the indispensable alliance of decades past is still the indispensable alliance for the world we face today. and i would argue tomorrow as well. and the decision of sweden and finland, the one they have made is testament to that commitment. this is about the future. it's about a revived nato that has the tools and resources, the clarity and conviction, to defend our shared values and lead the world. sweden and finland, already among our closest partners on a rain only of issues from strengthening peace and stability to advancing human rights to taking on the climate crisis and addressing food insecurity from strengthening the global health to promoting development. finnish and swedish troops, finnish and swedish troops have already served shoulder-to-should we are u.s. and nato forces in kosovo and afghanistan and in iraq. and both finland and sweden are already working in coordination with the united states and our other allies and partners to support the brave people of ukraine as they defend their freedom against russia's invasion. sweden and finland have strong democratic institut

those arties ireland and alliance party. those parties are _ ireland and alliance party. those parties are both _ ireland and alliance party. those parties are both in _ ireland and alliance party. those parties are both in favour - ireland and alliance party. those parties are both in favour of - ireland and alliance party. those parties are both in favour of the l parties are both in favour of the protocol and are anxious for devolved power—sharing is meant to be formed as early as possible but i don't sense any agreement from the dup and they have 2a weeks before they have to nominate a deputy first minister. i don't get a sense they are going to be rushing back in any time soon. xtet are going to be rushing back in any time soon. f are going to be rushing back in any time soon-— time soon. yet they've heard it on the doorsteps. — time soon. yet they've heard it on the doorsteps, it _ time soon. yet they've heard it on the doorsteps, it has _ time soon. yet they've heard it on the doorsteps, it has been - time soon. yet they've heard it on i the doorsteps, it has

-rok alliance and on improving relations between the rok and japan. president biden will engage with technology and manufacturing leaders in korea who are mobilizing billions of dollars in investment here in the united states to create thousands of good-paying american jobs. he will see american and korean troops standing shoulder to shoulder in defense of our collective security and consult on the challenge posed by the dprk's nuclear and missile programs. and he will highlight the truly global nature of the u.s.-rok alliance, from climate and energy and technology to economic growth and investment. in japan, president biden will meet with prime minister kishida and his team. and we believe that the u.s.-japan alliance, at this moment, under these two leaders, is at an all-time high. this visit can take us even higher. the two leaders will consult on the broad and deep economic relationship between our two countries, as well as on a range of regional and global security issues. we'll also cover the dprk as well as a number of other security issues bo

alliance. and we discussed relevant actions to that end. moreover, we engaged in a candid conversation building friendship and trust. today, i also realized that president biden and i see eye to eye on so many fronts. over the past 69 years, the rok and u.s. alliance has been the linchpin of peace and prosperity in the region. now the long-standing mission of denuclearizing north korea, as well as the covid crisis, shifting supply order, climate change, democracy in crisis and numerous other challenges confronts our alliance. these challenges can be tackled only when countries sharing the universal values of liberal democracy and human rights come together. our alliance is an exemplary model of such solidarity. korea and the u.s. are comprehensive strategic allies stand ready to meet these , challenges collectively and shape a rules-based order in the process. these aspirations that president biden and i share are well reflected in the joint statement we are adopting today. in the negotiations

is a attack on all states of the nato alliance. it is worth remembering here today that the first time article five actually was instituted was after the attack of september 11 2001. it represents a true watershed moment in the history of the nato alliance. it is our great honor to be here for this moment. it is our great honor for us to give our guests the opportunity to enlighten this audience as to the thinking of both of those countries about their own security, and ultimately the collective security of europe. before the conversation gets underway, i would like to take a moment to offer introductory remarks on our guests. you have seen a lot. prior to assuming her role as ambassador, she served as director general or trade in the sweetest ministry of foreign affairs -- swedish ministry of foreign affairs. it started in 1994 with her first hosting to the swedish embassy in moscow. and at the swedish eu representation in brussels working on european security and defense issues. ambassador became in finland up september of 2020,

