News

NATO chief says ‘time to welcome’ Finland, Sweden into alliance

Published

2 years ago

04/11/2022

Sweden and Finland are committed to working with Türkiye to address its concerns about their membership in the alliance, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday, adding it is time to welcome them.

“It’s time to welcome Finland and Sweden as full members of NATO,” said Stoltenberg during a press conference in Istanbul with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

“Their accession will make our alliance stronger and our people safer,” he added, noting Finland and Sweden are ready to work closer with Türkiye to fight terrorism.

Türkiye, along with Hungary, has not yet finalized the process of ratifying the NATO memberships for the two Nordic countries despite signing the initial protocol in July.

Türkiye has repeatedly stated that before the process could be finalized, Finland and Sweden must take “concrete steps” to ease Türkiye’s concerns, including signing criminal extradition protocols and lifting sanctions on Türkiye’s defense industry.

Stoltenberg aims to accelerate the ratification process by Türkiye during his three-day visit, during which he will also hold meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.

However, in response to Stoltenberg’s remarks, Cavusoglu stated that the two Nordic countries have not fulfilled all their obligations and more steps are needed to be taken by them.

“Some steps were taken indeed,” said Cavusoglu. “But it is impossible to state that they have been fully implemented by these two countries.”

“It is not our intent to block (NATO’s) expansion,” Cavusoglu said. “We just want to see concrete steps.” In May, Sweden and Finland submitted their applications for NATO memberships. And in June, Türkiye, Sweden and Finland struck a deal which included provisions on extraditions and sharing information.

To date, all but Turkey and Hungary of the 30 NATO member states have ratified the accession of Sweden and Finland.

New members to the alliance require unanimous approval.

Source(s): CGTN

News

Minister confirms redeployment of all Indian militants

Published

10 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has disclosed that the 76 Indian militants stationed in the Maldives have been successfully redeployed. The redeployment of foreign troops from the nation is a commitment of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The withdrawal of the Indian military troops stationed by May 10 in the Maldives, as per the pledge of President Dr. Muizzu, were officially announced today at a press conference held at the President’s Office. The troops were redeployed in batches, with the first batch redeployed in March. This was followed by the withdrawal of the second batch of militants in April and the last batch on May 10.

Details on the withdrawal of the foreign troops are as follows: In March, a total of 26 soldiers who were stationed in Gan, Addu City were redeployed, with 12 militants redeployed on March 7 and 14 militants on March 9. Meanwhile, 25 military personnel in Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll withdrew, with 13 soldiers redeployed on April 7 and 12 on May 9. The troops stationed in Kadhdhoo, Laamu Atoll were redeployed with 12 personnel withdrawing the platforms on May 7 and 13 by May 9.

Speaking at the press conference, Minister Ghassan revealed that the foreign soldiers working at Senahiya Military Hospital are doctors, and there were no plans to redeploy them. The minister assured that these soldiers were not partaking in any military roles.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Foreign Minister prioritises talks with India to expedite projects

Published

10 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer has affirmed that significant strides have been made in expediting projects initiated in the Maldives with financial assistance from the Indian Government.

Following his official visit to India at the invitation of Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Minister Zameer said that a spectrum of initiatives across the nation has been kickstarted through loans and grants from the Government of India during the previous administration. He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects. He also underscored his dedication to this endeavor during his recent visit to India.

Additionally, Minister Zameer disclosed that both ministers engaged in bilateral discussions on May 9 to address pivotal matters aimed at expediting the projects. He underscored the discussions with Minister S. Jaishankar, focusing on the operational dynamics of the committees entrusted with executing these projects.

During the official discussions between the two nations, Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated the significance of India’s ongoing projects in the Maldives.

Source(s): PsmNew

News

Redeployment of Indian troops, attributed to critical thinking of President

Published

10 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has revealed that all the Indian military troops, previously stationed in Maldivian platforms were effectively redeployed due to the strategic decision-making skills and critical thinking of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The remarks were made by the minister during a press conference held to officially announce the redeployment of all Indian militants.

Addressing the media, Minister Ghassan disclosed that a total of 76 military personnel were stationed across three platforms in the Maldives. The three platforms include Hanimaadhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Gan in Addu City and Kadhdhoo in Laamu Atoll. The minister further confirmed the successful withdrawal of all foreign troops in the country by the deadline set by the government, which was May 10.

Minister Ghassan stated that the successful redeployment of troops through series of discussions in a small period of time, were attributed to the critical and strategic thinking of President Dr. Muizzu.

Source(s): PsmNews