ЕС в российской прессе

Expert weekly magazine publishes articles on the EU's ETS system in the aviation sector.

The Moscow Times runs an article, entitled France Backs Off Visa Rule, which addresses recent developments around the issuance of visas by the French Consulate in Moscow.

Gazeta.ru portal and The Moscow Times report on Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves' attendance of a concert in Tallinn in support of the arrested members of the Russian female punk band Pussy Riot.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by Sokhbet Mamedov which reports on a session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly in Baku with participation of representatives of the EU and countries participating in the EU's Eastern Partnership.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta mentions EU projects in Crimea (e.g. on the development of tourism) in an article by Tatiana Ivzhenko.

Vedomosti, in an article by Maria Amirdzhanyan and Margarita Lyutova, reports on unemployment rates in EU Member States.

In an article by Alexander Baranov and Igor Kryuchkov, Moskovskie Novosti reports on British Government plans to reinforce control over online correspondence.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta and Novye Izvestia report briefly on the resignation of Hungarian President Pal Schmitt over allegations of plagiarism in his doctoral thesis.

Gazeta.ru portal publishes an article by EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Kristalina Georgieva on the Professional Football Against Hunger campaign which focuses on the food crisis in the Sahel region of Africa. Link: http://www.gazeta.ru/comments/2012/03/28_a_4108409.shtml

Rossiyskaaya Gazeta runs an article by Ekaterina Zabrodina which addresses, among other issues, EU-Russia visa facilitation negotiations.

The Moscow Times publishes an article, entitled EU Visa Deal Held Up Over 'Official' Passports, which reports, citing a Kommersant publication, that an agreement between the EU and Russia on easing visa requirements is being held up due to EU concerns over Russia's insistence on granting visaless entry to holders of so-called 'official' passports.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta, in an article by Tatiana Ivzhenko, reports on the planned initialing of the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine on 30 March in Brussels.

In an article by Pyotr Kozlov, Izvestia cites Member of the European Parliament from Latvia Alexander Mirsky on commemorations of Latvian troops who fought on the side of Nazi Germany during WWII.

Kommersant addresses Russian-Latvian relations in an article by Pavel Tarasenko.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta runs an article by Yevgeny Grigoryev on Europe's debt crisis and the upcoming informal meeting of EU Economic and Finance Ministers in Copenhagen on 30-31 March.

In a supplement, Kommersant publishes an article by Alexei Lossan on Greece's plans to sell off some of state assets.

Novye Izvestia reports on a general strike today in Spain against labour reforms in an article by Natalia Timashova.

 

Kommersant, Moskovskie Novosti, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Novaya Gazeta and Novye Izvestia report on the expansion by the EU of sanctions against Belarus.

RBK daily publishes an article by Tatiana Glazkova and Alexander Polotsky which addresses European Commission proposals on the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM).

Kommersant-Vlast weekly magazine, Moskovskie Novosti and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on an anti-terrorist operation in Toulouse. Moskovskie Novosti highlights President Nicolas Sarkozy's call to punish visitors of extremist websites.

Vedomosti publishes a Wall Street Journal article about French Socialist Party Presidential candidate Francois Hollande.

The Moscow Times (AP) cites briefly new Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti as saying that membership of the EU is an ambitious task for Moldova.

In the run-up to a trilateral meeting today in Berlin between the Russian, German and Polish Foreign Ministers, Kommersant publishes an interview with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle which addresses relations between the EU and Russia, European security, the Nord Stream gas pipeline project and Syria.

Kommersant publishes an interview with Member of the European Parliament Hannes Swoboda which addresses, among other issues, the outcome of Russia's Duma and Presidential elections.

The Moscow Times publishes an article, entitled Top Leftist Says A Just Russia Should Embrace Protests, by Nikolaus von Twickel, which cites statements by MEP Swoboda, who is also the European Parliament's rapporteur on Russia, at a press conference yesterday in Moscow.

Vedomosti runs an article by Ekaterina Sobol on revision by Russia and Cyprus of an air transport agreement.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports briefly on reactions in Kazakhstan on the European Parliament's resolution on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan, including after unrest in Zhanaozen in December 2011.

Izvestia, Kommersant, Moskovskie Novosti and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report that French authorities have raised terrorism alert to the highest level in south France after Monday's attack at a Jewish school in Toulouse.

In an article by Anton Osipov, Vedomosti reports about new German President Joachim Gauck.

RBK daily publishes an article by Andrey Kotov on Deutsche Boerse's intention to legally challenge the European Commission's decision to block a merger between Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext.

Izvestia, Novye Izvestia, RBK daily and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on the postponement of a Eurogroup meeting on Greece's bailout.

Moskovskie Novosti and Nezavisimaya Gazeta comment on Greece's debt crisis.

RBK daily publishes an interview given to Handelsblatt by Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann, which addresses, among other issues, the Greek debt problems.

Kommersant and Vedomosti mention that Iran on Wednesday denied reports alleging that the country has stopped its oil supplies to six EU countries.

Moskovskie Novosti reports briefly that Russia's Transneft could consider a possibility to build an oil pipeline to Greece through Turkey, bypassing Bulgaria. Bulgaria earlier quit the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project.

Izvestia and Kommersant report on a referendum organised by Serbs in northern Kosovo, the Serbian Government's attitude to the referendum and Serbia's EU aspirations.

In an article by Svetlana Gamova, Nezavisimaya Gazeta addresses developments between Romania and Moldova.

Moskovskie Novosti and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on President Nicolas Sarkozy's announcement of his plans to run in the forthcoming Presidential election in France.

Kommersant and The Moscow Times quote EU HR Catherine Ashton's statement on Syria.

Kommersant and Nezavisimaya Gazeta report on the visit to Minsk by high-ranking EU official Gunnar Wiegand to discuss the state of EU-Belarus relations.

Moskovskie Novosti addresses developments between Gazprom and Lithuania in an article by Alexei Grivach.

Vedomosti and The Moscow Times (Bloomberg) report on Gazprom gas supplies to Europe this year.

Kommersant runs an article by Vladimir Vodo and Dmitry Belikov on a project to build the Gas Interconnection Poland-Lithuania (GIPL) pipeline between Poland and Lithuania

Izvestia (Marker-Weekly) and Nezavisimaya Gazeta report on a 130-billion-euro bailout from the EU and the IMF for Greece and protests in Greece against new austerity measures.

In an article by Alexei Smirnov, Novye Izvestia reports on Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt's proposal to raise retirement age in Sweden.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta, in an article by Yevgeny Grigoryev, reports on protest actions in Europe against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).

 

Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by Yevgeny Grigoryev on Russian-German economic relations in the context of the forthcoming Presidential election in Russia.

Moskovskie Novosti publishes an article by Mikhail Vignansky which reports on the visit to Sukhumi by Head of the EU Delegation to Georgia Philip Dimitrov and provides critical statements by Abkhaz officials on the EU's approach towards Abkhazia.

In an article by Vitaly Gaidayev, Kommersant cites ECB President Mario Draghi who said that there was evidence indicating some stabilization in the euro zone.

RBK daily and Vedomosti report that agreement has been reached by Greece's major political parties on new austerity measures.

RBK daily runs an article by Tatiana Glazkova which addresses European Commission proposals on retirement age.

RBK daily publishes an interview with famous Hungarian blogger Andor Jakab which addresses, among other issues, relations between Hungary and the EU.

 

Kommersant and The Moscow Times (AP, Reuters) report on EU plans to impose tougher sanctions on Syria.

In an interview with Kommersant, French Ambassador to Russia Jean de Gliniasty explained Paris' position on the Syria issue and said that France understood many concerns of Moscow over the situation in Syria. He expressed the view that disagreements between Russia and France on Syria would not lead to a crisis in bilateral relations.

Kommersant publishes an article by Maria-Luiza Tirmaste which reports on a hearing yesterday in Brussels organised by the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee and dedicated to the December 2011 Duma elections and the forthcoming Presidential election in Russia. The author says that Russian envoy to the EU Ambassador Vladimir Chizhov, as well as co-leader of the unregistered party PARNAS Mikhail Kasyanov, Solidarity movement activists Ilya Yashin and head of the independent election watchdog Golos Lilia Shibanova took part in the hearing.

The Moscow Times (Reuters) reports that Gazprom has reassured Italy that the 10-% gas flow shortfall would be met by the end of the week.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta, RBK daily and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on Greece's debt crisis and talks with international lenders on new austerity measures.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta and Novye Izvestia report on the EU's visa sanctions against Belarusian officials.

Moskovskie Novosti, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Novye Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on talks between Greece and the troika of lenders (the European Commission, ECB and IMF) on reforms as part of an aid package for Greece.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta runs an article by Vladimir Skosyrev on Chinese investment in various sectors in Europe.

In an article by Yevgeny Basmanov, RBK daily reports on IMF forecasts of the impact of the euro-zone debt crisis on China's economic growth rate.

Moskovskie Novosti reports briefly on Eurostat data on government debt in the euro zone in the third quarter of 2011.

Vedomosti publishes an interview with President of the Russian-German Chamber of Commerce Heinrich Weiss which addresses, among other issues, the euro-zone debt crisis.

Moskovskie Novosti publishes an article by Mikhail Kukushkin which addresses China's decision to ban its airlines from paying charges on carbon emissions imposed by the EU's ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme).

In an article by Sergey Kulikov, Nezavisimaya Gazeta cites Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as saying at a meeting with Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov in Sofia that the US is a partner in helping advance Bulgaria's energy security.

Izvestia and Nezavisimaya Gazeta cite an interview given by President Nicolas Sarkozy to the Politique Internationale magazine in which he comments on France's foreign policy.

