Europe
Ukrainian-Russian relations clear, long-term,
partnership and strategic
more President
of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych is sure he will be able to find
consensus with Russian side on all problems in gas trade, he
said in the interview to Russian TV...
NATO, the Mediterranean and the broader Middle
East region
more Speech
by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the NATO-Jordan
Public Diplomacy Conference: The Mediterranean Dialogue was established
15 years ago...
Ukrainian President Yanukovych
wants to change the situation for the better more During
his visit to Brussels, the European capital, President of Ukraine
Viktor Yanukovych gave an exclusive interview to BBC Ukrainian
service the first detailed interview...
Crisis management is a must despite difficulty,
Finnish FM told
more Comprehensive
crisis management is today an agreed concept. We have learned
our lessons from the Balkans, from Afghanistan and from every
modern crisis management...
EU-Morroco at an unprecedented and decisive
meeting
more From
6 to 7 March 2010 the European Union and Morocco will hold a
pioneering summit in Granada, which will be the first between
the two entities; the Spanish Presidency hopes...
EU supports Turkmenistan's energy strategy
more The
European Union supports the reformist policies of Turkmenistan,
said the EU special representative for Central Asia, Pierre Morel,
during a meeting with Turkmen...
The Spanish Presidency views Turkey's entry
into the EU as a positive move
more Spain's
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, advocated
the possibility of Turkey joining the EU in the future, claiming
that it's membership of the EU..
The EU Competitiveness Council focused on the
2020 Strategy
more The
Competitiveness Council held in Brussels dealt “essentially” with
the 2020 Strategy from the perspective of the Internal Market
according to the Spanish Secretary of State...
Ukraine is in a very difficult situation,
President Yanukovych
declared more Viktor
Yanukovych, the opposition leader who won Ukraine's recent election,
has just been inaugurated as the country's new president. He
took the oath of office in the Verkhovna Rada...
EU to expand Operation Atalanta against
piracy in the Indian Ocean
more The
ministers of defence of the European Union agreed on Wednesday
to expand the objectives of Operation Atalanta to include control
of Somali ports where pirate ships are...
EU-Latin American countries held intense trade talks
more Representatives
from seven Latin American countries, grouped into two blocs -
Central American and Andean - have been discussing various trade
agreements with the EU since...
U.S.-EU Passenger Name
Record (PNR) agreement reviewed
more The
U.S.-EU PNR agreement sets forth commitments for the processing
and transfer of PNR for flights between EU Member States and
the United States. The agreement includes...
Belarus, Moldova sign
agreement on economic cooperation in 2010-2013
more Belarus
and Moldova are interested in expansion of the trade and economic
cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Ivan Bambiza noted
during the opening of...
Spanish FM Moratinos
urged EU to improve relations with Cuba
more Spanish
Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said on Monday in Madrid
that the European Union’s policy toward Cuba is “hardly
satisfactory” and urged this regional...
Yushchenko urges Yanukovych to work
on consolidation of Ukraine
more President
Yushchenko is assured that the new President of Ukraine should
focus on consolidation of Ukraine, he said today at a press conference
held at the Presidential...
Greece has one month to show first
results of adjustment program
more The
16 countries of the Eurozone have set Greece a one-month deadline
to show the first results of its public finances plan. If the
situation is not satisfactory "additional...
Ministerial Meeting for EU-Brazilian
Political Dialogue
more The
Ministerial Meeting for Political Dialogue between the European
Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil will be held today
at Viana Palace in Madrid. The meeting will be...
Interview Ukraine
after the Presidential Elections
more Donetsk-based
Political Science Ass. Prof. Kirill Cherkashin answered our questions
following the election of Viktor Yanukovych as President of Ukraine.
The possibility of court...
EU discussed on economic situation
and Greece
more The
European Council president has called this extraordinary meeting
to allow the twenty-seven member states to analyse their economic
plans for the coming years. All euro area...
Karabakh was never a part of independent
Azerbaijan, Sargsyan declared
more Sargsyan:
The newest history of Europe is one of overcoming differences
through cooperation. Armenia has always been a proponent of this
approach. It lies at the heart...
European security has been seriously
weakened, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov told
more The
dramatic changes in the world over the past twenty years could
not but influence the international agenda. We are now faced
with the question of its transformation and change. The...
Azerbaijan President
met with Turkish FM in Munich
more President
of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today met here Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. During the meeting, they praised the
level of political relations between the two...
Spanish FM Moratinos
set out priorities of EU Spanish Presidency
more At
the start of his speech, the Spanish minister pointed out that,
with the Treaty of Lisbon coming into force, the single spokesperson
for the Commission on foreign affairs is...
British Minister for Europe delivers
keynote speech at LSE
more In
a speech to be delivered at the LSE on 4 February, Minister for
Europe Chris Bryant will argue that Britain, with the support
of the EU, should adopt a more ambitious approach...
Priorities of the French Presidency
of the United Nations Security Council
more Within
the framework of its presidency of the United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) from February 1 to 28, France will focus on peacekeeping
and the fight against transnational threats...
Turkmen leader Berdimuhamedov
met counterpart Sarkozy in Paris
more President
of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the
French Republic Nicolas Sarkozy met at the Elysee Palace on 1
February. The meeting was attended..
U.S. Secretary Clinton met with French counterpart Kouchner
more The
work on Iran is (inaudible) greater intensity and France’s
leadership is especially important. The international community
is united in its resolve regarding Iran’s...
MEPs debated NATO's future role with Madeleine Albright
more EU-NATO
co-operation, the new international security environment, NATO's
relations with Russia and "open door" policy, and the
importance of winning public support when...
The major international
security challenges in 2010: Italy's role and vision
more Italian
FM Frattini: Afghanistan: for a civil surge – I shall begin
by commenting briefly on Afghanistan, an issue you are well familiar
with. As you know, Italy reacted positively and...
