Paris, France--France wants an independent inquiry into the deaths of scores of Palestinians during an aid delivery in the northern Gaza strip, Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said Friday. "We will ask for explanations, and there will have to be an independent probe to determine what happened,"  Sejourne told the France Inter...

Dubai, UAE-- Morocco hopes to increase its exports by 12 percent this year, according to the kingdom's minister of industry and trade, Ryad Mezzour. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), on the sidelines of the opening day of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference hosted by the UAE in...

Tehran, Iran--Iran said Wednesday that Israel was behind twin sabotage attacks against gas pipelines that disrupted supplies in at least three provinces last week. The February 14 explosions hit pipelines in the cities of Safashahr in the southern province of Fars and Borujen in the southwestern province of Chaharmahal and...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed Al-Hogail said on Monday that the retail sector contributes 23 percent of non-oil GDP of the kingdom, predicting its growth will surpass SR460 billion ($122.6 billion) by the end of 2024.  The minister made these statements...

ABU DHABI, UAE - Madrid wants the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) here next month to address the potential challenges of de-globalization and its impacts on global supply chains, Minister of State for Trade of Spain Xiana Mendez said. “The main challenges we may...

Tehran, Iran – Iran and India on Monday finalized an agreement for the development of the strategic Chabahar port in Tehran. The accord was reached in a meeting between Iranian Transport and Urban Development Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. During the meeting, Bazrpash proposed...

Amman, Jordan--The UAE and Jordan discussed enhancing trade and investment relations in order to stimulate joint economic growth and create more opportunities for cooperation between their business communities and private sectors. The discussions took place between in a meeting between Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for...

Washington has called out both Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who have called for Israeli settlers to return to Gaza and for the territory's Palestinian inhabitants to leave. "Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land," the State Department said. Expelling civilians during a conflict or creating unlivable...

AMMAN, JORDAN - Agriculture Minister Khaled Al-Hneifat said the ministry has been working hard over the past year to create an action plan to raise the country's ranking in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI). According to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), two of the initiatives taken to achieve this...

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron termed it good news that that the UN has come together to "back a resolution to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza." Cameron's remarks came after the Security Council voted to approve a watered-down resolution that demands all sides allow the "unhindered" delivery of humanitarian...

Tehran, Iran-- Saudi Arabia and Iran's foreign ministers have stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and sending humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave. Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan discussed bilateral relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the latest developments...

Manama, Bahrain-- Bahrain and the European Union (EU) have held discussions to boost cooperation in various domains, including the energy sector. In this regard a meeting took place in Manama between Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs and Christophe...

Tehran, Iran-- Expressing deep concern over Israel's possession of nuclear weapons, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned of a spurt in the nuclear arms race, leading to an unfavorable situation. "The ongoing possession of nuclear weapons by Israel, coupled with the failure to denuclearize the region, will escalate the...

Tehran, Iran-- Iran is linking up its electricity grids with Russia via Azerbaijan in order to make up for its power shortfall. The Islamic republic's minister of energy said the electricity grids of Iran and Russia would be connected, adding that feasibility studies for the connection via the Republic of...

PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA - Russia is ready to discuss and consider Turkey’s initiative to establish a guarantor system in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Moscow and Ankara staying in touch on the issue, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said here. "We are ready to discuss any constructive proposals. The said initiative...

Jerusalem--Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz vowed Thursday his country would not allow basic resources or humanitarian aid into Gaza until Hamas released the people it abducted during its surprise weekend onslaught. "Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electric switch will be turned on, no water tap will be opened and no...

Amid mounting speculation that Saudi Arabia and Israel will normalize ties, the minister traveled to Riyadh for a meeting of the Universal Postal Union, a specialised UN agency intended to facilitate international cooperation in the postal sector. He is expected to give a speech and meet with officials including the...

NEW YORK, US – UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri called upon the global community to utilize the opportunity offered by COP28 in the Emirates to drive climate action by focusing on food systems transformation and promoting nature-based solutions. She made the comments during...

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – The cooperation between Moscow and Tehran is reaching new highs, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Wednesday. “We are determined to implement the entire set of our planned activities despite opposition from the US and its Western allies,” Shoigu said during talks with Iranian Defense Minister...

Moscow, Russia--The UAE and Russia are looking to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in higher education, scientific research, space, and engineering between the two countries. In this regard, Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, and Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia, held discussions in Moscow. Al...

Cairo, Egypt-- Vowing to expand their relations to cultural, educational, environmental, and energy fields, Arab states and Japan have expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation between the two. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, participated in the third session of the Arab-Japan Political Dialogue...

Tehran, Iran-- Iran and Syria have signed an agreement to connect the rail network between the two countries through Iraq. Mehrdad Bazrpash, Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development, made the announcement at the inauguration ceremony of the construction of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway on Saturday.  "The construction of the Shalamcheh...

Singapore-- Saudi Arabia and Singapore have pledged to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries and also reviewed the challenges facing the global economy. In this connection Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan met in Singapore with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Singapore, Lawrence Wong. According to...

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU to boost mining cooperation in critical minerals needed in new technologies like electric vehicles and solar panels. The Turkish and Saudi ministers also discussed deepening partnership in areas such as hydrogen, solar and wind energy, besides seeking to widen trade between...

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the composition of the country’s delegation to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It will be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The delegation also includes Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, Chairman of the Federation Council’s Committee...

Iran's foreign minister met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his first visit since the Middle East rivals announced a rapprochement, officials said. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who travelled to Riyadh on Thursday, held talks with the Crown Prince in Jeddah, the Saudi foreign ministry said, after extending a scheduled...

