Yesterday evening a terrible news to violate the beginning of the weekend of Russia. Prime Minister Putin has not had time to enjoy the successes visit to France. At least 26 people are reported dead, 95 more injured after an express train traveling from Moscow to St. Petersburg derailed. The accident occurred in a remote area, halfway between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Rescuers took them two hours to reach the disaster place. The hours that followed brought new details of the tragedy. And a hypothesis. That brought back to the Russians spectrum of fear and insecurity: terrorist attack. “The crash was caused by a homemade explosive equivalent to 7 kilograms of TNT”, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) head Aleksandr Bortnikov said. However, a criminal case on charges of terrorism and illegal storage of weapons or explosives has been opened regarding the train crash, the Prosecutor General’s Office informed.

President Medvedev has held a videoconference with officials at the headquarters of the Emergencies Ministry, who have briefed him on the situation. Also, a terror attack could be the cause of the accident, said Russian Railways company chief. According to him, the Friday explosion resembles a similar accident on 16 August 2007. In August 2007, an explosion on the tracks derailed the Nevsky Express, injuring 60 people in what authorities called a terrorist act. Some 27,000 passengers on 60 trains were facing delays Saturday as a result of the accident, Russian State TV reported.

The biggest problem resulting from the train crash is the return of a social mood of panic and fear. North-Ost and Beslan episodes left trauma difficult to delete from the mind of the Russian population. But not only that. Because, in Russia a few things are as it seem at first sight, doubts arose on the assumption terrorist attack. Russian authorities could invoke a terrorist attack to cover up an accident caused by old and inadequate infrastructure ? Here is a presumption that officials have little possibility to remove from the minds of people, no matter how many explosive devices are found at the accident site. And if it was a terrorist attack, how was it possible? An answer, whatever it, will not remove the feeling of lack of services and security organs.

Tagged: crash train, medvedev, Moscow, Nevsky Express, putin, Russia, terror attack ]]> http://gabrielaionita.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/nevsky-express-crash-might-be-terror-attack/feed/ 0 gabrielaionita Nevsky Express crash http://gabrielaionita.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/putin-and-energy-diplomacy-strategy/ http://gabrielaionita.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/putin-and-energy-diplomacy-strategy/#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:56:56 +0000 gabrielaionita http://gabrielaionita.wordpress.com/?p=750 ]]>

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was in Paris for a two-day working visit. Before the visit’s formal events got underway, he had breakfast with former French President Jacques Chirac, held restricted-attendance talks with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and participated in the 14th meeting of the Russian-French Commission on Bilateral Cooperation at the level of prime ministers. Prime ministers Putin and Fillon met with top managers from both Russian and French companies, signed the summary document of the 14th session of the Russian-French Commission and gave a joint press conference.

“Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin won another victory for his aggressive energy diplomacy strategy Friday, signing a deal bringing French investment to a pipeline project” reports AFP.

In a successful trip that worried Russia’s nervous neighbours, Putin also secured French investment to save the struggling Lada car maker and a promise that France will consider selling Moscow a huge amphibious assault ship.

I will return with an analysis on this subject.

Romanians vote for a president on Sunday in the first round of an election that is crucial to breaking a political impasse that has blocked the recession-blighted country’s access to international financial aid. According to opinion polls, struggling to enter in the second round of presidential elections to give between three candidates: Traian Basescu, Crin Antonescu and Mircea Geoana. Financial Times make a brief characterization of the three favorites:

“Mr Basescu, a former sea captain and gifted communicator, has promised to continue the fight against corruption, a campaign on which only limited progress has been made over the past five years. He is also advocating popular measures that include abolishing one of parliament’s two chambers and cutting the number of MPs. Mr Geoana, a former foreign minister and ambassador to Washington, promises a more technocratic alternative to Mr Basescu’s boisterous and divisive style of politics, with plans for targeted recession-busting spending on infrastructure that he says could raise Romania’s growth rate. Mr. Crin Antonescu, the candidate of the National Liberals, the third largest party, promises tax cuts.”

Unfortunately, despite serious problems in the economy of the country, the second largest of the EU’s new members in Eastern Europe, the campaign has focused on non-economic issues.

