meeting

Only effective way to ramp up Gaza aid is by road, Guterres says

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Only effective way to ramp up Gaza aid is by road, Guterres says

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the only effective and efficient method to deliver heavy goods to meet Gaza’s humanitarian needs is by road, which requires a significant increase in commercial deliveries. Guterres highlighted the global impact of the war in Gaza and criticized the international community for failing to uphold Palestinian human dignity. During his visit to Egypt and Jordan, part of an annual Ramadan solidarity tour, he expressed outrage at the backlog of aid for Gaza at Egypt’s border. Despite over five months of conflict between Israel and Hamas, with aid accumulating in Egypt’s Sinai, efforts to deliver aid through air drops and ships have been proposed, but U.N. officials insist on scaling up deliveries by land. Guterres emphasized the need for Israel to facilitate relief by removing obstacles and increasing crossing points. He also mentioned the U.N.’s efforts to maintain funding for UNRWA, the main humanitarian aid agency in Gaza, despite funding pauses from countries like the United States and Britain due to accusations against UNRWA staff. UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini expressed regret over the continued U.S. funding ban until at least March 2025.

Bane of Cyprus solution: too much power in one man

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Bane of Cyprus solution: too much power in one man

Leontios Ierodiakonou, in his analysis of the Cyprus problem, focuses on the Crans-Montana talks in 2017. Mustafa Akinci, elected Turkish Cypriot leader in April 2015, and Nicos Anastasiades, the Cyprus president, both showed a willingness for a settlement, leading to a positive climate and meetings in Mont Pelerin (2016) and Geneva (January 2017). The UN Secretary-General’s report from September 28, 2017, highlighted convergences on many issues, including the exchange of maps for the first time. The Crans-Montana conference on June 30, 2017, saw the introduction of the “Guterres framework,” which proposed the abolition of the Treaty of Guarantee and the unilateral right of intervention, and discussed the withdrawal of foreign troops. However, disagreements persisted, particularly regarding the role of Turkey in a future monitoring mechanism. Anastasiades’ behavior at the conference, questioning proposals and showing reluctance to negotiate, contributed to the talks’ collapse. Despite this, the Greek Cypriot side later expressed a willingness to resume negotiations from where they left off at Crans-Montana. Akinci’s proposal on April 30, 2018, for a “strategic agreement” based on the Guterres Framework was not responded to by the Greek Cypriot side. Ierodiakonou criticizes the decision-making process in Cyprus, suggesting a more collective approach to national issues.

Truth commission in Cyprus is crucial to reconciliation

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Truth commission in Cyprus is crucial to reconciliation

Achilleas Demetriades, a human rights lawyer and former presidential candidate in Cyprus, proposed converting the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) into a truth commission during a meeting in the UK parliament. His proposal aims to enable the CMP to investigate the circumstances and cause of death of missing persons, beyond its current function of locating and disinterring missing individuals. Demetriades suggests amending the CMP’s terms of reference to allow investigations into how 1,510 Greek Cypriots and 492 Turkish Cypriots disappeared. He argues for statutory immunity from prosecution for those providing information to the commission, noting that current guarantees might not suffice for the broader scope of a truth commission. Transitional justice processes like truth commissions, exemplified by South Africa’s Truth Commission established in 1995, are highlighted as effective in overcoming conflict and promoting reconciliation. The article also mentions the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy to Cyprus, Maria Holguin, and the potential for establishing a truth commission in Cyprus, with support from the UN high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet, emphasizing the importance of truth for reconciliation and preventing the repetition of conflicts.

