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Archive - Mar 2013

Date

March 22nd

The Putin Doctrine

By Leon Aron

Much in Russian foreign policy today is based on a consensus that crystallized in the early 1990s. Emerging from the rubble of the Soviet collapse, this consensus ranges across the political spectrum -- from pro-Western liberals to leftists and nationalists. It rests on three geostrategic imperatives: that Russia must remain a nuclear superpower, a great power in all facets of international activity, and the hegemon -- the political, military, and economic leader -- of its region. This consensus marks a line in the sand, beyond which Russia cannot retreat without losing its sense of pride or even national identity. It has proven remarkably resilient, surviving post-revolutionary turbulence and the change of political regimes from Boris Yeltsin to Vladimir Putin. READ MORE

Visit of senior think tankers and policy makers from the Asia-Pacific region

A group of senior security experts, think tankers and policy makers from the Asia-Pacific region took part in a four-day study tour from 4 to 7 March 2013, aimed at promoting dialogue and exploring opportunities for further cooperation with NATO. READ MORE

Piebalgs: Development champions should speak up

By Georgi Gotev

Development aid contributes to economic success in both developing countries and in Europe, Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs tells in an exclusive interview. READ MORE

March 20th

Kazakh Foreign Minister to visit some European countries

Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Yerlan Idrisov will visit a number of European countries in the second half of March, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhanbolat Usenov said at a briefing in Astana on Friday. READ MORE

Vladimir Bespalov: Germany Shall Maintain Neutrality about Presence of Russia in Arab States

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By Vladimir Bespalov

Expert-germanist Vladimir Bespalov analyzed economic relations of Russia and Germany as the ground of political dialogue for “NewsBalt”.  READ MORE

March 18th

Talks with Teheran in Almaty: the first results

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By Arthur Dunn

Negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program held on a neutral territory of Kazakhstan gave the first results. For the first time in the history of this issue, Tehran did not delay with determination of the date for the next round of negotiations. It is important that the initiative of prompt meeting came from Iran. And this step is taken, despite the fact that in June, Tehran expects the presidential election, which could be a cover for a reluctance to enter into any agreements in the near future. All these facts prove that Iran is seeking the lifting of sanctions and is ready to meet requirements of the "six". READ MORE

Ukrainian dilemma

Tentatively in April, President of Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus will discuss the issue of Ukraine's accession to the provisions of the Customs Union. According to an UNIAN correspondent, told the president of Ukraine, returning from Moscow. Vladimir Putin and Viktor Yanukovych discussed the format of Kiev with the Customs Union (CU) and agreed to continue to work not only for governments, but also with the involvement of the executive body of the Customs Union. While Moscow is offering Kiev to join the Customs Union, which will reduce the price of purchased natural gas in Russia. In Kiev, still hoping to sign an association agreement and a free trade area with the European Union and offer sectoral cooperation with TC under a "3 +1", but Russia is not satisfied. READ MORE

March 15th

Shell against the Arctic: the first round loss

By Rimvydas Ragauskas

On the eve of the New Year  the mobile Kulluk drill ship owned by the energy company Shell ran aground in the Gulf of Alaska, near Kodiak Island. This made reconsider the readiness of oil companies to pursue drilling operations under extreme harsh weather conditions. Due to Shell‘s failures Norwegian Statoil is going to postpone the beginning of drilling in the Chukchi Sea, whereas the French Total announced that the risk of an oil spill in such an environmentally sensitive area was too high to start drilling in the Arctic.   READ MORE

Kazakhstan and Poland to set up Association of Interregional Cooperation

Ambassador of Kazakhstan Yerik Utembayev attended the session of the Union of the Voivodeships of the Republic of Poland in Warsaw, Kazinform has learnt from the Kazakh MFA's press service. READ MORE

Orban’s Law

By Vitalij Potnikov

Hungary hasn’t yet become an authoritarian state, but if the Prime Minister wishes so, it will. READ MORE