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September 2013

Austrian grand coalition looks to have fended off euroskeptic challengers

Voters in Austria have finished casting their ballots in an election that looks likely to return a grand coalition to power. Predictions indicated their share of the vote had been significantly eroded by euroskeptics. READ MORE

Vilnius Summit – a new beginning for Moldova

President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with the Prime Minister of Moldova, Iurie Leancă. The meeting focused on preparations for the upcoming Vilnius Summit to be held in November, as well as Moldova's progress in implementing reforms. An EU association agreement is expected to be initialed with Moldova at the summit. READ MORE

NATO, Russia hold joint anti-terror exercise in Poland

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NATO and Russian fighter jets took part in a joint anti-terror exercise in Poland on Wednesday at time when ties are strained between the military alliance and Moscow. READ MORE

Europe and Turkey: In search of a new world

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By Kader Sevinç

Some EU governments act in contradiction with a strategic vision for the common European values and interest when they block Turkey’s accession talks. READ MORE

Kazakhstan Needs More RUR and CNY in International Trading

Kazakhstan, which has linked KZT to a multi-currency basket since September, where the RUR has the share of 10%, the next year wants to introduce a floating corridor and to define the scope of interventions, by which the limits of this corridor shall shift. READ MORE

Syria Submits Partial Chemical Weapons List

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By James Brooke

For two years, Russia gave increasingly crucial military and diplomatic support to Syria’s beleaguered President Bashar al-Assad as the Syrian civil war deepened. READ MORE

Uzbekistan, Czech Republic to hold next meeting of intergovernmental commission

On Thursday Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and Czech Ambassador to Uzbekistan Ginek Peyha exchanged views on the schedule of upcoming Uzbek-Czech political contacts and on holding in Tashkent the next meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation, Uzbek Foreign Ministry press service told. READ MORE

European perspectives on the German vote

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Europe paid close attention to the vote in Germany. Correspondents from across Europe believe that whoever will govern in Berlin will have a major impact on politics in the entire eurozone. READ MORE

World Reacts To Iranian President's No-Nuclear Pledge

Comments by Iranian President Hassan Rohani that his government would never develop nuclear weapons have sparked world reaction.  READ MORE

France to oppose Iranian mediation on Syria at UN meet

France will say no to Iran's efforts to mediate in the Syria conflict when President François Hollande meets Iranian President Hassan Rowhani on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Paris wants a resolution that is "as binding as possible" on Syria's chemical weapons arsenal to be passed. READ MORE

Baku and Washington find out the relationship

U.S. Commander in Azerbaijan special group to monitor the presidential election on October 9. Report this press officer of the U.S. Embassy in Baku Jonas Stewart said that the observation will be engaged in small group of U.S. diplomatic mission. This decision was preceded by an unexpected message of the U.S. Embassy to cancel his visit to Azerbaijan, the U.S. delegation led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Melia.  READ MORE

Ukrainians in Poland are a market of millions

How many Ukrainians are there in Poland in reality, along with the people which who can be the target of marketing actions ob the ground of a slogan “Buy your Ukrainian goods”? Before we attempt to state some numbers, we should specify, who exactly we mean. As this Ukrainian group in Poland is much broader than it seems at first glance. READ MORE

Kazakh and French PMs discuss bilateral relations

Kazakh Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov has held talks with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault during his working visit to France, Kazakh Prime-Minister's press-service reported. READ MORE

Sergei Ivanov : Russia could change its position on the Syrian issue

Russia could change its position on the Syrian issue if realize that Bashar Assad 's cheating . This was said at the plenary session of the 10th Conference of the London International Institute for Strategic Studies ' global strategic review " in Stockholm , the head of the Russian presidential administration Sergei Ivanov. READ MORE

Expert about Bishkek SCO summit

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Political analysts summed up the results of the SCO summit in Bishkek. According to an expert in public administration Alisher Mamasalieva to Kyrgyzstan only positive results. Are more ambiguous outcome of negotiations for Russia and China. READ MORE

Ukraine could integrate with Europe and yet not fall out with Russia – Bill Clinton

Ukraine could sign the Association Agreement with the European Union and still preserve partnership relations with Russia, thinks 42nd US President (1993-2001), Bill Clinton. READ MORE

Eastern Mediterranean Gas in Focus

By Kevin Rosner

The issue of energy security is often cast with a rather narrow net inordinately focused on security of supply issues (with oil and gas typically at the forefront of this discussion).  This bias is readily understood in practical terms.  We understand simply and immediately an energy supply problem if we pull up to the gas pump and there is no product to put in the tank.  So while supply security is admittedly an essential component of the energy security genre, a singular focus on this aspect alone skews a broader and more profound understanding of how energy, and particularly power, if denied, is part of the larger energy-security and for that matter human landscape.  READ MORE

Fight extremism now

By Corina Cretu

Beyond the normal and necessary public debates, the upcoming elections for the European Parliament have already led to deplorable attitudes which are in total contradiction to the principles of the European construction. READ MORE

Effective anti-corruption measures are an essential condition for implementing the G20 agenda

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Addressing a briefing titled "The issues of fighting corruption within the G20 agenda" at the International Media Centre, Dmitry Feoktistov, Deputy Director of the Department of New Challenges and Threats of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Co-Chair of the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group, discussed the implementation of the G20 agenda for combating corruption in the year of the Russian Presidency of the G20. READ MORE

On the Crossroads of Integration: Choices of Armenia Heading

Integration with the European Union (EU) has always been one of the key foreign policy priorities of the Republic of Armenia. READ MORE

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

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

Interview: Georgian PM Ivanishvili Addresses Controversial Points of His Nation's Affairs

During a two-day visit to Estonia, the Georgian prime minister, Bidzina Ivanishvili, said Georgia will prove that it is a European country, and that it will join the EU and NATO. READ MORE

Norway election: Conservative Erna Solberg triumphs

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Norwegian centre-right leader Erna Solberg is set to form a new government after Labour Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg admitted election defeat. READ MORE

Transit Price

By Ulyana Vylegzhanina

Railway officials of Russia, Belarus and Lithuania discussed tariff policy. READ MORE

Iran's admission to SCO means for its members to declare readiness to confront West

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Bishkek will be the first big political event for newly elected President of Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani. The bilateral negotiations with the Russian and Chinese Presidents to be held on the sidelines of the summit are not expected to result in adoption of very important decisions. But perhaps they will help President Rouhani in understanding the prospects of Iran in this Organization and make the necessary adjustments in the foreign policy of Tehran, Igor Pankratenko, expert on Iran and Central Asia, Candidate of Historical Sciences, member of the expert community “Russian Intelligence Network”, said in an exclusive interview with CA-News. READ MORE

Expert: Rogozin’s stance on Moldova-EU energy deal is blackmailing

Energy experts believe that Russian Deputy Premier Dmitry Rogozin’s speech delivered in Chisinau on Monday proves once again that Moldova has chosen the right path, Russia seeming disturbed by country’s moves towards the European Union. READ MORE

Armenia turns away from the EU

By Szymon Ananicz

After a meeting in Novo-Ogariovo near Moscow on 3 September, the presidents of Russia and Armenia, Vladimir Putin and Serzh Sargsyan, adopted a statement declaring that Armenia has decided to join the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, and wants to take part in creating a Eurasian Economic Union. During a press conference, Sargsyan argued that Armenia’s participation in a military alliance established by Russia (the CSTO) is not possible without simultaneous economic integration. The president also said that Armenia’s decision did not rule out further dialogue with the EU, and welcomed Brussels’ support for his country’s domestic reforms. In contrast to previous statements, however, Sargsyan did not mention Armenia’s attempts to sign an Association Agreement with the EU. READ MORE

Iran Raps Latest IAEA Report as 'Tainted by Poilitics'

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) chided the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for issuing an unfair, biased report on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, and urged the agency to pursue non-political approaches. READ MORE

Estonia Threatened to Close the Border for Electric Power with Latvia and Lithuania

The Minister of Economy and Communications of Estonia Juhan Parts sent a letter to his Lithuanian and Latvian colleagues where he pretty bitterly criticized them for delay in the preparation of liberalization of the power market in these countries. READ MORE

The German election: What’s in it for Europe?

As German election day approaches, the outcome and coalition formed in its aftermath will have an impact on the country's positions on European issues. Roland Freudenstein ponders which are the likely post-election scenarios and what they mean for Europe. READ MORE

Armenia: the Choice is Done?

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By Sergey Markedonov

The visit of Sargsyan should be considered an as a voyage aimed to settle acute matters and cool down of the “boiling minds” in Yerevan as well as in Moscow READ MORE

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen calls on Europe to invest in security in order to defend democracy

European countries should invest more in their defense capacities to be able to defend principles of democracy around the globe, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said in Vilnius. READ MORE

Interview: Xi's visit to reaffirm China's policy toward Kazakhstan: Kazakh expert

Chinese President Xi Jinping will stress the continuity of Beijing's policy toward Kazakhstan during his first state visit to the Central Asian country on Saturday, a Kazakh expert said. READ MORE

The Operation In Syria Splits Europe

By Arthur Dunn

At the Munich Security Conference 2011 NATO Secretary General Rasmussen introduced a new concept of defense, capable of creating more favorable conditions in the field of security with fewer resources through closer cooperation and flexible than it was before. It is based on the principle of differentiated responsibilities of the Alliance members with different capabilities, taking into account, in what areas they have an advantage. And the search for common ground with other organizations. In the first place with the European Union, whose interests in the field of security is largely coincide with those of NATO. But as for an organization such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization, NATO is still only prefers to develop bilateral relations with each of the members of this organization. Strengthening of cooperation with the countries of the CSTO is dictated by the situation in neighboring Afghanistan. As well as the modernization of NATO itself. READ MORE

Negotiation Gone Bad: Russia, Germany, and Crossed Communications

By Philip Remler

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the then Russian president, Dmitri Medvedev, met in June 2010 at Schloss Meseberg in Germany and produced a half-page memorandum on security issues. The “Meseberg Memorandum” supported the establishment of an EU-Russian dialogue at the foreign-minister level and of EU-Russian cooperation on crisis management. Specifically, the agreement committed the EU and Russia to cooperate on resolving the frozen Transdniestria conflict,i one of the remnants of the collapse of the Soviet Union. READ MORE

Jilting EU, Armenia Ties Knot With Moscow

By Naftali Bendavid And Laurence Norman Connect

European diplomats were stunned this week by word that Armenia, which had been heading toward strengthening ties with the European Union, will instead join a customs union led by Russia—handing the Kremlin a victory in its tug of war with Brussels for influence in the region. READ MORE

China, What's Next?

