News in Brief(2023-06-16)

Taiwanese minister seeks Europe's support to maintain peace, stability

PRAGUE, June 15: Taiwan needs support from European countries to help maintain peace in the self-governed island and in the Indo-Pacific region, its foreign minister said Wednesday. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said China has ambitions to expand its power in the region and may not limit them to Taiwan. Wu declined to say what other European countries he is planning to visit on his trip. Ahead of Wu's trip, China's Foreign Ministry urged European countries to refrain from supporting Taiwanese separatist activities. — AP

Iranian president boosts Nicaragua ties

MANAGUA, June 15: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi pledged to deepen ties between Managua and Tehran on a visit to Nicaragua Wednesday as part of a tour of Latin American countries under US sanctions. The Iranian leader, whose country is also sanctioned by the United States, kicked off his trip in Venezuela earlier this week before flying to Nicaragua. He is also due to visit Cuba. "We are willing to share our capabilities and our experiences with the brotherly and friendly country of Nicaragua," Raisi said in a speech before deputies in the National Assembly, according to an official translation. — AFP

Nearly 20 countries want to join BRICS

MOSCOW, June 15: Nearly 20 countries are seeking to get BRICS membership and their number continues to grow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS on Thursday. "The list of candidates for joining the association continues to increase. The number of states seeking to join this association is nearing twenty. —TASS