Guterres: Stop escalation of tensions and renew international cooperation’

alignment with EU rules in return for full market access, as Norway does.

Many opposition MPs believe Johnson cannot negotiate a new trade deal with Brussels in 11 months, and are seeking to amend the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to allow for more time.

But they are almost certain to fail, given Johnson’s comfortable majority.

EU Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier and British Brexit minister Stephen Barclay will also join for part of the leaders’ meeting, said Downing Street. — AFP

NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary- General Antonio Guterres has called on world leaders to renew “international cooperation”, and “stop escalation” geopolitical tensions.

Citing the ongoing global conflicts and worsening tensions, he called on world leaders to exercise maximum restraint and re- start dialogue, in a press statement issued at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday.

“Geopolitical tensions are at their highest level this century and this turbulence is escalating. Even nuclear nonproliferation can no longer be taken for granted.

“This cauldron of tensions is leading more and more countries to take unpredicted decisions with unpredictable consequences and a profound of risk of miscalculation,” he said, in an apparent reference to the rising tension in various parts of the world.

Referring also to trade and technological conflicts that were fracturing world markets, undermining growth and widening inequalities as well as the climate crisis, he said many people worldwide were frustrated and angry.

He also said there had been increased social unrest and growing extremism, nationalism and radicalisation, with a dangerous advance of terrorism and that situation could not go on.

“Let us not forget the terrible human suffering caused by war. As always, ordinary people pay the highest price.

“It is our common duty to avoid it.” — Bernama