WESTERN EUROPE
Political Issues
The appointment of officers for the European External Action Service (EEAS) has raised dust among EU MPs. The committee looking into the matter hopes to defuse the dispute with Catherine Ashton but unwilling to back down on the issue of public hearings for nominees.
The European Commission has been found guilty of ‘maladministration' by the EU ombudsman for failing to disclose full correspondence between the bloc and EU car manufacturers. The allegation evolves around the extent to which the EU is committed to reducing greenhouse emission from cars.
As the British Labour party elected Ed Miliband over his brother David Miliband, Britons, particularly labour members have been engaged in a big debate. Ed is expected to reposition the party and make the Conservative-led government a one term government.
Economic Issues
After long deliberation and resolving reservations of Italy, Spain and Portugal, EU commission finally consented to reduce import tariffs for Pakistani textiles into the EU. The concession is expected to strengthen EU-Pakistan trade ties; the recent natural disaster in the country played a role in the new agreement.
EU commission is on the verge of legislating financial transactions tax (FTT) and a financial activities tax (FAT) on financial institutions geared at stabilizing the bloc’s public finance. But European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said such financial transaction tax could only work if implemented across the globe, marking a setback for others who have argued that Europe could do it alone.
China expects no dictation from any country and same was true when the Chinese prime minister rejected EU request of changing its currency policy. EU believes China’s devalued currency is affecting EU traders; meanwhile the EU is contemplating on China’s request to be added as part of IMF decision makers.
Economic affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn has said that Ireland’s record budget deficit suggests the country will not be able to keep its low taxes and will become a "normal tax country" in the European context. This will definitely be bad for the country and its foreign investors.
Social/Humanitarian Issue
The EU members have agreed on pre-notification policy on terror alert, by informing each other rather than allowing media to do the job. The agreement followed a terror alert issued by the U.S, warning that certain European countries are on the radar of terrorists for attack. Although, justice and fundamental rights Commissioner Viviane Reding said the alert is nothing new rather the threats have been on the table for several years.
The EU entered an agreement with Libya with the aim of controlling illegal migration from the North African country to Europe and at the same for improving Libyan treatment of refugees. However human right activists find holes in the deal which failed to address the non recognition of asylum seeker by Tripoli.
The French Constitutional Council has finally stamped the law banning veil as not impinging on civil liberties. Meanwhile the expulsion of Roma from France has both positive and negative impacts. The saga is now making governments having Roma as ethnic minority to review policy of integrating the Roma.
Food, Environment and Energy Issue
Cleaning up the Baltic Sea is becoming a concern for the EU, the bloc is concerned that a year into its existence, EU's first 'macro-regional' policy around the Baltic Sea has few results to show, as it uses no fresh money and has no new institutions or legislation in place to implement it.
Seen as a defeat for the Greens, who failed to see their proposed resolution, calling a halt to all new oil drilling until uniform oil-rig safety standards and procedures were introduced accepted by EU commission. The call for the temporary ban explains the fear that follows the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Geostrategic Issues
Developing a NATO cyber-war capability and French opposition to joint nuclear planning are emerging as the main bones of contention in the debate on a new NATO "Strategic Concept”.
EAST EUROPE
Political Issues
Kosovo remains the only Western Balkan countries excluded from the EU visa liberalization scheme. The resolution of the commission excluded Pristina though recommended Albania and Bosnia for the scheme. Kosovo’s exclusion is somewhat linked to lack of singular policy on Kosovo within the bloc.
A poll conducted in Poland showed support for Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centre-right pro-business party had dropped to 37 % from 42, thus explains the gain for other opposition parties. Meanwhile, the Polish leader reiterates the view of certain EU members that Turkey should be brought closer to the EU.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s recent visit to France was a chance for both countries to renew their bilateral friendship and Ukraine’s commitment to the EU. Yanukovych said in France that “One for all, all for one” should not be confined to the EU instead should be a continental value.
Meanwhile the recent 2004 constitutional amendments in Ukraine have rec
eived attention from the EU and U.S.
In Slovakia, the Ruling Centre-Right Coalition government recently agreed on the draft 2011 budget which includes a 1% increase in the standard rate of value-added tax (VAT), from 19% to 20%
The ruling Hungarian FIDESZ party has once again shown its muscle in the just completed municipal elections, overshadowing other political parties as was the case during the April general elections. But the opposition snatches the seat of Budapest mayor, a potential threat for FIDESZ.
Run-up to the Belarusian presidential election is on and candidates have been reduced to 15, meanwhile incumbent President Alexander Lukashenka remains at the top, believe to be chanting anti-Russia slogans.
