A Chinese navy vessel aimed a type of radar normally used to aim weapons at a target at a Japanese navy ship in the East China Sea, prompting Japan to protest, Japan's defense minister said on Tuesday, an action that could complicate efforts to cool tension in a territorial row between the rivals.

• Date: 05.02.2013  |  Published on EGF: 05.02.2013  |  External Relations  |  from reuters.com

Iran has announced it will hold talks with world powers over its nuclear programme, in the first sign of diplomatic movement since last year to try to settle the international impasse

• Date: 04.02.2013  |  Published on EGF: 04.02.2013  |  External Relations  |  from bdlive.co.za

The controversy over Iran’s nuclear program seems unending as Tehran remains adamant to go ahead with the program. In the latest development, the UN nuclear agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has told member nations that Iran is planning to upgrade and speed up its nuclear program.

• Date: 01.02.2013  |  Published on EGF: 01.02.2013  |  Energy  |  from allvoices.com

Iran has imported 4 billion bcm of gas from Turkmenistan since March 19, 2012, Deputy Oil Minister Javad Owji said, Mehr reported.

• Date: 30.01.2013  |  Published on EGF: 30.01.2013  |  External Relations  |  from trend.az

Cyprus' president said Wednesday that Russia is ready to join the European Union in putting together a rescue package for the heavily indebted country.

Dimitris Christofias said that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin assured him of Moscow's readiness to "extend a helping hand" to Cyprus in a telephone conversation the previous day.

• Date: 30.01.2013  |  Published on EGF: 30.01.2013  |  External Relations  |  from news.yahoo.com

Moscow and Astana have signed a deal to establish a regional defense system, which will also include missile defense.
The document was signed on Wednesday during a meeting between Kazakh Defense Minister Adilbek Dzhaksybekov and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is paying an official visit to Astana, the Kazakh capital.

• Date: 30.01.2013  |  Published on EGF: 30.01.2013  |  External Relations  |  from rt.com

Repeating the past, North Korea's young ruler Kim Jong Un has threatened the US and South Korea with dire consequences for opposition to the nation's missile adventurism. In a break from the past, Kim issued thinly disguised criticism of North Korea's principal benefactors - China and Russia. The latest turn in North Korea's brinkmanship will test China's newly installed party Secretary General Xi Jinping.

• Date: 29.01.2013  |  Published on EGF: 29.01.2013  |  External Relations  |  from asiasentinel.com

While Russia and the United States are engaged in intense competition (often cut-throat, in many areas), they are increasingly locking horns on increasingly familiar turf: lucrative defense deals emanating from India.

• Date: 25.01.2013  |  Published on EGF: 25.01.2013  |  External Relations  |  from rbth.ru