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Agriculture & Food Security
Europe’s agricultural sector is crying out for support amid energy and food crises
Europe’s energy crisis – which has been sparked mainly by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and President Putin’s subsequent curtailing of natural gas flows to...
Global Energy Insider
Weaning itself off of Russian energy, the EU looks to Azerbaijan, East Med
As Europe tries to lessen its dependence on Russian energy after the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine, the EU is turning to Azerbaijan and the...
The Foreign Desk
The EU’s revised sanctions policy hinders vital supplies of Russian fertilizers to the Third World
The European Commission on August 29 published an updated text of clarifications on the application of sanctions for fertilizers produced or exported from Russia,...
The Foreign Desk
Ex-Magna CEO could take control of Volkswagen’s assets in Russia
The Russian media reported that Volkswagen AG could sell its Russian business – including an assembly plant and an internal combustion engine producer –...
Transport
Switzerland’s Svizraa files protest against limiting its operations in Latvia
The Swiss chartering and transportation company Svizraa S.A. has sent a letter to Latvia’s foreign affairs, economics and justice ministries in protest over their...
Russia Sanctions
Could the EU backtrack on personal sanctions against some Russians?
The European Union is in talks about removing sanctions on some 40 Russians. The individuals were sanctioned on the basis of their alleged involvement...
Energy
EU backs industry commitment to boost by tenfold electrolyser manufacturing capacities
EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton and 20 European electrolyser manufacturers have signed a Joint Declaration in Brussels whereby industry committed to a tenfold...
Energy
Citing force majeure from Russia’s invasion, Ukraine turns off gas flow
Ukraine stopped the flow of Russian natural gas to Europe on May 11 through the cross-border Sokhranivka station, blaming Russian-backed separatists of siphoning supplies.Gas...
Zero Tolerance
Biden’s choice takes the reins at the American Embassy in Athens
US President Joe Biden’s nominee as next Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis arrived in Athens May 7, a day after his career diplomat predecessor...
Zero Tolerance
Moscow drains dwindling reserves to avert default
With most of its foreign currency reserves held abroad frozen by Western sanctions and inaccessible, Moscow was forced to tap its precious domestically held...
Albania
After Macron victory, Enlargement diplomacy back on the radar
With the war in Ukraine and the noise surrounding the French presidential elections, the subject of EU Enlargement into the Western Balkans had almost...
Energy
Central Asian countries boost green energy transition
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan’s government has set an ambitious goal of reaching net-zero emission by 2060, planning to gradually reduce its reliance on coal,...
Energy
Breaking contract, Russia turns off gas for Bulgaria, Poland
Russian gas monopoly Gazprom said on April 27 Gazprom Export has fully halted gas supplies to Bulgaria’s Bulgargaz and Poland’s PGNiG until the payments...
Energy
Turning off Russian gas, Greece-Cyprus-Israel think electric too
The Energy Ministers of Israel, Greece and Cyprus discussed in a tripartite meeting in Jerusalem on April 11 the effects of Russia’s invasion in...
Energy
After Ukraine invasion, Germany saying nyet to Russian energy
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put politics in the forefront in the pragmatic energy relationship between Germany and Russia, Munich Security Conference Vice President...
Economy & Business
Sanctions expand as Russia approaches major default
No American President ever travels to Europe without a bag full of so-called “deliverables” and US President Joe Biden duly arrived in Brussels last...
Global Energy Insider
Countering loss of Russian oil over penalties, US opens reserve pump
After consultation with allies and partners, US President Joe Biden announced on March 31 the largest release of oil reserves in history, putting one...
Energy
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine boosts East Med region role in EU energy security
In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and EU’s renewed effort to cut reliance on Russia, the East Mediterranean could play an increased role...
Economy & Business
Pressed by sanctions, Russia narrowly escapes default
While the global sanctions campaign against Russia is not yet a month old, investors and sanctioneers held their breath this week as Russia struggled...
Economy & Business
Russia sanctions – Now comes the hard part
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine moves into the third week, a broad network of financial, travel and trade sanctions has been established in fairly...
Energy
Seeing red, EU wants U-turn from Russian energy reliance
Considering Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission on March 8 proposed an outline of a plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil...
Invasion of Ukraine
As the global sanctions net tightens, weak spots emerge
After the second phase of heavy western economic sanctions on Russia was announced in the final days of February, new coordination mechanisms are being...
Energy
There will be oil: US, IEA counter Putin’s war
The United States and the other 30 member countries of the International Energy Agency agreed on March 1 to release 60 million barrels of...
Invasion of Ukraine
EU Russia sanctions close in on finance, trade, aviation, media
Russia’s military advance across Ukraine has galvanized global public opinion to the point that timid EU governments and the Brussels bureaucracy have been forced...
Global Energy Insider
After Russian hammer in Ukraine, sanctions talk brings sickle to oil prices
Oil prices slipped on February 25 after sharp rises early in the session as traders were concerned that sanctions against Moscow following Russia’s invasion...
