Pope Francis in US Capitol

Pope Francis in US Capitol

Pope Francis (C) walks with US Speaker of the House, Republican from Ohio John Boehner (L) and US Vice President Joe Biden (R), after deliver an address to a joint session of Congress, in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC, USA, 24 September 2015. Pope Francis is on a five-day trip to the USA, which includes stops in Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia, after a three-day stay in Cuba. Pope Francis added the Cuba visit after helping broker a historic rapprochement between Washington and Havana that ended a diplomatic freeze of more than 50 years. Photo by Michael Reynolds / Pool via CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Francis in US Capitol

Pope Francis in US Capitol

Pope Francis (C) walks with US Speaker of the House, Republican from Ohio John Boehner (L) and US Vice President Joe Biden (R), after deliver an address to a joint session of Congress, in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC, USA, 24 September 2015. Pope Francis is on a five-day trip to the USA, which includes stops in Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia, after a three-day stay in Cuba. Pope Francis added the Cuba visit after helping broker a historic rapprochement between Washington and Havana that ended a diplomatic freeze of more than 50 years. Photo by Michael Reynolds / Pool via CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Francis in US Capitol

Pope Francis in US Capitol

Pope Francis (2-R) blesses an unidentified child beside US Speaker of the House, Republican from Ohio John Boehner (R) and US Vice President Joe Biden (bottom L), in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC, USA, 24 September 2015. Pope Francis is on a five-day trip to the USA, which includes stops in Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia, after a three-day stay in Cuba. Pope Francis added the Cuba visit after helping broker a historic rapprochement between Washington and Havana that ended a diplomatic freeze of more than 50 years. Photo by Michael Reynolds / Pool via CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Francis in US Capitol

Pope Francis in US Capitol

Pope Francis (C) walks by after pausing before a statue (back) dedicated to Joseph Damien De Veuster, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC, USA, 24 September 2015. Pope Francis is on a five-day trip to the USA, which includes stops in Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia, after a three-day stay in Cuba. Pope Francis added the Cuba visit after helping broker a historic rapprochement between Washington and Havana that ended a diplomatic freeze of more than 50 years. Photo by Michael Reynolds / Pool via CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Francis in US Capitol

Pope Francis in US Capitol

Pope Francis (2-R) pauses in front of a sculpture of Spanish-born Junipero Serra, the Franciscan Friar known for starting missions in California, in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC, USA, 24 September 2015. Pope Francis is on a five-day trip to the USA, which includes stops in Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia, after a three-day stay in Cuba. Pope Francis added the Cuba visit after helping broker a historic rapprochement between Washington and Havana that ended a diplomatic freeze of more than 50 years. Photo by Michael Reynolds / Pool via CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Minister of Justice Didier Migaud visits the Versailles judicial court - Versailles

Minister of Justice Didier Migaud visits the Versailles judicial court - Versailles

View of the anti-close-up bracelet (bracelet anti rapprochement). French Minister of Justice visits the Versailles judicial court on the theme of domestic violence, in Versailles, France on October 25, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Minister of Justice Didier Migaud visits the Versailles judicial court - Versailles

Minister of Justice Didier Migaud visits the Versailles judicial court - Versailles

View of the anti-close-up bracelet (bracelet anti rapprochement). French Minister of Justice visits the Versailles judicial court on the theme of domestic violence, in Versailles, France on October 25, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Minister of Justice Didier Migaud visits the Versailles judicial court - Versailles

Minister of Justice Didier Migaud visits the Versailles judicial court - Versailles

View of the anti-close-up bracelet (bracelet anti rapprochement). French Minister of Justice visits the Versailles judicial court on the theme of domestic violence, in Versailles, France on October 25, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Minister of Justice Didier Migaud visits the Versailles judicial court - Versailles

Minister of Justice Didier Migaud visits the Versailles judicial court - Versailles

View of the anti-close-up bracelet (bracelet anti rapprochement). French Minister of Justice visits the Versailles judicial court on the theme of domestic violence, in Versailles, France on October 25, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Minister of Justice Didier Migaud visits the Versailles judicial court - Versailles

Minister of Justice Didier Migaud visits the Versailles judicial court - Versailles