Russia, China veto US-led UN resolution on Gaza ceasefire

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Russia, China veto US-led UN resolution on Gaza ceasefire

– The United Nations Security Council rejected a resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an Israel-Hamas hostage deal due to vetoes from Russia and China.
– The resolution, proposed by the United States, aimed for a six-week ceasefire to protect civilians and allow humanitarian assistance.
– Eleven of the 15 council members supported the resolution, but it was blocked by the vetoes.
– An alternative resolution, drafted by elected members of the Security Council, calls for an immediate ceasefire during Ramadan, the release of all hostages, and expanded humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
– The U.S. had previously been averse to using the word “ceasefire” in resolutions during the war in Gaza but had toughened its stance.
– Russia and China vetoed the U.S.-led resolution, which the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. criticized as being for “cynical” and “petty” reasons.
– Palestinian Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people and took 253 captive in an attack on Israel, according to Israel.
– Nearly 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza, as reported by health authorities in the Hamas-ruled enclave.
– Russia criticized the U.S.-led resolution as “exceedingly politicized” and a potential green light for an Israeli military operation in Rafah.
– China supported an alternative resolution and criticized the U.S. proposal for not opposing an Israeli military operation in Rafah.
– French President Emmanuel Macron announced efforts to work with Jordan and the United Arab Emirates to persuade Russia and China to back another alternative resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Technocratic level talks continue on EU-Turkey relations

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Technocratic level talks continue on EU-Turkey relations

– Consultations at a technocratic level with Germany regarding a possible reference text on EU-Turkish relations are underway, aiming for inclusion in the conclusions of an upcoming EU summit.
– President Nikos Christodoulides made these statements upon his arrival at the European Council.
– Christodoulides welcomed the inclusion of a reference to the Cypriot initiative for a maritime corridor to Gaza in the conclusions on the Middle East.
– He discussed specific next steps on the Cyprus issue with UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressing hope for developments by April towards resuming talks.
– Ongoing discussions follow Germany’s proposal to include a paragraph on EU-Turkey relations in the summit conclusions.
– Christodoulides had meetings with the Chancellor of Germany and the President of the Council, followed by consultations at a technocratic level.
– He emphasized the importance of positive developments in EU-Turkish relations that also involve Cyprus, advocating for a step-by-step approach with an enhanced role for the European Union.
– Other member states, including France, have shown interest in the consultations regarding EU-Turkey relations and Cyprus.
– The Cypriot initiative for a humanitarian corridor to Gaza was praised by all heads of states at the European Council, highlighting Cyprus’s role in the region.
– Christodoulides had a productive meeting with the UN Secretary-General, discussing the next steps on the Cyprus issue and hoping for developments within April.
– He expressed satisfaction with the European Council’s conclusions on security and defence, including the announcement of appointing a Commissioner for Defence in case of the current President of the Commission’s re-election, emphasizing the importance of advancing in defence and security matters for the EU’s strategic autonomy.

EU seeks migration agreement with Lebanon

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EU seeks migration agreement with Lebanon

The European Union is aiming to reach a migration agreement with Lebanon, as stated by Margaritis Schinas, the Vice-President of the European Commission. This follows successful agreements with Egypt and Tunisia. Schinas emphasized the need for preparation and stabilization of the agreement’s parameters but expressed optimism about its feasibility. He also mentioned the ongoing process for re-evaluating certain areas in Syria as safe, a competence of the European Asylum Agency, and highlighted Cyprus’s significant success in increasing returns of migrants. The Cypriot Minister of Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, discussed the geopolitical risks in the region, the role of the European Asylum Agency in assessing safety in Syria, and the efforts to combat human trafficking networks, including the establishment of a special police unit in Cyprus. The meeting in Nicosia also included other Cypriot ministers and deputy ministers.

Blinken pushes for more aid for Gaza in talks with Israel’s Netanyahu

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Blinken pushes for more aid for Gaza in talks with Israel’s Netanyahu

