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Archive - Feb 2009

February 28th

Europe should unite against Russia

Maria Ordzhonikidze, Secretary-General, EU-Russia Centre

"The EU should review its perception of what Russian outward-looking economic policies stand for," argues Maria Ordzhonikidze, secretary-general of the EU-Russia Centre.

Historically, Russia's gas monopoly has always been in "perpetual conflict with [European] transit countries for its commodities," the author states. However, she laments that the EU seems yet again "to have been unprepared for what was a predictable sequel to an old conflict". READ MORE

February 27th

Will the Atomic Multi-Vector Course of Ukraine Influence the International Uranium Enrichment Centre?

Yana Zausaeva

After much thought Ukraine has finally decided to join the International Uranium Enrichment Centre (IUEC), established in 2007 by Russia and Kazakhstan on the basis of the Angarsk Electrolytic Chemical Combine in Irkutsk region. On February 9th Vladimir Putin authorized Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to exchange notes between Governments of the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the participation of Ukraine within the IUEC. For Russia this is a start of an important project that promotes its regional and international significance within energy sphere, as the IUEC should assure dual objective: to strengthen the regime of nuclear weapon nonproliferation and to guarantee the availability of the “peaceful” nuclear fuel cycle to the consuming countries. The success of this project mainly depends on the ability of its participants to combine their interest in harmony and proportion. READ MORE

February 26th

EU, Russia quietly battle for Eastern Europe influence

A low-key tug of war is developing between the EU and Russia as both sides battle for the long-term allegiances of Eastern European states, according to the president of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

 

Central and Eastern European/South Eastern European (CEE/SEE) countries are a major trading and financial partner for the euro zone. The annual surplus in the balance of payments with eurozone countries is estimated at €60 billion. READ MORE

February 25th

The European Union, Kazakhstan and the 2010 OSCE Chairmanship

Neil J. Melvin

In the last decade, developing good relations with Kazakhstan has become an ever more important priority for the European Union — driven by Kazakhstan's growth as an energy supplier and the country's rising profile on the international scene. At the same time, Europe has become increasingly significant for Kazakhstan as a leading economic partner and a source of inspiration in terms of providing potential models for the economic, social and political modernization of the country that is advocated by President Nazarbaev. READ MORE

February 24th

Successful Promotion of “Nabucco” and “Eastern Partnership”

B.Safarov

After the visits of the Czech Republic Prime Minister and the EU Chairman to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, Mirek Topolanek can positively state during the oncoming EU sessions, that these three countries won’t refuse of participation in the “Nabucco” project. READ MORE

February 23rd

Uzbeks Fail to Win Over Foreign Investors

Continuing state interference and an unfriendly business climate continue to deter potential investors, NBCentral Asia commentators say.

In late January, the state property committee announced a tender to sell shares in two hotels in the capital Tashkent, the Grand Mir and the Dedeman Silk Road Tashkent, valued at 7.8 and 11.3 million US dollars, respectively. READ MORE

February 20th

Astana Chess

Serik Maleev

“Yegemen Kazakhstan” newspaper writes in its front page article “Collective Security Treaty Proved Its Viability”: “Four issues were reviewed during an extended Session of the Leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization member-states in Moscow last week. The first issue referred to the establishment of Collective Rapid Reaction Force …” READ MORE

February 19th

Eastern Partnership: The West's Final Assault On the Former Soviet Union

by Rick Rozoff

At a meeting of the European Union's General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on May 26 of last year, Poland, seconded by Sweden, first proposed what has come to be known as the Eastern Partnership, a program to 'integrate' all the European and South Caucasus former Soviet nations - except for Russia - not already in the EU and NATO; that is, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. READ MORE

February 18th

Norway: Providing Energy Security for Europe

By Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Riis-Johansen

Norway will contribute to providing energy security for Europe also in the future. However, we cannot escape the fact that currently there are challenges tied to this statement. This is not least due to the low oil price, high cost levels and the need for technical innovations in the context of a decline scenario.

2008 is the year when oil prices spiked then collapsed, and the world went into recession. What awaits us in 2009? Today, I will say it is a very unpredictable year. But this can to some extent be compensated through careful planning and actions from governments and industry – both separately and combined. READ MORE

February 17th

OSCE Observers to Stay for At Least Four Months

56 participating states of OSCE agreed on February 12 to extend presence of 20 unarmed monitors in the areas adjacent to breakaway South Ossetia until June 30.

OSCE decided on August 19 to "immediately" deploy 20 of its observers in the adjacent areas for the period of at least six months. READ MORE