Exit poll (12. PM – Bucharest Time):

CCSB: Traian Basescu: 32% ; Mircea Geoana: 34% ; Crin Antonescu: 18%

INSOMAR: Traian Basescu: 33% ; Mircea Geoana: 36%;  Crin Antonescu: 18%

CSOP: Traian Basescu: 34%; Mircea Geoana: 34%; Crin Antonescu: 20%

UPDATE  – Exit poll (15.00)

CCSB: Traian Basescu 30%, Mircea Geoana 28%, Crin Antonescu 22%
INSOMAR: Traian Basescu 30%, Mircea Geoana 30%, Crin Antonescu 22%
CURS: Traian Băsescu 36%, Mircea Geoana 30%, Crin Antonescu 22%
CSOP: Traian Basescu 36%, Mircea Geoana 30%, Crin Antonescu 22%

It would be much to discuss about the credibility of public polling institutes. So far these are unofficial figures. The official will be given at 21 hours after closing the voting ballot.

UPDATE 2 – Exit poll (21.00)

CCSB: Traian Basescu 34,1%,  Mircea Geoană 30,9,  Crin Antonescu 22,1

INSOMAR: Traian Basescu 32,8%,  Mircea Geoana 31,7%,  Crin Antonescu 21,8%

CSOP: Traian Basescu 33,2%, Mircea Geoana 30,3%, Crin Antonescu 22,0%

Were present to election over 50% of citizens voting. In the second round (6 decembrie 2009) will meet Traian Basescu and Mircea Geoana.

Cooperation, in terms of the Treaty of Lisbon, is the central theme of Russia-EU Summit, said the Russian president to meeting in Stockholm. Dmitry Medvedev said that despite “asperities”, Moscow and Brussels have many spheres in which their interests intersect, among others, the fight against new challenges and dangers. According to him, “without agreement on these issues can not be a normal vital activity in Europe”. President Medvedev drew attention once more European partners on the proposed Energy Charter by Russia in addition to existing documents in the sphere of energy security.
In turn, Fredrik Reinfeld, Prime Minister of Sweden, the country chairing the EU, expressed the hope that it will conduct a successful dialogue on issues of climate change and combating financial crisis and economic consequences. However, Sweden’s PM describes Russia’s human rights situation as a “cause for concern” after an EU-Russia Summit in Stockholm.

The Summit EU – Russia was adopted Memorandum on the early warning of emergency energy. The document was signed by Moscow and Brussels two days ago. The document stipulating the joint actions of Russia and the EU in case of disruption of gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine. Memorandum to defend Europa the operations Ukraina, which is the principal Russian gas transit country. It comprises 13 parts showing the concepts of “emergency” and “early warning” also are set for action parties disruptions of energy supplies from Russia to Europe. According to experts, the signing of the Memorandum of emergency in the energy field creates a mechanism that allows to avoid new “tricks” of Ukraine in the gas transit. In the same context, notice that on November 19, Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, will meet in Yalta with Ukrainian counterpart, Yulia Tymoshenko to discuss, among other things, optimizing the Russian-Ukrainian relations in the gas transit.

Also, Russia and the EU have signed five agreements, including the implementation of cooperation programs in the border area. These documents refer mainly to the funding and implementation of programs of cooperation Border “Kolartik”, “Karelia” South-East Finland-Russia, Lithuania and Latvia-Estonia-Russia-Poland-Russia. The documents were signed by Russian Minister of Regional Development, Victor Basarghin and eurocomisarul on Foreign Affairs, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in the presence of President Dmitry Medvedev, European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso and Prime Minister of Sweden, Fredrik Reinfeldt. President Dmitry Medvedev said he hoped to increase Swedish investment in Russia’s automobile industry and information technologies.

Discussions on energy security and geostrategic new construction resulting from this remains a topical issue on the agenda of all stakeholders. Developments in the first decade of this century have called Eurasia the focal point of future geopolitical strategy.

Among major global players that dispute (more or less discrete) their capacity to bring this area in its own sphere of influence includes China, Russia and the United States. So in this context, analysts have repeatedly questioned the extent to which traditional and fraternal friendship means a Russian-Chinese strategic partnership to counter U.S. influence in the Far East and as far as a fierce struggle for recognition of regional leadership.
The first level of Russia-China relationship, economic, is the most frequently cited to authorities in Moscow and those in Beijing. Seen through the eyes of the Russian Far East bordering China looks like an eternal and historic threat. Silent siege over one million Chinese illegal immigrants that crossing the Russian border and work as laborers, farmers and traders, and Russian local authorities seem unable to stop the phenomenon. Their fears are hardly heard in Moscow. Or, if they hear, the Kremlin has a different view: China offers economic opportunities. And growth in the last decade also is a result of massive exports to China. [full article]

Published in Cadran Politic Review, nov. 2009 edition

Delegation of the International Monetary Fund has suspended talks with Romania. They will reload after the normalization of political situation and investing a new government. Also, the IMF and the European Commission announced that Romania will not receive the next tranche of money in December 2009.