that is because the alliance has been successful. i think afghanistan does not deny with nato for us and in a way for quick thoughts sneak in one final question for myself before hand it to wrap up on the ukraine conflicts. my question does focus on the end game. your interest is the next few months i'll let you speak for yourself of it. i just wanted to offer you the chance to comment on behalf of yourself and your government how do you feel the end game in this conflict was marked secretary austin had a debate the pentagon when he came back from kyivd wn he and blinken in april. he said the objective is to weaken russia they can't do this again. that led to a big debate about our permanent long-term goal to weaken russia really in depth and definitely a means to an end and what is the long-term goal for european security once this is finally over? is there a way you think about the answer to the debate secretary austin provoked about the long term objective in regard with russia, madam starting with you please. >> it's important we

exactly 30 years after the alliance was born. the leaders from 5 post soviet republics are in moscow representing pretty much russia's best friends if we take the post soviet republics. the alliance, both a joint action force, which we have already seen in action and january this here. when the catholic spirit was engulfed in violence street on arrest and international peacekeeping mission representing all members was sent and the violence was quickly dealt with. this was something that the leaders remember today and praise. but it seems that for the leaders that's not really enough. what they want to see is the mind filled with extra energy floods. we heard that the russian president, alexander lucas sank in particular, call for more unity by the member saying that they should act as a united front. when, for example, there are both ad international organizations such as the us social you will for gloss initial, your, with the silent consent of our partners, bella reese and russia country to all the norms of international law at

guest: nih gave a grant to eco-health alliance. they were subtracting some work to the wuhan institute of virology. it was experimenting with bat coronaviruses. bad viruses are known to be able to transfer -- bat viruses are known to be able to transfer to humans. they described it as gain of function research in an email. that is one way you can bypass this committee, where it is not really giving input in the first place. with eco-health alliance, they continue to be funded to do this kind of research, not at the wuhan institute of virology. viruses around asia, they have been bringing them back to a u.s. lab. one of the things that happened with the wuhan institute of virology is that there were warnings there was some lax security there. how well is this system working ig and official -- if and official in china wrote a wire to say " i looked at some -- the people who were working there were asking for basic help with sanitizing things. how well is this system working that that could happen? the next step is having more interna

the alliance is always made clear to finland and sweden . there's a place for them here, room for more flags and some offices that could use new tenants. but as some of the most wealthy well equipped countries in europe, these new nordic members would feel much more important gaps than those sweeten thing. land bring difference assets to nato. finland famously brings the ability to guard a very lat long land. with russia, sweden brains, a 500 year old navy, and a navy that is among the largest in the baltic sea where we should remember. nathan doesn't have very many large neighbors, excepting the 2 country should be a no brainer for nato says. former finish prime minister alexander stood that morning to compatible the most nato member states themselves like finland. as an example, we're always spent about 2 percent of our g, d, p on a military expenditure. we have reserves with 900000. we can mobilize 280000 quickly during the war time. we have a $62.00 f eighteens just bought to $64.00 f, $35.00, and indeed nato secretary general yen stilto

a trade alliance, economic alliance. he wants to position south korea as a more of a player in the indo pacific on security issues aside from north korea. that's kind of what we expected them to be talking about in this behind the scenes meeting. one of the others things the president was hoping to do is kind of cultivate an interpersonal information with the president. this is the first time they have been able to meet face to face and really talk issues on substance. president biden is really someone who places a premium on the relationships. it's essential when you are governing and the leader of the free world. you go around the world and try to meet the people and develop some chemistry with them. they do have certain commonalities. that's something you can expect the president did in that long one on one meeting. of course the issue of north korea even though the president wants to move the relationship beyond just that, it is still a major component of the talks. and the threat of a nuclear test or missile test is

