Lessons from Prague: How the Czech Republic Has Enhanced Its Energy Security
With regard to energy security in the European Union, it has become common knowledge that there are still two Europes. The security of energy is dividing the continent broadly along what used to be the Iron Curtain. The Western part has both effective and poorly functioning energy markets, but generally a fairly well balanced energy mix. In contrast, the Eastern part is almost the opposite; the region has accumulated and continues to confront many challenges. READ MORE
Summit Sees Sarkozy, Barroso Clash In Bitter Roma Row
A one-day summit held 16 September will be remembered for a dramatic clash between Nicolas Sarkozy and José Manuel Barroso over the expulsions of Roma by France. In an institutional crisis that is still ongoing, the French president spoke of an "insult" to his nation, while the European Commission tried to show a new, more courageous face. READ MORE
Energy Companies Bet On Nuclear Power To Recoup Investments
With Berlin scheduled to unveil a new energy concept, power companies have been lobbying for the extended use of their nuclear plants, if only for 10 to 15 more years. They could recoup their investments and then some. READ MORE
NATO Takes Aim At Energy
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
EU Convinces Serbia To Water Down UN Resolution Draft
Serbia has agreed to water down its controversial resolution on Kosovo due to be presented at the United Nation's General Assembly on Thursday. The European Union's top diplomat welcomed the decision. READ MORE
Ukraine's president faces straight talk in Berlin
Chancellor Angela Merkel used a visit to Berlin by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday to raise concerns about press freedoms in his country. Yanukovych was hoping to drum up German investment in Ukraine. READ MORE
Merkel eyes an extra decade of nuclear power
Chancellor Angela Merkel has weighed in on Germany's ongoing nuclear energy debate, saying the country needs to run its nuclear energy plants for at least 10 more years to keep energy costs down and ensure demand is met. READ MORE
Gazprom’s Anti-Nabucco Campaign Misses German Targets
Gazprom’s proposal for German RWE to join Gazprom’s South Stream project, has fallen flat at both the corporate and the political levels in Germany. The proposal clearly aimed to disrupt the European Union-backed Nabucco project, where RWE is a key stakeholder, developing offshore gas in Turkmenistan and a cross-Caspian transport solution. The German-language business press has assessed Gazprom’s move as an unprecedented escalation of effort and “new stage in information warfare aimed at weakening Nabucco”. READ MORE
Germany’s Westerwelle says Turkey’s direction is Europe
Germany reiterated its position on Wednesday that it wants Turkey to be bound to Europe but added that it is not yet ready for EU membership. “Turkey's direction is Europe. We place great importance on deepening mutual ties and binding Turkey to Europe,” German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told a joint news conference after breakfast with his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoğlu, in İstanbul. READ MORE
Trade a key issue in Merkel's visit to Kazakhstan
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has met with President Nursultan Nasarbeyev of Kazakhstan to discuss trade and investment. The visit draws her five-day tour of Asia to a close. READ MORE
