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LITE VIEW: Making India-Bangladesh ties weather-proof

India’s socio-political, cultural and historic ties with Bangladesh is inextricably linked. Indian’s have sacrificed their blood fighting along with Bangladeshis to liberate the country from an oppressive colonial power 50 years ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh — his first after Covid-19 outbreak across the world — is high on both goodwill and symbolism. His visit to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s mausoleum — a first by any Indian PM — besides paying respects to Bangabandhu, is also a celebration of shared values of human freedom, global political order and democracy.

Also Read – Modi made us glorified with his presence: Hasina

Both New Delhi and Dhaka are on the cusp of history with political leadership on both sides agreeing on the realpolitik of commerce, strategic interests and mutual benefit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspecting the Guard of Honour, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 26, 2021. Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms Sheikh Hasina is also seen. (PIB)

Bangladesh isn’t an impoverished, cyclone-ravaged country anymore. With Bangladesh’s return to democracy in 1991, relations have gone through highs and lows. However, the 12-year rule of Sheikh Hasina has seen the successful economic transformation, macroeconomic stability, expansion of social security. In fact, according to an IMF Report, the South Asian neighbour’s per capita income is expected to remain on a par with India till 2025.

This also indicates that a lot is at stake for Bangladesh and India. As both economies grow, there is a lot to gain from well-structured economic and political cooperation.

Also Read – Modi begins Bangladesh tour with goodwill message

Multilateral decisions take time and efforts to fructify, but their success rests on the bedrock of goodwill. For India, Bangladesh is the threshold of India’s calculus of trans-Asian highways that will link India to Vietnam by road and could become an economic engine for growth in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Dhaka is also India’s access point to develop northeastern states. The road map for both the plans is on the anvil.

Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying homage at the National Martyr’s Memorial, Savar, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 26, 2021. (PIB)

Since 2014, bilateral relationship with Dhaka has achieved over half a dozen milestones. The Land Boundary Agreement is considered a major pact. Now, five out of six pre-1965 rail links have been restored, besides connecting the two countries through Maitree Bridge on the Feni river. Several pacts to revive inland water and trade transit has also been inked.

Bangladesh is now India’s biggest trading partner in South Asia with exports to Bangladesh in FY 2018-19 at $9.21 billion at imports at $1.04 billion. Bangladeshis tourists to India outnumbered all tourist arrivals from Western Europe in 2017.

However, to make recent gains between the two neighbours irreversible needs both the countries to work together on key strategic areas.

Also Read – Bangladesh sees violent anti-Modi protests
Also Read – Bangladesh thanks India for providing vaccines

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Pak desperate to block extradition of key Dawood aide

Dawood Ibrahim. (Photo: Interpol)

Once the High Court clears Jabir Motiwala’s extradition, intelligence sources said his subsequent trial in the US will unmask D-company’s link with the ISI and its entire underworld operations, reports Asian Lite News

In a last ditch effort, Pakistani agencies exercised all available resources to thwart extradition of Dawood’s Ibrahim’s key finance manager and drug operator Jabir Motiwala to the US.

Officials of Pakistan’s High Commission in London were reportedly seen with Motiwala’s pleaders, pursuing D-company aide’s appeal in High Court, in a bid to prevent D-company’s ultimate trial in the US, sources in Indian Intelligence agencies said.

Intelligence sources said that once the High Court clears Jabir Motiwala’s extradition, his subsequent trial in the US on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering will unmask D-company’s link with the ISI and its entire underworld operations in a US Court.

Also Read – Dawood Acquires Caribbean Citizenship

“The trial of the Jabir could also highlight, how Dawood, a global terrorist wanted in serial bomb blasts in Mumbai has been operating from Karachi and sharing drug routes with major terror outfits patronised by ISI,” said a senior IPS officer in New Delhi.

Mumbai blasts

Motiwala, who operates for Dawood Ibrahim, is a Pakistani National, presently imprisoned in Wandsworth jail in south west London.

The High Court on Thursday reserved its judgement on Jabir Motiwala’s extradition to the US, earlier granted by a Westminster Magistrate’s court, last year.

Sources said that in a few weeks time, the High Court’s judgement on Motiwala’s fate could be expected. A section of Pakistani media, meanwhile has said that Motiwala, who hails from a well to do family in Karachi has been framed by US law enforcing agencies in drugs operations.

On the other hand, the US agencies have provided documentary evidence of drug dealing and handling finance of D-Company including tapes, against Motiwala in the court.

Pakistani diplomats had earlier tried to thwart the extradition move by submitting a letter on behalf of accused’s lawyer in the Magistrate’s court, saying Motiwala was a “well known respected businessman in the Pakistan”.

Dawood Ibrahim

In fact Pakistani diplomats fear that once Motiwala is extradited to US, the close aide of D-company can reveal the entire nexus between Dawood Ibrahim’s underworld network (being operated from Karachi) and don’s connection with Pakistan’s spy agency Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

The US had already declared Dawood a global terrorist running international drug syndicate and sharing gang’s routes with Pakistan based terror outfits.

Also Read – ‘UAE secretly mediates for Indo-Pak peace’

Sources said that Dawood’s key finance aide Jabir Motiwala, was produced in Magistrates courts in London after his arrest by Scotland Yard Extradition Unit on charges of money laundering and sharing proceeds of narcotics money earned on behalf of the D-company.

Sources said that Barrister John Hardy, appearing on behalf of the US government, had earlier revealed to the Magistrate’s Court that Jabir Motiwala, a close aide of Dawood, travelled extensively and conducted (underworld crimes related) meetings for his boss Dawood Ibrahim, an Indian who along with his brother Anees, are wanted for terror crimes in India.

During the extradition trial Defence lawyer for the D-company member, told the Court that Motiwala was suffering from depression and had made several suicide attempts in the past few years.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. (File Photo: IANS)

The lawyer argued that in such a situation, Motiwala cannot be extradited to the US to face trial.

Also Read – UK Seizes Dawood Ibrahim’s Properties

Sources said that contrary to the Defence lawyers claim, Motiwala has been investing D-company’s black money into various projects abroad. He is said to be involved in drug trafficking and also travels to collect money on behalf of the D-company in Europe.

Sources said that Motiwala’s extradition to the US, if endorsed by higher Court would be a setback for Dawood as well as his patrons in Pakistani establishment.

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Modi made us glorified with his presence: Hasina

Narendra Modi being welcomed by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms Sheikh Hasina and other dignitaries on his arrival at the National Day programme of Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina hailed Narendra Modi’s neighbourhood policy, saying that Bangladesh receiving 2 million Covid vaccine doses from India establishes this principle, reports Sumi Khan

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday expressed her gratitude to her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, saying the government of India always stands by Bangladesh through thick and thin.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Dhaka on Friday on a two-day visit to Bangladesh to attend the celebrations of the country’s 50th year of liberation from Pakistan and the 100th birth anniversary of its founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of Sheikh Hasina.

“I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Modi Ji and the people of India,” Hasina said.

Also Read – Modi begins Bangladesh tour with goodwill message

On the last day of the 10-day celebrations to mark the country’s 50th year of liberation from Pakistan, Modi and Hasina enjoyed the music of legendary classical vocalist Pandit Ajoy Chakravarty at the National Parade Square in Dhaka, along with the President of Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid, and others.

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi being received by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms. Sheikh Hasina, on his arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 26, 2021. (PIB)

Hasina said, “The Prime Minister of India made us glorified with his priceless presence in this pandemic period. The people of Bangladesh are grateful to Modi Ji and the people of India, who served the most for the people of Bangladesh in 1971.”

Hasina added that India must play a leading role in building a politically and economically prosperous South Asia. “We can make this region a hunger-free, poverty-free zone. We will achieve the goal set by the UN by 2031,” she said.

Also Read – B’desh sees violent anti-Modi protests

“I am grateful to India for nominating Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize in 2019. India is our friendly neighbour, and the two countries share a long standing relationship. The government of India had provided all kinds of assistance to the people of Bangladesh who took refuge there to save their lives from the atrocity, rape and arson of the Pakistani army in 1971. The Indian government and its people gave shelter, served food and assured medical help to around 1 million helpless people from Bangladesh,” she said.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi paying homage at the National Martyr’s Memorial, Savar, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 26, 2021.

“In 1971, many army officers from India shed their blood for the independence of Bangladesh. I respectfully remember their contributions. India’s cooperation will never be forgotten. I’m personally grateful to the people and government of India. After all my family members were killed during the war, I was at my husband’s workplace in Germany with my sister and children. I had lost everyone. There was no arrangement to stay in that country. At that time, then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi and Yugoslav leader Marshal Tito gave us shelter,” Hasina said.

Read More – Bangladesh thanks India for providing vaccines

The Bangladesh premier also appreciated the policies of Modi, and his slogan “Neighbours first and foremost”, saying that Bangladesh receiving 2 million Covid vaccine doses from India establishes this principle.

With the inauguration of the Maitri Bridge, India will now be able to use the Chittagong Port and Mongla Port, Hasina assured to Modi.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi signing the visitor’s book at the National Martyr’s Memorial, Savar, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 26, 2021.

“May Bangladesh-India friendship be long-lasting for all kinds of cooperation,” she said.

Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid said, “During my stay in India for nine months during the liberation war in 1971, I myself witnessed how the government of India and its people gave shelter to 10 million people and refugees from Bangladesh. I hope all the unresolved issues will be settled soon. Bangladesh is always grateful to India.”

  • The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in a group photograph with the members of the Minority Community in Bangladesh, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 26, 2021.
  • The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the eminent young achievers from different walks of life, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 26, 2021.
  • The foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 26, 2021.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi places hand made Mukut on Ma Kali. Mukut made of silver with gold plating. Hand made over three weeks by a traditional artisan.
Categories
-Top News Bangladesh

Modi begins Bangladesh tour with goodwill message

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina
In a special op-ed published in a Bangladesh newspaper, Modi wrote about a joint march towards a golden future for people across the subcontinent, reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day trip to Bangladesh on Friday, his first foreign visit after the coronavirus pandemic broke out.

In a special op-ed published in leading Bangladesh newspaper The Daily Star ahead of the visit, Modi wrote about a joint march towards a golden future where people could “study, work, do business effortlessly across the subcontinent”. He also talks about resolving complex bilateral issues “in a spirit of good neighbourliness”.

India and Bangladesh have made good progress in connectivity, says the PM, referring to plans like Bangladeshi barges travelling all the way to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

“Cargo from Bangladesh can move to Nepal and Bhutan through India. We are in the process of implementing a similar arrangement for Indian cargo to reach India’s North Eastern States through Bangladesh. We are making concerted efforts to operationalise our inland waterways, which will allow Bangladesh barges to reach all the way to Varanasi and Sahibganj in India.”

He talks about the completion of projects like the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline and the Akhaura-Agartala rail link.

The Prime Minister also pays rich tribute to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s first President and the father of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, writing on how the subcontinent would have evolved had “Bangabandhu” not been assassinated in 1975. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was killed along with most of his family members at his home. His daughters, Sheikh Rehana and Sheikh Hasina  survived because they were abroad.

“It is a safe bet that with Bangabandhu at the helm, Bangladesh and our region would have evolved along a very different trajectory,” PM Modi writes.

Talking about Bangladesh rising from the ashes of a painful war at the time, he says: “If this had continued, perhaps India and Bangladesh could have achieved many decades ago some of the accomplishments that we were able to reach only recently… For instance, India and Bangladesh were able to finally overcome the complications of history through the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement. It was a historic moment in the history of modern nation-states. But had Bangabandhu been at the helm longer, this achievement may have come much earlier.”

The Prime Minister says the two countries could have built a closely integrated economic region, with deeply interlinked value-chains spanning food processing to light industry, electronics and technology products to advanced materials and set up mechanisms to share meteorological, maritime and geological data to protect against the impact of natural disasters.

“Most of all, imagine a scenario wherein our people could study, work, and do business effortlessly across this subcontinent-the world’s largest pool of young people joining their energies to create wealth, innovation and drive new technologies. This would have been the most natural vaccine against the toxic infusion of radicalism, violent extremism and hatred in our societies,” writes PM Modi.

“And yet today, it is possible in this dawn of a new and rising Bangladesh to believe that this future is once again within our grasp. With growing income and prosperity, Bangladesh is progressively realising the dream of Bangabandhu, under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It is time to once again chart a bold ambition for our partnership, as Bangabandhu would have done. With the spirit and enterprise of our people as our Bhagya Vidhata, the dispenser of our shared destiny, such a future is closer than ever.”

Also Read-Bangladesh and India consolidate ties

Read More-Bangladesh thanks India for providing vaccines

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Turkey calls for action on EU migrants

Turkey has been at odds with EU members Greece and Cyprus regarding maritime boundaries and natural gas reserves in a contested part of the eastern Mediterranean…reports Asian Lite News

The Turkish government said on Friday that the European Union (EU) needs to take “concrete and constructive” steps regarding lingering issues such as renewing a migration pact and considering visa liberalisation.

EU leaders declared on Thursday that they were prepared to boost trade and extend a 2016 migration pact with Ankara, but warned of sanctions if Turkey resumes its “illegal” energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, reports dpa news agency.

The bloc will take further decisions at a European Council meeting in June, Brussels said.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Ankara hopes putting forward preconditions and “addressing only certain areas and postponing them to June will not lead to losing a positive momentum (with the EU)”.

Illegal migrants cross the Meric river by boat to enter Greece in Edirne Province, Turkey,

The EU “has no authority” to label Turkish drilling activities as illegal, the statement said, blaming such rhetoric on “provocations” by the Greek side.

Turkey has been at odds with EU members Greece and Cyprus regarding maritime boundaries and natural gas reserves in a contested part of the eastern Mediterranean.

Ankara said it still “welcomes efforts made with the report to improve Turkey-EU relations on the basis of a positive agenda”.

Also read:Turkey-Russia deal for Syrian ceasefire

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B’desh sees violent anti-Modi protests

Radical Hefazat islamists vandalized the police station-5 injured by fire in Ctg 20 in Dhaka:

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Dhaka on Friday on a two-day visit to the neighbor country to join celebrations of the country’s 50th year of freedom…reports Asian Lite News

Violent clashes broke out between the police and the supporters of radical Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam in Dhaka and Chittagong after the cops thwarted an attempt to launch an anti-Modi protest in front of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the Bangladesh capital following Friday prayers.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Dhaka on Friday on a two-day visit to Bangladesh to attend the celebrations of the country’s 50th year of liberation from Pakistan and the 100th birth anniversary of its founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

After the police resorted to lathi charge and tear-gas shelling to stop the Hefazat supporters from taking out a march to protest against the Indian Prime Minister’s visit, leaving several persons injured, around a thousand students of Hathazari Madrasa in Chittagong, known to be a stronghold of the radical group, attacked a police station there, leading to clashes in which at least five persons received injuries.

A large number of Hefazat supporters had gathered at Dhaka’s prominent Baitul Mukarram mosque for Friday prayers. As they were about to take out a anti-Modi march soon after the prayers ended, they were stopped by the police and the altercations between the two sides soon turned violent after a few Hefazat followers hurled brickbats at the cops.

Also read:Bangladesh thanks India for providing vaccines

The police first tried to disperse the crowd by using tear-gas shells. But as things turned bad, they fired from shotguns and used rubber bullets and water cannon to bring the situation under control. As per some eye witnesses, the opposite side comprising mostly Islamist radicals also fired back, as the clashes went on for more than an hour.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina

At least 20 people, including a journalist, were injured in the clashes. The injured are being treated at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Vehicular movement in the area was disrupted in view of the violent protests and the situation is still tense in the Baitul Mukarram area.

As soon as the news of the clashes spread to Chittagong through personal social media groups, around a thousand students of Hathazari Madrasa attacked and vandalised the Hathazari Model police station at around 2.30 p.m. in protest against Modi’s visit to Bangladesh and the police action on Hefazat supporters in Dhaka.

In the retaliatory action by the police, who resorted to lathi charge, tear-gas shelling and firing rubber bullets at the protesters, five madrasa students were injured who are being treated at the Chattagram Medical College Hospital.

Also read:Bangladesh and India consolidate ties

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Asia News Nepal

Nepal relaxes curbs on Tourism

Nepal has amended the quarantine rule for foreign tourists to bring back tourism….reports Asian Lite News

Tourists flying into Nepal will no longer have to quarantine if they have a negative test result for Covid-19 upon arrival, officials said on Friday.

Previously, visitors were required to undergo a week-long quarantine at their hotel and wait until the fifth day for a Covid-19 test, reports dpa news agency.

“Now, they can have tests as soon as they arrive here,” Prem Subedi, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), said in a statement.

He said that those who test negative for the virus can continue their trips; otherwise, if they test positive, they have to remain at their hotel until recovery.

Before flying to Nepal, visitors are still required to show proof of negative results in a coronavirus test conducted within 72 hours before boarding the flight, or proof that they have received a Covid-19 vaccine.

The new rules seek to attract more visitors during the spring season, especially trekkers and climbers going to some of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest.

Also read:Nepal President embarks on visit to B’desh

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Turkey-Russia deal for Syrian ceasefire

Turkey expressed concern to the Russian envoy in Ankara over recent attacks in Idlib….reports Asian Lite News

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said he spoke with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu during which they discussed measures to prevent ceasefire violations in Syria’s Idlib province.

“We have agreed to take measures to maintain the ceasefire,” Akar told reporters on Thursday about the phone conversation.

Noting that the discussion was “constructive”, the Minister said “we aim permanently to hold the ceasefire in the region”, reports Xinhua news agency.

On Monday, Turkey expressed concern to the Russian envoy in Ankara over recent attacks in Idlib.

SYRIA

Akar also informed that more than 200 terrorists had been eliminated in anti-terror operations mostly in northern Syria since March 1.

Ankara and Moscow agreed in 2018 to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.

The two sides agreed on a protocol on March 5, 2020, to initiate a ceasefire and to observe it through a joint patrol mission on the M4 highway, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

Idlib is home to around 4 million Syrians and some armed terror groups.

Turkey is concerned about a fresh massive humanitarian influx as a result of the Russian-Syrian military offensive in the region.

Also read:EU to reset ties with Turkey

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Political logjam continues in Israel

Its officially declared that Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party and its allies won 52 seats in the 120-seat parliament as opposition garnered 57…reports Asian Lite News

The final results of Israel’s parliamentary elections held earlier this week revealed another stalemate, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponents both fell short of a majority to form a government.

The Central Elections Committee, which oversees the elections, said in a statement that Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party and its allies won 52 seats in the 120-seat parliament, while opponents of the country’s longest serving Prime Minister garnered 57, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Likud won 30 seats, down from 36 in the previous elections.

The centrist party of Yesh Atid, led by former Finance Minister Yair Lapid, won 17 seats, becoming the second-largest party.

On Thursday, Lapid held series of meetings in a bid to form a coalition government.

But in the Israeli system, the government is formed by the candidate who manages to put together a majority coalition of at least 61 seats.

Netanyahu has secured three supporter parties, which won six, seven and nine seats, respectively.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

He also hopes to win the support of his former ally, Naftali Bennett, leader of Yamina, a pro-settler party that won seven seats.

Ra’am, an Islamist party, won four seats, becoming the balance of power between a Netanyahu-led coalition or a government led by his opponents.

Also read:Israel to seal West Bank, Gaza crossings

Ra’am party leader Mansur Abbas said on Wednesday that he doesn’t rule out sitting in any coalition.

Before Tuesday’s elections, which were the fourth in two years, Netanyahu said he will not rule out a coalition with Ra’am.

Mansour Abbas

Blue and White, a centrist party and Netanyahu’s partner in his current power-sharing government, won eight seats.

New Hope, a right-wing party formed recently by former allies of Netanyahu, won six seats.

Next week, President Reuven Rivlin is expected to officially receive the election results.

Then, he will launch a series of consultations with heads of the factions, after which the president will announce who will be tasked with attempting to form the next government.

The elections were held following a series of indecisive results and prolonged political deadlock.

Netanyahu is struggling for his political survival while facing a criminal trial over corruption charges in three separate cases.

Also read:Netanyahu claims win in Israeli polls

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EU to reset ties with Turkey

European Nations leader have reached a decision to resume diplomatic talks with Turkey in various fields…reports Asian Lite News

European Union (EU) leaders have agreed to relaunch cooperation with Turkey in a “phased, proportionate and reversible” manner in the fields of trade and migration.

They decided to launch high-level dialogues with Turkey on issues of mutual concern such as public health, climate, counter-terrorism, as well as regional issues, Xinhua news agency quoted an official statement as saying on Thursday.

“The EU is ready to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate, and reversible manner to enhance cooperation in a number of areas of common interest and take further decisions at the European Council meeting in June,” the statement, issued following discussions at a virtual EU summit, further said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.


According to the statement, the engagement was only “provided that the current de-escalation is sustained and that Turkey engages constructively”.

European Council President Charles Michel told a press conference following the meeting that the decision on Turkey was “a step in the right direction”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc will “suspend” the cooperation if matters persist.

Since last year, Turkey had been at odds with EU member states Greece and Cyprus over maritime boundaries and natural gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean.

Also read:EU revises vaccine export system