The Alliance of Civilizations Forum: A Major Test for Turkish Diplomacy
On April 6-7, Istanbul hosted the second United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) forum, co-chaired by Turkey and Spain under the auspices of the UN to foster international dialogue and cooperation. The forum was attended by five heads of state, 26 foreign ministers, 11 ministers and high-level officials from 12 international and regional organizations, providing an opportunity for Ankara to discuss bilateral relations with its neighbors and showcase Turkey's growing international profile . READ MORE
Azerbaijan-Ukraine relations developing dynamically: Azerbaijani president
The first meeting of Azerbaijani and Ukrainian Presidents Council was held in Azerbaijan.
At the meeting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that the official visit of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko to Baku would develop and enhance friendship relations between two countries. READ MORE
Martynau: “Essentially our attitude to Eastern Partnership initiative is positive”
Belarusian Foreign Minister Syarhei Martynau stated that Belarus finds it important that the Eastern Partnership program offered by the European Union provides for equal partnership.
“Essentially Belarus has a positive attitude to the Eastern Partnership initiative. It is important that the Eastern Partnership is oriented to equal partnership,” stressed the head of the Foreign Ministry in Minskafter his meeting with the visiting prime minister of Germany's federal state of Brandenburg, Matthias Platzek. READ MORE
Moldova eyewitness: Troublemakers marred protests
Those who went on the rampage in the centre of the capital of Moldova yesterday (7 April) were troublemakers, Julien Danero, a Belgian researcher at the Free University of Brussels (ULB), told EurActiv in a telephone interview from Chisinau.
Belgian researcher Julien Danero is in Chisinau for political research commissioned by the think-tank 'Centre d’études de la vie politique'. READ MORE
Alternative Gas Suppliers Face Overproduction in Russia
Russia's independent natural gas producers (IGPs) account for a growing share of domestic output, but they are now facing turbulent times amid the global financial crisis and the subsequent domestic economic downturn, as well as problems with sales and gas transit. The role of independent gas producers in Russia has increased over the past decade. Novatek and others have begun contributing significant volumes to the domestic market. In addition to the gas monopoly Gazprom, some 30 Russian companies produce more than 10 million cubic meters (mcm) a year. READ MORE
