Who Has Benefitted from the Failure of the Referendum in Moldova?
Moldova should have held a Constitutional Referendum on the procedure of Presidential Elections. However due to extremely low voter turnout (less than 30% of voters came) the plebiscite was announced as failed. Already in few weeks Moldavian Parliament will be released and on November 21st the country will hold the third early Parliamentary Elections. READ MORE
Secretary General Previews Preparations For Lisbon Summit
On 15 September, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen outlined NATO's priorities ahead of the November summit of Heads of State and Government in Lisbon. Addressing the media at NATO Headquarters, Mr Fogh Rasmussen stated that securing an agreement at Lisbon on a new Strategic Concept for NATO was a key priority. READ MORE
Project with Unclear Fate
The question on the fate of the “South Stream” pipeline remains one of the key ones for Russian policy within the gas sphere. The alternative European “Nabucco” project remains its competitor; the issue, which pipeline will be constructed, can be solved already by the end of this year (the beginning of the accomplishment of one project can make another one unclaimed). At the moment the organizers of the both projects hold tensed negotiations with the Parties involved. In case of the “South Stream” we are talking about transit states, among which Bulgaria is the one which is potentially able to play the kind of role not only for Russia-Italian project, but also for the “Nabucco”. READ MORE
Kyrgyzstan Prepares To Hold Parliamentary Elections After Turbulent Events
As the official campaign season kicked off for national Kyrgyz elections on September 10, 29 parties were officially in the running for seats in the country's parliament. READ MORE
Europe And The Rising Powers
The world’s center of gravity is heading eastward so fast that we Europeans can almost feel the ground moving beneath our feet. Because almost all major actors on the international stage are redefining their roles in response to this tectonic shift, Europe must do the same. So it is right that the EU Council of Ministers is meeting to grapple with this challenge. READ MORE
Trend Commentator: Europe Wastes Time And Gas
Azerbaijan has always been famous for its oil industry. In the last four years, it has been strengthening its position in gas exports. Azerbaijan's gas exports are as important as its oil and oil products. Proof of this can be seen in the recent signing of extentions to the contract for Azerbaijani gas supplies to Russia. They involve a doubling of fuel supply up to two billion cubic meters in 2011 and a further increase in 2012. READ MORE
