Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks in a TV address in Caracas, Venezuela, March 16, 2020. (Venezuela's Presidency/Handout via Xinhua/IANS)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed his government’s “firm, strong and total rejection of the imperialist vision that intends to exclude the peoples of the Americas” from a regional gathering, reports Asian Lite News
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro condemned the US for excluding his nation Cuba and Nicaragua from the upcoming Summit of the Americas to be held June 6-10 in Los Angeles.
Maduro expressed his government’s “firm, strong and total rejection of the imperialist vision that intends to exclude the peoples of the Americas” from a regional gathering, reports Xinhua news agency.
The Venezuelan President is currently in Havana for the 21st Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Agreement (ALBA-TCP), which took place Friday.
In contrast to Washington’s handling of the Americas Summit, the ALBA-TCP is inclusive and uniting, and works on issues that impact people’s lives and development in the region, he said.
US-President-Joe-Biden. (Photo: Twitter@POTUS)
“If there is anything truly democratic on this continent, it is ALBA, from the point of view of its debates and the sharing of diversity,” Maduro stressed.
On Thursday, US coordinator of the Americas Summit Kevin O’Reilly reiterated that the governments of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, all members of ALBA-TCP, had not been invited to participate in the meeting.
Nicaragua celebrates National Day at Expo 2020 (wam)
Nicaragua celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 on Tuesday with a speech by the country’s ambassador to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), who spoke of the outstanding bilateral ties between his country and the UAE…reports Asian Lite News
Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs, welcomed Mohamed Mohamed Farrara, Ambassador of Nicaragua to the GCC, who holds official residence in Kuwait, according to a press release issued by Expo 2020 Dubai.
Al Shamsi said, “Nicaragua’s pavilion shines a light on the country’s unique history and cultural legacy, highlighting the many touristic and commercial opportunities that are available to a variety of local and international stakeholders.
Nicaragua celebrates National Day at Expo 2020 (wam)
“We are proud to have Nicaragua as a committed and active participant at Expo 2020 Dubai and hope to build on the existing partnerships between our two countries. Throughout Expo 2020 Dubai and beyond, we are keen to explore opportunities for commercial and investment cooperation, as well as knowledge exchange in sectors of mutual priority, such as renewable energy, agriculture, tourism and education,” Al Shamsi said.
Farrara, who is also the Commissioner-General of the Nicaragua Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, noted Nicaragua’s strong ties with the UAE, as he thanked the leadership for facilitating his nation’s participation at the global event.
Nicaragua celebrates National Day at Expo 2020 (wam)
“In recent years, the bilateral relations between Nicaragua and the United Arab Emirates have had a remarkable development, even more so with the visit of H.H. Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to our country in 2009, and his meeting with Comandante Daniel Ortega, President of the Republic,” the ambassador pointed out.
“Our relations have subsequently resulted in the signing of a series of cooperation agreements in different areas. We express our gratitude to the government and the people of the United Arab Emirates for the kind invitation and the opportunity to make Nicaragua’s participation in this international exhibition possible,” Farrara said.
Nicaragua celebrates National Day at Expo 2020 (wam)
The envoy also took the opportunity to extend a warm invitation to the more than 200 International Participants at Expo 2020 Dubai to consider setting up businesses in Nicaragua.
“Nicaragua is a Central American country with a diversity of natural resources [that[ provides investment opportunities [in the field of] agriculture, energy, tourism, transportation, infrastructure and mining, among others,” he said.
Nicaragua’s pavilion showcases its human and natural resources, providing a fascinating window into this remarkable nation. Visitors will learn about the country’s colourful architecture and stark volcanic landscapes to idyllic beaches and lush rainforest, as well as a vibrant entrepreneurial scene that offers a wealth of opportunities.
Nicaragua’s announcement leaves a little more than a dozen countries worldwide that maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, including fellow Central American countries Honduras and Guatemala…reports Asian Lite News.
Nicaragua’s government on Thursday ended its diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
“The government of Nicaragua declares that it recognizes that there is only one China in the world,” Foreign Minister Denis Moncada said in a televised announcement, reported CNN.
“The People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing all of China and Taiwan is an undoubted part of the Chinese territory. The government of the Republic of Nicaragua breaks diplomatic relations with Taiwan as of today and stopped having any contact or official relationship,” he said.
Nicaragua’s announcement leaves a little more than a dozen countries worldwide that maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, including fellow Central American countries Honduras and Guatemala.
Although Taiwan and China have been separately governed for more than 70 years, Beijing views the democratic island of 24 million people as part of its territory and has regularly stated its aim of “reunification,” despite the fact Taiwan has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party.
In a statement, Taiwan’s foreign ministry expressed “pain and regret” at the news and said it would, in turn, sever diplomatic relations with Nicaragua, halt bilateral cooperation, and evacuate staffers from the country, reported CNN.
“The Ortega presidency disregarded the long-term friendship between Taiwanese and Nicaraguan that shared weal and woe. We are very sorry to see that,” it said, referring to Nicaragua’s recently re-elected leader Daniel Ortega.
“Taiwan as a part of international society has the right to diplomatic relations with other countries. We will continue to promote “Steadfast Diplomacy” to expand our international surviving space, dedicating ourselves into maintaining regional peace and stability, fighting for the international status that we deserve, and protecting this nation’s interests and the benefit of the people,” the statement also said.
Under President Xi Jinping, China has steadily ramped up its global influence and outreach. Meanwhile, recent US presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden have sought to bolster Taiwan on the world stage with large arms sales and high profile visits by US officials. (ANI)
