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Ahto Lobjakas

Also by Ahto Lobjakas

March 25, 2010
EU Economy Summit Overshadowed By 'Greek Tragedy'

Normally dedicated to strategic thinking about the future of the economy, this EU spring summit has more of a crisis feel to it, with Greece's financial troubles raising concerns about the euro.
March 24, 2010
Moldova Impresses EU With Reform Agenda

An EU-hosted donors' conference in Brussels today gave an almost unconditional thumbs-up to the reform agenda of Moldova's government, pledging $2.6 billion dollars to help it reach its goals. It represents a remarkable turnaround for the country, whose relations with the EU and international investors were cool at best during years of communist rule.
March 22, 2010
EU Ministers Discuss Afghanistan

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels have quizzed the bloc's high representative for foreign policy, Catherine Ashton, over progress in setting up an EU diplomatic service -- which has triggered a behind-the-scenes power struggle among member states and the European Commission.
March 22, 2010
EU Appeals For End To Iran Jamming

EU foreign ministers have called on Iran to end its jamming of outside media and other censorship, but failed to agree on concrete measures.
March 18, 2010
In EU, Frustration With Georgia Now Evident

The EU fired a warning shot across Georgia's bow when the president of the European Commission told Georgia's visiting prime minister that further democratic reforms are essential if Tbilisi's ties with Brussels are to grow closer.
March 17, 2010
Going Nowhere Fast -- Crimean Tatars In The EU

If Mustafa Dzhemilev, the leader of Ukraine's Crimean Tatars, was shocked or otherwise unpleasantly surprised to find himself in Brussels addressing less than two dozen people in a dusty room capable of accommodating some 150, he did not show it.
March 13, 2010
EU Will 'Always' Remain Kyiv's Main Priority, Ambassador Says

Ukraine's EU ambassador says integration with the bloc will remain the country's overriding policy objective under President Viktor Yanukovych.
March 10, 2010
EU's Ashton Puts Focus On Neighborhood

Catherine Ashton, the EU's high representative for foreign policy, told the European Parliament in Strasbourg today reforms in the bloc's immediate neighborhood will be her key priority and will be vital in furthering the bloc's ambition to play a greater role in the world.
March 01, 2010
Brussels Rolls Out Red Carpet For New Ukraine Leader

Ukraine's newly sworn-in President Viktor Yanukovych is being given the red-carpet treatment in the EU capital today. His visit is seen as hugely symbolic in Brussels -- it's the president's first trip abroad, coming four days ahead of his next foreign visit, to Moscow.
February 24, 2010
Poland Takes Belarus Offensive To EU

The European Parliament today was the epicenter of an ongoing campaign in which Belarusian civil-society activists are seeking greater EU support in their struggle with that country's autocratic authorities.
February 22, 2010
EU Ministers Warn Belarus, Condemn Passport Theft In Dubai Killing

EU foreign ministers have issued another warning to Belarus over its treatment of ethnic Poles. At their scheduled monthly gathering, they also welcomed the election of Viktor Yanukovych as Ukraine's next president. And the EU's high representative for foreign policy, Catherine Ashton, was scrambled to defuse a potentially highly damaging row with Israel.
February 22, 2010
Belarus Forces Way To Top Of EU Ministers' Agenda

Belarus has forced its way to the top of the EU agenda once again as member states' foreign ministers meet in Brussels. Ministers are also expected to discuss plans with respect to Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iran, and Haiti, as well as to adopt a declaration on relations with Moldova.
February 17, 2010
Belarusian Crackdown On Polish Minority Puts EU Relations At Risk

The Belarusian crackdown against activists from its Polish minority has angered Warsaw, which has threatened Minsk with EU-level reprisals. But analysts are at a loss as to why Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka would want to jeopardize his quietly budding relationship with the EU.
February 11, 2010
EU Summit On Public Debt Crisis

The mounting public debt crisis in southern Europe is on the top of the agenda of an informal EU summit in Brussels that opens today.
February 09, 2010
French-Russian Warship Deal Making Waves Among NATO Allies

The French government's decision this week to sell a technologically advanced battleship to Russia has put NATO in a spot. The prospect of Western-built assault ships flying Russian colors has especially unsettled some of NATO's new eastern allies, which see their large neighbor as more of a threat than a partner.
February 03, 2010
The Cure Now Appears Worse Than The Disease

The EU has been floored. The bloc this week suffered a rude awakening when U.S. President Barack Obama let it be known he would not attend the next regular summit. And then he delivered the killer blow: It was the Lisbon Treaty that did it.
January 29, 2010
Gunboat Diplomacy

Moscow’s reported bids on advanced military hardware from NATO countries is making its neighbors nervous -- and dividing the alliance on how to respond.
January 29, 2010
Georgian Offer Of Afghan Transit Unlikely To Tempt NATO

Georgia this week revived the idea that it could become a bridgehead for a NATO transit corridor through Central Asia to Afghanistan. The idea was first floated a year ago, but has been ignored by the United States and NATO, which currently supply their forces in Afghanistan via routes crossing Pakistan and Russia.
January 27, 2010
NATO Reaches Out To Ukraine, Russia

Ukraine has become the first nonalliance contributor to the NATO Response Force. A gathering of top military commanders from NATO and partner states in Brussels also marked the revival of military links with Moscow for the first time since Russia's war with Georgia in August 2008.
January 25, 2010
EU Debates Haiti, Afghanistan, Bosnia

EU foreign ministers met in Brussels today to discuss Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen, the situation in Haiti, and the bloc's future engagement with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

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