Why Does Ukraine Matter to the EU?
Some adults turn their noses up at the question of “why,” believing it to be childish. And when it comes to the EU’s foreign policy, especially in its Eastern neighborhood, the question is considered simply inappropriate. That the EU will engage with its Eastern neighbors is just a given today. Take Ukraine. The EU has made a significant political investment in Kyiv over the years but has not given much thought to why Ukraine matters. READ MORE
First nuclear power plants may be built in Balkhash and East-Kazakhstan oblast
Balkhash, Aktau and Kurchatov (East-Kazakhstan oblast) are being considered as likely locations for construction of nuclear plants in Kazakhstan, Tengrinews.kz reports citing Kazakhstan National Nuclear Center. READ MORE
North Africa Instability Affects European Energy Security
The North African region has played a decisive role over the past few years in shaping global political agendas. It is the birthplace of the Arab Spring (Tunisia) and the region often most affected by Islamist terrorist groups in the wider MENA area. Terrorism impacts the energy security of the European Union, and has the potential to become a source of significant instability in the near future. READ MORE
Energy efficiency to become main trend of Kazakhstan’s energy strategy
Energy efficiency should become the main trend of Kazakhstan's Energy Strategy being developed by our association, the chairman of the KAZENERGY Association Timur Kulibayev said at a meeting with representatives of national companies, interested ministries and foreign experts. READ MORE
EU rings the alarm bell for France, Italy, Spain and Slovenia
The European Commission has warned of deepening economic problems in France, Italy and Spain, and said Slovenia must take urgent steps to offset the risk of a wider destabilisation across the eurozone. READ MORE
South Stream shapes European Energy Security, Nabucco Falls Behind EU-, US-backed Nabucco gasline project trails Russia's South Stream
The Eastern Europe unanimously placed its bet on the South Stream. Plain fact is that the new Europeans chose to protect their national interests in spite of all temptations and threats from Brussels and Washington. Now the South Stream business blueprint is complete and it is entering construction stage. By the end of 2018 the pipeline is planned to reach a transport capacity of 63 billion cubic meters per year – enough gigajoules to supply energy needs of 38 million households. What has encouraged the pro-South Stream choice of Eastern European political elites presuming their frosty relations with Russia? Why did they not resort to broadly advertised alternatives? READ MORE
Revamping Euro-Atlantic Security
Security policies in the Euro-Atlantic region — an area that includes six of the world’s 10 largest economies, four of the five declared nuclear weapon states, and more than 95 percent of global nuclear inventories — are dangerously out of date and demand urgent attention. With a new approach that is grounded in today’s opportunities and challenges, the European community, Russia and the United States can chart a more secure path for their people and the world and avoid the risks and costs of a new downward spiral in relations between states. READ MORE
G8: Strong words for North Korea
G8 foreign ministers struggled in vain to agree on a united approach to the bloody conflict in Syria. The talks in London did, however, achieve consensus regarding the situation on the Korean peninsula.
IMF warns of potential financial risks of loose monetary policy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday warned central banks to be alert to the potential financial risks of super-loose monetary policy adopted to cope with the financial crisis. READ MORE
Asian countries can unite against protectionism through Boao Forum
The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference 2013 closes Monday. The theme of this year's BFA is "Asia Seeking Development for All: Restructuring, Responsibility and Cooperation." Given that economic recovery was not steady in 2012 and the outlook in 2013 is still not optimistic, all Asian countries have to search for common interests, transcend differences and seek common development. READ MORE
