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Archive - Jan 2010

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January 29th

Problems of Georgia-Ossetia “Bordering”

By Sergey Markedonov

The new 2010 year was marked by new incidents within Georgia-Ossetia relations. And although there are no confrontations even slightly reminding the situation of 2004-2008 first days of this year were marked by a number of alarm symptoms … READ MORE

Berlin–Rome–Ankara

By Natalia Grib

Following the results of the meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin suggested to deepen the cooperation within energy sphere by assets exchanging. First of all the case is about the access to the resources of Black and Caspian Sea and the gas transporting system of Turkey. Also Ankara promises to arrange all approvals for the South Stream piping till November. Gazprom says that now Turkey stands in one list with its other strategic partners – Germany and Italy. READ MORE

Improvement of Russian - Azerbaijani relations may change Russia's position on regional issues: Armenian expert

By E.Tariverdiyeva

After Moscow demonstrated its desire to improve relations with Baku, Armenia should be more concerned with a more serious shift in Russian policy, Director of Armenian Center for National and International Studies Richard Giragosianbelieves. READ MORE

January 27th

Former OSCE Chair Says Time Ripe For 'Serious Look' At Reform

The 56-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is facing hard times as observers increasingly question its relevance and effectiveness. At a Permanent Council session in Vienna on January 14, the new Kazakh chairmanship of the OSCE will lay out its plan for the coming year -- an agenda that former OSCE Chairman in Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb describes as "an extensive and ambitious working program." Stubb, who chaired the organization in 2008, spoke to RFE/RL correspondent Robert Coalson about the challenges the OSCE will face in 2010. READ MORE

January 25th

Nino Burjanadze: “We are people struggling for democracy in Georgia and for real prospect of the western family membership”

An exclusive interview of the Leader of the party “Democratic Movement “United Georgia”. READ MORE

Georgia: Armenian-Turkish Rapprochement Could Have Significant Economic Impact On Tbilisi

By Nino Patsuria

As prospects dim for a quick reopening of the Turkish-Armenian border, Georgian business executives remain quietly content. Trouble with the Turkish-Armenian reconciliation process can mean continued economic benefits for Georgian traders. READ MORE

January 22nd

Spain's EU Presidency Greeted With Skepticism

By Soeren Kern

Spain's six-month rotating presidency of the European Union, which began on Jan. 1, 2010, is off to a bumpy start. With the Lisbon Treaty now in effect, the traditional role of the EU rotating presidency has been downgraded. Responsibility for many issues which were once the domain of the rotating presidency now falls to the newly named permanent EU president, Herman Van Rompuy, and EU foreign minister, Catherine Ashton -- who together are supposed to comprise the new "public face" of the EU. READ MORE

January 20th

Ukraine heads for close presidential run-off

Pro-Russian opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich and populist Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko will face off in a second round of presidential elections after Sunday's poll failed to produce a clear winner. READ MORE

Our Year Of Decision

By Victor Davis Hanson

America's challenges are coming to a head READ MORE

Merkel Says Party On Track Even As Germans Question Her Leadership

A new survey has found that a majority of Germans think Chancellor Merkel has little control over her government. Merkel defended herself and her Christian Democrats, saying they were on the right path. READ MORE