The Unity bloc of Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, Union of Greens and Farmers has formed the current minority coalition with a nationalist bloc with the hope to see the country develops.
Economic Issues
Poland’s government has decided to raise the minimum wage in Poland starting from January 2011 to 1,386 zloty (352 euro). The issue has been a bone of contention between the government and trade unions.
In a recent interview given to the US business news channel CNBC, Czech president Klaus said the condition of the Czech economy is improving and the country's gross domestic product should grow by around 2.5%,
Meanwhile Ukraine has proudly announced a successful return to the capital markets after raising $2bn.
The Hungarian government is bent at not exploring possibility of a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund, saving the country from further dependence.
Lithuania-India bilateral trade was reported to have dropped following the recession in 2009 by a decreasing value of $100 million.
In Estonia, inflation is on the rise and prices of consumer goods are rapidly hurting the people, while Latvia's prime minister reaffirmed his belief to keep the country on its IMF-led austerity path and eventually euro zone entry.
Geostrategic Issues
The process of European Union’s expansion and integration is not easy for all countries. Ukraine is one country being careful of EU integration as the recent DCFTA [Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement] agreement with the EU is believed to be a costly deal to implement
This might be the best way of taming Russia and making the old foe responsible on the continent. NATO chief is proposing to have Russia as part of the larger controversial missile defense shield initiated by Washington which has become a worrisome issue for Moscow.
Food, Environment and Energy Issue
Meanwhile, Ukraine will be taking steps similar to those in Russia by not exporting its grain unless harvests get well after the end of the year.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban rejected financial help to solve the recent environmental problem in the country but welcomes expertise to help contain the deadly toxic mud spill that has devastated villages and is threatening its waterways and the Danube.
Geostrategic Issues
Estonian President Mr. IIves's visit to Afghanistan was memorable because it marked the 80th friendship anniversary of the two countries.
Meanwhile amid the renewal of economic relations between Belarus and Armenia, Minsk nonetheless believes that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be resolved peacefully.
RUSSIA
Political Issues
In Russia the ousting of Yuri M. Luzhkov, longtime former mayor of Moscow by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is becoming a reminiscence of the Communist era when authorities in Russia cannot be challenged. Meanwhile, Yuri M. Luzhkov has vowed to remain in politics and constitute independent movement to champion the cause of democracy amid Russia’s preparation for the next general elections. All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) reveals that 66% of Russians agreed with Luzhkov’s dismissal.
Economic Issues
As Russia cracks down on corruption and pushes for good governance, Russian Audit Chamber said it has numerous documents showing that the Moscow city government has spent budget funds inefficiently. Russian’s Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin believes hiking the retirement age would help bring down the increasing budget deficit of Russia's Pension Fund.
Russian efforts to attain a GDP growth level of 7-8 % by 2014-2017 are underway; the nation hoped to reduce its budget deficit in order to reach zero deficit by 2015, provided that the price of oil is $78 per barrel.
`Lukoil, the Russian oil giant is mulling listing on Hong Kong or Singapore, London, New York, Frankfurt’s stock exchanges in 2011.
Social/Humanitarian Issue
Two Russians Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, both of whom work for universities in Britain, won the Nobel Prize for Physics.
The Polish government is opening the case of alleged CIA torture of a Saudi national in Poland.
Food, Environment and Energy Issue
Ukraine got cheap price gas from Russia for normalizing ties with Moscow, this could be true for Belarus if Minsk will review it policy towards Moscow. Russia is an energy hub in the region and can always sway its energy clout. But the Belarus government believes Russia has violated the CIS Economic agreement obliging members not to charge export fees in their trade.
Meanwhile, France’s Air Liquide is expected to extend its investment in the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia for the next five years. For Russia it is positive news that the country was rated as the 3rd most transparent country in the areas of oil and mining sectors.
Russia-US non-proliferation talks are so far un-finalized, yet Russia's commercial reserves of natural uranium have doubled and production has increased 13% since the start of 2010.
The scramble over the Arctic and the Antarctic resources is a potential future brawl as many contenders are flexing muscle in these regions thought to be endowed with numerous resources.
Geostrategic Issues
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Algeria saw the signing of bilateral cooperation in energy and transportation sector but the Russian leader failed to get the consent of the North African country on communication cooperation.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia are issues Georgia is ready to use against Russia-WTO integration. Russia too is becoming wary of its WTO membership as many hurdles waylay it. Meanwhile, Abkhazia rejected Clinton’s suggestion that Russian troop should be withdrawn from the region.