IMF chief delegate, Jeffrey Franks said:  “We made excellent program in talks with authorities in the last 10 days. We believe that we can quickly finalize the analysis of economic evolution in so short a time to release the next trance if the political situation will resolve “.

Elena Flores (European Commission): “Once the political incertitude will overcome and there will be an official budget for 2010 will be able to finalize and release of loan tranches”.

New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg  won reelection Tuesday, giving him the third term he began seeking last year in campaigning for a change to the city’s term-limits law, write Washington Post. But it was a hard-won victory, despite an election-eve poll that showed Bloomberg comfortably ahead of Comptroller William C. Thompson (D).

Relatively low score which won Michael Bloomberg (51% vs. 46%, as obtained Thompson) is due the fact that many of New Yorkers penalized on Bloomberg because forced to amend the election law, so can run for a third time. Bloomberg, founder of a media empire and also the richest man in New York with a fortune estimated at 17.5 billion dollars, has invested 100 million dollars of own money into the campaign in recent months (over 1 million dollars a day). This means that each vote cost him $ 147.27, while his rival – $ 13.12. Of the 8,300,000 inhabitants of New York (and 4.2 million voting), only 1.1 million have exercised that right.

But, equally, Michael Bloomberg is considered artisan megalopolis transformation from violent and chaotic city in one of the cleanest, safest and most effective (in terms of administrative) U.S. cities. Businessman for 67 years managed to solve the deficit by $ 6 billion, succeeding even in those eight years in office to bring a surplus of $ 3 billion in the municipal budget.

Bloomberg first won office in a hard-fought 2001 election over public advocate Mark Green. He sailed to reelection in 2005 over former Bronx borough president Fernando Ferrer. New Yorkers also elected a comptroller to replace Thompson, and dozens of other officials. John C. Liu won the Comptroller race, becoming the first Asian American to hold citywide office.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was on tour in Poland, Czech Republic and Romania, between 20-24 October 2009.
Regarding the visits to Poland and the Czech Republic, analysts Stratfor states defining its relations with the United States, where Obama administration’s decision to abandon the missile shield project promoted by ex-president George W. Bush.

Today, Vice President Biden met with Romanian President Traian Basescu, with dismissed premier Emil Boc and with Opposition leaders.  Also, he gave a public speech in the Hall of the University Library of Romania. In his speech in Bucharest, Joe Biden sent several important messages for the European partners and NATO allies.  Biden sent the European partners that “the U.S. is still a player in the region and an ally in security”. But according to political analysts, beyond these messages, Biden’s tour remains one of consolation.

But let’s see what the main ideas and the context in which they were uttered.

Visit of Vice – U.S. President in Bucharest takes place one day before the  start of presidential election campaign. Thus the joint statement after meeting with Romanian President Traian Basescu can detect two aspects: administration in Washington has not had a top partner in the person of the current president, but is open to dialogue, irrespective of who will win the Presidential elections. Also, the fact that the speech for European partners was elected Bucharest,  stresses stronger bilateral relationship between Romania and the United States. Moreover, can talk  about  strategic location that America gives to Romania on his interests and in the design of the NATO Alliance in the Eastern European area.

On the public diplomacy, Joe Biden tried in his discourse from the University Library, to ensure that countries in the East European region that, despite a change of Obama discourse, Washington has not changed security objectives. But while he insisted that: “We believe that a better relationship with Russia is benefit of all. Pragmatic relationship, too”. Meanwhile, he said the reconfiguration of the missile shield is not a favor done to Russia, but a more efficient way to meet new security challenges. Biden reiterated the importance of Article 5 and firmly reject the imposition of spheres of influence between global powers. “Nothing without you, nothing more than your desire” were sure NATO partners of U.S.

In the same context: “Any missile defense system in Europe should be collective,”  said on Thursday the spokesman of Russian Foreign Ministry, Andrei Nesterenko, quoted by RIA Novosti. He also stressed that “Russia wants to start with Washington a careful assessment of the new U.S. missile shield in Europe”, adding that Moscow does not consider that U.S. plans to place SM-3 missiles in Poland are already established.
Nesterenko’s statement comes after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk  said Wednesday – when U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visit to Warsaw – that Poland is ready to participate in the new U.S. missile shield, as this is especially possible location in 2011 in Poland of  U.S. SM-3 missile.