By Joshua Kucera

When Tajikistan announced in January that it was giving some of its territory to neighbouring China, the news raised eyebrows around Central Asia. Not because the land itself was significant—it was just 1000 square kilometres of mountainous, uninhabited territory—but because it served as a symbol of what many Central Asians fear is a slow, steady takeover of their countries. READ MORE

Kosovo symbol dispute shows limit of EU deal

By Jeton Zulfaj

The inconvenient truth that the EU-mediated negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia will not lead to genuine reconciliation is coming to light. READ MORE

Croatia‘s membership in the EU: more doubts than guarantees

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By Inga Popovaitė

On 1 July Croatia has become the 28th member of the EU. Will this membership bring joy and happiness? And was it worth the effort?   READ MORE

A small problem in Germany

By Theodoros Benakis

The view in many parts of Brussels is that the future of Europe, at least for the next few years, will not be decided by the ever more unpopular elections for the European parliament in 2014, but by the German electorate on 22 September. READ MORE

Russia threatens Moldova over its EU relations

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has warned Moldova that signing an association agreement with the European Union would have “serious consequences” for the country’s future, echoing similar threats levelled at Ukraine. READ MORE

Kazakhstan and China will jointly fight against «three evils»

Nursultan Nazarbayev commented on China's strategy for Central Asia which was voiced by President of China Xi Jinping in Akorda. READ MORE

Baltic sea region promoted as new model

The Baltic Development Forum Summit meets every year, bringing representatives from all the nations bordering the sea together for talks ranging from economic development, environmental protection, to security concerns. This year the Forum met in Riga, attended by regional politicians, businesspeople, educators and scientists. The Baltic Sea countries have seen their status grow during these years of global crisis, as they’ve weathered it rather well, and are beginning to believe that they may have an economic model the rest of the world can benefit from. With this in mind, the approximately 600 participants congregated to discuss ‘new realities and new opportunities’ to enhance competitiveness, investment and business development in the region. READ MORE

United States considers Baltics equal strategic cooperation partners

During the Baltic presidents' meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington on Friday, the Baltic presidents were affirmed that the United States and the Baltic countries were equal partners in strategic cooperation, as the Latvian President's Press Office informed LETA. READ MORE

Azerbaijan and Russia: Prospects for energy cooperation

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By Emil Ismailov

A new stage of relations READ MORE

SECOND ACT ABLIYAZOV SHOW IS EXPECTED IN SEPTEMBER

In the fifth republic of media attention is still focused on the fugitive oligarch Mukhtar Ablyazov from Asia, accused in several high-profile crimes. READ MORE

IN VISBY, NORDIC AND BALTIC FOREIGN MINISTERS ISSUE JOINT STATEMENTS ON THE EU EASTERN PARTNERSHIP AND THE SITUATION IN SYRIA

At the Nordic Baltic Eight (NB8) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Visby today, the Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers expressed support for the Eastern Partnership countries and concern over the Syrian crisis. READ MORE

Russia Leans on Its Neighbors

By Stephen Blank

You may have missed it, but on Aug. 14 Russia fired an economic shot across the bow of Ukraine. On that day, Russia’s customs office ordered intensive checks on all Ukrainian goods entering Russia, effectively imposing a de facto ban. This could have ended up costing Ukraine as much as $2.5 billion in lost trade by the end of the year. READ MORE

Putin Pivots Away From U.S. and Toward the East

By Anton Barbashin

The U.S. should seriously consider how to build a new relationship with Russia. After the episode with former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden and the postponement of the bilateral summit, Washington should take a sober look at the facts. Was the Snowden episode unique and did it change the overall logic of recent U.S.-Russian relations? Has the "reset" succeeded in ridding those relations of Cold War-era stereotypes and approaches? READ MORE

Juozas Olekas : Closer defence cooperation in Europe is a natural and inevitable process which strengthens NATO

Exclusive interview of the Minister of National Defence Republic of Lithuania Mr. Juozas Olekas. READ MORE

Opinion: the rise of China and the inevitable decline of the US

By Chas W. Freeman Jr.

China is on the rise. Its GDP will soon exceed that of the United States, and it aspires to be acknowledged as a great world power. It is flexing its military muscle in ways that challenge the effective hegemony America has exercised in the Western Pacific region since the end of the Second World War. READ MORE