Northern Kosovo remains a flashpoint of tensions, top UN envoy
warns
more Northern
Kosovo remains a flashpoint amid continuing tensions between
Kosovo Serb and Kosovo Albanian communities there despite a greater
understanding over reconstruction...
EU, U.S. seek greater coordination
in the fight against terrorism
more The
informal meeting of Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs of
the EU (JHA) that begins today in Toledo will devote most of
the first day to analysing, jointly with the United States...
Spain wants immediate application
of the Copenhagen Agreement
more The
Spanish Minister of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs,
Elena Espinosa believes it is important that the Spanish Presidency
of the EU, during its six month's term, works...
Belarus hopes for better EU export
terms
more Belarus
hopes the terms of export to the European Union will improve,
said Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky as he met with
Poland Vice Premier, Economy Minister...
Cyprus and Israel sign agreement on
commercial shipping
more Cyprus
and Israel have signed a bilateral agreement for cooperation
in the sector of commercial shipping. The agreement was signed
yesterday, in Nicosia, by the Minister of Communications...
Serbia still wants to rule over Kosovo, Sejdiu declared
more Sejdiu:
Despite the incredible efforts to achieve a resolution through
discussions, this simply was impossible, because in the many
meetings for over two years in Vienna, where the discussions...
Turkey has not changed
its stance on Cyprus problem
more The
President of the Republic Demetris Christofias assured that he
would continue to do everything in his power to deal with the
economic crisis for a better and more just society and to...
Germany and Turkey to intensify cooperation
more Federal
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle wants to further intensify
relations with Turkey. During his inaugural visit to Ankara,
Westerwelle spoke of a strategic dialogue between...
Spain has "clear
pro-European vocation"
more In
the article, the full application of the Treaty of Lisbon is
singled out as the Spanish Presidency's top priority, in order
to make progress with coordinating national economic policies...
Cyprus protested over
national airspace violations by Turkish military aircraft
more The
Republic of Cyprus’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Ambassador Minas Hadjimichael sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General
on 18 December 2009 protesting...
Ukrainian President sure democratic forces should unite in
2010 election
more President
Victor Yushchenko is sure that democratic forces of Ukraine should
unite in 2010 Presidential election, he said at the meeting with
media of western regions. According to him consolidation...
Visit of European Parliament delegation
to Tehran postponed
more Foreign
Ministry spokesman said Monday the visit of a delegation from
European Parliament to Iran is postponed. Ramin Mihman-Parast
said the date of the European Parliament's visit will be set...
Vigilance key to tackling terrorist
threat, British PM declared
more The
Prime Minister has said the UK must never be complacent about
the threat of terrorism following the failed terror plot on a
US-bound flight on Christmas day. The UK will examine a range
of...
It is official, Serbia applies for
EU membership
more This
afternoon, Serbia submitted a formal application for membership
of the EU. Serbian President Boris Tadic handed his country’s
application for EU membership to Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik...
BBC4 introduced the new art of diplomacy
along with the FCO
more The
Foreign Office has been the subject of a two part documentary
series, presented by James Naughtie, for BBC Radio 4. The documentary
looked at the work of the FCO in London and abroad...
The Role of Baltic
Sea Strategy, Northern Dimension and Russia
more I
would like to start by congratulating STETE on organising this
kick-off seminar for the St. Petersburg project and for choosing
a very timely topic for today’s discussion. The theme of
this seminar, the role of...
Azerbaijan President
Aliyev met OSCE Minsk Group officials
more President
of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today received Co-Chairs of the
OSCE Minsk Group – Ambassadors Robert Bradtke of the United
States, Bernard Fassier of France and Yury Merzlyakov of Russia – as
well as...
British and French leaders agree to set up a one-off tax in
relation to bonuses
more Europe
led the way last year in facing down the global financial crisis,
restructuring our banking system and strengthening the global
financial system. The European Union was also at the forefront
in calling for a...
Strengthening the Transatlantic Economy:
Moving Beyond the Crisis
more The
U.S.-European economic relationship is one of the central drivers
of the world economy. To put it in perspective, the value of
U.S. goods and services exports to the EU is over five times
the value of our exports to...
Ukrainian-Russian gas trade agreements
should be renegotiated
more President
Victor Yushchenko took part in a talk show at Sumy Regional State
TV. During the program the President made comments on the budgetary
process, Ukrainian-Russian relations in energy sector, the need...
Turkmenistan and European
Union discussed prospects for partnership
more Following
the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, which is designed
to lay the foundations for the functioning of the EU in the coming
years, cooperation between Turkmenistan and the EU will successfully
continue...
U.S. Treasury's Sobel's remarks to
9th Annual Parliamentary Transatlantic Forum
more Sobel:
Over the past day, you have heard from leading experts on the
critical regional challenges facing the United States. I would
like to discuss an equally important global challenge--promoting
economic growth...
U.S. Assistant Secretary Philip Gordon
spoke about current U.S. - European Relations
more Gordon:
I’d like to start with the issue of general US engagement
and the relationship with Europe. Some are recently asking the
question whether the global challenges that the United States
faces around the world -- Iran...
EU concerned over lack of progress
in Middle East peace process
more The
General Affairs Council today discussed and adopted conclusions
on the countries involved in the EU's enlargement. At the Foreign
Affairs Council, ministers sent a clear signal about the need
for the parties to...
Progress in the process
of settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh issue
more As
a result of five party meeting a joint statement was adopted,
in which the sides express their satisfaction with the progress
reached during the meetings of Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan,
which became more...
First Statement of Catherine Ashton as EU High Representative
more The
Lisbon Treaty has now entered into force, and I was delighted
to be able to join some Parliamentarians here yesterday to mark
this momentous occasion. The Treaty gives us new possibilities
and new opportunities...
Foreign Affairs Ministers to discuss key NATO issues in Brussels
more Allied
Foreign Ministers will gather for official talks at NATO’s Headquarters
in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, 3 and 4 December 2009, to
discuss a broad range of issues on NATO’s agenda. Topics will
include...
