Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Kazakhstan

Kazakh President Nazarbaev Holds Talks With Merkel In Berlin

Nazarbaev last visited the EU in Brussels in December (official site)

January 30, 2007 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel today pushed her proposals for more EU involvement in Central Asia in conjunction with a meeting with visiting Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev.

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January 30, 2007

Germany is the current holder of the presidency of the European Union, which is seeking to diversify its energy suppliers.

Merkel said that Germany can be a motor for deeper integration of Central Asia with the EU.

"Central Asia is a focal point of the German presidency of the European Union, and we support the European Union in that we are developing more intensive relations in that region, especially with Kazakhstan," Merkel said.

Nazarbaev reportedly welcomed Merkel's initiative toward Central Asia, but the two did not mention any specific energy project.

(AP)

(Reuters, AFP)

Prague Energy Forum, October 23-24

An oil refinery in Western Siberia (TASS)

STABILITY AND SECURITY: On October 23-24, RFE/RL and the Warsaw-based Economic forum cosponsored the Prague Energy Forum at RFE/RL's Prague broadcasting center. The Energy Forum brought together nearly 100 experts and policymakers from Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East to discuss key issues of energy supply and security in the years to come.

HIGHLIGHTS: RFE/RL presents some of the key presentations from the Energy Forum and interviews with some participants:

Czech Premier Urges Reduced Energy Dependence On Russia

Interview: Nature A Bigger Threat To Security Than Terrorism

Russia Can Boost Security Through Transparency

Interview: Russian Expert Addresses Europe's Security Concerns

U.S. Official Outlines Concerns About Iran's Nuclear Program

Iranian, Western Experts Spar Over Tehran's Nuclear Ambitions

Experts Ponder Future 'Gas Wars'

Former U.S. Ambassador Says Kyiv Can Cope With Gas Price Rise

Interview: Tbilisi Bent On Energy Independence

MORE: Click on the image to see the conference program, participant list, and other materials.

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