– U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss aid flow into Gaza amid tense relations due to the six-month-old war.
– Israel claimed to have killed or captured hundreds of Hamas fighters in a five-day operation at the Al Shifa hospital complex in Gaza, which Hamas and medical staff deny.
– Blinken has been engaging in diplomacy in the Middle East, including meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia and officials in Cairo, aiming for a ceasefire.
– U.S. President Joe Biden criticized Israel’s campaign in Gaza as “over the top” due to its toll on civilian lives.
– The war started with a Hamas raid into southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking 253 hostages. Over 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombardments.
– Blinken emphasized the need for increased and sustained aid deliveries to Gaza, where the entire population faces severe food insecurity.
– Israeli Colonel Moshe Tetro denied food shortages in Gaza, claiming sufficient food enters daily.
– Discussions include Israel’s intention to launch a ground offensive on Rafah, with Washington objecting to the plan.
– An airstrike on a house in Al-Naser, east of Rafah, killed eight people, including a family with five children.
– Senior Israeli and U.S. officials are set to meet in Washington to discuss alternatives to a full-on assault on Hamas.
– Talks in Qatar focus on a proposal for a six-week halt to fighting, exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
– Israel aims to eradicate Hamas, while Hamas wants a permanent end to the war and Israeli troop withdrawal.
– Israeli troops claim to have killed or detained hundreds in the Al Shifa hospital, including senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad members, though Hamas denies fighters were in the compound.

Dollar struggles to find demand in Fed aftermath

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Dollar struggles to find demand in Fed aftermath

– The US Dollar experienced significant losses against major rivals after the Federal Reserve left the interest rate unchanged and due to Chairman Jerome Powell’s comments on the policy outlook.
– Investors are awaiting the Bank of England’s policy announcements and S&P Global PMI data for Germany, the Euro area, the UK, and the US.
– The US economic docket will include weekly Initial Jobless Claims and Existing Home Sales data for February.
– The Federal Reserve’s Summary of Projections indicates a total of 75 basis points reduction in the policy rate expected in 2024.
– Chairman Powell noted high inflation numbers in January and February but attributed them to seasonal effects, suggesting they do not alter the disinflation narrative.
– Following the Federal Reserve event, the 10-year US Treasury bond yield approached 4.25%, Wall Street indexes rallied, and the USD Index dropped nearly 0.5%, ending a four-day winning streak.
– In Asian trading, Australian unemployment decreased to 3.7% in February, better than the expected 4%, and employment rose by 116,500, significantly above the anticipated 40,000.
– The AUDUSD pair saw gains, rising more than 0.5% above 0.6620.
– The USDJPY pair experienced fluctuations, with a notable correction below 150.50 before regaining momentum.
– The Bank of England is anticipated to maintain the policy rate at 5.25%, with market participants looking for indications on policy direction following soft UK inflation data.
– The GBPUSD rose 0.5%, trading near 1.2800.
– Gold reached a new all-time high of ,222 before retreating toward ,200.
– The EURUSD pair rallied above 1.0900, trading slightly below 1.0950.

BoE must cut rates at next meeting, says deVere CEO

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BoE must cut rates at next meeting, says deVere CEO

The Bank of England left interest rates unchanged at 5.25%, a 16-year high, on Thursday. Critics and financial experts, including Nigel Green, CEO of the deVere Group, are calling for the central bank to reduce rates at their next opportunity to alleviate financial strains on businesses and households, enhance business profitability, make homeownership more accessible, boost consumer confidence and spending, and stimulate economic growth. Lower interest rates are also seen as beneficial for investors, as they tend to increase demand for risk assets like equities. Green argues that proactive rate cuts are essential to prevent economic downturns and mitigate recession risks, despite concerns that such actions could fuel inflation. He emphasizes that the Bank of England has the tools and expertise to manage inflation effectively while supporting growth through rate adjustments.

President optimistic for Gaza humanitarian aid progress

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President optimistic for Gaza humanitarian aid progress

President Christodoulides is optimistic about the outcomes of the European Council summit, focusing on a ceasefire in Gaza and increasing humanitarian assistance. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres supports Cyprus’s “Amalthea” humanitarian corridor initiative. A conference in Cyprus, attended by 36 states including 23 EU countries, all G7 nations, and the United Nations, discussed technical details of the initiative and a fund to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Netherlands will contribute €10 million, and the EU will initially donate around €70 million to this fund. President Christodoulides plans to meet with the UN Secretary-General to discuss Cyprus’s initiative and the Cyprus problem. He emphasizes the EU’s role in resuming negotiations with Turkey and affirms Cyprus’s readiness to prepare a second ship for the humanitarian corridor, which complements other corridors. Cyprus seeks positive outcomes and references to Euro-Turkish relations based on developments in the Cyprus problem.