Yushchenko: 2010 Presidential election
in Ukraine will be democratic and transparent
more President
Victor Yushchenko is convinced that the January 2010 presidential
election in Ukraine will be transparent, fair and democratic,
he said in today's interview with international news channel "France
24". "I have...
U.S. and EU should be more engaged
in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement
more “US
and EU should be more engaged in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement”,
told analyst of Swedish Institute of International Affairs. He
pointed out that, there is a belief that key countries, like
Russia or United States play...
Albanian FM Meta visited
Kosovo which he said has a European perspective
more During
the meeting, President Sejdiu thanked Mr. Meta for the strong
support that Republic of Albania has, is and will provide to
Kosovo and for Minister Meta’s unwavering commitment of
supporting Kosovo in major processes of...
Top posts filled at the European Union
with President Van Rompuy
more The
names of the individuals appointed to the three top posts discussed
at the informal summit between the EU’s heads of state
and government, were presented. Herman Van Rompuy was appointed
permanent President of the European Council...
Russian President Medvedev
took part in the 24th EU-Russia summit
more The
summit discussed current international political issues and Russia’s
cooperation with European countries as part of broad-ranging
dialogue in the political, trade and economic, and humanitarian
spheres. Major energy projects, energy cooperation...
British PM Gordon Brown’s annual speech on Foreign Policy
(2009)
more The
Prime Minister has delivered his annual speech on foreign policy.
These are the four great issues of our time, and what they have
in common is that - global in nature - they require global solutions.
None can be answered by one country or...
Spain: managing the transition to a new Europe
more Minister
for Europe, Chris Bryant, will be visiting Madrid this week for
a series of meetings covering key items on the European agenda
including Spain's forthcoming presidency of the EU. Chris Bryant
will be spending time with his Spanish counterpart, Diego López
Garrido, to discuss a range of bilateral...
The global change we need: Campaigning Diplomacy
more Foreign
Secretary David Milliband spoke to the Fabian Society on the
challenge of engaging citizens on foreign policy issues. This
is a conference about the lessons of the Obama campaign and the
first year of the Obama Administration. I want to look at foreign
policy, but not at a particular issue, theory or policy...
EU and Turkey's cooperation on curbing irregular immigration
more The
October 2009 European Council has welcomed the beginning of the
reinforced dialogue on migration with Turkey and called for concrete
steps to be rapidly taken, in particular as regards readmission
and border control. Today, the EU and Turkey have agreed to intensify
their cooperation to meet the common...
Indian official gave insight into the upcoming EU–India
summit
more With
a population of 1.1 billion, India is one of the largest nations
in the world and the world’s largest democracy. With a
rapidly growing economy, an awareness of climate change and the
challenges of global warming, and as an important player in the
region, India is a major cooperation partner for...
2009 United States-European Union Joint Declaration and Annexes
more We,
the leaders of the United States and the European Union, met
in Washington to renew our global partnership, and to set a course
for enhanced cooperation that will address bilateral, regional
and global challenges based on our shared values of freedom,
democracy, respect for international law, human...
The Franco-German friendship is close to our hearts
more If
Germany and France pull in one direction, it is an important
contribution to the European process. This was underlined by
Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and his French counterpart
Bernard Kouchner in Paris. After his inaugural visit in The Hague
on Monday morning, the French capital provided the...
Strong Britain in a strong Europe, speech by British FM Miliband
more David
Miliband delivered a speech at the IISS arguing that it's in
the British national interest for the EU to develop a strong
foreign policy: My case today is a simple one. It is that it
is very strongly in the British national interest for the EU
to develop a strong foreign policy; that to be frightened of
European foreign policy is...
German Chancellor Angela Merkel reelected in the first round
more Chancellor
Angela Merkel has taken the oath of office in the German Bundestag
in Berlin. This morning she was reelected Chancellor in the first
round of voting. Of 612 valid votes, 323 were for and 285 against
with four abstentions. After the vote, the Federal President
Horst Köhler presented the Chancellor with her certificate
of...
European Union's Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
more On
26 October 2009, the EU countries agreed to adopt a common strategy
for the Baltic Sea region. Sweden’s Minister for EU Affairs
Cecilia Malmström is delighted with the decision, and thinks
that it will be of crucial significance for the region’s
environment, prosperity and competitiveness in the future. This
is one of the Swedish Presidency’s...
Ukraine plans to sign agreement with Russia on Black Sea Fleet
more The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing an agreement to be signed
by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Russian Government
on cooperation in inspecting areas where the Russian Black Sea
Fleet is stationed in Ukraine. "A meeting will take place
on October 28-29 in Kyiv between Ukrainian and Russian experts...
Speech by Albanian DFM Ilir Meta at the Foreign Policy Forum
more Albania
has gained a new status and role in international relations,
as a logical outcome of the growing partnership with all the
structures of regional and global security, following NATO membership
in April of this year. We are in an important and constructive
process with the European Union after the entry into force on
1 April...
Azerbaijan's occupied territories our own lands, Turkish FM
said
more "We
consider Azerbaijan`s occupied territories our own lands and
will continue our struggle to liberate them”, Turkish Minister
of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu told journalists here. He
noted “Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity is as much important
as our own for us”, adding “this is the key principle
of Turkey`s foreign policy”. Davutoglu...
Russian DFM Grigory Karasin on Black Sea Fleet-related Issues
more Question:
How are negotiations on the future of the Black Sea Fleet in
Ukraine going? Karasin: In a normal mode. Experts of the two
countries are meeting, and the working groups are holding sessions.
June 2009 saw the seventh meeting of the Russian-Ukrainian State
Commission’s Sub-Commission on the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s...
