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Russia, Saudi Arabia agree oil production freeze as Iran says will boost output
Iran plans to increase its own oil output to pre-sanctions levels in the next few months. National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Director for International...
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Cyprus-Egypt pipe deal opens door for East Med gas
Cyprus has signed a deal to build a pipeline to supply Egypt with natural gas once production starts from the Aphrodite field located offshore...
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Saudi Arabia in a proxy war with Iran, Russia
Given the level of mistrust among Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, it is unlikely that OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers, including Russia, will reach...
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Jack Lew does Athens and urges continued reform, but promises nothing on debt
As promised by President Obama in Warsaw earlier this month, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew concluded his post-Brexit vote European consultations and visited Athens for...
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Obama meets Tsipras in Warsaw, its NATO time, isn't it?
Another almost unnoticed (by Washington) Greece-U.S. bilateral meeting happened on the sidelines of the Warsaw NATO Summit July 9.
Although this meeting was barely on...
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Energy hopes, US drive renewed Turkey, Israel relations
THESSALONIKI - The restoration of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Israel after a six-year break creates fresh impetus for regional alliances in the exploration,...
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Washington reiterates the UK and the EU will remain indispensable partners of the United States
The Obama White House released this brief statement early Friday: “The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision. The...
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Ukraine trumps Greece at Senate Hearing for U.S. Ambassador-Designate to Greece Pyatt
Greece-watchers were likely disappointed that Ukraine trumped Greece in the June 21 Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) confirmation hearings for several of the Obama...
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Trump to OPEC, Russia: Drop Dead or The Big Chillary
The outcome of the US general election this November could affect Washington’s energy policy and relations with Russia. Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump’s slogan...
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In Athens, Putin puts the full court press on EU
ATHENS – Russian President Vladimir Putin landed with a one-and-a-half hour delay in Greece on Friday, May 27, for a two-day visit aimed to boost...
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Go West! PM Tsipras Sends State Minister Pappas to the U.S. in search of a lifeline
If we have learned anything about the way Greek PM Alexis Tsipras operates, it this axiom: when times are tough it’s always smart to...
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U.S. Treasury's Nathan Sheets does Athens: Now what?
U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs Nathan Sheets stopped in Athens May 11 and met with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Finance Minister...
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Putin brings his energy game to Athens
ATHENS - Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Greece on May 28 to boost Moscow’s energy relations with Athens and secure the...
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Greek Debt: What exactly did Treasury's Under Secretary Sheets mean about Greece and the IMF?
U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs Nathan Sheets faced a hardball question Wednesday, April 26 while at a hearing at the House of...
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Murder can’t kill Italy’s interest in Egyptian gas
ATHENS – Egypt’s refusal to hand over extensive phone records as part of an investigation into the killing an Italian researcher and Rome’s decision...
Albania
Energy investors want Greek political, economic equilibrium
ATHENS – A politically stable environment and tax regime that will help Greece meet its debt obligations will allow foreign investment to flow into...
Africa
Low oil prices can’t sink tanker market
ATHENS – Despite slumping oil prices, the tanker market has been very healthy, a leading energy expert told New Europe at a maritime forum.“The...
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Despite low oil prices, Russia makes fresh Arctic bid
Russia has reportedly submitted to the United Nations an updated bid for the extension of the continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean. Russian Minister...
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Israel, Turkey see Cypriot-Greek energy gate to EU
STRASBOURG – The development of hydrocarbon reserves in eastern Mediterranean can boost “cooperation and peace” between the countries in the region and is important...
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Russia, Saudi coordinated production cuts unlikely
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on January 28 Saudi Arabia has proposed oil production cuts of up to 5% by each country. “This...
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Davos Dreaming: Reform is the word for Greece coming from Washington
Although not in Davos for the latest round of Greece related fireworks, mostly involving German and Commission officials, this writer has been parsing the...
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Gazprom expands market share as prices fall
Russian gas monopoly Gazprom announced better than expected results, reporting a net loss of 2 billion rubles ($26 million) in the three months to...
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As Oil Prices Tank, Saudis Open to Aramco IPO
Pressured by slumping oil prices, Saudi Arabia is considering listing shares in state-owned Aramco.Probably the world’s most valuable company and the world’s biggest oil...
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John Kerry Graces Greece with a Mini-visit. Check off that box.
The real news is that the Kerry Greece visit actually happened December 4th. That’s one more box to check off for last week’s European...
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With Washington’s Blessing: Greece Wants To Be Hub For East Med, Caspian Gas
ATHENS – The major gas discoveries in Israel, Cyprus and Egypt have completely changed regional geopolitics and energy supply in the Eastern Mediterranean, Energean...
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John Kerry finally visits Athens. What to Expect
After one postponement last month due to the Syria crisis, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry finally arrives for a short visit in Athens...
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Ex-BOTAŞ CEO: Keep Calm and Supply Turkey With Russian Gas
Gazprom will probably not cut gas supplies to Turkey despite the latter shooting down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 warplane on November 24, an ex...
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Iran’s Re-emergence Promising For EU Market, Caspian region
ATHENS – The deal Iran reached with world powers over its nuclear programme, which was approved by the Iranian parliament on October 13, is...
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Russia’s Syria Strikes, Slowing Production Boost Oil Prices
Rising geopolitical tensions and signs of slowing output, boosted oil prices last week testing new highs.International oil benchmark Brent crude has rallied by as...
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Tsipras, the UN and the “American factor”
We have made it a point to emphasize that PM Tsipras September 26-October 1 New York visit focused far less on the business of...
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G20 Ministers Stream Competing EU Pipeline Projects, Fret Over Oil
G20 energy ministers met in Istanbul on October 2, striving for sustainable development amidst low oil prices and climate change negotiations. European Commissioner for...
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Greek PM Tsipras does New York. This was a UN visit, right?
Greek PM Tsipras arrived in New York late September 26th, intending to stay until October 2. His main UN General Assembly (UNGA) address is...
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Syrian Oil Catalyst to Team US-Russia vs. ISIS
SOCHI – Only if the United States and Russia put their differences aside and work together they can put a curb on ISIS actions...
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Now that the election is over, Tsipras plans an UNGA visit. New York will again be the place to be…
Admittedly a very busy man these days, Greek PM Tsipras is planning to join the world’s UNGA-70 (70th anniversary of the UN General Assembly)...
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Gazprom has gas to burn, but nowhere to turn
Facing tensions in Europe and increased competition in Russia, the country’s gas monopoly Gazprom is struggling to maintain its dominance on the global energy...
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Putin pours money into Venezuela oil production
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro said Caracas and Russia’s sanction-hit Rosneft have agreed on around $14 billion in investment in the South American country’s oil...
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UK energy firm suspends Ukraine license to drill
UK-based energy firm JKX Energy, which is leading shale exploration and production in Ukraine, said it was granted more areas for work in the...
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Turkey Wants Kurds’ Energy Hand
Turkey is turning to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to meet its growing demand for energy. Co-operation with Erbil may help Ankara diversify its oil and...
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US Warning Shot To Iran On Nukes
BRATISLAVA – On 19 April, the United States reiterated it is “determined to stop” Iran from developing nuclear weapon capability. “States such as Iran...
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