An International Monetary Fund official on Monday praised Romania for sticking to austerity measures, saying the East European nation can afford to increase public sector wages as the economy rebounds.

• August 1, 2011

In the Informal Meeting of Ministers for European Affairs on 28-29 July in Sopot, Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Egidijus Meilunas presented Lithuania's priorities in preparation of the new European Union's financial perspective, informed BC the Ministry.

• August 1, 2011

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics during July 2011

Key Points:

• Turkey is shaken by the abrupt early retirement of the four highest-ranking military officials in the country just prior to the August meeting of the Supreme Military Council. The generals’ resignations, requesting retirement, are in protest at the continued detention of military officers as part of the “Sledgehammer” coup plot investigation.
• The domestic political scene calms as the Republican People’s Party (CHP) ends its parliamentary boycott, although the “independent” Peace and Democratic Party (BDP) delegates continue to refuse to be sworn in.
• Despite the fact that over 10,000 Syrians have crossed the border and sought refuge in Turkey, in July Ankara maintained a muted stance towards the Syrian crackdown as no viable alternative to the Assad regime has emerged.
• Iran, Syria and Iraq announce the Islamic Gas Pipeline project that will compete with Nabucco, while Turkey and Azerbaijan continue to argue over energy issues that could threaten the progress of the Nabucco gas pipeline.
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• August 1, 2011

A pilot error was the ultimate cause of the airplane crash that killed the Polish president and 95 others in Russia last year, but Russia's controllers and airport also played a role, a Polish committee investigating into the crash said Friday.

• July 30, 2011

North Korea's U.N. ambassador said Wednesday that U.S. modernization of its nuclear weapons and expansion of its missile defense systems will eventually spark a new nuclear arms race.

• July 30, 2011

A House Republican says the Obama administration plans talks with Saudi Arabia about potential civil nuclear power deals.

• July 30, 2011

ran welcomes Russia’s efforts towards finding a diplomatic way to settle Iran’s nuclear problem, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told a briefing in Tehran on Tuesday.

• July 29, 2011

South Korea's nuclear envoy said on Friday it would be very difficult to persuade North Korea to give up its atomic program, and that a flurry of diplomacy aimed at restarting nuclear talks was unlikely to produce major breakthroughs.

• July 29, 2011