to establish interaction between infantry and equipment, as well as find the most effective solutions for offensive and defensive tasks.”

“Since our arrival in Estonia in September last year, we have made great efforts to improve the combat readiness of the unit and achieve coherence with the allies.”

WASHINGTON DC, 28 January 2022, (TON): The US Department of State issued a statement released by the Governments of the United States of America and Norway on the occasion of meeting in Oslo, Norway to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

Special Representatives and Special Envoys of the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States met in Oslo on 24 January 2022 to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, including sessions with representatives of the Taliban and civil society actors.

The Special Envoys and Special Representatives “focused on the urgency in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and highlighted necessary steps to help alleviate the suffering of Afghans across the country.

Participants recognized steps taken to ease access for humanitarian workers, male and female, while also expressing concern that there are still certain impediments in place, and participants also reiterated the importance of swiftly removing all conditions and obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Raised the importance of respect for human rights and the strong need for an inclusive and representative political system to ensure stability and a peaceful future for Afghanistan.

Urged the Taliban to do more to stop the alarming increase of human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions (to include recent detentions of women’s rights activists), forced disappearances, media crackdowns, extra-judicial killings, torture and prohibitions on women and girls’ education, employment and freedom to travel without a male escort.

RIYADH, 28 January 2022, (TON): Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, met Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide Mohamed and his accompanying delegation in Riyadh.

The two sides discussed issues of common interest relating to humanitarian and relief affairs. The Ethiopian minister praised Saudi humanitarian efforts worldwide.

Since its inception in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 1,814 projects worth more than $5.5 billion in 77 countries, carried out in cooperation with 144 local, regional and international partners.

According to a recent KSrelief report “Yemen, Palestine, Syria and Somalia are the biggest beneficiaries of its projects.”

Meanwhile, Mohamed also met with the CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Sultan Al-Marshad, where they reviewed the Kingdom’s development projects and programs financed by the fund to support infrastructure and contribute to sustainable growth Ethiopia.

NEW DELHI, 28 January 2022, (TON): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted “a teen from Arunachal Pradesh who went missing along the Line of Actual Control with China has been handed over to the Indian Army.”

Mr Rijiju tweeted "the Chinese PLA has handed over the young boy from Arunachal Pradesh Shri Miram Taron to Indian Army. Due procedures are being followed including the medical examination.”

The Chinese PLA has handed over the young boy from Arunachal Pradesh Shri Miram Taron to Indian Army.

China's People Liberation Army, or PLA, had earlier confirmed that Mr Taron would be repatriated to the Indian side. There was a delay earlier in repatriating him due to bad weather conditions in the mountainous area.

The Chinese PLA handed over the young boy from Arunachal Pradesh Shri Miram Taron to Indian Army at WACHA-DAMAI interaction point in Arunachal Pradesh.

KABUL, 28 January 2022, (TON): Traders in southern Kandahar province say “a joint commercial board should be created among Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran to help boost business activities and resolve related problems.”

The traders made these remarks at a meeting of the Economic Council held in Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The meeting was attended by Haji Mohammad YousufWafa, Kandahar governor, Haji Mohammad SediqMomand, head of Kandahar Chamber of Commerce, Mahmood Karzai, director of AFCO Company, Haji Mohammad Mirza Katawazi, a well-known investor, and a number of other investors and traders.

The meeting discussed on the development of the country’s exports, imports, industry, investment, banking system, money exchange service and many other areas.

Haji Mohammad SediqMomand, head of Kandahar Chamber of Commerce, said the current government should pay special attention to traders and industrialists to increase exports and domestic production.

He said traders and investors were committed to investing in their country but providing them with required facilities was important.

KABUL, 28 January 2022, (TON): The UN team in Afghanistan has announced the launch of a Transitional Engagement Framework to assist Afghans in 2022.

The TEF is an overarching strategic planning document, ensuring the coordination of the UN team’s work to reduce the suffering of the Afghans.

A statement from the world body said “the TEF seeks to save lives, sustain essential services, such as health and education, and preserve essential community systems.”

The UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan said “this UN system-wide strategy will help ensure that Afghans can meet their basic human needs.”

Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov added that acting on it was more important than ever to avoid that an even wider proportion of the population required lifesaving humanitarian assistance.

“It’s especially important now as millions are suffering from the harsh winter months, and we thank the international community for stepping up their vital support to the Afghan population.”

The $8billion required to implement this UN-wide framework includes the $4.44 billion previously requested through the Humanitarian Response Plan, launched on 11 January, since all activities in the TEF complement one another and are interdependent.