Trying to comply with new UNSC’s sanctions on Iran, Russia might have to refund Iran’s payment for the aborting the sale of S-300 military hardware. Meanwhile, Russian leadership is vulcanizing its military industry for greater productivity and is ready to sell hardware to India.
US/CANADA
Political Issues
Americans are looking forward to the midterm elections, but even if polls suggest Democrat vulnerability, the road still remains uncertain for the Republican Party having lesser chances of taking over the Senate, though more likely for the Congress.
Meanwhile, immigration issue is expected to affect the total turnout of the midterm elections particularly among the Latinos. Arizona law is said to be affecting the political participation of Latinos as depicted by lesser voters’ registration, yet political candidates with tough stance on immigration are getting public support.
Economic Issues
Bank of America, the largest bank in the U.S is expected to extend its moratoriums nationwide on lenders and thousands of borrowers in default.
Social/Humanitarian Issue
Park51 architectural interior outlook has been opened to the public with the intention of telling opponents of the Islamic centre what the centre will eventually look like. Fund raising for the centre is said to have not begun.
Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of United States District Court in Manhattan has rejected using a crucial witness in the trial of a former Guantánamo detainee, adding to the fierce debate over whether the government can successfully prosecute terrorist detainees in civilian court.
The Arizona government has shown zero tolerance for illegal immigration but opens the door of the state for refugees. The recent Arizona immigration law could have a domino effect as other states like Nebraska are contemplating similar laws.
Geostrategic Issues
Tension between U.S and Pakistan is making the U.S military rethink its policy on energy. The huge dependence on fossil oil and recent blockage of energy supply to Afghanistan reiterates the high necessity for renewable resources. The blockage was effective and forced the U.S to apologize for the first time following the killing of Pakistanis.
LATIN AMERICA
Political Issues
A twist in Argentina-Chile relation surfaced last week when a suspected Chilean criminal was granted asylum by Argentina’s Supreme Court. Argentina is rejecting extradition on the premise of human rights. The former leftist guerrilla is charged of assassinating a senator and kidnapping a businessman in Chile in 1991.
The first round of votes in Brazil has somewhat belied pre-election polls suggesting free hand winning of presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff. The country will be going for a second round as Dilma Rousseff could only secure 46.9%, Jose Serra got 32.6% and Green’s Party got 20%.
Sharing similar ordeals with Colombia, the Mexican president is urging the country’s congress to legislate new law in the congress geared at training Mexican police forces to combat drug cartels.
Economic Issues
Argentina’s economy is expected to see a boost after the US $326 million loan given by a regional development bank CAF to upgrade its freight rail network useful for the movement of copper, corn, minerals, petroleum products, rice, soybeans and vegetable oil.
Despite being troubled by drug cartels, Mexican authority claims the economy is doing well and still remains the second largest economy after Brazil in the region.
Social/Humanitarian Issue
The ordeal of the 33 trapped Chilean miners came to an end last week. A poll published by La Tercera newspaper said 84 % of Chileans approved of the handling of the mine crisis by President Sebastian Pinera, a billionaire businessman who took office in March.
Efforts by the Colombian government in emasculating the menace of drug cartels appears to be yielding as government officials apprehended and confiscated huge amounts of cash from the cartels.
Food, Environment and Energy Issue
Natural resources production will further see a rise following Brazil’s plans to more than double its copper production by 2014. The government envisages making Brazil a regular net exporter of the red metal.
Geostrategic Issues
Latin America wants to close its history of military and authoritarian rule and any attempt to undermine democratic process will not be condoned. This was reiterated by Brazilian president upon the mutiny against the government of President Rafael Correa in Ecuador.
A historic visit by Lebanese President Michael Suleiman to Mexico City, marked 65 years of similar visit by a Lebanese president to Mexico. The nation is home to more than half a million Lebanese and their descendants.
AUSTRALASIA
Political Issues
The new fragile Australian government led by the Labour party has dropped the idea of unpopular "citizens' assembly", letting 150 ordinary people seek ways of slashing gas emissions as alternative to parliament. The plan was dropped after the plan drew fierce criticism during the recent election campaign.
Economic Issues
The controversial merger of mining giant Rio Tinto with BHP Billiton remains elusive as the massive deal appeared on the brink of collapse.
Geostrategic Issues
Having a regional asylum processing centre is one issue the Australian government is struggling to iron out with regional governments. According to reports Australia is wary of immigrants coming to the Pacific country and disturbed by the unruly behaviour of asylum seekers. §
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