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Archive - Sep 2013

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September 18th

Bavaria result poses dilemma for Merkel

The Bavarian regional elections have provided the ruling Christian Social Union with an absolute majority. But the defeat of the Free Democratic Party could be more detrimental to Chancellor Merkel's election success. READ MORE

Initial Reaction to the Geneva Joint Statement

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By Rachel Weatherly

Secretary of State John Kerry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and UN Special Representative Lakhdar just emerged from their discussion about a potential Geneva 2 peace conference to make brief, individual statements. Questions were not taken. According to Kerry, if progress can be made on the chemical issue he and Lavrov would likely meet in New York on or about September 28 to try to arrive at a date for the peace conference. READ MORE

Germany’s Leadership Question on the Eve of Elections

By Megan Doherty

In the run-up to federal elections, Germany confronts a leadership problem. In the 19th century, Germans debated their unification and role in Europe. Today, journalists, commentators, and policy experts across Europe and the world have reframed the German Question, arguing that a lack of decisive leadership during the euro crisis is now the biggest threat Germany poses to its neighbors.  READ MORE

Beijing’s Occupy A Moscow Place In Central Asia

In the days preceding the visit of Xi in Tashkent, Russian experts agreed on one thing - China is not left in isolation from Russia in Central Asia competitive struggle which, it should be noted, while developing a common framework of "healthy competition" between the two powers. However, on certain economic areas can already be seen advancing sensitive Beijing Moscow. READ MORE

EU Commissioner: Russia breaches Helsinki Principles by exerting pressure on EaP countries

Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy said on Wednesday that the Customs Union membership of the Eastern Partnership countries is not compatible with EU’s Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). READ MORE

Droutsas: Greece could be a 'victim' of German election

Greece is a hot topic in Germany's election campaign, as the two main parties debate another bailout for Athens. Greek MEP Dimitrios Droutsas told these decisions shouldn't be made during an election. READ MORE

September 16th

Scandinavia’s Nuclear Threat: Olenegorsk 2 – the frightening nuclear fairy tale of the Kola Peninsula

By Ruslan Ustrakhanov

Olenegenorsk 2 or, in local dialect, “Tsar City” is a small settlement in the Murmansk region. Until recently, it was a completely closed territory; to merely speak of it was considered a criminal offence, a disclosure of state secrets. READ MORE

Lithuanian Attaché on Transport to Work in Kazakhstan

Lithuanian Attaché on Transport shall work in Kazakhstan, reports Kazakhstan Today. READ MORE

SCO Summit Focuses On Afghanistan, Economic Cooperation

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A summit in Bishkek of the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has focused on fostering economic development and regional security cooperation, especially regarding the situation in Afghanistan.  READ MORE

Expert: Russian diplomacy intensification in South Caucasus is due to Vilnius summit

The current intensification of Russian diplomacy in the South Caucasus is a reflection of the preparation for the Vilnius summit where Eastern Partnership countries will shape the contours of their future relations with the EU, executive director of the North-South Centre for Political Science Alexei Vlasov told Trend today. READ MORE