Category: Key Issues

JEDDAH, The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Tuesday welcomed a recent agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding the demarcation of their joint borders in four villages.

In a press statement, the OIC commended the deal as a favorable development that has been achieved through face-to-face negotiations and a significant step towards the signing of a final peace agreement.

The Jeddah-based Islamic bloc voiced its support for this important step ahead of a permanent peace deal in line with relevant OIC resolutions.

Under the recently hammered-out agreement, Armenia will return to Azerbaijan the villages of Baghanis Ayrim, Asagi Eskipara, Heyrimli, and Kizilhacili, which it controlled during the First Karabakh War of 1988-1994.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Following the Quintet Ambassador’s visit to House Speaker, Nabih Berri, Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa, affirmed that “the meeting was positive and represents a new step that can be built upon towards electing a president.”

“There will be further consultations in the coming days with parliamentary blocs,’ Moussa added.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

JEDDAH, The Saudi Cabinet reaffirmed on Tuesday the Kingdom’s firm position to establish regional and international security and stability.

Saudi Arabia also reiterated its constant call on the international community to stop Israel’s attacks on Gaza, and support the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and an independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

In a statement after the session, Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossary said that the Cabinet praised the outcome of the second ministerial meeting of the GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue, according to SPA.

He stressed the Saudi commitment to fostering stronger communication channels with various nations around the world, and to promoting coordination, including within multilateral frameworks.

The Cabinet welcomed the participants in the upcoming special meeting of the World Economic Forum taking place in Riyadh on April 28 and 29, which underscores Saudi’s commitment to strengt
hening international cooperation and addressing global challenges.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

BRUSSELS, The European Parliament has voted Tuesday to endorse visa-free travel for holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.

EU Parliament voted with 406 votes in favour, 97 against, and 94 abstentions to support visa-free travel to the EU of up to 90 days for holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (“Koordinaciona uprava”), which issues passports to Kosovo Serbs.

This ensures that the entire Western Balkans region has the same visa regime on travel to the EU.

Rapporteur Matjaz Nemec said, “extending EU visa liberalization to Serbian residents of Kosovo is important to prevent discrimination against these citizens, who remain the only category of residents of the Western Balkans who still require a visa to travel to the Schengen area.

This technical decision is not an attempt to resolve the dispute between Serbia and Kosovo, but a pragmatic solution to ensure equal treatment. Now that the proposal has been adopted by Parliament, I hop
e that the law can be quickly finalized before the EU elections of 6-9 June.” As the Parliament adopted the commission proposal without amendments, it can enter into law once also adopted by the Council. It will enter into force on the twentieth day after its publication in the EU’s Official Journal.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Tuesday inaugurated new electronic services for the Directorate of Consumer Protection at the Ministry of Economy and Trade. The initiative is part of the country’s “National Strategy for Digital Transformation towards E-Government,” supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Lebanese Recovery Fund, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Trade.

During the launch ceremony, Mikati highlighted the importance of digital transformation, stating that ‘it is a cornerstone of progress and aligns with the government’s anti-corruption strategy.’

The Prime Minister also emphasized that this move would improve transparency, reduce costs, and save time for businesses, institutions, and consumers across Lebanon.

This event was also attended by Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam, who praised the government’s adoption of the plan and its efforts in implementing the initiative.

Salam stressed the significance of starting the program with
the Directorate of Consumer Protection, noting its role in supporting economic activities and combating corruption.

The digital services aim to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and improve accessibility to services for citizens. The government plans to expand digitization efforts to other ministries and sectors to align with global trends towards digitalization.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon