Macron names UAE Commander 'Knight of the Legion of Honour'
Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, has awarded Major General Saeed Al Shehhi, Commander of the UAE Land Forces, the Legion of Honour (Knight)…reports Asian Lite News
One of the highest national decorations in France awarded to French or foreign personalities, the medal was offered to Major General Al Shehhi in recognition of his efforts in strengthening cooperation in the military field between the UAE and France.
Macron names UAE Commander ‘Knight of the Legion of Honour’
Lieutenant General Vincent Guionie, Commander of the French Land Forces, who is currently visiting the UAE, presented the medal to the Commander of the UAE Land Forces at a ceremony held at the General Command of the Land Forces, in the presence of a number of senior officers from the ministries of defence of both sides.
Major General Al Shehhi expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to President Macron for the honour, and wished further development and progress in their relations, to support their shared vision of a brighter tomorrow.
Macron made some remarks during a short dialogue with a group of young people whose parents or grandparents fought with the French army against Algerian revolutionists during the Algerian War…reports Asian Lite News
Algeria has decided to recall its Ambassador to France for consultations over controversial statements of French President Emmanuel Macron.
“Algeria recalls its ambassador in Paris, Mohamed Antar-Daoud, for consultations, and a press release will be announced on the issue,” Xinhua news agency quoted a statement from the President’s Office as saying.
Macron
It further noted that “recalling Algerian ambassador to Paris comes in response to irresponsible statements attributed to French President Macron over Algeria”.
Algeria categorically rejects the statements of the French President which “constitute interference in its domestic affairs”, it added.
French media said earlier on Saturday that Macron made some remarks during a short dialogue with a group of young people whose parents or grandparents fought with the French army against Algerian revolutionists during the Algerian War (1954-1962).
Macron reportedly said the country was ruled by a “political-military system” and described Algeria as having an “official history” which had been “totally re-written”, according to the French newspaper Le Monde.
Macron’s remark echoes that of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who hailed Biden on Thursday as “a big breath of fresh air”….reports Asian Lite News
The US is back as a cooperative leader of the free world under President Joe Biden, France’s Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday, illustrating the relief felt by many key US allies that the tumult of Donald Trump’s presidency is over.
Macron’s remark echoes that of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who hailed Biden on Thursday as “a big breath of fresh air”.
Neither Macron nor Johnson drew an explicit parallel between Biden and Trump, though both praised Biden’s distinctly cooperative tone and officials said there was relief after Trump at times shocked and bewildered many European allies.
Biden, asked by a reporter if America was back, turned to Macron and gestured with his Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses towards the French president that he should answer that question.
US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron (Credit twitter @POTUS)
“Yes definitely,” Macron said. “It’s great to have a US President who’s part of the club and very willing to cooperate.”
“What you demonstrate is that leadership is partnership,” Macron told Biden as they sat on an outdoor terrace with a sweeping view of the turquoise sea behind them. Biden agreed. “The United States, I’ve said before, we’re back,” Biden said. “Things are going, I think, well, and we’re, as we say back in the States, we’re on the same page.”
Biden added that the United States felt very strongly about the cohesion of the NATO military alliance and expressed support for the European Union – the target of much criticism from Trump during his 2017-2021 presidency.
“I for one think that the European Union is an incredibly strong and vibrant entity, that has a lot to do with the ability of Western Europe not only to handle its economic issues but provide the backbone and support for NATO,” Biden said.
US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron (Credit twitter @POTUS)
The G7 leaders and their delegations were still negotiating the details of a communique expected to be released at the end of the summit, although it is unclear that the document will call out China by name, reports Asian Lite News
US President Joe Biden is pushing world leaders to call out China over allegations of forced labour in Xinjiang as the Group of Seven (G7) leaders prepare to unveil a global infrastructure plan meant to compete with Beijing.
According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Biden will join leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom for a session focused on China on the second day of the G7 summit. The main issue during the session will be how China has divided world leaders and Biden will be urging democratic nations to jointly confront Beijing and French President Emmanuel Macron calling for a more cautious approach.
Now that we are together, united, determined to make a difference, it's time to deliver. I'm sure we will, @JoeBiden! pic.twitter.com/VmkvCV1yG5
The G7 leaders and their delegations were still negotiating the details of a communique expected to be released at the end of the summit, although it is unclear that the document will call out China by name.
“It’s an expression of our shared values to make clear what we won’t tolerate as the United States and as a G7, so we think it’s critical to call out the use of forced labour,” the official said.
This comes as human rights groups, along with leading countries, have alleged that Chinese authorities are committing genocide against ethnic Uyghur Muslims and using forced labour in the Xinjiang region. However, China has refuted these allegations, claiming to combat terrorism and improving livelihoods in Xinjiang.
G7 foreign ministers in a joint statement on May said: “In line with its obligations under international and national law, we call on China to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson chairs a Bilateral with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel at the G7 Leaders Summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street
Under the current G7 summit theme ‘Build Back Better’, Biden administration officials said that the plan is to be an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure effort aimed at binding China more closely to the rest of the world, reported WSJ.
However, some European leaders have warned against antagonising China, arguing that it is counterproductive and could complicate their efforts to seek Beijing’s cooperation on issues like climate change, trade and finance.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration officials said they were not trying to make China the overriding issue at the summit, according to WSJ.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson chairs a Bilateral with the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel at the G7 Leaders Summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street
“This is not just about confronting or taking on China; this is about providing a positive, affirmative vision for the world,” the official said.
The G7 summit began formally on Friday as the leaders of the world’s most advanced economies gathered on the Cornish coast for the first time since the outbreak of the global coronavirus pandemic.
The gathered nations will pledge to donate 1 billion COVID vaccine doses, with the US providing about half of those shots.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson chairs a Bilateral with the French President Emmanuel Macron at the G7 Leaders Summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street
The G7 summit was shaping up to potentially be one of the most consequential in recent memory with a pandemic raging in much of the world, a global economy still in shock and threats rising from Russia and China, CNN reported.
Queen Elizabeth II and other senior members of the royal family also met G7 leaders and their partners at a reception in Cornwall. (ANI)