we employed additional forces to the east of our alliance. today we have over 40,000 troops under nato command, backed by significant air and naval assets. we doubled the number of multinational battle groups from the baltic to the black sea. and we have thousands of troops on high alert. ready to respond to any aggression and defend every inch of nato territory. this is the challenge. to remove any room for misunderstanding or miscalculation in moscow. not to provoke a conflict, but to prevent a conflict and preserve peace. last december president putin presented an ultimatum to nato. he demanded a legally-binding treaty to rewrite the security architecture in europe, to reestablish spheres of influence, to force nato to withdraw from the eastern part of our alliance, and to end nato enlargement. he wanted less nato on his borders. and launched a war. now he is getting more nano on his borders. and more members. finland and sweden's decision to apply for nato membership is historic. it demonstrates that european security will not be dictated

and they will be able to, they might, may compet alliance, a coalition government. they'll have to nominate a prime minister who will then be able to form a cabinet. now that could take mom, lebanon has been known to be without a government for 2 years at a time as these sort of infighting and faction behind a, behind the scenes faction fighting goes on. but what is clear and what was really going into this election, one of the huge issues was the hezbollah issue, and it does appear that people have voted with their fate many going into this electron saying his bullet has caused all the problems. other people saying that his blood isn't the only problem in this country, and we need to deal with corruption on all levels. the people certainly voting with their feet. a lot of independent candidates, also winning states. we're looking at maybe 10 states with the cycle change, opposition? candidates and, and bell play an important role. if you've got these 2 opposing blocks 1184 on one side has blur on the other and these independent candidates playing quite an important

is it an influential alliance in your, in your view? breaks is asked in the mental institution they think for building a move to paula order. the way for developing counter is to break free from the institutions such as the international monetary fund and the wall will the bank controlled by united states and the recipient union. brick expansion can help developing cat nations for so that currently depends on the dollar base. it financing sears with that's my idea about now as we just mentioned, argentina is believed to be the front runner to become the next member of the briggs alliance. as talks on it's a session i've been going on for years now. what do you think are it's chances of finally becoming a member of briggs? i think we have a really good chance is i think that brazil, if lula is elected president in october, i think that brazil should be in favor. i think that russia who had no problem with as in kina, integration to the breaks adults, i don't know. see why south africa would be contrary. the most delicate issue, i think w

it to apply for the membership in the alliance. , . , , alliance. it is a very interesting wa . es alliance. it is a very interesting wages you _ alliance. it is a very interesting wages you describe _ alliance. it is a very interesting wages you describe it - alliance. it is a very interesting wages you describe it and - alliance. it is a very interesting wages you describe it and it. alliance. it is a very interesting l wages you describe it and it was fascinating to see that conversation reported because so often in international diplomacy, when there are difficult conversations, it is framed in the context of basically one side telling the other what they think of them, and it's quite confrontational. this sounds to have been almost the opposite, just very straightforward. it been almost the opposite, 'ust very straightforward.* straightforward. it was very straightforward. _ straightforward. it was very straightforward. of- straightforward. it was very straightforward. of course l straightforward. it was very | straightforward. of course it str

alliance must evolve further. not just with words but with actions, we should see this drive to deliver real benefits that can impact people over the two countries. president biden and i in the field of semi conductors face development from other industries and agree to step up practical cooperation. markets shocks, shifting international order will be actively addressed through our collective response. as a first step, our offices of the president will launch an economic security dialogue so that supply chains, science and technology and other economic securities can have cooperation and communication. an orderly and well-functioning market is crucial to sustainable growth and financial stability. to that end, president biden and i have started to engage in -- for advanced reactors and small marginal reactors for development and export promotion. this that our two countries civil industries committed to work together. with regard to the defense industry emerging for the future, we concurred to initiate discussion

