Helicopter crash survivor Ambassador Emilian unfolds facts
Says it is a miracle to be safe and sound after the crash; shares agonizing moments when chopper was coming down; praises military and civilians for rescue operations; prays for the victims
ISLAMABAD, May 12 (DNA) –Ambassador of Romania Emilian Ion, who survived miraculously in Naltar helicopter crash, has said it is a miracle that he is alive today keeping in view the way his helicopter crashed.
The Ambassador of Belgium Peter Claes talked to Centreline and DNA on a variety of issues including bilateral relations; GSP plus status; defence cooperation etc. The Belgian ambassador minced no words in tackling even some of the tricky questions and gave his candid and unequivocal answers. Here is the full text of his interview.
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
Let us begin with Belgium, Pakistan bilateral relations, if you could give us a brief history and a latest status?
Belgium was one of the first countries in the world to recognize Pakistan’s independence. It opened its Embassy in Karachi in December 1948. Since then, we have continuously and without interruption been engaged in Pakistan. Sometime in 1954, Belgium and Pakistan signed a general visa waiver agreement which is still in place, but unfortunately is now restricted to holders of only diplomatic passports. Belgian companies had very quickly understood the importance of Pakistan and have over the last 65 years invested heavily in the country.
Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan on Apr 20-21 is rightly being considered as significant in many ways as both sides made solemn pledges to give new dimensions to their relations. As many as 51 projects were signed, most of which would be completed in next 10 to 15 years. Most of these projects include development of infrastructure including a network of road and railway tracks. Projects such as metro train also include in the list of signed MoUs. The total outlay of these projects hence amounts to USD 45 billion, which of course is a huge sum.
It merits a mention here that these 46 billion dollars would be invested in Pakistan on various projects run by different Chinese companies. Even the workforce will come from China. The volume of this work force is going to be huge that is why Pakistan Army has created a special division comprising senior military officers who will take care of the Chinese workforce. As reports suggest there shall be very limited opportunities available to Pakistani labour to get some jobs in these projects.
ISLAMABAD: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Islamabad on his maiden visit to Pakistan on Monday. The much anticipated visit is the first by a Chinese president to Pakistan after nine years.The Chinese president was received at the Noor Khan airbase by President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif and members of the prime minister’s cabinet.Accompanying the Chinese president is a high-level delegationA 21-gun salute and guard of honour was presented to welcome the Chinese president.
What happened in Aghdamis a genocide against Azerbaijanis, said an article published in Scotland’s leading quality daily newspaper The Press and Journal.“Personally, I am in no doubt that what happened to the Azerbaijani people in Aghdam and other towns was genocide,” said in his article the author, who visited the Azerbaijani town of Aghdam occupied by the Armenians. “Little wonder Aghdam has been dubbed the “Caucasian Hiroshima.””
STRASBOURG, APR 18 (DNA) -The resolution on “Armenian genocide” adopted by the European Parliament on Apr.15 is unfounded, biased, is not serious and is a vivid example for double standards, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson HikmetHajiyev.It should be noted that the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Apr.15 urging Turkey to recognize the 1915 events as “Armenian genocide”.
ISLAMABAD (DNA) Ambassador Jean-Francois Cautain has been tipped as new Ambassador / Head of European Union Delegation to Pakistan. Ambassador Cautain is currently discharging his services as Head of Delegation in Cambodia, reliable sources told DNA and Centreline.
Sources further said Mr. Jean has already served in Pakistan along with his spouse about 10 years ago. He was associated with the non-governmental sector at that time. There are three potential candidates being considered for the slot. Out of these three candidates Greece former Ambassador to Pakistan Petros Mavroides was also a potential candidate and included the list of three probables however recent political changes in Greece changed the scenario.
Mohammad Abdullah Gul
16 hours long marathon talks were held in Belarus between the delegates of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France on February 15, 2015. A road map to peace in Ukraine’s war was finally secured. Hopefully, it will put an end to the escalating bloodshed in the region. The fruits of the talks are however yet to be seen on ground as the fighting between Kiev government forces and Russian backed Ukrainian rebels has not ceased. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that aspects which were approved in the agreement included ceasefire which was supposed to begin on Sunday February 15, 2015, special status for rebel regions, provisions on border controls and humanitarian issues. On the other hand Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the deal did not include any agreement on autonomy for eastern Ukraine, as Russia has been demanding. No detailed accounts were given by either side.
Tajik people voted for stability and prosperity
According to the statement by the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of the Republic of Tajikistan Shermuhammad Shohiyen, during a briefing, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDPT) has won a majority of votes of 65.2%, the Agrarian Party 11.8%, the Party of Economic Reforms (PERT) 7.6%, and Socialist Party 5.2 percent. Thus, according to party lists, 16 representatives of PDPT, 3 from Agrarian Party, 2 from the PERT and 1 from the Socialist Party shall have representation in the parliament. The list of the Party of Islamic Revival of Tajikistan supported by a single nation-wide constituency of 1.5% of the voters, the Communist Party is 2.3%, the Democratic Party is 1.7%, Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan – 0,5%.
Shayan Ali
Capoeira is a Brazilian traditional martial art that combines elements of dance, music, acrobatics, fighting and self-defense. It is a unique martial art in a sense that the objective of the game is not to defeat the opponent but to display the set of skills in a physical dialogue. Capoeira is very famous for fast and complex moves including a wide variety of kicks, spins, doges, fast counter-attacks and highly mobile techniques. The history of Capoeira starts in the beginning of 16th century in Brazil by African descendants with native Brazilian influences. It was made to give slaves a chance to escape and to survive. Capoeira was illegal in Brazil until the 1930’s. Today Capoeira is played and practiced all over the world. Capoeira has also gained the UN cultural heritage status in November 2014.