America Central Europe and a Partnership for the 21st Century
more Remarks
by U.S. Vice President Biden: Ladies and gentlemen, it's an honor
to be back in Romania. This is not my first trip, nor God-willing,
will it be my last. And it's great to be back in Central Europe
to help mark an extraordinary season of change. Twenty years
ago, the world watched in awe and admiration as the men and women...
Russian PM Vladimir Putin met with German business leaders
more Transcript
of the beginning of the meeting. Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon,
friends, colleagues. Our meetings have become a tradition - over
the past few years we have been meeting in this format - a bit
smaller or larger group - nearly every year. These meetings are
usually attended by the top executives of the leading German...
President Christofias: Turkey must normalise her relations
with Cyprus
more - Remarks
by Special Adviser of the Secretary-General Alexander Downer Turkey
is constantly demanding the lifting of the so-called isolation
of Turkish Cypriots, something that has nothing to do with
that country’s EU accession course or with EU decisions,
said the President of the Republic Mr Demetris Christofias.
According to the Cyprus News...
“We will not change our position whatever happens”,
Turkish FM
more “Our
government and people do not make difference between the Turkish
and Azerbaijani flags. Both are Turkic flags and valuable for
us. Azerbaijani lands are holy for us and liberation of those
lands from the occupation is a prior of Turkey’s national
issues. We will not change our position whatever happens”,
Turkish Foreign Minister...
FM Level Meeting of Russia-EU Permanent Partnership Council
more Moscow
has taken note of the remarks that Japan’s Land and Transport
Minister, Seiji Maehara, made on October 17 after viewing from
the sea the Southern Kurils about Russia’s “illegal
occupation” of these islands. It is regrettable that unacceptable,
inappropriate and legally meaningless remarks steeped in a confrontational
spirit were...
Russian-American Working Group on Arms Control met
more The
first meeting of the Working Group on Arms Control and International
Security was held in Moscow on October 12 as part of the Russian-American
Presidential Commission established after the bilateral summit
in Moscow in July this year. The co-chairs of the group are Sergey
A. Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ellen...
Kosovo-Macedonia Diplomatic Relations Step for Regional Stability
more The
United States warmly welcomes the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of
Macedonia, as well as the successful completion of the demarcation
of their shared border. We commend the leadership of both countries
for their resolve in taking a significant step toward Euro-Atlantic
integration...
Defending the Realm, Speech by Jonathan Evans, MI5 Director
more Operating
a security service within a liberal democracy does of course
pose problems and occasionally dilemmas. A "purist" liberal
might argue that there should be no domestic intelligence service
separate from law enforcement: within the law the State should
not restrict the activities of its citizens. Such a doctrine
is comforting in its...
Need for better monitoring to combat human trafficking in Europe
more Trafficking
in persons is an under-detected crime in Europe, according to
a new United Nations report, which calls for better information
sharing and monitoring to combat this scourge. “Trafficking
in Persons: Analysis on Europe” is produced by the UN Office
on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and shows that less people – 1
in 100,000 – are being...
EU Enlargement: Progress in the Western Balkans and Turkey
more (pdf)
The Commission adopted its annual strategy on EU enlargement.
The communication highlights the progress the Western Balkans
and Turkey made towards European integration during a difficult
year of global economic crisis, and spells out the main challenges
facing them in the months and years to come. In the light of
the progress...
Turkish Prime Minister met with Azerbaijani Parliamentarians
more 11-man
delegation of Azerbaijani parliament visiting Turkey met with
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. Following the
meeting, chairman of Azerbaijani parliament’s committee
of international relations Samad Seyidov briefed journalists.
It was broadcasted live by Turkish news channels. Samad Seyidov
expressed their...
Dmitry Medvedev met with Czech President of the Republic Klaus
more Cooperation
in the nuclear energy sector, including development of joint
projects, was one of the main subjects on the agenda. Mr Medvedev
and Mr Klaus also discussed current international affairs, in
particular solutions to the global financial crisis with reference
to the results of the G20’s Pittsburgh summit, the creation
of a new European...
Czech Republic (must) honour the commitments it has taken
more (pdf)
Barroso: After the resounding yes vote in the Irish referendum,
the democratic decision approving the Lisbon Treaty has now been
taken in all 27 member states, whose governments have neg otiated
and signed the Treaty. I had the opportunity to be present at
the completion of the ratification process in Poland last Saturday,
whereby Poland...
Georgian Special Forces didn't send terrorists to the Chechnya
more Regrettably,
it is not the first case when Russia, by circulating misleading
reports, tries to accuse Georgia of creating the catastrophic
situation in the North Caucasus, for which Russia itself is to
be blamed. The propaganda noise stirred up by the Kremlin on
the normalization and stabilization of the situation has failed
to cover up the actually existing...
Ukraine was never offered deployment of anti-missile complexes
more "I
would not like a lot of fuss to appear here around this subject.
I can start with the simplest: the Ukrainian side has not received
any offers", said President Yushchenko during press conference
for the Ukrainian media in Chisinau. However, the Head of State
stressed, of course, Ukraine would like to find its place in
the planetary and the European...
"Normalization talks with Turkey should move forward",
Obama said
more The
President called Armenian President Sargsian yesterday to commend
him for his courageous leadership and to encourage continued
progress on normalization of relations with Turkey. The President
underscored the U.S. position that the normalization talks should
move forward without preconditions and within a reasonable...
Turkey is a vital supply route for the Netherlands, Dutch FM
said
more For
centuries, Turkey has been described as the bridge connecting
East and West, both literally and metaphorically. In modern times,
too, Turkey has proven itself worthy of that role. The Alliance
of Civilisations was the brainchild of your Prime Minister, together
with his Spanish counterpart. Four years in the making, the Alliance
has become an important...
Ukraine and Moldova should intensify bilateral cooperation
more Ukraine
and Moldova should intensify bilateral cooperation at all levels
said President Victor Yushchenko today in Chisinau at his meeting
with Acting President of Moldova Mihai...