In an article by Ekaterina Zabrodina, Moskovskie Novosti reports on the resignation of Romanian PM Emil Boc amid anti-Government protests.

Izvestia, Kommersant, Novye Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on the victory of Sauli Niinisto in Sunday's second round of the Presidential election in Finland.

CORRECTION: The item in 'Articles on the EU' of 6 February should read: Novye Izvestia reports on the second round of Finland's Presidential election in an article by Alexei Smirnov. The author highlights the issue of the environmental protection of the Baltic Sea raised during the campaign.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by Yevgeny Grigoryev which reports on the agenda of the EU summit on 30 January in Brussels.

RBK daily publishes articles which address the euro-zone debt crisis.

Kommersant-Vlast, Novye Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta comment on the EU's decision to impose an oil embargo against Iran.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta runs an article by Svetlana Gamova which comments on the Transdniestrian conflict resolution and mentions the planned meeting in the 5+2 format in February in Dublin.

In an article by Alexander Silonov, Vedomosti reports on the signing by the EU and 22 of its Member States of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.

Kommersant-Vlast reports on developments between the EU and Hungary over new Hungarian laws.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta, in an article by Alexander Deryabin, cites PM Putin as saying at yesterday's meeting with Federal Migration Service officials that the introduction of visa-free travel between the EU and Russia remains a priority for Russia.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes an interview with head of the Duma's International Affairs Committee Alexei Pushkov on Russia's foreign policy, including relations with the EU.

Kommersant publishes an article by Sergey Strokan which reports that Iran may stop oil exports to Europe following the EU's decision to impose an oil embargo against Tehran.

In an article by Anton Khodasevich, Nezavisimaya Gazeta addresses developments between the EU and Belarus.

Vedomosti runs an article by Alexander Silonov which reports on the European Commission's proposal to amend the data privacy legislation to better protect Internet users.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on a proposal to hold a referendum on Scottish independence in 2014.

Kommersant, in an article by Pavel Tarasenko, reports on an international conference yesterday in Moscow, called 'Never again: the memory of the Holocaust and prevention of crimes against humanity'. The author focuses on the rise of the far-right in Europe.

 

Moksovskie Novosti publishes an article, entitled Barriers for Gazprom, by Alexei Grivach, which reports on EU-Russian energy relations.

Rossiyskaya biznes-gazeta reports on the Danish Presidency of the EU and Russian-Danish trade and economic relations in an article by Alexei Chichkin.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta and Novye Izvestia report on the EU Finance Ministers' meeting in Brussels to discuss the restructuring of Greece's debt

Vedomosti addresses the euro-zone debt crisis in an article by Ekaterina Kravchenko.

Izvestia, Kommersant and Novye Izvestia report on the outcome of a referendum in Croatia at which 66% of voters backed Croatia's accession to the EU

In an article by Anton Khodasevich, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports on developments between the EU and Belarus.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta runs an article by Nadezhda Yermolayeva which reports on the outcome of the first round of Finland's Presidential election.

Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on an election programme unveiled by Socialist candidate for France's Presidential election Francois Hollande.

Novye Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on developments around the South Stream gas pipeline project in the context of Russian-Ukrainian gas talks.

In an article by Igor Yavlyansky, Izvestia reports on the expected decision by the EU to toughen sanctions against Tehran over Iran's controversial nuclear programme.

Moskovskie Novosti and Vedomosti report on the adoption by the Italian Government ofa package of reforms for economic growth.

Kommersant carries an article, entitled Forward, to Euroslavia, by Maxim Yusin, which reports on a referendum in Croatia on the country's accession to the EU.

Izvestia, in an article by Kirill Zubkov, mentions results of polls on support for Serbia's accession to the EU.

Moskovskie Novosti publishes an article by Innokenty Andreyev on energy infrastructure in EU Member States.

In a special supplement, called 'NG-Dipkurier', Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by Alexei Fenenko which comments on Britain's foreign policy.

Kommersant-Vlast reports on the EU's reaction to Hungary's reforms in an article by Nikolai Zubov.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports briefly on a rally on Saturday in Budapest to support Hungarian PM Viktor Orban.

In an article by Pavel Tarasenko, Kommersant reports on Finland's Presidential election.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes articles on far-right parties in Europe.

Kommersant publishes an interview with EU HR Catherine Ashton whichaddresses EU-Russia relations, PM Vladimir Putin's proposal of creating the Eurasian Union, EU-Georgian relations.

Kommersant publishes an interview given to Interfax by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on bilateral relations and the visa issue between the EU and Russia.

Kommersant runs an article by Elena Chernenko which comments on the position of Members of the European Parliament on EU-Russia relations ahead of the EU-Russia summit in Brussels.

In a front-page article by Mikhail Sergeyev, Nezavisimaya Gazeta addresses a survey by Rosstat which compares some economic and social indicators in EU Member States and Russia.

Moskovskie Novosti carries an article, entitled South Stream is bypassing Austria, by Alexei Grivach, which comments on the route of the planned South Stream gas pipeline.

Vedomosti reports briefly that the Nord Stream gas pipeline has been suspended until 21:00 (Moscow time) on 15 December due to planned maintenance (Interfax).

Izvestia, Kommersant, Nezavisimaya Gazeta and RBK daily report on the euro zone debt crisis.

The Moscow Timespublishes an article, entitled EU Envoy Nudges Yanukovych (Reuters), which reports on developments between the EU and Ukraine and cites EU Commissioner Stefan Fuele as having expressed serious concern during his visit to Kiev over the jailing of former Ukrainian PM Yulia Tymoshenko.

Kommersant, Moskovsky Komsomolets, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Novye Izvestia, Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Vedomosti report on the outcome of the EU summit in Brussels.

Kommersant, in an article by Dmitry Butrin, reports on a meeting in November in Brussels in the framework of EU-Russia dialogue on financial and macroeconomic policy.

In an article by Tatiana Ivzhenko, Nezavisimaya Gazeta addresses Ukraine's relations with the EU.

Kommersant, Moskovskie Novosti, RBK daily, Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Vedomosti report on the EU summit in Brussels to discuss proposals to save the euro.

Kommersant reports on President Medvedev's visit to the Czech Republic in an article by Vladimir Solovyov.

 

Izvestia publishes an article, entitled INSOR has prepared for Dmitry Medvedev a new report on relations with the EU, by Pyotr Sidibe, which mentions the upcoming EU-Russia summit in Brussels on 15 December and addresses a report by the Institute for Contemporary Development (INSOR) on EU-Russia relations.

Izvestia, Kommersant, Moskovsky Komsomolets, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, RBK daily, The Moscow Times and Vedomosti report on the euro-zone debt crisis and the EU summit on 8-9 December to discuss anti-crisis measures.

In an article by Yevgeny Krasnikov, Moskovsky Komsomolets mentions Russia's dialogue with the EU on the visa-free travel issue.

Moskovsky Komsomolets publishes an article by Ekaterina Petukhova which reports on a scandal involving Estonian officials and lawmakers who helped rich people from Russia and other CIS countries to obtain residence permits in Estonia.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports on the EU's relations with Belarus in an article by Anton Khodasevich.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta addresses developments in the Balkan countries in an article by Vladislav Vorobyov.

Kommersant, Moskovskie Novosti, Moskovsky Komsomolets, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Novye Izvestia, RBK daily, Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Vedomosti report on the outcome of the EU summit to discuss anti-crisis measures.

Kommersant and Moskovskie Novosti report on a European Parliament resolution on Ukraine and relations between the EU and Kiev.

Novaya Gazeta publishes an article by Alexander Mineyev which reports on the laureates of the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta, in an article by Daria Tsilyurik, reports on Ireland's presidential election on 27 October.

In an article by Pavel Tarasenko, Kommersant addresses new proposals by the British authorities on immigration.

 

Gazeta.ru and RBK daily cite a publication in The Wall Street Journal which reported that during his recent visit to Tbilisi, high-ranking EU diplomat Gunnar Wiegand called on Georgia to accept Russia's bid to join the WTO.

Izvestia, Novye Izvestia, RBK daily and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on Europe's debt crisis and the EU summit yesterday in Brussels.

RBK daily carries an article by ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet, published in Handelsblatt, in which he spoke of the need of solid leadership for Europe to ensure that all countries are oriented towards common goals.

In an article by Sergey Manukov, Novye Izvestia addresses developments between France and Italy over the appointment of Italy's Mario Draghi as the next President of the ECB.

 

Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Novaya Gazeta, RBK daily and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on the planned meeting of EU leaders today in Brussels to discuss measures to solve Europe's debt crisis.

Vedomosti publishes an article by Alexander Grigoryev which comments on Greece's debt crisis.

Izvestia, in an article by Kirill Zubkov, reports on the cancellation of EU Finance Ministers' meeting.

Vedomosti compares the costs of building the Nabucco and South Stream gas pipelines.

Moskovskie Novosti, Novye Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report that Britain's Parliament rejected a proposal to hold a referendum on the country's membership in the EU

 

Expert weekly magazine publishes an insert on Russian-Finnish cooperation and an interview with Finland's PM Jyrki Katainen.

In an article by Alexei Chichkin, Rossiyskaya biznes-gazeta reports on the Finnish Business forum in Moscow and Finland's investment projects in Russia.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes a supplement dedicated to Italy and Russian-Italian relations.

Izvestia, Moskovskie Novosti and Nezavisimaya Gazeta report on discussions by EU leaders of Europe's debt crisis and cite disagreements on how to solve the debt problems.

In an editorial, Vedomosti addresses EU measures to deal with the debt crisis and mentions a second meeting of EU leaders planned for 26 October.