the alliance and russia. finland itself has more than an 800-mile border with russia. again, president biden coming to the stage now as these two countries have both publicly expressed their support and their parliaments behind it as well by large vote and support, something that wasn't there before russia crossed that border on february 24th. let's listen in to the president. ♪ >> please be seated. thank you. it's not only a beautiful day, this is, in my view and the view of my team, a momentous day. it's a very, very good day. today i am proud to welcome and offer the strong support of the united states for the applications of two great democracies and two close, highly capable partners, to join the strongest, most powerful defensive alliance in the history of the world. two proud independent countries exercising their sovereign rights all states possess to decide their own security. president niinisto and prime minister anderson, you're -- it's a great honor to have both of you here at the white house, a

right now, nato is an alliance — answers. right now, nato is an alliance is— answers. right now, nato is an alliance is more relevant and more important — alliance is more relevant and more important than ever. it embodies for all of— important than ever. it embodies for all of us _ important than ever. it embodies for all of us freedom and security. and thus it _ all of us freedom and security. and thus it is _ all of us freedom and security. and thus it is good, secretary—general jens, _ thus it is good, secretary—general jens, that — thus it is good, secretary—general jens, that we have had this informal meeting _ jens, that we have had this informal meeting in— jens, that we have had this informal meeting in the run—up to prepare the upcoming _ meeting in the run—up to prepare the upcoming nato summit in madrid. because _ upcoming nato summit in madrid. because it — upcoming nato summit in madrid. because it has bestowed upon nato a new dimension of importance and relevance — new dimension of importance and relevance. if we tackle this challen

of the alliance i should say. but they also depend on what the security situation in europe is like at the end of this conflict. really, this conflict and the way it comes out is going to drive and lots of my answer to your question. it is premature for me to talk about it. >> my time is expired so i will ask my last question and let you answer and yield. what are some capabilities we provide in europe that you think european allies could feasibly contribute going forward? >> some things we provide our heavy equipment and armor, our allies could provide some of that. in many cases it should be modernized first or in larger quantities. we provide long-range fires and logistics. we would encourage -- probably increased air and missile defense would be welcome in terms of capability. >> thank you. >> thank you. i want to follow-up on the senator's line of questioning. great to see you again and thank you for your willingness to continue to serve our nation. this presents unique and difficult challenges and it is clea

well, the alliance party not outlook? well, the alliance party ot13.5% outlook? well, the alliance party got 13-596 of _ outlook? well, the alliance party got 13.596 of the _ outlook? well, the alliance party got 13.596 of the vote. _ outlook? well, the alliance party got 13.596 of the vote. | - outlook? well, the alliance party got 13.596 of the vote. i would i outlook? well, the alliance party| got 13.596 of the vote. i would not got 13.5% of the vote. i would not exaggerate the amount of support. 0ver exaggerate the amount of support. over 80% of the voters voted for parties either orange or green if you like, but a significant number of people are becoming frustrated with the fact if the dup do not want to go into government and they do not want to help run the place, there should be a change in structure to accommodate those parties that do want to operate the system. this is going to be the reason for serious and intense negotiations from monday on to try to find a way to construct an executive. the dup have not so much walked away from sharing power, they

that is really not what alliance are about. we are about our own message, positivity, inclusivity, diversity. we have really seen at the hard work pay off today. this we have really seen at the hard work pay off today-— pay off today. this is one of the bi aer pay off today. this is one of the bigger stories _ pay off today. this is one of the bigger stories within _ pay off today. this is one of the bigger stories within the - pay off today. this is one of the | bigger stories within the election here, the rise of the centre ground. but that is still a logjam, is there? do you see a role for alliance in trying to help change that position. what can you do to allay unionist concerns over the northern ireland protocol, for example? and to get power—sharing back up and running and functioning again? back up and running and functioning auain? �* . . back up and running and functioning auain? . . . ., back up and running and functioning auain?�* . . ., , back up and running and functioning atain?�* ., . ., , ., again? all

-japan alliance. based on the shared awareness, i have said that we must force japan's defense capability and a substantial increase of the defense budget needed. president biden strongly supported it. also for myself, i have included the strike capability, all of the options will be there, not to exclude anyone of them and this is what i said to the president in the indo pacific region, to ensure the peace and authority of the international community it is the cornerstone of the japan-u.s. alliance, the strengthening of the alliance we like to remain in close coordination with japan and the united states. thank you. >> i have a president for the japanese prime minister. during your trip to asia, you promoted the investments by samsung and hyundai, but back home in the united states americans are dealing with record high inflation. the fed has raised interest rates to try and address those issues. they are also -- there are also enormously high gas prices. given the crosscurrents of the economy right

the alliance party on 15, up six. the alliance party on 15, up six. the big success story of this election really in terms of their share of the vote and seats won. the ulster unionist party on seven, including their leader, doug beattie returned. the sdlp on five. tuv, another anti—protocol unionist party has one. and an independent elected as well stop so those are the figures for you. a quick calculation, around 20 seats left to declare. let's assess where we are with this election and what might happen next with the commentator brian rowan, author of the book political purgatory. i was very interested when i read that book on what you wrote about the middle ground here in northern ireland politics, the alliance party, which has done exceedingly well in these elections, with the possibility of a couple more seats yet still. how influential will that be?- couple more seats yet still. how influential will that be? well, we saw at the _ influential will that be? well, we saw at the beginning _ influential will that be? well, we saw at the beginning

far, as alliance. ~ , ., ., alliance. where can you go next? i don't know _ alliance. where can you go next? i don't know where _ alliance. where can you go next? i don't know where we _ alliance. where can you go next? i don't know where we can - alliance. where can you go next? i don't know where we can stop. l alliance. where can you go next? | i don't know where we can stop. it has been a roller—coaster day with some of the best results we've ever had at all. i'm delighted to be elected alongside naomi long. the only way is up for us. a commentator i spoke to in the last hour said that your results are proof that northern ireland is no longer about two tribes, it is no longer about two tribes, it is no longer about two tribes, it is no longer about green and orange. nationalist and unionist. the alliance party is for everyone. you can do anything in it. northern ireland wants politicians to get to work and deliver for ireland wants politicians to get to work and deliverfor them. that ireland wants politicians to get

alliances. as he tackles the second leg of the high stakes diplomatic tour in asia. now earlier, he called on the japanese emperor and palace before heading inside for a meeting. he later arrived for talks with japanese prime minister. the meeting and expected to wrap any minutes followed by remarks from both leaders and a press conference. we will bring you that when it happens and we're expecting it at any moment. earlier, mr. biden said the u.s. remains fully committed to supporting japan. listen. >> the u.s. japanese alliance has long been the corner stone of peace and prosperity. and the united states remains fully committed to japanese japan defense. and we will face the challenges today and the future together. >> now, while much of the focus in south korea of course was on the rising threat from north korea, in japan all eyes on china growing economic and military footprint. in the coming hours he is expected to unvail the administration new economic frame work for the region. the goal,

down 4%, some clearly going to be alliance party, some going to be alliance party, some going to be alliance party, some going to the tuv. if we have a look, let�*s just take one more to hammer home the point, east antrim. we can see it here. the dup still on top. but down 6%. tuv up 5%. that is what we�*re seeing now, we are seeing brexit up with northern ireland. we saw it happen in britain in 2019 come in great britain. you saw the conservative party start to change the electoral map as a result of brexit. so now post—actual brexit in 2020, it first northern ireland election since then and it is transforming the electoral map and the percentage of the vote in northern ireland politics. back to you, rebecca. thank you a much more from lewis in the course of the afternoon, hopefully with his microphone fixed. we shall also hear much more from annita as well. the education secretary nadhim zahawi has said the government must not be complacent after the conservatives suffered substantial losses in local elections across england, scotland and wales. the party lost almost 500 council seat

