Sri Lanka calls for improving cooperation among South Asian and Southeast Asian nations


COLOMBO Cheap Air Max 95 , Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said on Thursday that upholding national security and regional stability is key to maintaining peace and stability in South Asia and South East Asia.


The defence secretary made the remarks in a keynote speech at the South Asian and South East Asian Nations (SA-SEAN) Defence Chiefs Dialogue 2014 in Colombo.


Rajapaksa said that one of the primary aspirations of all countries in the South Asian and South East Asian regions is to maintain peace and stability for their continued economic development.


Rajapaksa said reducing tensions and overcoming misunderstandings between countries in the region are very important.


"At the same time, it has to be borne in mind that the threats and issues faced by nations today can have regional and even global linkages as well as ramifications. Activities of non-state actors and incidence of transnational crime in particular need to be closely monitored and guarded against. As such, improving the cooperation and collaboration between nations is essential," he said.


KIEV, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank (WB) supports farmland reform in Ukraine, which envisages the cancellation of the country's ban on the farmland trade, a senior official at the bank said on Thursday.


"According to our estimates, this can give an impetus to the development of the country," Satu Kahkonen, the bank's country director for Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine, said at the Ukrainian Financial Forum in the southern city of Odessa.


The WB hopes that the Ukrainian authorities will take necessary steps to launch the reform by the end of November, Kahkonen added.


The liberalization of the land market is a highly controversial issue in Ukraine. Its supporters claim that the ban limits the rights of about 6.9 million Ukraine's land plot owners to dispose of their property.


Meanwhile, critics claim that small landowners may lose their plots once the ban is lifted as big agricultural firms may manage to take away their farmland.


The Ukrainian Agriculture Ministry estimated the market value of Ukraine's farmland of 42 million hectares, of which 32 million hectares are arable, at nearly 100 billion U.S. dollars.


In 2001, Ukraine adopted a land code and reviving a ban on farmland trade, which was first imposed in 1992. Since 2001, the Ukrainian authorities has been prohibited the country's land owners from selling their plots.


The International Monetary Fund also has recommended Ukraine lift the ban to attract additional funds to the state budget, but Ukrainian lawmakers rejected the idea, worried Ukraine's small landowners may lose their plots due to corruption.


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(Files) In this file picture taken on June 28, 2012, Italian forward Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Euro 2012 football championships semi-final match against Germany at the National Stadium in Warsaw. Liverpool completed the transfer of AC Milan's Italy striker Mario Balotelli on Monday, August 25, 2014.

LIVERPOOL completed their signing of AC Milan's Italy striker Mario Balotelli on Monday.


Balotelli, 24, emerged as a target for Reds manager Brendan Rodgers last week and Liverpool had been locked in talks with the former Manchester City star's agent since agreeing a reported ￡16 million fee with Milan.


Those negotiations reached a successful conclusion on Monday and Balotelli's move was confirmed just hours before his new club face his old employers City in a Premier League clash at Eastlands.


"Liverpool can confirm they have completed the signing of Italy striker Mario Balotelli, subject to registration," a statement on the club's website announced.


"The 24-year-old sealed his switch to Anfield from AC Milan after passing a medical and agreeing a long-term deal to become the Reds' ninth signing of the summer so far."


Balotelli is not eligible to feature against City, but he could travel to Manchester to watch the match after completing a one-on-one training session with the Reds' head of conditioning and fitness Ryland Morgans at the club's Melwood base.


In a club statement on Liverpool's website, Balotelli said: "I'm very happy. We've been talking about coming here and now I'm happy to be here.


"Liverpool are one of the best teams here in England and the football is very good here.


"It's a great team with young players, and that's why I came here."


Balotelli, who will wear the number 45 shirt, is believed to have agreed a three-year, heavily incentivised ￡90,000-per-week contract as he returns to the Premier League after a troubled 18-month spell with Milan, where he often endured racial abuse from opposing fans.


He scored 30 goals in 54 appearances for Milan, but the Italian outfit were still willing to accept Liverpool's offer for the controversial star, who has netted 13 times for Italy, including the winner against England at the recent World Cup.


Balotelli's arrival on Merseyside represents a major gamble given his reputation as one of the sport's most notorious bad-boys.


As well as dazzling with some spectacular goals, Balotelli has also infuriated a series of managers during a chaotic career which has included spells with Inter Milan, . Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys From China Wholesale Hats Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale MLB Sports Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap Nike NCAA Jerseys