In an article by Vasily Voropayev, Rossiyskaya Gazeta reports on Greek Government austerity measures.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta addresses developments between the EU and Ukraine in an article by Tatiana Ivzhenko.

 

Novye Izvestia, RBK daily and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on the EU summit on 23 October in Brussels.

RBK daily publishes an article by Tatiana Glazkova on EU plans to change regulation of credit ratings.

In an article by Sergey Manukov, Novye Izvestia cites a warning by Moody's rating agency that France's credit rating could be at risk.

Moskovskie Novosti and Vedomosti report on discussions by EU Finance Ministers of re-capitalization of banks.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by Yevgeny Primakov on developments in the Balkan region.

Kommersant-Vlast weekly magazine publishes an article by Vladimir Solovyov which addresses the Tymoshenko case and Ukraine's relations with the EU.

 

Nezavisimaya Gazeta cites EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, who said that the EU and Ukraine have reached agreement on a free trade deal and added that the realization of the agreement would depend on the Ukrainian leadership's political will (Interfax).

The Moscow Times reports on the same issue in an article, entitled Politics Holding Ukraine Trade Deal With EU (Reuters).

Kommersant, Moskovskie Novosti and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on massive protests in Greece against the Greek Government's austerity measures.

Izvestia, Nezavisimaya Gazeta and Vedomosti report on discussions by France and Germany of the EU's EFSF and on the upcoming EU summit on 23 October to discuss Europe's debt crisis.

Moskovskie Novosti runs an article by Olga Shamina which reports that the EU may ban rating agencies from publishing ratings of EU Member States in difficulty.

Ahead of the London Conference on Cyberspace on 1-2 November, Kommersant publishes an article by British Foreign Secretary William Hague.

In an article by Vladimir Skosyrev, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports on a proposal by some members of Britain's Conservative Party to hold a referendum on EU membership.

 

A number of statements have been made recently by Russian officials on the EU's third energy package. Following talks with Dutch PM Rutte last week in Moscow, President Medvedev stressed that the EU's internal directives should not hamper energy cooperation between the EU and Russia. Earlier this month, Medvedev, while saying at a meeting of the Russian Security Council that Russia is determined to implement all energy agreements with European partners, admitted that a number of recent developments had created problems for Russia's gas cooperation with European countries and called on the Energy Ministry and Gazprom to work out proposals on developing gas relations with EU countries taking into account the EU's third energy package. This week, Energy Minister Shmatko announced that Russia and the European Commission failed to reach an understanding on the third energy package as Gazprom opposes the unbundling rules, seeking to build its presence in gas distribution and marketing. In addition, the Energy Ministry indicated that the European Commission has rejected an idea to sign an agreement with Russia on the legal framework for 'trans-border energy projects', including South Stream (Interfax, Kommersant, Rossiyskaya Gazeta).

Commentators note that the EU's attempts to 'restrict' Gazprom's expansion in Europe prompt the Russian side to look more actively for customers outside of Europe. This explains the domination of oil and gas issues on PM Putin's agenda during his recent visit to China (Nezavisimaya Gazeta). Russian officials (e.g. Deputy Energy Minister Yanovsky) have confirmed Moscow's intention to diversify gas supplies and re-direct part of them to the Asia-Pacific region, including South Korea and China. Meanwhile, observers highlight difficulties in negotiations with new customers of Russian energy resources and mention in this context a failure by Moscow and Beijing to agree on the price of Russian gas supplied to China. Despite a deadlock in talks, Russia and the EU will have to look for common ground on gas prices and on restructuring of Gazprom's European subsidiaries (Novye Izvestia).

Media report widely on agreement reached by the EU and Russia on the outstanding bilateral issues in the process of Russia's WTO accession, first of all on the terms of industrial assembly regime in the car industry. Russia also provided guarantees that the system of Siberian charges would be changed in the coming weeks. Maxim Medvedkov, Russia's chief WTO negotiator, clarified that the system of Siberian over-flight charges could be reformed, but not abolished.

As the EU leaders meet today in Brussels for a full summit, the press cites disagreements within the European Union on how to solve Europe's debt crisis. Russian experts express the view that Europe has lost the momentum when it was possible to resolve the financial problems successfully should the EU officials dared to exclude Greece from the euro zone 1.5 or 2 years ago (Vedomosti, Novye Izvestia).

 

Ahead of Dutch PM Rutte's visit to Moscow, Vedomosti and The Moscow Times publish supplements dedicated to Russian-Dutch cooperation.

The Moscow Times (Reuters) reports on Russian-European space cooperation and the planned launch of Russian Soyuz rocket from French Guiana on 20 October.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta runs an article by Anton Khodasevich which reports on an intention by Belarusian businessman Vladimir Peftiyev to sue the EU over the imposition of sanctions against some Belarusian enterprises.

In an article by Mikhail Kukushkin, Moskovskie Novosti addresses the EU's Rail Baltica project.

The Moscow Times publishes an article by Vladislav Inozemtsev on the euro zone debt crisis.

RBK daily reports on the economic situation in France in an article by Yulia Kalachikhina.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports on Portuguese Government austerity measures in an article by Yury Paniyev.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta, in an article by Viktor Feshchenko, provides the results of a Eurobarometer survey on whether Europeans are satisfied with their life.

 

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes an interview given by Dutch PM Mark Rutte to Russian media on bilateral relations, the eurozone debt crisis, multiculturalism and other issues.

Expert weekly magazine publishes an interview with Mr Rutte which addresses the development of the agricultural sector in the Netherlands, the country's position on the EU's EFSF and on activity of Dutch right-wing groups.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Vedomosti report on the upcoming EU summit, set for 23 October, to address the European debt crisis.

RBK daily carries an article by Tatiana Glazkova which cites a proposal by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to impose individual criminal responsibility for financial players who are accused of being behind the current economic crisis.

In an article by Sergey Sumlenny, Expert comments on the eurozone debt crisis and on the EU's EFSF.

Novye Izvestia publishes an interview with Russian Ambassador to Spain Alexander Kuznetsov on bilateral cooperation and the visa issue.

Itogi weekly magazine publishes an article by Svetlana Sukhova which reports on the Schengen area's Visa Information System (VIS).

Dailies (Kommersant, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Moskovskie Novosti, Novye Izvestia, Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Vedomosti) report on the election of Francois Hollande as the French Social Party's candidate for next year's Presidential election in France.

In an article by Yury Paniyev, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports on the process of formation of Latvia's new Government and a rally in Riga in support of the Harmony Centre party.

In an article by Yevgeny Devyatyarov, Izvestia reports on disagreements between the EU and Russia over EU plans to introduce an emissions tax on airlines.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta and Vedomosti addressGreece's debt crisis. Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports that the EU summit has been postponed to 23 October.

RBK daily publishes an interview given to Handelsblatt by Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn on EU measures to overcome the euro zone debt crisis.

In an article by Yulia Kalachikhina, RBK daily cites an article in The Financial Times by former British Foreign Secretary David Owen in which he comments on the euro sovereign debt crisis and proposes to non-members of the euro zone to establish a “Non-Eurogroup” (NEG).

Kommersant, Nezavisimaya Gazeta and The Moscow Times (Reuters) report on Turkmenistan's South Iolotan gas field and on perspectives for the EU-backed Nabucco gas pipeline project.

In an article by Anna Fedyakina, Rossiyskaya Gazeta reports on the EU's toy safety directive which came into force on 20 July 2011.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes an article by Teimur Abdullayev and Alexei Chichkin which reports on last week's inspections by EU antitrust authorities of offices of Gazprom subsidiaries and partners in EU Member States and Turkey's decision not to renew a contract on Russian gas supplies through the western pipeline via Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania.

Kommersant addresses developments between Russia and Bulgaria over the Belene nuclear power plant project in an article by Nikolai Marchenko.

Izvestia publishes a supplement on Russian-German cooperation.

Vedomosti runs an article by Ekaterina Kravchenko which reports on statements made by EU officials on conditions under which the EU could provide financial aid to Belarus.

Kommersant (Saturday's issue) and The Moscow Times (Reuters) report on the Eastern Partnership Summit in Warsaw.

Komsomolskaya Pravda, Moskovskie novosti, Nezavisimaya Gazeta and RBK daily cite proposals put forward by investor George Soros on how to deal with Europe's debt crisis.

RBK daily publishes a Handelsblatt article on Greece's debt crisis.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta ('NG-Dipkurier') comments on Ukraine's relations with Russia and the EU in an article by Sergey Tolstov.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by Sokhbet Mamedov on energy projects to supply gas to the EU.

In a supplement, 'NG-Dipkurier', Nezavisimaya Gazeta carries an article by Viktoria Panfilova on the EU-backed Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project.

In an article by Valery Masterov, Moskovskie Novosti reports on upcoming Parliamentary elections in Poland and Russian-Polish relations.

Russia would welcome cooperation with EU under Eastern Partnership project on acceptable terms - Lukashevich

MOSCOW. Sept 30 (Interfax) - Russia does not rule out cooperation with the European Union under the Eastern Partnership program if a pattern of relations acceptable for Russia is created in this format, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich.

I would like to confirm our wish to cooperate constructively with the European Union and with our nearest neighbors, if a pattern of generating and integrating concrete joint projects, transparent for Russia and taking each other's interests into account, is created and yields a concrete added value to equitable cooperation within the framework of our common agenda, Lukashevich said at a press briefing in Moscow on Friday.

On the current Eastern Partnership summit in Warsaw, Lukashevich said that Moscow is closely following it, as it has brought together the nearest neighbors interacting with Russia within the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Customs Union and the common economic space under construction.

We hope that the outcome of the summit will not be at variance with the above-mentioned projects, the Russian diplomat said.