Finland intends to raise relations with Belarus to a new level
more The
EU foreign ministers will draw up an interim review of the European
Union’s relations with Belarus in November. During his
visit to Finland, Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov of Belarus...
The International Community welcomes Armenian-Turkish accord
more Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon welcomed the signing of two protocols paving the
way towards normalizing ties between Armenia and Turkey, voicing
hope that the move will contribute... |
How to increase the EU's capacity
for action in a multipolar world
more European
ministers and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign
Affais and Security are to discuss the EU's contribution to the
Middle East process on the second day...
Launch of the Secretariat of the "Union
for the Mediterranean"
more "Committed
for the Mediterranean", Joint article Spanish FM Moratinos,
Egyptian FM Aboul Gheit and French FM Kouchner, 4 March 2010 represents
an important...
U.S. Reps
approved the Armenian Genocide resolution more Turkey
is a vital and, in most respects, a loyal ally of the United States
in a volatile region. We have also been a loyal ally to Turkey,
and should continue to be so. Be that as... “2020
Strategy” proposal for EU sustainable economic growth
more Spain's
Minister of Employment, Celestino Corbacho, has told the President
of the European Commission, José Manuel Durao Barroso, that
the Spanish Presidency of...
Impact of the crisis: don't lump all
new Member States together, warn EU experts
more Initially
the new EU Member States were thought to have been hit harder by
the crisis than the old ones. In fact, there is considerable variation
within both groups, agreed experts...
Ukraine does not plan expansion of
cooperation programs with NATO
more President
of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych noted that the programs of cooperation
between Ukraine and NATO will continue operation at the level reached
by his predecessors...
The challenges for
Europe in a Changing World, speech by Van Rompuy more (pdf) Our main
challenge is now how to deal, as Europe, with the rest of the world.
That is why today I propose to share some of my reflections about
the place and role of Europe in...
European Union to strengthen ties
with Central Asia under Spanish Presidency
more The
Special Mission ambassador for Central Asia, Santiago Chamorro,
speaking today (Thursday) during the forum “The evolution
of relations between the European Union...
Foreign action of the EU should include
defending its economic
interests
more The
President of the Spanish Government, José Luis Rodríguez
Zapatero, stressed the importance of ensuring that European economic
interests were included as a "decisive factor"...
Initial agreement to save the A400M
military transport aircraft project
more The
seven European countries involved in the project to build a large-capacity
military transport aircraft (Germany, France, Spain, the United
Kingdom, Turkey, Belgium...
EU should enhance its strategic autonomy in Security and Defense
more The
EU must enhance its strategic autonomy through a strong and effective
foreign, security and defence policy, said the Foreign Affairs
Committee on Tuesday. Its report on the...
NATO’s security promise has not changed, U.S. top official
told special briefing
more The
reason for those speeches specifically is that the heads of state
and government in April decided – of NATO decided that NATO
needed a new strategic concept, and...
Moving towards a European armed force;
step by step, but that is
EU's objective
more Spain's
Minister of Defence, Carme Chacón, will be attending the
Informal Meeting of Ministers to be held in Majorca on 24 and 25
February, hoping to drive forward plans to...
Ecofin Council urged Greece to apply
an “ambitious package” of structural reforms
more The
Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister of Economy
and Finance, Elena Salgado, chaired an Ecofin Council meeting attended
by European Finance Ministers...
Italian FM Frattini
give details of 'Benedict XVI’s geopolitics'
more The
theme of the meeting “Quando il Papa pensa il mondo” seems
a timely choice: only a few months after the publication of his
Caritas in veritate encyclical and a few days...
Ukrainian PM Tymoshenko
vows to contest election result
more Yulia
Tymoshenko’s team is demanding a recount at 1,300 polling
stations, the head of her central campaign headquarters Oleksandr
Turchynov has announced. "We filed appeals...
NATO's North Atlantic Council wants
to help Moldova to reach its reform ambitions
more On
10 February, Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Iurie Leanca, met
with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen...
MEPs still concerned
about data protection in interim agreement on SWIFT
more In
a debate on Wednesday most of Parliament's political groups restated
their concern at the lack of data protection and legal redress
in the provisional agreement on bank...
Baltic Sea Action Summit in Helsinki
a success
more The
Baltic Sea Action Summit that was held in Helsinki on Wednesday,
10 February was a success in the opinion of the arrangers. The
summit attracted a large and high...
Parliament approved
new European Commission
more The
European Parliament elected the new European Commission by 488
votes to 137, with 72 abstentions, in Strasbourg on Tuesday. The
vote took the form of a single ballot...
Spanish EU Presidency
issued Donostia Declaration on Science
more European
citizens appreciate how science has shaped our common history and
recognise that science will define our future, as the EU 2020 Strategy
will highlight. But European science...
Zapatero presents the
priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the EU in the USA
more The
President of the Spanish Government, José Luis Rodríguez
Zapatero, is visiting Washington on 3 and 4 February, for a visit
scheduled as part of the rotating Presidency of the European...
Italian PM Berlusconi
is "convinced in the justness of Israel’s path"
more Berlusconi:
Yesterday I told you about my long-held dream. Israel is a Western
country. The Judeo-Christian culture is the foundation of Western
culture. Israel has a democracy that was born miraculously...
U.S. Secretary Clinton made remarks
on the Future of European Security
more - Summary Clinton:
As founding members of the NATO Alliance, our countries have worked
side by side for decades to build a strong and secure Europe and
to defend and promote...
Trade negotiations between the EU
and Central America within sight
more The
elections and investiture of Porfirio Lobo as President of Honduras
have cleared the way for the EU to restore normal relations with
the Central American country...
Spanish Presidency ministers outline
Council Presidency priorities
more Spanish
Presidency ministers this week outline their EU Council Presidency
priorities to a range of parliamentary committees and will field
MEPs' questions on most EU policy areas...
U.S. Deputy Secretary visited UK to promote Defense Cooperation
more U.S.
Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III is slated to address
attendees at the European Security and Defense Conference and members
of Great Britain’s Parliament at...
UK threat level from international
terrorism raised from substantial to severe
more The
Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) has changed the UK threat
level from international terrorism from substantial to severe.
The current threat level means that the threat...
Elections were held freely, Ukrainian leader Yushchenko
said
more As
the Head of State I accept the choice of Ukrainian people expressed
in elections on January 17, 2010. The most important thing is that
the elections were held freely, democratically...
Terrorist cells are
actively trying to attack Britain, PM said
more PM
Gordon Brown: The failed attack over Detroit on Christmas day signalled
the first operation mounted outside Arabia by “al Qaeda in
the Arabian peninsula,” the Yemen-based...
Spain wants well-coordinated
and strong border controls
more Europe
must commit to three courses of action: The first is to strengthen
entry controls into Europe. If we want legal immigration, this
means we must have strong border controls that...
Germany to intensify the strategic
partnership with China
more The
intensive and dynamic relations between Germany and China should
be further expanded. Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle
emphasized this during his inaugural visit to...
Spain, key country for EU relations with Latin America, a poll
says
more Spain
is a key country for the European Union in terms of it relations
with Latin America, according to 67% of international correspondents
polled on the occasion of the recently-inaugurated...
European ministers
aim to set energy targets
more The
Energy Action Plan for 2010-2014, which includes sections on sustainability,
the fight against climate change and security in energy supplies,
among others, as well as the European...
Yushchenko spoke about obstacles to
fair 2010 presidential election
more President
Victor Yushchenko thinks there are currently three major obstacles
to holding fair and transparent elections: legal, financial and
organizational, he said at his today’s press conference...
HR Catherine Ashton
quizzed by MEPs about foreign policy
more Catherine
Ashton, the High Representative-designate for foreign policy, was
questioned by the Foreign Affairs Committee about the EU diplomatic
service, her dual role working for both Council...
EU Commission awards
major contracts to make Galileo operational early 2014
more
(pdf) The European Commission announced today the award of
three of the six contracts for the procurement of Galileo’s
initial operational capability. The contract for the system support
services...
Kosovo leader Sejdiu called for dissolution
of Serbian parallel structures
more The
President of Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Fatmir Sejdiu, received today
the Head of EULEX, Mr. Yves De Kermabon and the Deputy International
Civilian Representative, Mr. Fletcher Burton...
PM Zapatero outlined
the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the EU
more The
Spanish prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero,
has promised to work, within a Europe capable of coming out of
the economic crisis, towards ‘a new model of balanced and
sustainable...
European Union's President Van Rompuy
interviewed on his new role
more Herman
Van Rompuy was elected permanent President of the European Council
at the summit held on 19 November 2009. Less than two weeks later,
he took up his post. Here he answers...
EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
during the Swedish Presidency
more The
final Council meeting has been concluded and the priority issues
have come to a conclusion. It is almost time for Spain to take
over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European...
EU and Republic of Moldova issued
a joint statement on Cooperation
more The
parties agreed to continue their efforts to bring the Republic
of Moldova (hereafter referred to as Moldova) closer to the EU,
acknowledging Moldova's European aspirations. They discussed...
The U.S.-Europe Partnership Under
the Obama Administration
more U.S.-European
cooperation is so vast a topic that it’s hard to know where
to start or where to end. But let me start with Afghanistan, not
just because it’s so timely—with the rollout of a new
strategy, testimony...
European Union encourages Kenyan government
to implement reforms
more Sweden's
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson
is currently in Kenya heading an EU Troika to convey at political
level the EU's strong commitment, support for and expectations...
Sweden wants human rights to be permanently
integrated in EU foreign policy
more “International
Human Rights day on 10 December reminds us of each person’s
right to live in freedom and democracy, with full respect for rights
and freedoms. As holder of the EU Presidency, Sweden has made efforts
to...
Climate, the Middle East and Iran
are the issues tackled at EU FMs Council
more Climate,
the Middle East, EU enlargement, Iran and the preparation of the
European Council of 10-11 December: these are the issues on the
agenda for the Foreign Ministers meeting today Monday 7 and...
French President Nicolas Sarkozy met
Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev
more President
of France Nicolas Sarkozy has today met here with visiting President
of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the Elysee Palace. Successful development
of political, economic, cultural ties between the two countries...
Azerbaijan President meets Vice-Chairman
and President of GDF SUEZ
more President
of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met Vice-Chairman and President
of GDF SUEZ Jean-Francois Cirelli. They exchanged views on prospects
for developing the cooperation between Azerbaijan and GDF SUEZ...
Israel's response to the EU Foreign
Ministers Council statement
more The
statement by the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union
ignores the primary obstacle to achieving a resolution between
Israel and the Palestinians - the Palestinian refusal to return
to the negotiating table...
Ukrainian President Yushchenko declared
he won't be Prime Minister
more When
asked at talk show "Freedom of Speech" on ICTV channel
whether he intends to apply for Prime Minister's office if he looses
2010 presidential election, President Victor Yushchenko replied
that he does...
Secure energy supply and energy efficiency
in Europe
more The
EU ministers for energy debated secure energy supply at the meeting
of the Energy Council in Brussels on 7 December. The Presidency
presented a status report on the three elements of the Energy Efficiency...
UN Secretary-General "cautiously
optimistic" about a Cyprus settlement more The
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was “cautiously
optimistic” that a solution to the Cyprus problem could be
found, adding that the task of reaching a functional and stable
settlement in the form of a bizonal...
Press conference with British PM Brown
and Taoiseach Cowen
more Northern
Ireland and the devolution of policing and justice was the first
item of discussion, and we both recognise the achievement of the
devolved institutions to date. We both firmly believe that the
template for further progress...
