Russia wants nuclear talks between Iran and the G5+1 to be resumed “as quickly as possible.”

• March 23, 2012

Teck Resources LimitedLimited ("Teck", TSX: TCK.A and TCK.B, NYSE: TCK) and the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center of the Ministry of Agriculture of China (NATESC) announced today that they have signed an agreement to demonstrate and promote zinc fertilizer use in China.

• March 16, 2012

by Naim Ameur
Expert on political transition in Tunisia and the Maghreb

One year after the Jasmine Revolution of January 14, 2011, Tunisia has successfully advanced in its democratic transition and political reform process. The election of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) held on October 23, 2011 was well organised, and for the first time in history, it was fair. Al-Nahdha (which means “renaissance” in Arabic), a moderate Islamic party, won 41 per cent of the NCA seats. READ MORE

• March 8, 2012

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics
February 2012

Key Points:

• A crisis erupted between state prosecutors and the intelligence service, when members from the latter refused to turn up for questioning regarding an investigation into ties to the PKK. The intervention of prime minister and the parliament have calmed matters for now, but some experts speculate the incident is a result of a break between the AKP and the Gulenist movement.
• Bloodshed in Syria continues while Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu travels to capitals throughout the world in an attempt to drum up support for an UN resolution to stop the violence there. Syrian refugees continue to flood into Turkey’s southern provinces, where the Free Syrian Army is said to be organizing the armed resistance to the regime in Damascus.
• France’s Constitutional Council invalidates the Armenian Genocide draft law passed in January, though both presidential candidates have vowed to push a reworded version upon entering office.
• The cold spell in Turkey shows the weakness in the country’s position as a net importer of gas, while supply issues with Azerbaijan and Iran drastically cut imports amidst increased use in the month. Energy Minister Taner Yildiz met with NABUCCO’s board of partners to discuss the link up of it and TANAP.
READ MORE

• March 8, 2012

Unless Ukraine lifts its ban of Belarusian milk and meat, Minsk threatens to impose a total ban on Ukrainian export to this country, Ukraine agriculture ministry March 3 website release runs.

• March 3, 2012

Bulgaria is set to renew on Tuesday its electricity exports that it stopped due to the severe winter conditions in the country.

• February 21, 2012

Consumer prices increased by 0.7% in January in Estonia compared to the previous month. Swedish bank Swedbank experts forecast that the inflation would continue growth in coming months, albeit, at a slower pace. The bank predicts that the price index would decrease in Lithuania in 2012, Swedbank said in a statement.

• February 21, 2012

European stock markets rose yesterday on confidence that a new bailout for Greece will finally be approved while sentiment got a boost from the latest Chinese move to ease credit.

• February 21, 2012