Belarus refuses to take part in Eastern Partnership summit - Foreign Ministry

MINSK. Sept 30 (Interfax) - Belarus has decided not to take part in an Eastern Partnership summit, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Belarus has actively worked on the summit preparations and was planning to take part in its events. However, our participation is impossible in these conditions: partnership cannot be based on discrimination, it said.

In the run-up to the Eastern Partnership summit, its organizers resorted to unprecedented discriminatory measures in relation to Belarus, the Foreign Ministry said.

They refused to send an invitation to the head of the Belarusian state. After that, the leader of the Belarusian delegation appointed by Belarus was limited in participation in the summit events, the statement says.

These actions grossly violate the basic principles of Eastern Partnership agreed upon at the first summit in Prague in 2009, it said.

By taking these steps, the summit organizers damage this regional initiative's efficiency and bear responsibility for this, it said.

Any decisions affecting Belarus's interests made at the summit without our country's direct consent will be illegitimate, it said.

The partnership's significance will be considerably reduced without Belarus, it said.

At the same time, Belarus is willing to work together in strengthening and developing this regional initiative, but it will do so only based on principles of genuine rather than virtual partnership, it said.

30/09/2011

Belarus will stay away from the ongoing Eastern Partnership summit in Warsaw because of unprecedented discrimination, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Warsaw is hosting a two-day summit (September 29-30) on the Eastern Partnership, an initiative to bring the EU's eastern neighbors closer to the 27-nation bloc.

Summit organizers refused to send a formal invitation to the Belarusian head of state, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the head of the delegation was restricted from participation in some of the summit's activities.

Partnership cannot be based on discrimination, the ministry said.

Poland on Thursday criticized the refusal by the Belarusian foreign minister to attend the summit as yet another step toward the country's 'self imposed isolation'.

Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov declined the invitation. The country was to be represented at the summit by the Belarusian ambassador to Warsaw.

The Eastern Partnership program, initiated by Poland and Sweden in 2008, seeks to bring the six post-Soviet countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine closer to the democratic and economic workings of the EU.

The summit is expected to produce a declaration on the European aspirations of the EU's partners in the program.

BRUSSELS. Sept 29 (Interfax) - The trial of Ukraine's ex-prime minster Yulia Tymoshenko and the situation in Belarus in the context of political reprisals against opposition leaders, rights campaigners and civil activists will be discussed at the Eastern Partnership summit opening in Warsaw on Thursday, spokesperson for the European Union's foreign policy service Maya Kocijancic told Interfax.

Ukraine and Belarus will each be addressed in a special section of the summit document, she said.

Kocijancic confirmed that the summit will launch talks on agreements on association with Georgia and Moldova.

Hopefully, this will happen alongside finalization of the talks with Ukraine, she said.

The Eastern Partnership project's member-states are Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

BRUSSELS. Sept 29 (Interfax) - An Eastern Partnership summit is opening in Warsaw on September 29 and it will close on September 30.

It will be chaired by European Union Council President Herman Van Rompuy.

The summit will bring together European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule and European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek.

Polish President Donald Tusk and other EU officials will attend, too.

The six members of the Eastern Partnership project will be represented by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat. Belarus will be represented by its ambassador to Poland.

The summit aims to update the political obligations of all members on the key goals of the partnership project, says a statement circulated in Brussels on Wednesday.

The participants will also discuss progress, made in implementing the Eastern Partnership project over the past few years and based in the common values of democracy and human rights.

It will also map out further steps to guarantee the member countries' deeper political association and economic integration with the EU, the statement says.

The progress made in dealing with the free trade zone project and in the sphere of mobility, and deeper economic cooperation in the transport, energy and agricultural sectors, will be the center of discussions.

The summit will highlight the recognition of the member-countries' European aspirations and choice, it said.

 

Dailies report widely on the Eastern Partnership Summit in Warsaw: Kommersant, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Vedomosti have published articles on the issue.

Izvestia, Moskovskie Novosti, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, RBK daily and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on the approval by Germany's Bundestag of the expansion of the EU's European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) bailout fund.

RBK daily, in an article by Yevgeny Basmanov, provides expert assessments of the euro zone debt problems.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an interview given by Dutch PM MarkRutte to Russian journalists in the run-up to his planned visit to Russia on 19-21 October.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes an article by head of the Duma's International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachyov which addresses Russia's foreign policy, including relations with the EU.

In an article by Yury Shpakov, Moskovskie Novosti reports on a discussion by German Parliamentarians of the visa regime issue with Russia.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta runs an article by Yevgeny Shestakov on the European External Action Service's activity in conflict prevention. The author points to recent developments in northern Kosovo and between Cyprus and Turkey.

Moskovskie Novosti and Rossiyskaya Gazeta cite EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger as saying that the European Commission will launch infringement procedures against those EU Member States which have not adopted their national legislation to the EU's third energy package.

Vedomosti reports briefly that Poland intends to veto any attempt by the EU to develop an EU-wide regulation on shale gas (WSJ).

Izvestia, Kommersant, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Moskovskie Novosti, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Novye Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta comment on the reasons behind riots in British cities.

Kommersant publishes an article by Yevgeny Khvostik which cites worries that France's credit rating could be cut and statements by the French Government and credit rating agencies that France's rating was not under threat.

Moskovskie Novosti publishes an article by Charles Wyplosz on the eurozone debt crisis.

Kommersant reports on developments around the Belene nuclear power plant project in Bulgaria in an article by Vladimir Dzaguto, Anna Zanina and Nikolai Marchenko.

Vedomosti (Interfax)and The Moscow Times (Reuters) report on a ruling by a top Bulgarian court on Lukoil's Bulgarian refinery.

Rossiyskaya biznes-gazeta, in an article by Nadezhda Yermolayeva, reports on the procedure for applying for a Schengen visa at the Estonian Consulate-General in St. Petersburg.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta and The Moscow Times provide reactions in the US and the EU to the arrest of former Ukrainian PM Tymoshenko.

23.06.11.

Kommersant and Nezavisimaya Gazeta report on the EU summit on 23-24 June in Brussels to discuss, among other issues, the Greek debt crisis and EU entry negotiations with Croatia.

Izvestia, Kommersant, Novye Izvestia and RBK daily report on vote of the confidence in the Greek Government, reshuffled by PM George Papandreou, against the background of the country's debt crisis.

Moskovskie Novosti publishes an article, entitled Sisyphus and Democracy, by Fyodor Lukyanov, which comments on the EU's handling of Greece's debt crisis.

Kommersant reports on developments between Gazprom and Lithuania in an article by Olga Mordyushenko, Dmitry Belikov and Vladimir Vodo. The authors mention a possible delay in the reorganisation of Lietuvos dujos until 1 July 2013.

Izvestia, Rossiyskaya Gazeta and The Moscow Times report on a decline of the number of tourists to Russia from some EU Member States.

Novye Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta provide Eurostat's ranking of countries on the basis of their per capita GDP. According to the list, Luxembourg is the richest country in the EU in terms of GDP per capita.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes an interview with chief editor of Poland's Gazeta Wyborcza Adam Michnik which addresses, among other issues, Poland's foreign policy and relations with Russia.

22.06.11.

Kommersant publishes an article by Vladislav Kagan and Yelena Chernenko which reports on the EU's decision to impose sanctions against several Belarusian companies and on Belarus authorities' intention to respond to the sanctions.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports on new EU sanctions against Minsk in an article by Anton Khodasevich.

Kommersant, in an article by Vladimir Solovyov, reportson consultations in the 5+2 format on the Transdniestrian conflict resolution yesterday in Moscow. The EU and the US hold observer status in the Transdniestrian settlement talks.

In an article by Vladimir Solovyov, Kommersant addresses Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's statements on relations with the EU.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on the Western countries' position on Syria.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by British Foreign Secretary William Hague on the Libya crisis.

The Moscow Times publishes an article, entitled The EU Should Follow Russia's Fiscal Restraint, by Anders Aslund, which addresses the EUs' handling of the current euro-zone crisis and comments on Russia's fiscal policies.

Izvestia reports on the euro currency and Greece's debt crisis in an article by Maria Sarycheva and Alexei Nadezhdin.

21.06.11.

In an article by Oleg Shevtsov, Izvestia reports on PM Putin's visit to France.

Rossiyskaya biznes-gazeta reports on Moscow's ban on EU vegetable imports and its impact on the situation on the Russian internal market in an article by Andrey Yevplanov.

Komsomolskaya Pravda and Vedomosti report on the EU's decision to impose new sanctions against Belarus, including sanctions against companies Beltechexport, Beltelecom and Sport-Pari.

Rossiyskaya biznes-gazeta publishes an insert on cooperation between Russia and Cyprus.

Expert weekly magazine, Moskovskie Novosti, Novye Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on the economic situation in the euro zone, focusing on Greece's debt crisis and forecasts of an inevitable default in Greece.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports briefly that an extraordinary Eurogroup meeting on Greece is planned for 3 July.

In a special supplement, called 'Energy of Europe', Moskovskie Novosti addresses discussions of nuclear power development in Europe.

In an interview with Moskovskie Novosti ('Energy of Europe'), President of the Russian Gas Society Valery Yazev comments on reactions to the accidents at Japan's Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant and Russia's gas exports to the EU.

Expert, in an article by Ivan Rubanov, mentions EU documents on the use of biofuels.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article, entitled After Gaullism, by Alexei Fenenko, which comments on France's cooperation with Britain on security issues and France's role in European politics.

15.06.11.

Novaya Gazeta and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on the EU-Russia summit in Nizhny Novgorod on 9-10 June.

Novye Izvestia, in an article by Sergey Putilov, comments on Russia's ban on EU vegetable imports.