The same important: Beyond public diplomacy in a speech in Bucharest, the representative of the White House for the first time spoke about the Romanian-American partnership in concrete Constanta-Trieste pipeline project. That while the premiers Putin, Berlusconi and Erdogan discussed again about  South Stream.

Tagged: Basescu, bucharest, Джо Байден, Европа, вице-президент США, общественной дипломатии, East Europe, Joe Biden, Obama, Romania, Russia, USA, visit vice president US, White House ]]> http://gabrielaionita.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/vice-president-joe-biden-we-believe-that-a-better-relationship-with-russia-is-the-benefit-of-all/feed/ 0 gabrielaionita Joe Biden http://gabrielaionita.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/chinese-government-will-provide-romania-a-grant-of-500000-euros/ http://gabrielaionita.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/chinese-government-will-provide-romania-a-grant-of-500000-euros/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:15:06 +0000 gabrielaionita http://gabrielaionita.wordpress.com/?p=701 ]]>

China is continuing its offensive on the Eastern European front. Thus, after the huge financial loan to Moldova Republic,  the Chinese government will provide Romania a grant of 500,000 euros for projects in the field of agriculture and small and medium enterprises, under an agreement signed Tuesday by representatives of the two countries.

According to a press release, Emil Boc interim Prime Minister of Romania met with Vice President of the Republic of China, Xi Jinping. With this occasion were signed bilateral cooperation agreements in agriculture and Small and medium enterprises sector, and an agreement on economic and technical basis of which Romania will receive non-reimbursable assistance from China worth a total of 5 million yuan, the equivalent of 500,000 euros.
Xi Jinping visits to Romania in the context of 60 years anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Note that next week, China will publish the first estimates for the macroeconomic third quarter of this year. According to an AFP analysis, economists expected an advance of 9.5% rate that would mark a new approach towards the big Asian rival, Japan.

The proposal of the President of Romania for the post of prime minister can be described as “from the political crisis in constitutional crisis”. After consultations with the parliamentary parties, President Basescu decided to nominate for the prime minister of  Romania to Lucian Croitoru, adviser to the BNR Governor Mugur Isărescu and ex-representative of Romania to the International Monetary Fund.

Note that the new appointed premier is  only option of president Basescu, without the support of Parliament. Immediate reactions of political leaders in Bucharest were categorized attitude of  President Basescu as an “irresponsible, undemocratic and unconstitutional”.

The Romanian Government was dismissed by motion of censure. Premier Emil Boc and his minority Cabinet 2 successfully lost confidence Romanian Parliament. This is the first time in post-revolutionary history of Romania when the Government is dismissed as a result of a motion of censure. For a resolution of censure motion needed 236 votes  of 471. Finally, 254 voted for the motion adopted by Parliament.

Procedurally, if a motion of censure is adopted, “Parliament, signed the Presidents of both Chambers, report President of Romania this situation, for the designation of another candidate for prime minister”. Romanian President Traian Băsescu stated that “Government Boc was removed in a democratic manner and in accordance with the Constitution”. Also President Traian Băsescu called parliamentary parties in consultations that starting at 17.00 (Bucharest Time). The situation on the political scene was reflected immediately on the capital market. Immediately after the vote on the motion of censure and dismissal of the Government, 1 euro reached 4.3 Ron. With the dismissal of the government, business analysts argue that the danger of breaking the agreement with the IMF did not exist, but that the deadlines for the conditions imposed by the IMF is almost impossible.

One of the names circulating for the post of the future prime minister is that of Klaus Johannis, Mayor of  Sibiu City.  He said Tuesday before the vote in Parliament on the motion of censure, that he is willing to begin talks to his appointment to head a future government. To remove suspicions that the PD-L Government’s dismissal is related to the context of political struggle that preface presidential elections, the opposition said it is willing to support a government of technocrats.

Today, some of my loyal readers were expected to write something about the  local elections in Russia. Well, I’ll not do. Because nothing happened out of the ordinary. No changes anything.  So, nothing can be commented.

The success of United Russia party (over 60% of the votes of the population) are based on two aspects: the constant popularity of Prime Minister Putin and the party apparatus (and propaganda) very efficiently. If it add Russian opposition inability to think and act with one voice, it goes without saying that the current elections could not bring anything sensational.

