Croatia's membership of the European Union was delayed and the country was forced to be particularly tough on corruption because many in the EU believed Bulgaria and Romania's accession in 2007 was premature, argues Croatian journalist Augustin Palokaj. He provides an overview of the past, present and future of Croatia's EU journey. READ MORE

Russia is the only major trading nation that has not yet joined the World Trade Organization — even after years of negotiations with the United States and other member states. This could finally change, however, if the Obama administration can resolve long-troublesome concerns. READ MORE

At the European Union’s General Affairs Council meeting in the evening of 18 July in Brussels, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis drew the attention of other EU foreign ministers to the actions of the Austrian authorities, as they hastily released former KGB officer Mikhail Golovatov. READ MORE

Russia wishes to pipe the third gas line along the bottom of Baltic Sea. READ MORE

The information Internet portal Zakon.kz  held an online-conference with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Karim Masimov. READ MORE

MEP Vytautas Landsbergis considers that with respect to the decision of Austria to release Mikhail Golovatov, suspected in participation in the events of January i13th in Vilnius, they should address the European institutions urgently. READ MORE

Poland wants to draw up a new 'contract' for the EU that would highlight the benefits of EU membership and redefine the joint responsibilities of member states, says Paweł Świeboda in an exclusive interview with EurActiv Poland. READ MORE

Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani said the relations between Azerbaijan and Iran are at a very high level. READ MORE

Norwegian businessmen are mostly satisfied with the work of Estonian business managers and the country's low-cost industrial potential, LETA/BBN reports referring to Aripaev. READ MORE

A top Ukrainian diplomat has said his country will keep a close eye on Turkey as the country moves from a constitutional overhaul to the European integration process, stressing both countries can learn a lot from each other. READ MORE