In an article by Maria-Luiza Tirmaste and Maxim Ivanov, Kommersant addresses yesterday's hearing in the European Parliament on the forthcoming elections in Russia

Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by Svetlana Gamova on the Transdniestrian conflict resolution ahead of the planned negotiations in the 5+2 format on 21 June in Moscow.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta runs an article by Viktoria Panfilova which mentions the recent visit to Tajikistan by Member of the European Parliament Struan Stevenson.

Izvestia, RBK daily and Vedomosti report on the downgrading by S & P of Greece to the worst sovereign rating in the world.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta and Vedomosti cite forecasts by economist Nouriel Roubini of the euro zone's future.

Kommersant, Moskovskie Novosti and Novye Izvestia report on the outcome of a referendum in Italy, including the rejection of PM Silvio Berlusconi's nuclear power plans.

In an article by Yevgeny Grigoryev, Nezavisimaya Gazeta comments on calls by the Sudeten Germans on the Czech President to apologize for the expulsion of Germans from then-Czechoslovakia after WWII.

14.06.11.

Moskovskie Novosti publishes an article, entitled Russia and Europe: nothing to talk about, by Artyom Kobzev, which comments on EU-Russia dialogue.

The Moscow Times publishes an article, entitled Cucumbers Over Content, by Yekaterina Kuznetsova, which comments on the EU-Russia summit in Nizhny Novgorod and the state of play in EU-Russia relations.

The Moscow Times publishes a special supplement dedicated to Russian-French cooperation.

Expert weekly magazine publishes an insert dedicated to Slovenia and Russian-Slovenian cooperation.

Moskovskie Novosti reports on Spain's debt problems in an article by Olga Shamina.

 

Review of articles 3-14 June 2011

The EU-Russia summit on 9-10 June in Nizhny Novgorod ended with no major breakthrough. Kommersant writes that the sides have not agreed upon a document on common steps towards the introduction of visa-free travel and have not reached agreement on conditions for Russia's accession to the WTO. Moskovskie Novosti adds that no tangible results were achieved in the partnership for modernization initiative and in the work on a new bilateral agreement. Expert of the Finnish Institute of International Relations Arkady Moshes remarks that the announced credit line of 2 billion euros for the implementation of business projects in the framework of the partnership for modernization is comparable under the current oil prices with a growth of Russian forex and gold reserves in several days. At the same time, President Medvedev expressed optimism that Russia has good chances to complete the WTO accession negotiations this year and expressed the hope that a gradual plan for switching to visa-free travel with the EU will be agreed by end-July. The Nizhny Novgorod summit took place amid a controversy between Russia and the European Union over Moscow's ban on EU vegetable imports imposed in the wake of the E.coli outbreak. The meeting, which was described by the media as the vegetable summit, was preceded by an exchange of statements between EU officials, including the Head of the EU Delegation to Russia Fernando Valenzuela, and PM Vladimir Putin and Russia's chief WTO negotiator Maxim Medvedkov. While the EU side called the Russian vegetable ban unjustified and contradicting the WTO rules, the Russian Premier said in response that we will not poison our people. Medvedkov, in turn, stressed that the WTO rules do not ban restrictions on food imports in the case they can cause damage to people's health or lives.

At a joint press conference after the summit, President Medvedev announced that Russia was ready to lift its ban on EU vegetable imports under sufficient guarantees by the EU. Russia's chief sanitary doctor Onishchenko, who has become the main newsmaker in Nizhny Novgorod, told reporters on the sidelines of the summit that Moscow agreed to resume supplies of certain types of vegetables after a safety certificate is adopted. However, no dates for lifting the ban have been specified by Russian officials. An unnamed source in the Russian delegation told RBK daily that Russia has used the cucumber issue in an attempt to break the impasse in the process of Russia's WTO accession.

Meanwhile, some commentators (e.g. Arkady Moshes, Timofei Bordachev, Yekaterina Kuznetsova and Fraser Cameron) speak of the degeneration of EU-Russia summits, which have become routine events that rarely produce breakthroughs. Arkady Moshes expresses the view in his article for Gazeta.ru that the sides have become accustomed to stagnation in the relations, arguing that the lack of progress is not considered as a problem. On the eve of the summit in Nizhny Novgorod, commentators again raised the issue of the need to reduce the EU-Russia summits to once a year. In his commentary in Kommersant, director of the Centre for European and International Studies at the State University-Higher School of Economics Bordachev suggests that both Russian and European representatives allegedly agree with this idea but neither side is ready to be the first to announce the initiative. Bordachev explains the strategic problem [in the EU-Russia relationship] by the absence of preconditions for a real economic integration between Russia and Europe because the sides do not compete in the international trade sphere and have no interest in reducing expenses arising from the competition. In the expert's view, an impetus for rapprochement could be brought by realization by political elites on both sides that modern challenges are too serious to be dealt with alone. However, such understanding is not seen. Bordachev continues that Russia and the EU are undergoing internal transformations which result inter alia in growing protectionism and egoism in foreign policy. Moskovskie Novosti expresses the view that the EU is de facto curtailing activity beyond its borders and focuses more on internal problems. Head of European programmes at the Centre for Post-Industrial Studies in Moscow Yekaterina Kuznetsova says in her article in The Moscow Times that it would be wrong to say that Brussels has completely lost interest in Russia, adding that the interest it does have is hardly a cause for optimism. The expert mentions in this context a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on the eve of the Nizhny Novgorod summit voicing concern over restrictions on the freedom of opposition parties to register for the elections. Gazeta.ru reports that Members of the European Parliament have thus backed a number of Russia's unregistered parties and mentions among them 'Other Russia' led by Eduard Limonov, 'Rot Front' led by Sergey Udaltsov and the People's Freedom Party led by Mikhail Kasyanov, Boris Nemtsov, Vladimir Ryzhkov and Vladimir Milov.

10.06.11.

In an editorial, Nezavisimaya Gazeta addresses the upcoming Polish Presidency of the EU.

Parlamentskaya Gazeta and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on developments around theE-coli outbreak in Europe.

RBK daily runs an article by Yulia Kalachikhina which addresses ECB monetary policy.

RBK daily publishes a Handelsblatt article on Greece's debt crisis.

Novye Izvestia publishes an article by Gennady Savchenko which reports that EU Interior Ministers have postponed Bulgaria's and Romania's entry to the Schengen area due to opposition from the Netherlands.

Vedomosti reports briefly on the signing by Nabucco Gas Pipeline International GmbH of bilateral project support agreements with five transit countries (Interfax).

In view of the summit in Nizhniy Novgorod, Rossiyskaya Gazeta published a supplement on EU-Russia relations under a contract with the Delegation.

The supplement focuses on Partnership for Modernization projects. The Supplement features interviews with Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Georgieva, Ambassador Valenzuela, as well as high-ranking Russian officials including Foreign Minister Lavrov and Investigative Committee head Bastrykin.

Russian-language online version:http://special.rg.ru/special_editions/data/310.pdf

9.06.11.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes a special supplement on EU-Russia relations. Special emphasis is given to partnership for modernization projects.

The Moscow Times publishes an article, entitled The Vegetable Summit, by director of the EU-Russia Centre in Brussels Fraser Cameron, on the EU-Russia Summit in Nizhny Novgorod.

In an article by Yevgeny Grigoryev, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports on a meeting in Berlin over the E.coli outbreak with the participation of EU Health Commissioner John Dalli.

RBK daily publishes a Handelsblatt article on the economic situation in Slovenia.

Kommersant runs an article by Nikolai Marchenko and Vladimir Dzaguto on developments around the Belene nuclear power plant project in Bulgaria.

 

8.06.11.

Argumenty i Fakty, Moskovskie Novosti, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, The Moscow Times (Bloomberg) and Vedomosti report on outbreaks of an E.coli infection in Europe and Russia's ban of the import of vegetables from the EU. Moskovskie Novosti reports on yesterday's meeting between head of Rospotrebnadzor Gennady Onishchenko and European Commission officials.

Moskovskie Novosti and The Moscow Times comment on France's plans to ask the UN SC to vote on a draft resolution condemning Syria for its crackdown on the uprising against Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes articles on the chemical weapons destruction in Russia which mention funding provided by the EU and individual EU Member States.

In an article by Tatiana Glazkova, RBK daily addresses an election victory of Portugal's Social Democrats in the context of Portugal's economic problems.

Novaya Gazeta runs an article by Alexander Mineyev on the use of solar energy in Europe, e.g. by the trains in Belgium.

7.06.11.

Gazeta.ru publishes an article, entitled The Summit with cucumber, by Ksenia Solyanskaya which addresses the upcoming EU-Russia summit on 9-10 June in Nizhny Novgorod. Experts suggest that the Russian ban of the import of vegetables from the EU could become the main issue on the agenda.

The Moscow Times publishes an article, entitled Race On to End Spat Over Vegetable Ban, which reports that EU and Russian officials have expressed hope that a dispute over Moscow's ban of European vegetables due to an E.coli outbreak would be resolved before the upcoming EU-Russia summit.

Interfax news agency cites President Medvedev as saying on Monday that he may bring up the issue of the Russian language at the EU-Russia summit.

President of the 'Russian World fund Vyacheslav Nikonov is quoted by Rossiyskaya Gazeta that 6% of EU citizens speak Russian.

In an article by Yevgenia Reshetnikova, Rossiyskaya biznes-gazeta cites the Head of the EU Delegation to Russia Fernando Valenzuela on the agenda of the summit in Nizhny Novgorod, including international issues (North Africa, the Middle East etc) and bilateral cooperation between the EU and Russia.

Moskovsky Komsomolets runs an article by Elena Mishina on EU-Russia discussions of visa facilitation.