U.S. President Barack Obama is the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize this year. Surprising or not, the decision of the Nobel Committee has considered “efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between  peoples”.

President Barack Obama has less than one year when installed in the White House. This has led political analysts to consider the granting of the award rather a symbolic gesture and hope for the future actions of the White House. It is an encouraging signal for political change initiated by Barack Obama.

“Thanks to Obama’s initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened”  stated in reasons of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

Also, Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader and a Nobel Prize winner himself, said: “I am happy. What Obama did during his presidency is a big signal, he gave a hope. In these hard times people who are capable of taking responsibility, who have a vision, commitment and political will should be supported”, quoted by Reuters.

The chief Palestinian peace negotiator, Saeb Erekat, welcomed the award to Obama and expressed hope that “he will be able to achieve peace in the Middle East.”

Note that although it had strong opponent (Nicolas Sarkozy and former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl), the Nobel Committee’s decision mattered action taken by Barack Obama in the Middle East peace process. Also for steps to combat poverty in Africa and steps to reduce nuclear arsenals (context in that remember reset U.S.  – Russia bilateral relations, and negotiations on the Treaty Start 2, but also actions on Iran’s nuclear program).

Romania will be paralysed Moday (5 oct. 2009) by the biggest strike in last 20 years. Over 800,000 employees of the budget system will be in the streets to protest against Wage Law assumed by the government Boc. Alliance Budget requests to modify the salary scale and the waiver of proposed unpaid leave due to financial and economic crisis.  In Alliance are part Federation of Trade Unions of education, the Federation of Alma Mater, Spiru Haret Federation, Sanitas Federation, National Federation of Unions of Local Administration, the Federation of Unions of Public Administration ‘Publisind’, National Federation of Unions of Finance, National Federation of Unions of Work and Social Solidarity, National Federation of Statisticians, the Federation of Unions of National Administration of Prisons and the National Union of Police – that over 800,000 state employees,  of the 1.4 million the budget employees in Romania.

According to Union’s leaders, employees of the state system considered to be slaughtered by the Government. They refer to measures to reduce staff in government agencies, reducing wages and mandatory unpaid leave. All these measures should help Government to reduce budgetary spending with one billion euros by the end of the year, in order to get the next tranche of loan from the International Monetary Fund. Wage law, adopted in early September by government accountability, was contested by liberals and expects the Constitutional Court decision on October 28. Until then, on the one hand, unions will continue the series protests, and on the other hand, the Government must find new ways to reduce expenses by one billion euros. In the same time, the general strike and union demands are a preamble and a good campaign issue for candidates for the presidency of Romania. Note that Sunday,  President Traian Basescu announced his candidacy for a new term at the Cotroceni Palace.

Angela Merkel has held the post of Chancellor of Germany. German voters gave conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel a second term on general election on Sunday and allowed her to dump her center-left coalition partners in favor of the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP).  Exit-polls showed Merkel’s conservative bloc – the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) – on about 33,5 percent, down from their score of 35.2 percent in 2005.  In this election, FDP rising to just under 15 percent, above their 9.8 percent score of four years ago.

Getting this new mandate in conditions of economic crisis means a great achievement for Angela Merkel. Even if she have to take into account the requirements of governing partner. How will carry this new alliance? Analysts believe that together with the FDP, Chancellor Merkel would be expected to push for tax relief and extend the lifespan of German nuclear plants that are scheduled to be phased out over the next decade. As regards foreign policy is not expected to essential changes. There will be a natural relationship with the EU. And stronger partnerships with Russia and France.

German Social Democrats (SPD) received results from exit polls in silence. The SPD, on about 23 percent, suffered their worst result in the postwar era.

Between September 30 to October 2 at the JW Marriott in Bucharest – Romania will be held the inaugural edition of the Black Sea Energy and Economic Forum. The event is organized by the Atlantic Council of the United States, with support from the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania.

According to indications from the organizers, “The Black Sea Energy and Economic Forum (BSEEF) will be  a unique annual gathering of world leaders and key stakeholders in energy policy and business for unofficial consultations on global energy security.  Set in the Black Sea-Caspian region, a nexus of global energy security and geopolitics, the conference will bring together world leaders, business executives and prominent policymakers for discussions on today’s key energy issues and recommendations for the future”. Forum topics on its agenda: Policy Responses to Energy Challenges, Global Energy Future, Scenarios for Future Energy Security, The New Energy Mix: Policy and Business Challenges.

The discussions forum will be attended from CEOs and Executives from Areva, DEPA, Eni SpA, ExxonMobil, Hellenic Petroleum, Hunt Oil, KazMunaiGas, WCO, DP Holding, Sabanci Energy Group, Schlumberger and SOCAR.  Also, there will be present Energy and Economy Ministers and senior officials from: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Iraq, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Moldova, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States and Uzbekistan. “In order to promote dialogue and multinational cooperation in this area of increasing geopolitical signifcance, the Atlantic Council has initiated the BSEEF through our new Eurasian Energy Center. By bringing together key regional and global energy security stakeholders from governments and business, we hope to help transform the Black Sea-Caspian region into a more stable and cooperative platform that grows more closely linked to the European Union and the U.S.” says Chuck Hagel, Chairman of Atlantic Council of the US.

Published in Top Business Weeklypaper, nr. 785/1-7 oct. 2009

He is Mr. Newman and is already a star.

Location: near a cafe in San Francisco. Photograf: Chris Michael.

I decided to post this photo in place of a comment about history circus of UN Council nuclear meeting. Why? Because in both cases  I do not know what should I do: to smile or be sad?

Also because Mr. Newman is more honest, more alive and expressive than any speech carefully directed by the leaders of UN Council or G 20 …

For all this, Thank you Chris…Thank you Mr. Newman !

Today G20 leaders will meet for the third time in last year. At Summit in Pittsburgh the main issue on the talk is proposal French President Nicolas Sarkozy, to limit international banking bonuses so that they are proportional to long-term performance. This does not mean that bankers would have to do too much worry. President Obama believes that it wouldn’t be a beneficial measure. So European leaders were forced to accept a compromise to avoid a deadlock of the talks. Faced with multiple internal and external problems, Obama no longer seems providential leader, but bankers on Wall-Street seem strong enough to make the law. “Abroad, Obama remains a rock star, but doubts are beginning to emerge about his ability to turn popularity into policy,” said Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, quoted by Bloomberg.com.

Moreover, leaders of EU countries met on September 17 to agree about the position which will have a summit in Pittsburgh. At the end of the meeting, it was established that the European Union to ask the G20 to establish binding rules for financial institutions for a waiver of remuneration in the financial and banking system, together with the possibility of sanctions at national level. Also, EU leaders will advocate for a central role International Monetary Fund.

Notice: in April 2009, in London, G 20 leaders agreed to waive bonuses (including those obtained by employees who best performance in the bank) and in of November 2008, in Washington, outlined the need to increase the role of IMF and World Bank. Conform The Washington Post: “Since April, the combination of loose monetary policy and stimulus spending has begun to show results in some G-20 nations, including the United States and China, where the downturn appears to be losing steam. But any recovery remains fragile. The G-20 finance ministers and central bankers agreed earlier this month to maintain stimulus spending until a recovery gains more traction”. But is it sufficiently ? Is it possible more ? Business analysts have warned that the reform of the global financial system, however, is moving too slowly.

In addition to the economic crisis, the G20 will discuss climate issues before the Copenhagen meeting in December, which will be set new targets for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. Poor countries expected help from the developed and hopes to get guidance in this respect in Pittsburgh. Today, President Obama and other G 20 leaders are expected to arrive in Pittsburgh  and gather for a leaders-only dinner. Tomorrow, the leaders will attend a plenary session in the morning, followed by a working lunch and another plenary. At the end of the day, representatives from the participating countries will hold press conferences and release a communique outlining the next steps the group will take to deal with the economic crisis.

According to a press release issued Tuesday by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Espoo Convention Implementation Committee will consider a request submitted by Ukraine against Romania with the object of an alleged violation of the Romanian environmental obligations regarding the construction of waterways inside the Danube Delta. The works of the Committe of Implementation of the Espoo Convention will take place in Geneva, 16-17 September 2009.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers that the Ukrainian authorities try to offset the image created by repeated negative reactions of international bodies relating to project development Bystroe. I recall that Ukraine lost to the Hague Court dispute with Romania on the delimitation of maritime shelf. At that time the authorities in Kiev have tried to minimize the impact of this decision. But it seems that frustrations remain. In addition, Ukraine is approaching presidential elections. “On these simple allegations, without real basis, the Romanian delegation will inform the Implementation Committee that Romania does not actually build any inland waterway in the Danube Delta and does not intend to implement a project such as’” specify the same release of the MFA.