The European Geopolitical Forum / �� / EGF � ��

European Commission recommends European Council to sign association deal with Ukraine

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:32:01 +0000

ISSUE # 16
05/20/2013
On 15 May 2013, the European Commission supported a proposal regarding an association agreement with Ukraine, passing the decision on to the European Council. READ MORE

EGF Turkey File

Sat, 18 May 2013 08:14:16 +0000

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics during April 16 th - May 15th 2013
By John VanPool, EGF Turkey and Black Sea Regional Analyst

Key Points:

Domestic politics heat up as the opposition CHP accuses Prime Minister Erdogan of authoritarianism in seeking the presidency after his term as prime minister is up.
A judicial reform aimed at clarifying aspects of Turkish terrorism laws aims to placate EU critics and could lead to the release of hundreds of imprisoned activists.
Turkey continues to avoid direct military intervention into Syria’s civil war, though fears of the sectarian conflict’s spread has the country on edge.
U.S. sanctions aimed at Iran’s nuclear program necessitate Turkish efforts at diversifying its energy reliance away from Tehran.
Israel makes overtures to Ankara regarding a natural gas pipeline in the eastern Mediterranean, while TANAP is set for construction to begin following ratification of the agreement by both Turkish and Azerbaijani parliaments.

EGF Gazprom Monitor

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:23:33 +0000

A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas

Key points:

Negotiations between Russia and Lithuania over their gas relationship and the unbundling over LietuvosDujos continue; Polish Treasury Minister and PGNiG Chief Executive are sacked as a result of a EuRoPolGaz-Gazprom agreement to investigate the possible expansion of the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline
Gazprom boycotts a high-level roundtable held by Ukrainian and EU representatives on the future management and development of Ukraine’s gas transport system, and warns European energy companies against reselling Russian gas back to Ukraine, as Ukraine continues to seek alternatives to Russian gas imports
Gazprom and Gasunie agree to investigate the possibility of expanding the Nord Stream gas pipeline, with Gazprom eyeing an increase in gas exports to the British market, despite the current under-utilisationof the existing Nord Stream pipeline
Gazprom announces that the spatial planning and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports for South Stream in Slovenia are almost complete and that construction could begin next year; Bulgarian government announces a review of South Stream, but pledges to continue with the project; Construction of the Serbian section of South Stream could start by the end of 2013, rather than in 2014 as planned
Gazprom announces its 2012 financial results; Rosneft continues to challenge Gazprom in the sphere of gas exports by announcing talks with ExxonMobil over the construction of an LNG export terminal in Russia’s Far East; Beltransgaz to be renamed Gazprom Transgaz Belarus to reflect Gazprom’s takeover

EGF Turkey File

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 21:14:16 +0000

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics during April 1-15th 2013
By John VanPool, EGF Turkey and Black Sea Regional Analyst

Key Points:

Turkey and Israel take small steps in resuming normalized relations. Both are to formalize financial compensation for the Mavi Marmara incident, while Turkey is leaning on the victims’ families to drop their court cases against Israeli military personnel.
NATO is set to benefit from the reset which allows Israel’s participation in alliance activities as a member of the Mediterranean Dialogue.
Energy cooperation brings Turkey and the KRG of Iraq closer in spite of Baghdad’s objections. Turkish-Anglo firm Genel is set to profit from its early investments into the oil fields in the Kurdish north of Iraq.
A cease fire continues to hold between the government and PKK, though Kurdish fighters are reluctant to give up their arms until a formal peace deal is agreed to. AKP leadership on the issue is causing splits in the main opposition CHP, with a nationalist camp opposed to the talks causing a pronounced rift to emerge in the party.
A Turkish pianist is charged with hate speech for incendiary remarks against Muslims on his Twitter account. His conviction and other cases of free speech prosecutions are a dark stain on the AKP’s otherwise impressive governing record.

European Parliament extends Cox-Kwasniewski mission, may send another mission to Ukraine

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:02:41 +0000

ISSUE # 14
04/22/2013
On 18 April 2013, the European Parliament decided to extend the monitoring mission headed by former European Parliament President Pat Cox and former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski. READ MORE

EGF Gazprom Monitor

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:57:20 +0000

A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector1 Key points:

Gazprom Chairman of Board of Directors Viktor Zubkov and CEO Alexei Miller retain their positions as the Gazprom Annual General Shareholders Meeting elects a new Board of Directors and approves record dividends of 8.97 Roubles per share
Gazprom’s Annual General Shareholders Meeting also approves Gazprom’s Annual Report 2011, which marks a record-breaking year for additions to gas reserves, sales revenues, net profits, and investment in the gasification of Russia’s regions
The first string of Nord Stream reaches full capacity. Construction of the second string was completed in April, with deliveries scheduled to begin in October

EGF Turkey File

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:57:20 +0000

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics during June 2012 Key Points:

Syria shoots down a Turkish military plane, greatly heightening tensions between the countries.
Although Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan threatens action in response to any further threats from Syria, domestic opinion polls from just prior to the incident show a Turkish public hesitant to confront the Assad regime.
Meanwhile, the CHP and AKP party leadership meets in an attempt to revive reconciliation efforts with the country’s Kurdish minority.
As constitution discussions continue, Erdogan’s statements on the necessity of a strong presidential office worries his critics who fear he will take over and extend his reign as head of the country following the end of his term as prime minister.
In the energy sector, Azerbaijan and Turkey appear to have finalized the TANAP pipeline agreement while Turkish Energy Minister, Taner Yildiz, discusses the future of nuclear power in Turkey at the World Economic Forums.

The European Geopolitical Forum / �������� / EGF � ���

European Commission recommends European Council to sign association deal with Ukraine

EGF Turkey File

EGF Gazprom Monitor

EGF Turkey File

European Parliament extends Cox-Kwasniewski mission, may send another mission to Ukraine

EGF Gazprom Monitor

EGF Turkey File

The European Geopolitical Forum / �� / EGF � ��