View of the anti-close-up bracelet (bracelet anti rapprochement). French Minister of Justice visits the Versailles judicial court on the theme of domestic violence, in Versailles, France on October 25, 2024. Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

(230428) -- BEIRUT, April 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian attends a press conference at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 28, 2023. Amir-Abdollahian on Friday hailed the recent political rapprochement among Middle Eastern countries, noting that the region has entered a new phase of cooperation. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

(230428) -- BEIRUT, April 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks at a press conference at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 28, 2023. Amir-Abdollahian on Friday hailed the recent political rapprochement among Middle Eastern countries, noting that the region has entered a new phase of cooperation. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

(230428) -- BEIRUT, April 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrives for a press conference at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 28, 2023. Amir-Abdollahian on Friday hailed the recent political rapprochement among Middle Eastern countries, noting that the region has entered a new phase of cooperation. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

(230428) -- BEIRUT, April 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrives for a press conference at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 28, 2023. Amir-Abdollahian on Friday hailed the recent political rapprochement among Middle Eastern countries, noting that the region has entered a new phase of cooperation. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

EU leaders meet in Spain on bloc's future strategy, enlargement

STORY: EU leaders meet in Spain on bloc's future strategy, enlargement DATELINE: Oct. 6, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:02 LOCATION: GRANADA, Spain CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of City of Granada 2. various of the Informal Meeting of Heads of State and Government STORYLINE: Leaders of the European Union (EU) member states met in Spain's Granada on Friday for an informal summit to discuss the bloc's future strategy and enlargement. Discussions include the future Strategic Agenda 2024-2029 and preparation for the bloc's next enlargement, according to the Spanish presidency of the EU Council. The EU enlargement is the process whereby states join the 27-nation bloc after they have fulfilled a set of political and economic conditions. Currently, eight countries, including several from the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova, have been granted candidate status, but each follows different processes of rapprochement with the EU. Spain is currently holding the rotating six-month presidency of the EU Co

Cyprus, Greece welcome EU-Türkiye moves to engage in promoting relations

STORY: Cyprus, Greece welcome EU-Türkiye moves to engage in promoting relations DATELINE: Aug. 1, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:20 LOCATION: Nicosia CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the official visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis 2. various of the meeting between Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis 3. various of joint press conference 4. various of working lunch STORYLINE: Cyprus and Greece welcomed the moves by the European Union (EU) and Türkiye to engage in consultations for the promotion of their relations, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during an official visit to Cyprus on Monday. He was speaking at a joint press conference after talks with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace. "Cyprus and Greece welcome the rapprochement between the European Union and Türkiye, but the process must be gradual and also reversible," Mitsotakis said. Christodoulides said that a positive agenda by the EU in relati

Forum for business exchanges between China, Spain held in Madrid

STORY: Forum for business exchanges between China, Spain held in Madrid DATELINE: July 7, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:59 LOCATION: Madrid CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the forum held in Madrid 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): EVA YING, Chinese Secretary General of the Spanish-Chinese Association for Exchanges and Development 3. various of the forum held in Madrid 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): SALVADOR BELLIDO MACIAS, President of the General Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises 5. various of the forum held in Madrid 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Spanish): SIMON RAO, Secretary General of the Spanish-Chinese Gastronomy Association STORYLINE: The first forum of the Spanish-Chinese Association for Exchanges and Development was held in Madrid, the capital of Spain on Thursday, with the theme of "Situation of the Chinese market in Spain and business opportunities." The forum was aimed to create a platform for entrepreneurs, associations, academia and other representatives of both countries to promote the rapprochement of cu

Tunisian president, Italian PM discuss bilateral ties, illegal immigration

STORY: Tunisian president, Italian PM discuss bilateral ties, illegal immigration DATELINE: June 7, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:49 LOCATION: Tunis CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. Various of Tunisian President meeting with Italian PM STORYLINE: Tunisian President Kais Saied met on Tuesday with visiting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss bilateral ties and the illegal immigration problem. During the meeting, Saied praised the close friendship and cooperation between Tunisia and Italy, recalling the historical memories of the rapprochement between the two peoples, said a statement issued by the Tunisian presidency. The two officials focused on issues of common interest, including the illegal immigration issue, it said. "The phenomenon of illegal immigration is worsening day by day and can only be solved through a collective action," Saied was quoted as saying. He noted the existence of criminal networks that engage in the trafficking of human beings and organs, whether in African countries or in nort

