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Energy security

Project with Unclear Fate

By Alexey Makarkin

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

Trend Commentator: Europe Wastes Time And Gas

By Seymur Aliyev

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

European Commission To Probe Russia-Poland Gas Deal

The European Commission will study a Russian-Polish gas deal to make sure it complies with European Union legislation, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on following a meeting with Poland's President Bronislaw Komorowski. READ MORE

Ukraine May Give Russia Joint Control of Pipe to Cut Gas Prices

By Daryna Krasnolutska and Kateryna Choursina

Ukraine is willing to give Russia joint control of a pipeline to southeastern Europe in exchange for access to natural gas supplies, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said as the countries negotiate a gas venture. READ MORE

A Strategy Towards Europe’s Contested Neighborhood

The Rīga Conference 2010 opened on 10 September for two day invigorating security and foreign policy debate. The conference aims to kick-off high level international discussions on foreign and security policy issues before entering the intensive policy making season in the fall of 2010. The conference has become the most significant gathering of some of the most respected world thinkers, academics, commentators, journalists, and politicians, providing a platform for a broad intellectual exchange on the current Transatlantic agenda. READ MORE

Ahmadinejad Encroaches On Supreme Leader's Foreign-Policy Turf

By Golnaz Esfandiari

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's appointments of special envoys for foreign affairs is seen as a direct challenge to the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. READ MORE

NATO Takes Aim At Energy

By Dr. Arūnas Molis

When during the meetings in Strasbourg and Kiel (in April 2009) the leaders of NATO decided to start discussions on a new strategic concept of NATO, nobody expected easy agreements. Nevertheless all the countries of the Alliance agreed that the key goal of NATO should be the establishment of the secure political environment. To this end the Alliance shall elaborate effective measures for the elimination of threats. READ MORE

Dalia Grybauskaitė And Her Baltic And Polish Counterparts To Discuss Ways To Promote Regional Partnership, In Riga

On Friday, September 10, President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė goes for a one-day working visit to Riga to attend a meeting of the Presidents of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and to make an address at an annual security conference in the capital of Latvia. This time, the traditional meeting of the heads of the three Baltic States will also be attended by the new President of Poland, Bronislaw Komorowski. READ MORE

Global Warming To Boost Economic Power Of Cities In The 'New North' Which Can Unlock Natural Resources

By Niall Firth

Global warming will make cities in northern countries like Canada and Scandinavia the next big global economic powers, a senior academic has predicted. READ MORE

The Black Sea Need Not Be a Black Spot

By Denis Corboy, William Courtney, and Kenneth Yalowitz

The Black Sea is a cradle of civilization, trade and cultures, but today it is also a region of unresolved conflicts, porous borders and rivalries. READ MORE