Interfax quotes a statement by PM Putin, who stressed that Russia does not want exceptions for any region in the negotiations with the European Union on the visa issue.

In an article by Seda Yegikyan and Ivan Buranov, Kommersant reports on planned discussions today by EU Agriculture Ministers of an E.coli outbreak.

Komsomolskaya Pravda,Moskovskie Novosti, Novye Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on German experts' work to establish the source of outbreaks of an E.coli infection.

Expert weekly magazine publishes an insert dedicated to Russian-Italian cooperation.

Moskovskie Novosti carries an article by Mikhail Kukushkin on the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) position on EU plans to charge airlines for carbon emissions.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta comments on Azerbaijan's possible participation in the EU-backed Nabucco gas pipeline project in an article by Sokhbet Mamedov.

Expert and Vedomosti report on eurozone debt problems.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta and Vedomosti report on a defeat of Portugal's Socialist Party in the country's early Parliamentary elections.

Vedomosti reports about new Latvian President Andris Berzins in an article by Polina Khimshiashvili.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta, in an article by Nadezhda Yermolayeva, cites Latvia's recently-elected ombudsman Juris Jansons as saying that a complete ban on school education in the Russian language does not violate human rights.

 

3.06.11.

Kommersant and The Moscow Times report on EU-Russia discussions of visa facilitation. Kommersant pays special attention to the visa issue for residents of the Kaliningrad region.

The Moscow Times publishes an article, entitled There Goes the Eastern Neighbourhood, by Peter Rutland and Kateryna Shynkaruk, which reports on a review of the European Neighbourhood Policy released by EU HR Catherine Ashton on 25 May.

Moskovskie Novosti, RBK daily and Vedomosti report on a proposal by President of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet to establish a finance ministry in the euro zone.

In an article by Dmitry Marunich and Alexei Grivach, Moskovskie Novosti comments on EU-Ukrainian talks in Brussels to discuss gas transit.

Vedomosti reports briefly on the same issue (Interfax).

Vedomosti cites briefly Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller as saying that Europe seeks more gas for power generation (Interfax).

Kommersant addresses developments around the Nabucco gas pipeline project in an article by Olga Mordyushenko.

RBK daily publishes an interview with Wingashead Gerhard Koenig which addresses, among other issues, Gazprom's role in European energy markets.

Parlamentskaya Gazeta reports on a Russian-Polish forum of regions on 1-2 June in Moscow in an article by Anatoly Anisimov.

In an article by Tatiana Ivzhenko and Victoria Panfilova, Nezavisimaya Gazeta mentions Ukraine's plans to sign a free trade agreement with the EU.

Moskovskie Novosti and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on the election by Latvia's Parliament of Andris Berzins as the country's new President.

2.06.11

Gazeta.ru Internet portal, Interfax and RIA-Novosti news agencies cite the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's European Cooperation Department Vladimir Voronkov as saying that Russia and the EU reached agreement on long-term visas, for up to five years, to some categories of citizens.

Novye Izvestia reports on President Medvedev's visit to Italy in an article by Nadezhda Krasilova.

Kommersant publishes an interview with Polish Senate Marshal Bogdan Borusewicz on bilateral relations, Belarus, missile defence and other issues.

Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on developments around an outbreak of the stomach infection in Germany.

Moskovskie Novosti and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on the arrest of former Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladic and Serbia's hopes for EU membership.

RBK daily publishes a Handelsblatt article on the economic situation in some EU Member States, including Greece, Spain and Ireland.

Vedomosti, in an editorial, comments on Germany's decision to abandon nuclear power.

In an article by Vladimir Dzaguto, Kommersant reports on two bids received by Lithuania from Japanese and US companies to build a nuclear power plant.

 

1.06.11

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes a special supplement on Russia-Italy cooperation.

Moskovskie Novosti publishes an article, entitled Harmful European cucumbers, by Elena Danilovich and Anna Levinskaya, which reports that Rospotrebnadzor may halt vegetable imports from all EU Member States if the situation with outbreaks of a stomach infection does not change.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta runs a front-page article, entitled Gazprom's catastrophic successes, by Anastasia Bashkatova, which reports on Germany's plans to phase out all nuclear power plants in the country by 2022 and comments on Russia's plans to increase gas supplies to Europe.

The Moscow Times publishes an article, entitled Shortest Route From China to Russia Is Via EU, by Vladislav Inozemtsev, which compares some economic parameters of Russia and the EU.

In an article by Arkady Dubnov, Nezavisimaya Gazeta addresses a postponement by the European Parliament of consideration of the partnership and cooperation agreement with Turkmenistan over the country's human rights record.

Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on the extradition by Serbia of former Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladic to The Netherlands where he will be tried at The Hague tribunal on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Observers comment on the arrest of Mladic in the context of Serbia's EU membership hopes.

RBK daily publishes an article by Yulia Kalachikhina and Tatiana Glazkova on a possibility of additional EU aid for Greece.

Kommersant and Nezavisimaya Gazeta report on a defeat of PM Silvio Berlusconi's ruling coalition in local elections in Milan and Naples.

Izvestia, Moskovskie Novosti and Rossiyskaya Gazeta report on the temporary closure by Iran of its airspace for a plane carrying Chancellor Angela Merkel to India.

In an article by Igor Naumov, Nezavisimaya Gazeta provides the results of an Observatoire Cetelem survey on consumer behaviour in some EU Member States and in Russia.

Review of articles 23-31 May 2011

EU, Russia unlikely to agree on terms for visa-free travel at their summit next month

Russia seeks the EU granting South Stream a priority status as EU calls for an end to Gazprom's gas export monopoly

Dailies last week addressed EU-Russia discussions of a list of common steps required for introducing visa-free travel. Initially, the document was planned to be signed at the EU-Russia summit in Nizhny Novgorod in June. However, despite the fact that Moscow and Brussels agreed in principle on a plan for a gradual introduction of visa-free travel, the document is unlikely to be adopted next month. A source in European structures said vaguely that work is going on and that it is impossible to say whether the document will be ready for the summit. Vedomosti writes that Moscow is not ready to abolish temporary registration for foreigners and to comply with EU anti-corruption requirements. A European diplomat told Vedomosti that the Russian side is against the mentioning of the word corruption in the document. Kommersant quotes an unnamed EU official as saying that the EU countries are concerned about securing their borders against those who would enter illegally. Schengen-area countries should be confident in the reliability of the issuance of passports and in the officials who issue those passports. Russian diplomats add that the EU side is concerned over a possible influx into the European Union (in case of introduction of visa-free travel) of extremists, criminals and terrorists. Although both sides do not want to discuss the timing for launching the talks on the cancelation of visa requirements, Russian and EU representatives report on progress in the discussions of visa facilitation which go in parallel with the talks on visa-free travel. Kommersant writes that both sides already issue long-term visas – for up to five years – to some categories of citizens, e.g. sportsmen. Commenting on the visa-free travel issue, expert Arkady Moshes warns of an impression that Moscow's steps for promoting the visa-free regime is linked solely to Russian elites' desire to travel to Europe on weekends or, if the things get worse, to leave Russia.

Media comments on the presentation by the Russian Energy Ministry and Gazprom of the South Stream gas pipeline project to the EU in Brussels on 25 May varied from more to less factual ones. Observers remark that the presentation took place against the background of the indefinite postponement of the implementation of the EU-backed Nabucco gas pipeline project (Moskovskie Novosti) and amid some European countries' decision to abandon nuclear energy (RBK daily). In Kommersant's view, another attempt by Russia to promote the South Stream project in the EU did not yield obvious successes. While Russia seeks the EU granting South Stream a priority status, analysts point out that the very idea of South Stream contradicts the EU's third energy package (Nezavisimaya Gazeta). Although EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger pledged that the EU will not impose unreasonable restrictions on South Stream, he made it clear that the pipeline on EU territory will be subject to the third energy package. At the same time, observers do not rule out that the EU may seek preferences in the gas sector in exchange for granting South Stream a priority status. Oettinger named among conditions for Brussels' favourable attitude towards South Stream liberalization of Russia's investment climate and called for an end to Gazrpom's gas export monopoly. Moskovskie Novosti writes in a comment that the European Commission hinted that it is ready not to apply EU energy rules to South Stream in exchange for fantastic trade-offs only.

It is to be mentioned that on the day of the Russian presentation, Kommersant published an article by Commissioner Oettinger calling for further development of energy relations with the Caspian and Central Asian countries and enhancing the EU's Southern Corridor strategy.

31.05.11

Expert weekly magazine reports on the presentation of the South Stream gas pipeline project last week in Brussels and cites EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger, who has recalled that South Stream on EU territory will be subject to the EU's third energy package.

In an article by Vasily Lebedev, Expert addresses Gazprom's investment plans in Europe and the EU's third energy package.

Kommersant, Moskovskie Novosti, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Novye Izvestia, RBK daily (Handelsblatt), Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Vedomosti report on Germany's plans to close the country's nuclear power plants by 2022.

RBK daily runs an article, entitled A chance for Gazprom, by Elena Shatilova, which comments on possible consequences for Gazprom of some European countries' decision to abandon nuclear power. EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger is quoted as saying that Europe needs more gas.

In a supplement, called 'NG-Energy', Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by Member of the European Parliament Hannes Swoboda, which comments on EU energy policy.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta ('NG-Energy') reports on the EU's interest in developing energy cooperation with Turkmenistan in an article by Sergey Zhiltsov.

Expert, Moskovskie Novosti, Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Vedomosti address eurozone financial problems, focusing on Greece's debt crisis.

In an article by Polina Khimshiashvili, Vedomosti reports on protests in Spain over the economic crisis.