The 12th China-EU Summit
took place in Nanjing
more The
Twelfth China-EU Summit was held in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of
China on 30 November 2009. Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council
of the People's Republic of China attended the meeting on behalf
of China. The European Union...
"A new era begins",
Swedish EU Presidency says
more From
today, EU cooperation enters a new era. With the Treaty of Lisbon,
which comes into force today, the European Union is equipped for
new challenges. So writes Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt...
Russia has published
the draft of the European Security Treaty
more On
June 5, 2008, the President of Russia put forward an initiative
to develop a new pan-European security treaty, the main idea
of which is to create – in the context of military and
political security in the Euro-Atlantic region, a common...
Cyprus National Council discussed
peace negotiations and EU-Turkish affairs
more The
National Council – the top advisory body to the President
of the Republic on the handling of the Cyprus problem – convened
yesterday under the chairmanship of President Demetris Christofias
and discussed the course of direct negotiations...
President of Armenia Sargsyan and
President of Azerbaijan Aliev met in Munich
more On
November 22, in the framework of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
resolution process, the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and
the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev met in Munich. This is
the sixth meeting of the two Presidents...
Bosnia needs continued support amid
political impasse, Security Council told
more Bosnia
and Herzegovina needs continued international support in its
bid for Euro-Atlantic integration, despite the political impasse
it is currently facing, the United Nations Security Council was
told today. Valentin Inzko, High Rep...
Completion of the draft
of partnership agreement between Iraq and the EU
more Bilateral
negotiations between Iraq and the European Union concluded successfully
on 13th .Nov.2009 afternoon with completing the draft of partnership
agreement between the two sides, which lasted nine rounds of
negotiations that lasted more than...
NATO at 60: Traditional Values and
New Threats
more Address
by the NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the 14th
International NATO Conference, Budapest, Hungary. We are engaged
in demanding missions and operations on several continents – missions
and operations that...
Ukrainian President Yushchenko met
with Georgian counterpart Saakashvili
more In
the Horodetsky House President Victor Yushchenko met tete-a-tete
with President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. At the beginning
of the meeting the President of Ukraine thanked his Georgian
colleague for his visit and expressed the hope that...
Swedish EU Presidency's Fredrik Reinfeldt
on EU-Russia summit
more Prime
Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt receives Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev in Stockholm for a third-country summit. The Swedish
Presidency’s two main priorities, climate change and the
economy, will be discussed, as well as energy issues and...
Germany’s foreign policy based on
continuity and new focuses
more Europe
must be more than just a “concert of big players”,
Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told the German Bundestag.
In the debate on foreign and security policy, Westerwelle stressed
that he wants a European dialogue “among equal partners” and
closer...
UK PM Gordon Brown gave speech on
Immigration
more The
Prime Minister has delivered a speech on immigration in west
London on 12 November 2009. We meet this morning in a capital
city where over 300 languages are spoken - a city that is one
of the most culturally rich places on our planet - a city that
epitomises the strong values and the diversity that has helped
to...
8th Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia
more The
eighth meeting in the framework of international discussions
on security and stability in Transcaucasia took place in Geneva
on November 11. It was attended by delegations from the Republic
of Abkhazia, Georgia, the Russian Federation, the United States
of America and the Republic of South Ossetia and...
Ukraine will fulfill all its “gas” obligations, PM Tymoshenko
said
more Ukraine
has fulfilled its international obligations regarding the supply
and transit of natural gas, having paid for the gas in full and
on time. "It took great efforts, but we managed to pay our
natural gas bill for October in full and on time. But this comes
at a very high price for us," Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko
said...
UK is committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina's future in the EU
more Foreign
Secretary David Miliband commented on his recent visit to Bosnia
and Herzegovina during a statement to Parliament on Wednesday
11 November. During his visit, the Foreign Secretary met BiH
Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj, Federation Prime Minister Mustafa
Mujezinovic and the Collective Presidency...
Medvedev on the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall fall (Der
Spiegel)
more President
Medvedev: Time has been running very fast. Twenty years later,
everything that happened in Eastern Europe and everything related
to the unification of Germany and the fall of Berlin Wall has
become history already. I do not remember where I was on that
day. But I perfectly remember that I had a very...
People and doctors are dying from H1N1, Yushchenko told Ukrainians
more I
address you in performance of my constitutional duty under the
Article 106 of the Basic Law of the state. The reason is the
emergency epidemic situation in the country. Infections of viral
origin, including the A/H1N1 flu, are rapidly spreading across
Ukraine. The emergency is evident in the scale of the epidemic...
Finland authorized Nord Stream’s offshore gas pipeline
project
more On
5 November 2009, the Government granted consent for Nord Stream
AG’s plan to construct an offshore natural gas pipeline
system that would traverse the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream will act
as the operator of the natural gas pipeline system, which involves
two parallel pipelines. These pipelines, approximately...
U.S. President Obama met Chancellor Merkel of Germany
more - speech
of Merkel before U.S. Congress President Obama: Hello,
everybody. Well, I'm just going to make a brief statement.
I am thrilled to have Chancellor Merkel here today. I want
to congratulate her again for her victory in her recent election,
the formation of a government, and we are honored to have her
visit...
German foreign policy is peace policy, new FM Westerwelle said
more Federal
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has officially taken office.
In his first address the new Foreign Minister expressed his desire
to actively shape Germany’s foreign and European policy. These
were among the most valuable fixtures of German politics, he
said. The Weltsaal of the Federal Foreign Office...
European Union strengthened its leadership on climate
more After
lengthy and difficult negotiations, the EU Member States have
reached agreement. The difficult question of 'climate financing'
has been resolved and the EU’s climate package is thus
complete. At the summit’s closing press conference, a delighted
Fredrik Reinfeldt noted that the EU has a strong mandate for
negotiation...
European Union to strengthen its action in Afghanistan and
Pakistan
more With
a plan for consolidated and strengthened action, the European
Union stands ready to take on the complex challenges in Afghanistan
and Pakistan. Concerted support from the international community
is needed now more than ever. “With a new government soon to
take office in Kabul, and a deteriorating security situation
in the region...