every country has the right to choose its own alliances, but no country can choose its alliances or otherwise strengthened, security in a way that would undermine the security of any of the country. and the 3rd component of this formula, no country, no organisation in the o. s c can claim to dominate security issues. anyone who is familiar with the situation in europe understands that the key components of this commitment being flagrantly violated by western countries. they believe they are reinforcing their own security by opening violating russia's rights to its own security. they insist the only need to can call the shots in this region and no one else. so we try to make these noble political concepts into reality. they don't just remain words on paper, followed by the signatures of americas in europe, presidents but so that they can actually make a change in the world. so we put forward a suggestion. let's turn this political commitment to one i just told you about into an actual treaty. let's give it some legal power. back in 2009. we propose such a treaty to the nato countries. they sai

at the summit of nato, the alliance sooner? at the summit of nato. poland _ the alliance sooner? at the summit of nato, poland advocated - the alliance sooner? at the summit of nato, poland advocated for - of nato, poland advocated for ukraine to join nato. of nato, poland advocated for ukraine tojoin nato. it of nato, poland advocated for ukraine to join nato. it was of nato, poland advocated for ukraine tojoin nato. it was before the attack on georgia, before crimea, the dundas and this was started by russia this year. a different security situation. probably at that moment, allies would have taken another decision. we would be living in a better world. but unfortunately it was blocked by some of our allies, now we are living with this. nevertheless, it is never too late. it is up to ukraine whether they want tojoin it is up to ukraine whether they want to join nato and when, it is up to ukraine whether they want tojoin nato and when, and whether they are already prepared. it is up to the allies, the allied countries to decide. it doesn't seem that it countries to decide. it do

. ~ kate, alliance party. thank you very much. . ~ ~ , , kate, alliance party. thank you very much. . ~ , , much. thank you mr presiding officer and can i much. thank you mr presiding officer and can i thank— much. thank you mr presiding officer and can i thank you _ much. thank you mr presiding officer and can i thank you and _ much. thank you mr presiding officer and can i thank you and your- much. thank you mr presiding officer and can i thank you and your team i and can i thank you and your team foryour— and can i thank you and your team for your hard — and can i thank you and your team for your hard work. _ and can i thank you and your team for your hard work. i _ and can i thank you and your team for your hard work. i know- and can i thank you and your team for your hard work. i know that - for your hard work. i know that people — for your hard work. i know that people sometimes— for your hard work. i know that people sometimes complain i for your hard work. i know that people sometimes complain it| for your hard work. i know that i people someti

the alliance is seeing a sharp rise in its geopolitical relevance. the talks are focused on long term goals, but more immediately the accession of finland and sweden are also on the table. not on the said sweden and finland, join nato, but they should do so quickly. of course, i'll have a good conversation with my counterpart. it is important that we have also consensus. consensus could be an issue nay to member turkey accuses sweden and finland of harbouring militant curds or turkish people. predominantly a big majority of the turkish people are against the membership of those countries who are supporting a p k y p g that his organization. and they're asking us a to block this membership. finland, at least, is confident this issue can be smoothed out at court to my good colleague, her middle sulisaga, to foreign minister and a little bit to take the tensors down. and we will also meet, meet to day. and i'm, i'm, i'm sure that they will find a solution to do this item. unity is key in the alliance as it looks to the future . and these berlin talks ho

but before the alliance the security guarantees would apply for them. so they're prepared and preparing as finished. prime minister on m. r and put it yesterday. and what did they preparing exactly when it comes to infrastructure? are they going to hold back because of these threats of russia? do you think both countries i, i think that there will be a different approach between finland and sweden. sweden has already made clear that it will ask nato for allowances not to have troops permanently stationed in sweden, not to have nuclear weapons on swedish territory. finland may want some of the same opt outs. that's not quite as clear yet, but these are things that there is a precedent for, for example, with norway and denmark. both of them have have special arrangements with nato. it measures that they're public demanded and, and that's certainly going to be the case here in sweden. where we've been speaking to people in the street who say that even some of them in favor of nato membership may not be comfortable with having nuclear weapons here or, or ha