Obama visit: Why U.S. now needs Germany more than ever
U.S. President John F. Kennedy's "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech delivered 50 years ago was well received by more than 100,000 Germans hopeful for America's steadfast support as Berlin came to symbolize one of the Cold War's main battlegrounds. As presidential candidate in the summer of 2008, Barack Obama had nearly twice that number of optimistic onlookers at Berlin's Victory Column who eagerly anticipated a new American outlook on questions ranging from climate change to nuclear disarmament. READ MORE
Prime minister: Lithuanians have ‘little interest’ in their country’s EU presidency
Despite a high rate of approval for the European project, Lithuanians appear to have little interest in the country’s first stint at leading the rotating presidency of the EU, starting 1 July, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius told READ MORE
Kazakh president and British PM to discuss oil and gas sector
On June 30, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron is going to pay to Kazakhstan an official visit during which ti is planned to discuss the oil and gas sector, official representative of the central communications service under the President of Kazakhstan Altay Abibullayev said at a press briefing on Monday. READ MORE
US, European Union to Start New Trade Pact Talks
The United States and European Union say they are starting talks on a new trans-Atlantic free trade agreement. READ MORE
Kazakh economy: course aimed at diversification
According to the presidential decree, Kazakhstan began its transition to a "green economy" since the beginning of summer. According to the accepted concept, the country set a target to increase the share of alternative and renewable energy sources to 30 percent by 2030 and to 50 percent by 2050. Earlier, it was mentioned about the desire to develop the country's renewable energy sources. "Future energy" has been declared as the theme of "EXPO-2017" international exhibition. According to the topic, President Nazarbayev ordered to provide the "EXPO-2017" facilities with power at the expense of alternative energy sources. READ MORE
Lithuania and Slovakia aim for economically and politically strong Europe
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė, currently on a working visit to Slovakia, met with Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič. The meeting focused on priorities of the upcoming Lithuanian EU presidency, prospects for bilateral cooperation, and energy security issues. READ MORE
Russian-Chinese Energy Competition in Central Asia
The strategic importance of Central Asia and its vast energy resources draw a lot of external interest to it. Russia traditionally has been the strongest outside player in in the region. But now China’s active involvement in energy sector of Central Asia is quickly increasing its influence and challenging Russia’s position in the region. In this interview Dr. Robert M. Cutler, Senior Research Fellow in the Institute of European, Russian & Eurasian Studies at Carleton University discusses the issues of China-Russia competition and cooperation in the context of energy security in Central Asia. READ MORE
Arctic Norwegian town looks north to Barents Sea oil and gas
As both Norway and Russia race to extract potentially vast amounts of energy from the Barents Sea, a small Norwegian town in the high Arctic could become the hub for a new era of oil and gas exploration. READ MORE
LITHUANIAN PRESIDENCY APPROACHING: INSTITUTIONAL COOPERATION IS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE COMMON EU GOALS
Lithuanian foreign affairs vice-minister Vytautas Leškevičius, while presenting the principal goals of the Lithuanian Presidency of the European Union (EU) Council in the Conference of Committee Chairs of the European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg, stressed the importance of the cooperation of the EU institutions. READ MORE