European Union's External Relations Council on 27 October 2009
more The
Council discussed the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan,
in particular how the EU should further engage in the region.
Following the debate, it adopted conclusions and an action plan
which prioritise EU's policies and describe how to implement
them. As regards Guinea, the Council adopted measures targeting
the...
Russian Prime Minister Putin met the Finnish Prime Minister
Vanhanen
more - press
conference Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
In 2008 our mutual trade reached a record high of .4 billion.
We are developing our relations in industrial cooperation,
energy, ship-building and high technologies. Today, of course,
we will also discuss cooperation in the forestry sector. This
is natural considering that we...
U.S. Vice President Biden met with Czech Prime Minister Fischer
more Vice
President Biden: "It's an honor to be with you, and an honor
to be in this magnificent city of Prague. It's been a while since
I've been here, and I'm delighted to be back, particularly on
what is essentially a historic anniversary. It's been five years
since the Czech Republic joined the European Union, 10 years
since its...
French President Sarkozy met with Chinese Councilor Bingguo
more - with
French PM François Fillon On October 20, 2009, French
President Nicolas Sarkozy met with visiting Chinese State Councilor
Dai Bingguo at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris. Sarkozy
spoke highly of China's achievements in various fields and
its important role in dealing with the major international
and regional issues such as the...
Armenian President Sargsyan visited the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
more - Interview
to Artsakh Public TV The President of the Republic of Armenia,
Commander-in-Chief Serzh Sargsyan continues his working visit
to the defense positions of our country and the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic. Accompanied by the President of the NKR Bako Sahakian,
RA Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanian and highest military
ranks...
New Challenges and Better Capabilities for NATO, Speech by
SG Rasmussen
more Afghanistan
is the most complex challenge which NATO has ever undertaken.
And I am well aware that there are an increasing number of people,
also here in Slovakia, who are asking if the cost of our engagement
in Afghanistan is too high. To these people, I want to say very
clearly and unambiguously that the cost of inaction would be...
U.S. Vice President Biden met with Romanian President Basescu
more VP
Biden: Well, Mr. President, thank you for your hospitality. You
know, diplomats and high-level politicians always walk out of
meetings saying, we had a frank and useful discussion. Well,
we did have a frank and very useful discussion, and I appreciate
your insight, and I appreciate your leadership. I am very pleased
to be here today...
Remarks by U.S. Vice President Biden with Polish Prime Minister
Tusk
more - with
Polish President Kaczynski Vice President Biden: Mr. President,
thank you very much. You know, it's remarkable, I was thinking
as I rode over to see you, that one of my last visits to Poland
was to meet with your predecessors, and then to give a speech
at Warsaw University, discussing -- as I was pushing very hard
-- the admission of Poland...
President of Russia Medvedev spoke at Serbian National Assembly
more Serbia
honours everyone who gave their lives fighting for its liberation.
I saw this for myself today, while laying flowers at the liberators’ cemetery,
where Soviet soldiers are buried. I would like to thank the people
of Serbia with all of my heart, on behalf of our nation, for
their responsible and honourable attitudes toward the history
of World War II...
Speech by Carlgren to the European Parliament on Environment
more We
are at a decisive point in time. In less than two months’ time
in Copenhagen, the nations of the world are to conclude an agreement
to meet the climate challenge. It must be an agreement that will
keep global warming below two degrees Celsius, include all nations
and adapt future measures to new scientific knowledge. With 48
days to...
The Riga Conference 2009 will bring together three Baltic States
more This
week, from October 23 to October 24 in the Maza Gilde (the Small
Guild) the Riga Conference 2009 entitled "Economic Recovery
in a Changing Security Environment: Transatlantic Agenda 2010" will
take place. For the fourth time already Riga will gather heads
of states, the world's leading academicians, politicians, representatives...
Settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is more optimistic
more “The
situation when it comes to Nagorno-Karabakh is rather optimistic.
There have been many meetings between the foreign ministers,
and also the presidents of the two countries – Armenia
and Azerbaijan; and this is the sign that the negotiations are
intensified, and my personal view is that there is a good opportunity
for a solution,”...
British PM Brown gave a speech to the Major Economies Forum
more A
transcript of a speech given by the Prime Minister to the Major
Economies Forum in London on 19 October 2009. Let me first of
all welcome you to London. Let me pay tribute to your work in
leading the climate change debate in your own countries and in
driving that debate forward internationally. And let me say at
the outset just how important...
Collective defence in today's security environment, Speech
more The
theme of my presentation today is the continued relevance of
the Atlantic Treaty’s Article V, and the need to strike
the right balance between our Article V and our non-Article V
activities, or as others have put it, between our mission “at
home” and our mission “away”. Let me point
out right from the outset that nothing of what I am going...
Declaration of the EU on the situation in the Niger Delta
more The
European Union welcomes the initial success of the amnesty offered
by Nigeria’s President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to militants
in the Niger Delta. The EU hopes this will be an important step
towards restoring peace and bringing development to the region.
In this perspective, the EU also welcomes the readiness to engage
in a Disarmament...
Kosovo: UN mission says its role hindered by sides’ differing
views
more The
United Nations peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, which declared
independence from Serbia last year, is “inextricably caught” between
the differing perceptions of the opposing sides, which hinder
its efforts to bring the majority Albanians and minority Serbian
and other ethnic groups closer together, the top UN official
there said...
Only patriotic forces can settle modern problems in Ukraine
more Only
patriotic forces can solve modern problems of the Ukrainian state,
said Victor Yushchenko speaking at the celebration of the 67th
anniversary of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army...
Sweden takes over Chairmanship of Barents Euro-Arctic Council
more Cooperation
in the Barents region was launched in Kirkenes in 1993 with the
participation of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden
and the European Commission...
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