Global Political Calendar: EU, Vietnam find common voice in defense agreement
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The EU and Vietnam sign a new defense agreement, ceremonies are scheduled to mark the 74th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have a rare meeting in Nicosia.

EU, Vietnam to become brothers in arms

On August 5, EU chief diplomat Federica Mogherini will sign a new defense agreement with Vietnam, the first such security deal Brussels will ink with a Southeast Asian nation.

It is the latest indication that the EU is trying to forge a closer defense relationship with the region. 

After taking part in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum and an EU-ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference in Bangkok on August 1 and 2, Mogherini will head to Hanoi to sign "an agreement on Vietnam's participation in our European military and civilian missions," she told regional media last week.

The deal comes as the EU's relations with Vietnam flourish with the two sides signing a free trade agreement (FTA) on June 30.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings: 74 years on

This year marks the 74th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9).

According to Kyodo News, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui will step up pressure on the Japanese government to join a UN treaty banning nuclear weapons at a ceremony in the city to mark the 74th anniversary of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings. 

During World War II on August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima in Japan. Three days later another atomic bomb was released over Nagasaki.

Cyprus crisis

Turkey and Cyprus do not have diplomatic relations since a decades-old conflict split the island among its ethnic Turkish and Greek Cypriot populations.

Peace talks between the two sides collapsed in disarray exactly two years ago. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci are due to have a rare meeting in Nicosia on August 9.

Day by day

Monday: European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini visits Vietnam. 

Tuesday: Hiroshima commemorates 74th anniversary of 1945 nuclear attacks, Peru hosts international meeting on Venezuela.

Wednesday: Energy ministers of Greece, Cyprus and Israel meet in Athens, more than 10 countries are expected to sign the Singapore Convention for Mediation (SCM) at a ceremony in Singapore. 

Thursday: Malaysia-China Belt & Road Economic Cooperation Forum opens, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcomes Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa with military honors in Berlin. 

Friday: Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci hold an informal meeting to discuss a way out of an impasse in peace talks which have been stalled for two years, Nagasaki holds commemorations to mark 74th anniversary of 1945 nuclear attacks. 

Saturday and Sunday: A quiet weekend in politics.