Diplomats and political leaders are gathering in New York ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, with bilateral and multilateral meetings already taking place on the sidelines.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas met European foreign ministers before holding a press conference, where she reiterated the need to increase sanctions on Russia especially on its shadow fleet.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, meanwhile, met Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, in preparation of Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Washington later this month.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held bilateral talks along with other multilateral talks with other regional partners.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on an EU-Australia free trade agreement and discussed cooperation on security and defence, critical raw materials, emerging technologies and geopolitical developments including Ukraine, the Middle East and China. They also reviewed progress towards Australia joining the EU’s Horizon Europe research programme from 2027.
Foreign and European Affairs Minister Chris Fearne met European Parliament President Roberta Metsola at Malta’s premises in New York on Monday. The encounter marked the first publicly recorded meeting between the two in their current roles since Fearne took over Malta’s foreign affairs portfolio earlier this year.
Minister Fearne took part in a series of Commonwealth and bilateral engagements. On Sunday, he chaired the 74th meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, bringing together ministers and representatives from nine Commonwealth countries to discuss political developments, democracy, the rule of law, good governance and adherence to the principles of the Commonwealth Charter. Preparations were also discussed for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda in November.
President Metsola met UN Secretary-General António Guterres and later participated in a Friends of the Western Balkans meeting hosted by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Her programme also included the World Economic Forum’s Gathering of World Economic Leaders and an address at the Foreign Policy Magazine Summit. On Tuesday, she is due to address the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting, followed later in the week by other engagements.
Newsroom
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