Invasion of Ukraine
Ukraine – First wave of sanctions fails to deter Moscow
Over the past few days, practically everyone in the public media has become a Ukraine sanctions expert, regardless of actual experience in this field. ...
Belgium
EU says ready for Russian energy weapon
The European Union said on February 16 the bloc is ready in case the Russian leadership decides to weaponize the energy issue.In a speech...
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Will the EU order sanctions on the Republika Srpksa?
In the latest phase of Bosnia’s seemingly never-ending battle over competencies, members of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska in Banja Luka voted on...
Energy
Mongolia advances renewable energy resources through a green hydrogen project
Mongolia is attractive for deploying green hydrogen production and more renewable energy projects can be developed in the Central Asian region, Elixir Energy Managing...
Energy
Slow pump: OPEC+ will raise supply, can’t cool prices
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies led by Russia, a group known as OPEC+, said on February 2 the ministers...
Cyprus
The Cyprus Connection: EU funds EuroAsia electric link
Planning to create well-integrated energy infrastructure networks, EU countries have agreed on a European Commission proposal to invest €1.037 billion in 5 cross-border infrastructure...
Bulgaria
Sofia and Skopje begin joint effort to resolve conflict
Hoping to generate enough material to prevent Sofia’s cadre of Balkan reporters from decamping to nearby ski resorts, the governments of North Macedonia and...
Belgium
EU gas prices on fire, fear of Russia invading Ukraine hot button
Wholesale gas prices in the EU rose to record levels in the third quarter of 2021, influenced by global gas markets, according to the...
Bulgaria
Petkov’s underwhelming Skopje visit opens a door
Bulgaria’s new Prime Minister Kiril Petkov visited Skopje January 18, after completing a bit more than a month in his new job. The only...
Belgium
EU to probe Gazprom’s role in energy crisis
With high energy prices hurting consumers in Europe, the European Commission is currently looking into all allegations of possible anti-competitive conduct by companies producing...
Greece
Biden’s Greece nominee survives Senate hearing
George Tsunis, President Joe Biden’s nominee as next ambassador to Greece, survived his January 12 hearing with the Democratic-majority Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC),...
Greece
Biden’s Greece nominee survives Senate hearing
George Tsunis, President Joe Biden’s nominee as next ambassador to Greece, survived his January 12 hearing with the Democratic-majority Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC),...
Energy
EU wants gas, nuclear energy classified green, sustainable
The European Commission proposed on December 31 that natural gas and nuclear energy be included in the so-called EU taxonomy as sustainable energy sources.According...
Albania
Mitsotakis lightning Bulgaria visit has regional focus
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Sofia December 20, opening contacts with the new Bulgarian government through meetings with newly elected Bulgarian PM Kiril...
Energy
Gazing into the Energy Crystal Ball for 2022
The Covid pandemic and geopolitical issues are likely to be key issues for the energy prices in 2022.“What we have to have when we’re...
Archive
High gas prices push up electricity cost in EU
High energy prices in recent months have drawn attention from the European Commission, highlighting the importance of energy security, especially in times when global...
Archive
Bulgaria’s new government maintains Enlargement veto
While Bulgaria’s November 14 elections managed to break the political logjam that had paralyzed the country for most of 2021, which required three consecutive...
Archive
Tales of mystery and imagination in Skopje – Part 2
North Macedonia’s conservative opposition failed in its November 11 bid to topple Prime Minister Zoran Zaev’s government. This happened only because ruling coalition lawmakers...
Archive
Israel, Greece, Cyprus seeing green energy future
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades met in Jerusalem on December 7 where they reaffirmed...
Archive
Oil climbs as OPEC+ may delay further supply recovery if there is a slump in demand
Oil prices climbed on December 3 after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and oil producing allies led by Russia, a grouping...
Zero Tolerance
Basil Coronakis challenged the EU bureaucrats fearlessly
It is rather common these days to label people as “great thinkers” or even “pioneers,” in fact these terms have almost become clichés. My...
Libya
Instability in Libya is set to exacerbate Europe’s migrant crisis
At least four dinghies reached the shore at Dungeness in Kent on Sunday, carrying dozens of people desperate to reach Britain before worsening winter...
Archive
Orsted explores renewable hydrogen, green fuels in Denmark
COPENHAGEN – At the Orsted’s construction site at the Avedore Power Plant located just south of Copenhagen, the Danish multinational power company is currently...
Archive
Third Bulgarian election in 2021 appears to break the logjam
In Bulgaria’s November 14 elections, the tough anti-corruption oriented “We Continue the Change” party (PP), won 25.7% of the vote, based on a nearly-complete...
Archive
Germany suspends Nord Stream 2 certification delaying commissioning well into 2022
Germany’s Federal Network Agency (BnetzA) suspended its certification of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany on November 16 which...
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