Expert reports on the arrest of Ratko Mladic in the context of Serbia's EU aspirations.

Moskovskie Novosti publishes a commentary by Fyodor Lukyanov on EU aspirations of the West Balkan countries.

Kommersant publishes a commentary on Serbia's EU bid by a Serbian journalist.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta and Novye Izvestia cite criticism in France toward President Sarkozy in connection with the NATO-led military campaign in Libya.

26.05.11

Kommersant publishes an article by Vladimir Solovyov which addresses EU-Russia discussions of a list of common steps required for introducing visa-free travel between the EU and Russia. According to the author, the EU and Russia are unlikely to sign a document on common steps at the EU-Russia summit in Nizhny Novgorod next month.

Kommersant publishes a commentary by expert Arkady Moshes on the EU-Russia visa issue and visa liberalization

Kommersant publishes an article, entitled Europe is waiting for NOVATEK instead of South Stream, by Dmitry Belikov,on yesterday's presentation by the Russian Energy Ministry and Gazprom at the EU headquarters in Brussels of the South Stream gas pipeline project. EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger stressed that the EU will not impose unreasonable restrictions on South Stream. The author highlights Oettinger's call for an end to Gazrpom's gas export monopoly.

Moskovskie Novosti reports on the same issue in an article by Alexei Grivach.

Vedomosti addresses the Nord Stream and South Stream gas pipeline projects in an article by Elena Mazneva.

Vedomosti reports briefly on Gazprom's interest in some assets slated for privatization in Greece (Prime-TASS).

Nezavisimaya Gazeta runs an article by Sokhbet Mamedov on developments around the planned AGRI project (Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania-Interconnection project to transport LNG from Azerbaijan to the EU).

RBK daily publishes a Handelsblatt article on eurozone debt problems and the stability of the euro.

In an article by Maria Yefimova, Moskovskie Novosti reports on the candidacy of French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde for the next head of the IMF.

Izvestia publishes an interview with the leader of France's Front National Marine Le Pen.

19.04.11

Izvestia, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Trud report on a row between Italy and France after a train carrying North African immigrants from Italy was stopped at the French border. Experts, contacted by Trud, do not rule out that Schengen rules could be toughened.

Rossiyskaya biznes-gazeta runs an article by Yevgeniya Reshetnikova which addresses EU Energy Strategy and EU-Russia energy relations.

In an article by Tatiana Ivzhenko, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports on European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's visit to Kyiv.

Izvestia, Kommersant, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Novye Izvestia, Moskovskie Novosti, RBK daily, Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Vedomosti report on an election success of the populist True Finns party which gained 19% of the vote in Finland's general election on 17 April.

Novye Izvestia, in an article by Sergey Manukov, refers to a publication in Greek daily Eleftherotypia which reportedon Greece's plans to restructure its debt. Greek authorities, however, denied the report.

 

13.04.11

The Moscow Times (Reuters) cites briefly Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who said in an interview with Die Welt that Europe's closer ties with PM Putin weaken the cause of democracy in Russia.

In a special supplement 'NG-Energy', Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by Svetlana Melnikova and Yevgenia Gavrilova which comments on the EUs Third Energy Package.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta ('NG-Energy') publishes an article, entitled An Azeri angle, by Uwe Halbach and Kamran Musayev, which addresses energy relations between the EU and Azerbaijan.

Novye Izvestia publishes an article by Gennady Savchenko and Yana Sergeyeva which addresses unsettled territorial issues between Russia and some of its neighbours, including Estonia. The authors mention a controversy over the map printed on Estonia's euro coins and cite Estonian human rights activist Sergey Seredenko, who argued that the map included part of Russia.

Vedomosti publishes an interview with France's Economy Minister Christine Lagarde which addresses, among other issues, the eurozone debt crisis.

In an article by Olesya Elkova, RBK daily reports on EU import duties on Russian and Belarusian potash and a request by potash producers from some EU Member States to the European Commission to extend the duties.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta carries an article, entitled Migrants from Africa split the European Union, by Olesya Khantsevich, which cites Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni as having accused other EU governments of lack of solidarity with Italy in tackling the problem of migrants from North Africa.

Moskovskie novosti reports on the issuance by Italy of visas to migrants from North Africa in an article by Yury Shpakov and Maria Efimova.

Izvestia and Nezavisimaya Gazeta comment on France's involvement in Libya and Ivory Coast.

RBK daily publishes a Handelsblatt article on the situation in the German economy.

Vedomosti publishes a Wall Street Journal article which reports on pressure by US and EU officials on Germany to close down the European-Iranian Trade Bank AG based in Hamburg.

11.04.11

Kommersant publishes an article by Maria-Luiza Tirmaste which mentions the participation of MEPs Heidi Hautala and Kristiina Ojuland at a conference in Moscow to discuss election monitoring.

In an article by Alexei Shapovalov, Kommersant addresses Denmark's position on the joint implementation projects with Russia under the Kyoto Protocol.

The Moscow Times (Reuters) publishes an article, entitled EU Potash Producers Give Russia Warning, which reports on plans by potash producers in some EU Member States to ask the European Commission to keep import duties in place on Russian and Belarusian potash.

Kommersant runs an article by Nikolai Marchenko on developments around the Belene nuclear power plant.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta addresses Russian gas supplies to the EU in an article by Sergey Kulikov.

In a special supplement, called 'NG-Dipkurier', Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by Alla Yazkova which comments on Moldova's EU aspirations and the Transdniestrian conflict resolution.

RBK daily reports briefly, with reference to EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn, that the EU will offer Portugal an 80-billion-euro bailout.

In an article by Yevgeny Khvostik, Kommersant reports on stricter rules of planned stress tests in which 90 European banks are due to take part.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta, in an article by Olesya Khantsevich, reports on the coming into force today of a new French law which bans the wearing of full-face veils in public.

 

6.04.11

In a special supplement on energy, Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes articles which address Russian energy supplies to the EU, EU energy strategy and pipeline projects.

Kommersant runs an article by Elena Chernenko which reports on a debate on the role of Islam in French society launched by President Nicolas Sarkozy's Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party. The author comments on the issue in the context of the 2012 Presidential election in France.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta, in an article by Vyacheslav Prokofyev, reports on French rules requiring Internet companies to keep their users' personal data for a year. The data could be requested by authorities.

Izvestia publishes an interview with the leader of the Socialist People's Front of Lithuania, Algirdas Paleckis, in which he expresses his point of view on the tragic events in Vilnius on 13 January 1991. In Lithuania, Paleckis is accused of claiming that Soviet soldiers were not responsible for shooting at demonstrators in Vilnius.

Izvestia publishes an interview with Ivo Lucic of the Croatian Institute of History which comments on developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the positions of the EU and the US.

Last week, Russian dailies (e.g. Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Novaya Gazeta and Novye Izvestia) paid special attention to Uzbek President Islam Karimov's visit to Brussels for talks with EU and NATO officials. This was his first official visit to the EU after the violent suppression by Uzbek authorities in 2005 of the unrest in Andijan. Observers recall that after the Andijan events, the European Union imposed sanctions against Tashkent , which were lifted in 2009. In Brussels, Karimov and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso signed a memorandum of understanding in the energy sector, while with NATO SG Anders Fogh Rasmussen Karimov discussed details of the NATO cargo transit to through . Observers note that is gaining strategic importance for the EU and NATO, adding that the relations between Tashkent and the West have improved recently as the EU and the are diverting attention from the issue of human rights to security, including military cooperation. Dailies write that the EU is trying to diversify sources of gas supply with a view to reduce dependence on , while could provide a resource base for the Southern Corridor, including the Nabucco pipeline. Nezavisimaya Gazeta recalls Uzbekistan's proposal to form under the UN aegis the 6+3 contact group (Russia, the US, NATO and the countries bordering Afghanistan) to discuss the Afghan settlement. However, neither Moscow , nor the Western countries backed the proposal. E.g. Europe rejects the proposal because it does not envision the participation of 's representatives. An Uzbek expert did not rule out that the idea of the 6+3 format may be revived in new conditions. and ) paid special attention to Uzbek President Islam Karimov's visit to Brussels for talks with EU and NATO officials. This was his first official visit to the EU after the violent suppression by Uzbek authorities in 2005 of the unrest in Andijan. Observers recall that after the Andijan events, the European Union imposed sanctions against Tashkent , which were lifted in 2009. In Brussels, Karimov and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso signed a memorandum of understanding in the energy sector, while with NATO SG Anders Fogh Rasmussen Karimov discussed details of the NATO cargo transit to through . Observers note that is gaining strategic importance for the EU and NATO, adding that the relations between Tashkent and the West have improved recently as the EU and the are diverting attention from the issue of human rights to security, including military cooperation. Dailies write that the EU is trying to diversify sources of gas supply with a view to reduce dependence on , while could provide a resource base for the Southern Corridor, including the Nabucco pipeline. recalls Uzbekistan's proposal to form under the UN aegis the 6+3 contact group (Russia, the US, NATO and the countries bordering Afghanistan) to discuss the Afghan settlement. However, neither Moscow , nor the Western countries backed the proposal. E.g. Europe rejects the proposal because it does not envision the participation of 's representatives. An Uzbek expert did not rule out that the idea of the 6+3 format may be revived in new conditions.

As Nezavisimaya Gazeta says, Europe accentuates its economic and military interests. An unnamed European lawmaker told the daily that the EU is more interested in maintaining direct dialogue and developing relations with . In experts' view, Karimov's visit to Brussels signals normalization of relations between and the EU after the Andijan events. At the same time, Novaya Gazeta mentions that although there was no joint press conference after talks with Karimov, EU and NATO officials assured the press that the human rights records had been says, Europe accentuates its economic and military interests. An unnamed European lawmaker told the daily that the EU is more interested in maintaining direct dialogue and developing relations with . In experts' view, Karimov's visit to Brussels signals normalization of relations between and the EU after the Andijan events. At the same time, mentions that although there was no joint press conference after talks with Karimov, EU and NATO officials assured the press that the human rights records had been discussed at the meetings. Observers also remark that Karimov's visit took place amid EU plans to impose sanctions on Belarusian officials, including President Alexander Lukashenko, after the crackdown of post-election protests in December. The press reports broadly on Minsk's decision to release several opposition figures, including former Presidential candidate Vladimir Neklyaev and journalist Irina Khalip, the wife of former Presidential candidate Andrey Sannikov, ahead of today's meeting of EU Foreign Ministers to consider possible sanctions against Belarus. Observers, however, say that the move is unlikely to make the West backtrack on its plans to introduce new sanctions on Belarusian officials.

Novye Izvestia runs an article by Sergey Manukov on the situation on 's labour market and demand for highly qualified workers.

In an article by Ksenia Fokina, Izvestia reports on an appeal by a group of Members of the European Parliament who called on authorities of the French city of Montpellier to remove a statue of Lenin. reports on an appeal by a group of Members of the European Parliament who called on authorities of the French city of Montpellier to remove a statue of Lenin.

 

Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by Andrey Terekhov which reports on the European Gas Conference in Vienna and polemics between Russian (Duma deputy speaker Valery Yazev) and European officials ('s former Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer) on gas pipeline projects to supply gas to Europe .

The Moscow Times (Reuters, AP) reports on planned EU sanctions on in an article, entitled EU Readies Penalties, Lukashenko Sneers.

In an article by Alexander Mineyev, Novaya Gazeta reports on Uzbek President Islam Karimov's recent visit to Brussels for talks with EU and NATO officials. reports on Uzbek President Islam Karimov's recent visit to Brussels for talks with EU and NATO officials.

 

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes an article by Kira Latukhina which reports on separate meetings held by acting Belgian PM Leterme with President Medvedev and PM Putin yesterday in Moscow to discuss, among other issues, energy cooperation.

Finansovye Izvestia publishes an article by Arina Orlova which addresses the EU-Russia visa issue.

In an article by Anton Khodasevich, Nezavisimaya Gazeta addresses ' relations with and the European Union. addresses ' relations with and the European Union.

Novye Izvestia compares inflation rates in and the EU in an article by Anzhela Druzhinina.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports on possible EU sanctions against in an article by Anton Khodasevich.

In an article by Viktoria Panfilova, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports on EU-Uzbekistan relations. reports on EU-Uzbekistan relations.

Kommersant runs an article by Natalia Grib and Oleg Gavrish which cites EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger's statement on the issue of modernization of 's gas transport system.

Izvestia and Kommersant report on a PACE resolution calling for investigations into Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci's alleged involvement in organ trafficking. The report by PACE rapporteur Dick Marty calls on the EU's mission in Kosovo (EULEX) to investigate the allegations.report on a PACE resolution calling for investigations into Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci's alleged involvement in organ trafficking. The report by PACE rapporteur Dick Marty calls on the EU's mission in Kosovo (EULEX) to investigate the allegations.

Vedomosti reports on the placement by the EFSF of bonds for an amount of 5 billion euro in an article by Ekaterina Kravchenko and Tatiana Seiranyan.

 

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes an article by Maria Zhebit which reports on the issue of harmonization of Russian and EU veterinary and phitosanitary requirements.

Novye Izvestia and The Moscow Times report on Uzbek President Islam Karimov's visit to Brussels and his meetings with EU officials. report on Uzbek President Islam Karimov's visit to Brussels and his meetings with EU officials.

Rossiyskaya biznes-gazeta runs an article by Alexei Chichkin on energy relations between the EU and .

Izvestia and Nezavisimaya Gazeta report on a march in Brussels to demand a Government to put an end to political impasse. report on a march in Brussels to demand a Government to put an end to political impasse.

Izvestia runs an article by Alexei Aronov which reports on 's ban on imports of German pigs, pork and foods containing pork and mentions today's meeting in Brussels of EU Agriculture and Fisheries Ministries to discuss the dioxin issue.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta publishes an article by Viktoria Panfilova on Uzbek President Islam Karimov's visit to and his planned talks with EU officials.

The Moscow Times (Bloomberg) cites Italian Industry Minister Paolo Romani as saying that the South Stream, ITGI and Nabucco pipelines are incompatible.

In an article by Sergey Kulikov, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports on developments around the Nabucco gas pipeline project. reports on developments around the Nabucco gas pipeline project.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta, in an article by Elena Bugaiskaya and Vladislav Rilsky, report that the and the EU do not plan to interfere in the investigation of the causes of the Polish Presidential plane crash near Smolensk in April 2010.

 

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes an interview with Deputy Interior Minister Sergey Bulavinov which addresses cooperation between law enforcement agencies of and the EU.

In an editorial, Nezavisimaya Gazeta comments on the EU's role in the Transnistrian conflict resolution process. comments on the EU's role in the Transnistrian conflict resolution process.

RBK daily publishes in Russian a Handelsblatt article on 's debt crisis and claims that is working on measures in the event of a Greek default.article on 's debt crisis and claims that is working on measures in the event of a Greek default.

In an article by Andrey Lipsky, Novaya Gazeta reports on Wednesday's discussion at a session of 's Sejm of the final report issued by the Interstate Aviation Committee on the causes of the 10 April 2010 crash of the Polish Presidential plane near Smolensk. reports on Wednesday's discussion at a session of 's Sejm of the final report issued by the Interstate Aviation Committee on the causes of the 10 April 2010 crash of the Polish Presidential plane near Smolensk.

Kommersant publishes an interview given to Interfax by Lithuanian Foreign Minister AudroniusAzubalis, which addresses bilateral relations, including in the energy sector, and the visa issue. by Lithuanian Foreign Minister AudroniusAzubalis, which addresses bilateral relations, including in the energy sector, and the visa issue.

Izvestia, Kommersant and Nezvisimaya Gazeta report on EU plans to impose a travel ban on a number of Belarusian officials following a crackdown on the opposition after the Presidential election.report on EU plans to impose a travel ban on a number of Belarusian officials following a crackdown on the opposition after the Presidential election.

In an article by Tatiana Glazkova, RBK daily reports on raids byEU investigators of the offices of Daimler, Volvo and some other truckmakers over possible violations of EU anti-trust rules.reports on raids byEU investigators of the offices of Daimler, Volvo and some other truckmakers over possible violations of EU anti-trust rules.

Finansovye Izvestia reports on 's position on a plan to increase the EFSF funds in an article by Lyubov Tsareva.

The Moscow Times (Bloomberg) cites Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin as saying that could buy bonds from European rescue funds.

In an article by Sergey Kulikov, Nezavisimaya Gazeta addresses the economic situation in the EU. addresses the economic situation in the EU.

RBK daily publishes a Handelsblatt article on 's economic problems.article on 's economic problems.

Finansovye Izvestia reports briefly on EU plans of stress tests on banks in 2011.

RBK daily, in an article by Yulia Shishkova, mentions European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's recent visit to .

 

Kommersant, Novaya Gazeta, Novye Izvestia and Vedomosti report on possible EU sanctions against following a crackdown of the opposition after the 19 December Presidential election in . has imposed a travel ban on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and a number of other officials.report on possible EU sanctions against following a crackdown of the opposition after the 19 December Presidential election in . has imposed a travel ban on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and a number of other officials.

The Moscow Times runs an article, entitled Latvian Police Impose Travel Ban on Luzhkov, by Nikolaus von Twickel, which reports that has declared Moscow 's former mayor Yury Luzhkov persona non grata..

Novye Izvestia reports on discussion by EU Economic and Finance Ministers of debt problems.

Novye Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta cite 's Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin as saying that could be interested in buying bonds issued by the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). cite 's Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin as saying that could be interested in buying bonds issued by the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF).

In an article by Natalia Grib, Kommersant reports on the situation in European gas markers. reports on the situation in European gas markers.

Kommersant publishes an article by Natalia Grib on European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's visits last week to and to discuss energy relations.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta, in an article by Tatiana Shadrina, cites director of 's Federal Migration Service Konstantin Romodanovsky who said that in 2011 plans to sign executive protocols under the readmission agreement with the EU.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishes an interview with German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble and chief economist for Deutsche Bank Thomas Mayer which addresses Europe's debt crisis, 's WTO bid and other issues.

Expert weekly magazine carries an article by Alexander Koksharov and Sergey Sumlenny on eurozone economic problems and mentions 's accession to the euro zone.

Novye Izvestia runs an article by Alexei Smirnov which addresses 's reaction to 's ban on land property sales to foreigners in 380 Russian border areas.

In an article by Anastasia Savinykh, Izvestia reports on the Year of Spain in and the Year of Russia in in 2011.reports on the Year of Spain in and the Year of Russia in in 2011.

Kommersant reports on 's decision to impose a travel ban on President Alexander Lukashenko and some other Belarusian officials.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta, in an article by Olesya Khantsevich, reports on the North European Summit in London on 19-20 January with the participation of leaders of nine countries to discuss a proposal to create a northern mini-NATO alliance.

In an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta, founder and former leader of 's Front National party Jean-Marie Le Pen speaks against EU technocrats in Brussels . founder and former leader of 's Front National party Jean-Marie Le Pen speaks against EU technocrats in Brussels .

Expert publishes an interview with the Moscow Patriarchate's representative to the Council of Europe Hegumen Filaret (Bulekov) which addresses the religious and public situation in Europe