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - The 11th Moscow Conference on International Security, held at the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Center here, saw high-level discussions between Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin and military representatives from Saudi Arabia and Iran. In a meeting with Talal Abdullah Al-Otaibi, military adviser to the Saudi defense...

Amman, Jordan--Jordan is urging "companies and institutions" to switch to renewable and sustainable energy to reduce operating costs. In this regard, the kingdom's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh said Tuesday opportunities exist for cooperation to cut energy consumption across various sectors through implementing programs similar to those...

New Delhi, India--The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed with the UAE and operationalized last year is a “special achievement for India’s foreign and trade policy,” India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, told Lok Sabha, the lower House of India’s Parliament yesterday. He was answering...

Cairo, Egypt-- Egypt is looking to resume exports of liquefied natural gas exports by October, according to the country's petroleum minister Tarek El Molla. The North African country's production is used at home during the summer when temperatures are very high, but in the winter months the country has excess...

BAGHDAD, IRAQ -  Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Mohammed Hamel on Friday stressed the importance of Iraq in the oil and gas sector. Iraqi Ministry of oil said in a statement, “Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani, met GECF Secretary...

Tehran, Iran-- Iran has signed oil contracts worth $40 billion with domestic and foreign companies during the last 20 months. Speaking at the second ministerial session of the 8th OPEC International Seminar entitled “Investments, finance and inclusive petroleum growth strategies” at the Austrian capital, Iran’s oil minister Javad Owji said...

ABU DHABI, UAE -  UAE Ministry of Finance (MoF) released its annual report for the year 2022 highlighting performance, initiatives, national projects and international participation. The report is entitled "Remarkable Achievements Shaping Promising Financial Prospects",  includes MoF's most prominent achievements, leadership councils and committees, and strategic objectives. Minister of State...

Amid continuous divisions plaguing the country, France's new envoy for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, landed in Beirut to hold talks with its leaders. The envoy's three-day visit comes a week after Lebanese lawmakers failed for a 12th time to elect a new president, drawing condemnation from the international community.

Tehran, Iran-- Looking to give a further boost to the relations between the two countries, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Doha to discuss bilateral relations, as well as major regional and international developments, with high-ranking Qatari officials. Amir-Abdollahian left Tehran for Qatar’s capital late Monday on an official...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-- Saudi Arabia is aiming to establish a slew of business partnerships in healthcare and mining sectors with companies in the UK, Germany, besides discussing humanitarian cooperation in Spain. In this connection, Saudi officials are engaged in productive meetings to strengthen partnerships and explore collaborations.  Saudi minister of...

Abu Dhabi, UAE-- With the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the UAE exporters are expected to benefit more as they will gain more access to major sectors in Turkey like construction, metals, and their products, polymers, and other manufactured products. According to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri,...

London, UK-- Saudi Arabia and the UK have held discussions to boost trade and economic partnership between the two countries. The discussions were held during Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi visit to London, where he held a number of meetings with British ministers and leaders of major...

DUBAI, UAE -  UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei on Tuesday announced the launch of the Global EV Market, a transformational project as per the performance agreements signed by federal authorities in 2022. The project was signed in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid...

Doha, Qatar-- Qatar is keen to obtain rights for oil and gas exploration in Iraq, according to Iraq's oil minister who was speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum. Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani confirmed that Qatar is interested in participating in obtaining rights for oil and gas exploration in...

Tehran, Iran-- Iran is looking to deepen energy ties with Russia as the latter is keen to explore and develop oil and gas projects in the Islamic Republic. This was stated by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak during talks with Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji in Tehran. He is...

Iran's parliament voted in an impeachment session to remove the industry minister amid soaring prices as the Islamic republic's economy reels under the pressure of international sanctions. Reza Fatemi Amin failed to garner enough support in a vote of confidence that saw 162 MPs vote in favor of his removal...

BELGRADE, SERBIA - UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology  Sarah Al Amiri discussed cooperation in research and development (R&D), advanced technology, sustainability, food technology with the Serbian government. Al Amiri, in her visit to Serbia, discussed developing tools to finance research, innovation, energy transition and developing...

PARIS, FRANCE  -  COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber met French President Emmanuel Macron and outlined his vision on the need to reform multilateral financial institutions to unlock capital for clean technologies and adaptation efforts. During his meeting with Macron, Dr. Al Jaber emphasized the need for ambitious reforms across...

Taoufik Charfeddine, a close aide of Tunisia's President and the country's interior minister, has announced his resignation in order to spend more time with his three children in the wake of the death of his wife last year. His wife died in a fire caused by a gas leak in...

TEHRAN, IRAN - Iran's top diplomat on Sunday said "everything is ready" to implement a stalled prisoner exchange deal with the United States, which Washington promptly denied as a "cruel lie". At least three US citizens are held in the country's prisons, according to Iran's judiciary and the US State Department....

Abu Dhabi, UAE--Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has made a phone call to Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during which he expressed the UAE's welcome of the Riyadh and Tehran agreement...

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, in a rare visit to Syria and Turkey, pledged solidarity with the people of the two countries after a devastating earthquake claimed tens of thousands of lives. Shoukry met with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and the country's foreign minister Faisal Mekded. He also met Turkish...

Saudi Arabia plans to invest more than US$266 billion to produce cleaner electricity and expand its power grid, the kingdom's energy minister said. Speaking at a forum organized by Saudi oil giant Aramco, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the world's biggest crude exporter was also looking to become a global...

ABU DHABI, UAE - Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Monday received a French  delegation to strengthen bilateral relations through dialogues on investment opportunities and areas of collaboration in the financial field. The delegation was led by French Minister of Economy, Finance, Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Bruno Le Maire. The event...