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

(230428) -- BEIRUT, April 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrives for a press conference at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 28, 2023. Amir-Abdollahian on Friday hailed the recent political rapprochement among Middle Eastern countries, noting that the region has entered a new phase of cooperation. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

(230428) -- BEIRUT, April 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian attends a press conference at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 28, 2023. Amir-Abdollahian on Friday hailed the recent political rapprochement among Middle Eastern countries, noting that the region has entered a new phase of cooperation. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

(230428) -- BEIRUT, April 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks at a press conference at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 28, 2023. Amir-Abdollahian on Friday hailed the recent political rapprochement among Middle Eastern countries, noting that the region has entered a new phase of cooperation. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

LEBANON-BEIRUT-IRAN-FM-PRESS CONFERENCE

(230428) -- BEIRUT, April 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrives for a press conference at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 28, 2023. Amir-Abdollahian on Friday hailed the recent political rapprochement among Middle Eastern countries, noting that the region has entered a new phase of cooperation. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

Syria-Saudi Arabia rapprochement to have positive effects on Arab region: Syrian president

STORY: Syria-Saudi Arabia rapprochement to have positive effects on Arab region: Syrian president DATELINE: April 19, 2023 LENGTH: 0:00:53 LOCATION: Damascus CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of meeting between Syrian president and Saudi Arabia's foreign minister (courtesy of Syrian presidency) STORYLINE: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told visiting Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Damascus on Tuesday that the reconciliation between Syria and Saudi Arabia will have positive effects not only on both countries, but also on the wider Arab region, according to a report by the Syrian presidency's media office. Assad emphasized that the good relations between the two countries reflect Saudi Arabia's realistic policies that serve the interests of the Arab countries and the region. He also highlighted the importance of Arab support in helping Syria overcome the aftermath of the long-standing war and stabilize the situation in the country. For his part, the Saudi diplomat expressed conf

U.S.-Cuba rapprochement mood growing in Havana

U.S.-Cuba rapprochement mood growing in Havana

HAVANA, Cuba - An event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of Cuban social magazine "Temas" is held at a downtown hotel in Havana with some 20 U.S. officials included among about the 150 attendees on Dec. 19, 2014, mirroring the Dec. 17 announcement of the start of talks on normalizing bilateral ties severed in 1961.

Koizumi welcomes sign of China seeking rapprochement

Koizumi welcomes sign of China seeking rapprochement

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi speaks with reporters at his office on April 20. The premier indicated he welcomes Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's instruction to curb unauthorized anti-Japan rallies as a sign that China has begun to seek to mend fences. ''There was a clear tone (in Li's instruction) that the 2,000-year-long history of friendship between Japan and China should be treasured... We can share that idea,'' Koizumi said.

Chance of Türkiye-Syria rapprochement grows, rocky road ahead: experts

STORY: Chance of Türkiye-Syria rapprochement grows, rocky road ahead: experts DATELINE: Aug. 25, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:34 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Syrian neighborhood in Gaziantep, Türkiye (file) 2. various of refugee camp in Kahramanmaras, Türkiye (file) 3. various of refugees living in Türkiye (courtesy of Ihlas news agency) 4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): OYTUN ORHAN, Senior foreign policy analyst and Syria expert at the Ankara-based think tank ORSAM 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): OYTUN ORHAN, Senior foreign policy analyst and Syria expert at the Ankara-based think tank ORSAM 6. various of Türkiye's old military operations in northern Syria (file) 7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): OYTUN ORHAN, Senior foreign policy analyst and Syria expert at the Ankara-based think tank ORSAM STORYLINE: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signaled a rapprochement with the Syrian government following a decade of ruptured ties, but a breakthrough in ties faces stumbling blocks, experts said. "There is

Koizumi welcomes sign of China seeking rapprochement

Koizumi welcomes sign of China seeking rapprochement

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi speaks with reporters at his office on April 20. The premier indicated he welcomes Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's instruction to curb unauthorized anti-Japan rallies as a sign that China has begun to seek to mend fences. ''There was a clear tone (in Li's instruction) that the 2,000-year-long history of friendship between Japan and China should be treasured... We can share that idea,'' Koizumi said. (Kyodo)

Japanese, Chinese foreign ministers agree to further improve ties

Japanese, Chinese foreign ministers agree to further improve ties

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (L) and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi shake hands prior to their talks in Seoul on Nov. 1, 2015. They agreed that the two countries should strengthen their rapprochement efforts. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Ex-Japan PM urges focusing on bright side of ties with China

Ex-Japan PM urges focusing on bright side of ties with China

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda gives the keynote speech on Oct. 24, 2015, at a forum in Beijing. Fukuda said it is about time for politicians both in Japan and China to focus more on the bright side of the inseparable relationship between the two countries, so as not to threaten the nascent rapprochement. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Bolivian Vice President Garcia welcomes U.S.-Cuba rapprochement

Bolivian Vice President Garcia welcomes U.S.-Cuba rapprochement

Bolivian Vice President Alvaro Garcia speaks during an interview in Tokyo on April 13, 2015, in which he welcomed the historic rapprochement between the United States and Cuba. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Obama, Castro shake hands in sign of rapprochement

Obama, Castro shake hands in sign of rapprochement

Leaders of North, Central and South America attend the seventh Summit of the Americas in Panama City on April 10, 2015. U.S. President Barack Obama (far R in 2nd row) and Cuban President Raul Castro (2nd from L in 2nd row) shook hands in a groundbreaking meeting on the sidelines of the summit the same day. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

1st anniversary of U.S.-Cuba rapprochement

1st anniversary of U.S.-Cuba rapprochement

A sightseeing bus runs in Havana in November 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

1st anniversary of U.S-Cuba rapprochement

1st anniversary of U.S-Cuba rapprochement

A classic American-built car carrying tourists drives in front of Cuba's former parliament building in Havana in July 2015. Cuba has drawn attention from tourists and business people from around the world as it restored diplomatic relations with the United States in July for the first time in 54 years. On Dec. 17, 2015, the two nations marked the first anniversary of the surprise announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama that Washington would seek to normalize relations with Havana. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

1st anniversary of U.S.-Cuba rapprochement

1st anniversary of U.S.-Cuba rapprochement

Students study English in a language school in Havana in November 2015. People in Cuba now feel that they need to learn the language following their country restoring diplomatic relations with the United States in July for the first time in 54 years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

1st anniversary of U.S.-Cuba rapprochement

1st anniversary of U.S.-Cuba rapprochement

Cuban foreign trade and investment minister Rodrigo Malmierca (far R) makes a toast during a reception at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Havana in November 2015, after a meeting between public- and private-sector officials of the two countries. Japan has turned its attention to Cuba since a surprise announcement in December 2014 that the United States and Cuba have agreed to start talks on restoring diplomatic relations. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

1st anniversary of U.S.-Cuba rapprochement

1st anniversary of U.S.-Cuba rapprochement

The old city of Havana is crowded with tourists in October 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

1st anniversary of U.S-Cuba rapprochement

1st anniversary of U.S-Cuba rapprochement

Classic American-made cars, a familiar sight on Cuban streets, are lined up in the old city of Havana in October 2015. Cuba has drawn attention from tourists and business people from around the world after it restored diplomatic relations with the United States in July for the first time in 54 years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

U.S.-Cuba rapprochement mood growing in Havana

U.S.-Cuba rapprochement mood growing in Havana

HAVANA, Cuba - An event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of Cuban social magazine "Temas" is held at a downtown hotel in Havana with some 20 U.S. officials included among about the 150 attendees on Dec. 19, 2014, mirroring the Dec. 17 announcement of the start of talks on normalizing bilateral ties severed in 1961. (Kyodo)

Pyrkon Fanstasy Festival 2019

Pyrkon Fanstasy Festival 2019

Participants of the 19th edition of the Pyrkon Fantasy Festival, which took place at the Poznan International Fair on April 26-28, 2019, play Twister. Photo CTK/Grzegorz Klatka

Japan, China leaders swap messages on 45th anniv. of diplomatic ties

Japan, China leaders swap messages on 45th anniv. of diplomatic ties

The front pages of Chinese newspapers, dated Sept. 29, 2017, cover Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's attendance at an event to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang exchanged congratulatory messages on the same day, in the first such communication in a decade, amid increasing signs of rapprochement between the Asian powers. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo