Istanbul Kültür University, Ataköy Campus, Global Political Trends Center Bakirköy, 34156, Istanbul, Turkey Istanbul Kültür University Phone: (90) 212 498 44 76 | Fax: (90) 212 498 44 05 www.gpotcenter.org

Regional Updates

April 2016 | № 14 Regional Updates: Contents

Cyprus...... 3 ...... 4 Israel-Palestine...... 6 ...... 7 South Caucasus (Nagorno-Karabakh)...... 10 Western Balkans...... 11 Russia...... 13 Ukraine...... 15

GPoT No. 14 | 2 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. CYPRUS Regi hamper reunifications the talks. notion the dismissed that established newly the government of of norther the part Cyprus would Anastasiades noted that some differences remained. Turkish Cypriot President MustafaAkinci tostarted acommon take stand on anumber of positive the issues. developments, Besides Nicos Anastasiades marked meeting as “productive”, explaining tothat media the two the sides between The meeting new Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders took place on April 25. President professional soldiers. current two years by 2017.Thebe overcomereductionwill of army service by recruiting 3,000 Cypriot cabinet announced its decision to reduce mandatory to 14months army service from the to hire 3,000professional soldiers for National the Guard upcoming inthe years. In February, the According to Cypriot the Greek House, defense the committee was provided required the funds to Armenian the people. dedicated to 101st anniversary of event, this Anastasiades expressed solidarity with and sympathy Armenian population, “a them calling of history inthe disgrace mankind”. In awritten statement On April 24,Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades condemned committed crimes the against the sides towards asettlement. reiterated US’s genuine support to Cyprus the reunification andtalks welcomedthe efforts of both President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot Mustafa leader on Akinci April 20. Nuland US Assistant of State Secretary Victoria Nuland paid an official visit to Cyprus where she met with Huseyin Ozgurgun and other official high during hisprivate visit the to partthe of island.northern On April 17, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with Turkish new Cypriot PM with Greektalks side. his government would support Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa reunification inthe Akinici officials showed thereadinessfulfill to Turkish request.newly-appointed The PM pointed out that Turkish Cypriot politicians demand this see as athreat for ongoing UBP’s the while talks, peace northofthe island the represents main the reason hampers which conclusion the of Some deal. the ofpart Cyprus. Ankara’s demand for granting the of citizenships 26,000new to Turkish settlers in two the sides onbetween reforms, political projects infrastructural and privatizations innorthern protocol of part northern the Cyprus between and Turkey. This agreement includes cooperation approach towards singing the of 2016-2018economic the to Cypriot press, UBPthe was unsatisfiedwiththe CTP resignationthe of five ministersfrom UBP. According Republican Turkish Party (CTP)collapsed on April 4after prime minster. The former government the UBPof and April 16,with UBP’s Huseyin leader Ozgurgun as (DP) formed Turkish anew Cypriot government on The National Unity (UBP)Party Democraticand Party o n al Up dates: Cyprus GPoT No. 14|3 TurkeyStar

Global Political Trends Center 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. EGYPT REGI Political Develo 1. 2. 3. 4. Ec o Minister of Housing announced that implementation the of New the Oil MinisterOil Tarek el-Molla announced Egypt’s agreement with Italian oil and gas company to Egypt continuesEgypt to face a severe shortage of foreign at which stood currency $16.5billion in March. Foreign Minister with U.S. Sameh held talks Shoukry of State Secretary John inWashington. Kerry transfer ofdepartments the all and administrative offices from locationthe old in Cairo. President el-Sisi inaugurated Interior the Ministry’s headquarters new inNew Cairo following the with aid the of tear gas. waters. Protests on April Sinai 25,the Liberation Day, were broken also up by riot Egyptian police, Saudi agreement islands, declaring Seas twoTiran the Red and Sanafir,within Saudi territorial From mid-April onwards, 100 people were arrested during in Egypt protests over Egyptian- the legislative amendments. irresponsible actions. In pushed meeting the he also to regulate performance police through ofel-Sisi Interior met with Ministry the and said that it is important to counter legally these After a vendor was fatally shot policemanby a during aminor dispute, President Abdel Fattah rigorous imprisonment.” former Agriculture Minister Helal Eddin Salah and his deputy Mohie to 10years Qadh Eddin of In of acase corruption, “the sentenced Cairo Court Criminal bases. on illegal Violence and Torture, citing that Center’s the closure was based to shutdown Nadeem El Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of DoctorsThe Syndicatethe criticized Health Ministry’s decision Cairean al-Ahmar, neighborhoodal-Darb received alife sentence. policeman,An Egyptian convicted of adriver killing in the Chinese andChinese other international companies. Administrative Capital, east of Cairo, The has begun. project is implementedwiththe help of billion cubic feet by 2019. produce 1billion cubic feet of day gas per from gas field Zohr the the endby of 2017 and 2.5-3 institutions. on-going; and second, is considering Egypt options all for long-term debt from financial global Minister of Finance Amr el-Garhy said that may this improve due to two reasons: first, reforms are Egypt. willingness officials the collaborate to Both affirmed into order bolster economic development in n O omic N AL UP Develo DATES: EGYPT pment pment s s GPoT No. 14|4 Al-Ahram

Global Political Trends Center 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Intern REGI The Association for Italian travelTourism all (AITR) suspended in to support deals Egypt forthe During athree-dayDuring visit to Mauritanian Egypt, President Mohamed Abdel Azizand President el- The InternationalConsortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) publishedthree documents Saudi King bin Abdulaziz al-Saud visited for Egypt fivedays to the affirm strongbetween ties On April 5,Italy’s foreign announced that ministry “immediate and proportionate” measures Two visits by American representatives took place inApril: first,Republican Senator Lindsey Hamas deployed forces security and along bases doubled Gazaborder the security the with Egypt French President Francois Hollande and agroup of diplomats and businessmen visited Cairo for ’s of Foreign Ministry part Affairsbe of direct on to called negotiations Egypt between John visited and Kerry Egypt underlined United the States’ commitment to country’s the stability investigation into Giulio Regeni’s murder. Sisi sixagreements signed and memorandums of understanding indifferent fields. money inoffshoretax havens. related Mubarak Alaa showing how his company, Pan World Investments, taxes and evaded hid Parliament to stress importance of economic cooperation, security, unity, and moderation. Imam promotion the of “moderate Islam”; met with Pope Tawadros II;and addressed Egyptian the Sanafirvisited part al-Azharbe islandsof Saudi will territory; Mosquewiththe to discuss Grand joiningover and Egypt Sea, Saudi Red the Arabia; agreed with President el-Sisi that Tiran the and different fields, $22 billion worth with President el-Sisi; signed anagreement to a build bridge twothe countries. his During visit, King Salman: 17Memorandums signed of Understanding in sourced that story Regeni was detained prior to his disappearance. of April, an official complaintEgypt’s to Public filed Prosecution was against Reuters anonymous- Ambassador to Maurizio Egypt Massari for was recalled an urgent evaluation. Towards end the found dead.He cited request the as contrary toConstitution; Egyptian the and second, Italy’s one million telephone records from areas the where Regeni resided, went missing, and eventually Prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman claimed that Italy’s refused Egypt request of sharing approximately dossier to Italian the authorities. The meeting resultedtwo in developments: first, Assistant Public judicial delegation investigating murder the of Regeni visited Rome to present 2,000-page their Amid mounting pressure from public opinion and heightened diplomatic tensions, Egyptian the would ifCairo taken not cooperate be does fully murder inthe of Ph.D. candidate Giulio Regeni. Cairo situation, to political the discuss security, and cooperation. hosted adelegationShoukry by led Speaker the of U.S. the House of Representatives Paul Ryan in and Sobhi; second, PresidentSedki el-Sisi, parliament member Abdel Ali Aal, and Foreign Minister Graham visited and Cairo stability to security discuss with President el-Sisi and Defense Minister to improve border security. The initiativecame after a Hamas’ delegation’s March visit to Cairo. importance of continued bilateral cooperation countries. their between inauguratedboth Egyptian-French the Economic Forum inCairo and delivered on speeches the energy, culture, and training, technical totaling 21agreements and €5billion. El-Sisi and Hollande two days to bolster inarms, as well ties deals political security, as secure urban planning, renewable immediately by rejected Egypt’s foreign ministry. twothe countries to dispute the settle over territories the of Halyeb and Shalateen. was Thecall and regional role despite differencesthat might suggest otherwise. O N ati AL UP o n DATES: EGYPT al Develo pment s GPoT No. 14|5

Global Political Trends Center Yuval Steinitz, two the said countries that between deal the was 90%completed. is lifted.the On side,other Israeli Minister of National Infrastructure,and Energy WaterResources Spokespersons said that reconciliation with Israel cannot reached be blockade unlessthe on Gaza soon”. is finalized “very deal the when Later on April 11, one of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s that “progress” with Israel, made talks inthe has been and that diplomatic relations restored be will Israel-TurkeyOn the reconciliation process, Turkey’s of Foreign Ministry Affairssaid on April 8 has acquired some of Syrian the regime’s chemical weapons, Channel 10reported. Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade – an Islamist organization identifying with ISIS in Southernthe Golan— related to war the inSyria. In same the context, echelon security the inIsrael estimated that the coordinationleaders discussed armiestheir and between reached understanding matters on security Earlier during month, the Netanyahu met with Russian President Vladimir Putin inMoscow. Thetwo status of Golan the remains unchanged”. expressed concern deep their over recent Israeli statements about Golan, the and stressed that the President Council Security and China’s UNAmbassador Liu Jieyi, told reporters “Council members never returnwill to territory Syria. the Following Israel’s statement about Golan the Heights, UN On April 17,Israeli Netanyahu leader held his cabinet meetingGolan inthe Heights vowing that Israel between conflict Israel theand Palestinians is by direct and bilateral negotiations.” repeated its stance, saying “Israel remains steadfast inits position that way best the to resolve the international conference peace was which planned for May 30inParis. The Prime Minister’s Office negotiations away. further In addition, Israel officiallythe rejected French initiative to convene an condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, move the described as who pushing President Abbas’ move to condemn Israeli the settlement expansion at UNon the April 22was government that it two-state inthe believes solution, as astep towards solution. the Palestinianthe state Jerusalem with as East its capital, adding that he wants to hear from Israeli the two the sides.Moreover,between he repeated to establish his call cooperate with Israel to stop and monitor “mutual incitement” Palestinian President stated that he is ready to into Israel first –the be uncovered to the since war in2014. other side, Israel uncovered a Hamas tunnel that crossed from Gaza were place with taking Israel over Israelis the held inGaza.Onthe In of beginning the April, Hamas reports denied that negotiations ISR Regi AEL-P o n al Up ALES dates: Isr TINE ael-Pales tine GPoT No. 14|6 Reuters

Global Political Trends Center 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. S Regi YRI Intra-Syrian negotiations. In Syria, parliamentary elections—which were denounced by U.S., the promisingGeneva, Moscow-Cairo the Opposition group for to steps the take holding necessary continuedthe fighting and breach the cessationof inof hostilities, talks he peace theresumed his meetings concluded with “interest progress inthe of transition”. apolitical OnApril 13,despite Following visits to Amman, Tehran, Damascus, and Moscow, Envoy de Misturathat confirmed forces”. that “60different towns andvillages and 50 groups rebel havewiththe governmenttruces signed On April 11,areport published by Agence France-Presse on Russian the ground role claimed by Syrian the people. Assad’s fate is a‘red line’ for Tehran and an issue that should ultimately through decided avote be AkbarAli Velayati, Adviser Senior to Ayatollah Khameini, Ali said on April 10that Bashar al- would investigate and punish responsible. those al-Islam on Kurdish chemical gas.group The used militia subsequently issued a statementthat it As clashes around continued Aleppo various between belligerents, areported shelling by Jaysh regardingparties an upcoming transition. political initially on scheduled April 9,to April positions the 11,to verify of international and regional EnvoyUN Special to Syria Staffan de Misturapostponedsecond the roundwhich weretalks, of inclusion of Kurds the process. peace inthe UN Vitaly Churkin announced that Western the countries vetoedthe Council on UNSecurity the Putin said that Russia had reinforced Syrian statehood. On April 6, Russian Ambassador to the Minister Sergei Lavrov affirmed Russia’s commitmenttalks andpeace the to PresidentVladimir [...]doomed to failure”be donot ifthey cover fate the of al-Assad. Russian Onthe side, Foreign Highthe Negotiations Committee (HNC) voiced asimilar concern, claiming “would that talks the importance for al-Assad to stand down for to country the move towards atransition. Hijab Riad of atest Syria’sbe whether president al-Assad can negotiate faith. ingood He reiterated also the Days before resumption the U.S. talks, of Geneva the of State Secretary John would said they Kerry on April 7. of Syria. It was subsequently countered by ISIS militants, control seized who of town the of Adwan including al-Nusra al-Qaeda-affiliated the Front, the in southwestern partsthe of Daraa governorate A large-scale offensive waslaunched several groups, by rebel aidthe of Russian airstrikes. captured allies their ISIS-controlled the town of with Qaryatain Following capture the of Palmyra inMarch, Syrian troops and a regime offensivesouthernthe in suburbs Damascus.of retake and village al-Eis astrategic Similarly, hill. rebels the foiled coordinated attacks against Syrian the troops insouth to Aleppo In first the days of April, Syrian rebels al-Nusraand Front o A n al Up dates: S YRI A GPoT No. 14|7 BBC

Global Political Trends Center 18. 17. 16. 15. 14. 13. 12. 11. 10. Regi major powers on situation the inSyria. current approach would not work, proposing a single, merged opposition. and de Mistura briefed would resumetalks on May 10.In meantime, the regime-tolerated the Moscow Group said that the Russia Deputy Foreign Minister MikhailBogdanov was quoted as saying that peace Geneva the talks. support peace Geneva the Britain, France, , and Italy to pressure Russia and Iran to enforce and truce fragile the momentum battle inthe against ISIS. same Onthe day, he held aconference with leaders of call deployment of 250U.S. operations special forces opposition to train local groups and keep the On avisit to Hanover, Germany on April 25,U.S. President Barack Obama announced the own countries. of safe zones enforced, can inSyria, be where security as ameasure of sheltering refugees intheir In avisit to Gaziantep, Turkey on April Chancellor 24,German Angela Merkel advocated idea the meeting of superpowers the and regional powers inNew York by end the of April. from collapsing. talks peace Subsequently, reportson surfaced possibility the of aministerial U.S., Russia, and other world powers to intervene and prevent and Geneva polarized truce the both Following intense airstrikes on on Aleppo April Envoy 22,UNSpecial deMistura on the called escalate conflict. the further for falteringconditions the truce inSyria and noted that there were signs among belligerents to departure from Aday Geneva. later, HNC coordinator Hijab Riad harshly deMistura criticized people. Theas a airstrike was described “dangerous escalation” and the led to HNC’s leadership put on hold by HNC. the Meanwhile inSyria, amarket inIdlib was about bombed, killing 40 With negotiations the refusing sidesinthe both talks, to ground cede peace Geneva inthe were in Syria Tehran to Iran’s discuss where roleit talks, relates Geneva inthe to facilitating settlement apolitical EU Foreign Policy Federica Chief Mogherini met with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad in Zarif ISIS. Aleppo, regime between and rebel forces; and aseizure of near villages Turkish the border by the Syrian government refuses to compromise. The statementscame amid renewed clashes around for HNC member Abdulhakim talks. the Bashar ifthe threatened talks to peace exit Geneva the serious about negotiations,the due to his proposal of amendments to frameworkthe document The Government’s Syrian Chief NegotiatorBashar Jaa’fari the wasHNCby accused of notbeing estimated that process the could cost $150-$180billion. onSpeaking post-conflict the reconstruction of Syria, WorldBank President Jim Yong Kim al-Assad would leave. members of current the al-Assad government to form atransitional body, on condition the that al-Muslet,Salim HNC’s the spokesman said that opposition the wouldto willing work be with war. civil the Germany, and France—began inal-Assad-controlled areas, reflectinggrowing his confidence in o n al Up dates: S YRI A GPoT No. 14|8

Global Political Trends Center 20. 19. Regi civilians killed. tighten his grip on city. the facilities were medical reportedly Several and bombed hundreds of intensified towardsthe end the of monthwith over 260 airstrikesdays, in8 al-Assad as sought to was negotiated for suburbs the of However, Damascus. airstrikes on— Aleppo In an effort to preventthe complete collapse thetwo-month of cessation of truce hostilities, a “at highest the level” to prevent “barely the alive” from truce collapsing. After briefing major powers the on situation in de Syria, Mistura urged U.S. and Russia to intervene o n al Up dates: S YRI A Syria’s largest city— GPoT No. 14|9

Global Political Trends Center appeals for but peace for war”. counterpart, Eduard Nalbandian, inYerevan. Lavrov marked Turkish statements “were as they not statements of Turkish officials on Nagorno-Karabakh following meeting the Armenianhiswith interests inNagorno-Karabakh. OnApril 22,Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized Russian claims on Turkish support to Azerbaijan Moscow and accused of advocating just Armenian Azerbaijani brothers prevail clashes will inthese with least the casualties”. Moreover, Erdogan rejected Turkish President Tayip Recep Erdogan pledged Turkish support for Azerbaijan, he said “we pray our The Nagorno-Karabakh freshclashes led to disagreementbetween Turkey and Russia. On April 3, Karabakh forces. initiative, stating that Azerbaijan is not ready to stop with offensive the operations against Nagorno- territories occupied inArmenia”. Nevertheless, Armenian the sideexpressed great doubts about this announceddefence that ministry are they “suspending acounter-offensive and response theon reached aceasefire agreement. The firstunilateral ceasefiredeclared was onApril 3.Azerbaijan’s At meeting the inMoscow on April chiefs 5,the of Staff General the of Azerbaijan and Armenia onconflict sidesinthe to all called avoidfuture violence. cessation of hostilities. The OSCE Minskgroup which is monitoringthe Nagorno-Karabakh truce to restore its control over Nagorno-Karabakh. The international community urged an immediate representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh discredited such claims, stating that Azerbaijan attempted shells across Karabakh the frontline.artillery Armenian officials and after Armenian-backed forces started to fire mortars and large-caliber According to Azerbaijan’s defense ministry, army Azeri the reacted causalities including civilians on firstthe days theof clashes. artillery, and tanks aircrafts. Furthermore,both sides reported militias from Nagorno-Karabakh. heavy Theused warringparties Nagorno-Karabakh troops Azeri and between Armenian-backed An armed conflict broke out on the disputedApril 1in territory of SO REGI N AGO U O TH CA N AL UP RN O-K DATES: SO UCA AR SUS: AB U TH CA AKH UCA SUS: N AGO RN O-K AR AB AKH GPoT No. 14|10 Russia Direct

Global Political Trends Center canceled. OnApril 21,senior EUofficialsstated that mediationsthe talks “could take not place.” On Macedonianbetween leadersand political EUmediators on solving Macedonian the crisiswas political governmentthe didnot provide conditions the for and free fair The polls. planned in meeting Vienna wiretapping. The demonstrators demandedpostponement a the of June 5 elections, emphasizingthat Gjorgje Ivanov’s decision to stop investigations criminal against top politicians involved illegal inthe Anti-government protests on started April 13inSkoplje and other Macedonian towns due to President 3. alternative”. region and emphasize, “dialogue, normalization and reconciliation countries the between [as] only the April 19,Kosovo President Hashim Tachi importance highlighted the of day this for Kosovo and of signing the of agreement the for normalization the of relations Kosovo between and on Serbia on occasion the of 23April, Day of Turkish the Minority inKosovo. Regarding third the anniversary attempts to join international organizations. Kurtulmush stated during this his official visit to Kosovo continuewill to lobby for recognitions new of Kosovo the independence, and to support Kosovan for country. the The deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmush confirmed that Turkey noted that appointment the of Hashim Tachi as Kosovo’s president represents apositive development implementation of bilateral the agreements were which last year. signed Following Rama meeting, the with his Albanian counterpart on Rama Edi April about topics talked 7,they several including the was boycotted by opposition. The Prime Minster of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa held a in meeting Pristina April 1.Hashim Tachi was inaugurated on April 7as Kosovo’s President, swearing-in the ceremony The Stabilization and Association Agreementbetween (SAA) Kosovo thecameand EU into force on 2. on-goingthe concern among CIA officials that ISIL aims to establish a front in southeastern Europe. of counter-terrorism officials. The security main meetings with Bosnian reason of Brennan’s visit is BiH. OnApril 22,CIA Director John Brennan arrived inSarajevo on an unannounced visit for aseries from nationalist rhetoric, threats with referendums and collapse the of common the institutions of encourageswhich country’s the EUaccession process. Furthermore, resolution the for calls refraining April European 14,the Parliament adopted resolution anew on BiH strengthening of regional cooperation among states. Balkans the On and friendly, Zvizdic commended especially Turkish effortsthe in was pointed out that relations the two the countries between are good of Parliamentthe of Turkey Ismail Kahraman. meetingthe it During Hercegowina (BiH) Zvizdic Denis met inAnkara with speaker the On April Chairman 9,the of of Council the Ministers i of Bośnia 1. WES Regi FYR M Kosovo: Bosnia andHerzegovina:Bosnia o TERN B n al Up acedonia: dates: WES ALK ANS T B

ALK ANS GPoT No. 14|11

Global Political Trends Center democracy in Serbia, the government’s the inSerbia, democracy diplomatic efforts theand Europeanpath the country.of Progressive Party (SNS) won 48.24of votes. the Vucic pointed out that result this strongly supports April 24,Serbian PMAleksandar Vucic inasnap claimed victory general where election, his Serbian peacekeeping operations, human rights and humanitarian aid, and areform of UNSecretariat. the On upcomingin the The platform period. includes 5units: sustainable development, climate change, at UNheadquarters the aplatform aiming to improve UN’s organization and international reputation president of United the Nations Assembly General (2012-2013). OnApril 14,Vuk Jeremic presented Vukof UNSecretary-General. Jeremic is Serbia’s former foreign minister (2007-2012)and former of uncertainty, Serbian the government formally backed Vuk Jeremic’s for candidacy position the committed during 1990sconflicts the in former Yugoslavia. On April 12, following monthsseveral Haguethe war tribunal; crimes and abolish Serbian the law on universal for jurisdiction war crimes has to: improveBelgrade treatment the of Croat minoritycooperation realize full inSerbia; with 24 after Croatia did notgive its consent. According to Croatian officials, for opening new chapters, On April European 7,the Commission postponed Serbia’s opening of EUaccession chapters 23and 5. May. of Montenegro to NATO inBrussels during signed be ministers’ the will meeting on and 19th of 20th In with anone interview Montenegrin daily on April 18, Stoltenberg said that a Protocol for accession said that Montenegro made significant progressthe fight in against crimeorganized and corruption. programme Assembly to UNGeneral the on April of NATO Secretary 13.General Jens Stoltenberg The Montenegrincandidate forpositionthe Secretary-General, Igorthe UN of Luksic, presented his 4. Warsaw Summit, due to Athens’ objections. Poposki said that Macedonia probably would not receive an invitation to join NATO at upcoming the another meeting of regional foreign ministers organized inGreece on April 24,Macedonian FMNikola gration, economy, care, health culture, public administration, education and protection. civil Following inSkoplje.nia The topicsthat includedwere discussed bilateral dialogue on issues related to energy, mi- April round 25,anew on of confidence-building talks measures wasbetween heldGreece and - Macedo Regi Serbia: M ontenegro: o n al Up

dates: WES T B ALK ANS GPoT No. 14|12

Global Political Trends Center 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. RUSSI Internati Regi Turkey. According to Russian the ministry, Turkish and Russian authorities hold divergent on views stated thatministry under current the circumstances, it is not likely to normalize relations with In published areview on April 26on Russia’s foreign Russian in2015,the activities policy foreign headquarters. The Paris Agreement is to thereplace Kyoto Protocol on climate change after 2020. On April 22,Russia Paris the signed Agreement on Climate Change at United the Nations’ Russia once again international respects law. today’s meeting didnot change it”. According to Stoltenberg, mutual cooperation resume will after said afterthethat meeting NATO and Russia “have profound persistentand disagreements and determination to appropriate the take countermeasures. NATO Jens General Stoltenberg Secretary Moscow is “against an arms race” as NATO bolsters its eastern flank. pointed also He out Russian and Afghanistan. Following Russian meeting, the Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said was crisis the in Ukraine, relation as well as military Russia between and NATO members, Syria cooperationsuspended all with Russian the authorities in2014.The main topics the on agenda On April 21,NATO and Russian representatives met inBrussels for first the timetheAlliance since in eastern Ukraine. leaders to more take active measures to force to Kiev cooperate with Moscow on settling conflict the that is Kiev hampering implementation the of Minsk the agreements. peace on Putin Western called On April 14,during annual the question televised and answer session, president Vladimir Putin said must allowed. be temporary measure. Furthermore, he emphasized that visits to Turkey for family or business reasons April 14that Russia should ban tourist travel to Turkey, but he pointed out that should this just a be The deputy head the of Upper House committee for defense security andFrants Klintsevichsaid on Kaliningrad. missile destroyer on April 13.The US ship was inlocated ininternational waters,somefrom 70miles According sources, to Russian USmilitary “aggressive” made several jets near passes aUSguided Turkish forces security are conducting counter-insurgency operations against PKK the fighters. Zakharova expressed great concern over situation the in Turkey’s south-eastern provinces where on Turkeycalled of methods resolving tomilitary the reject Kurdish the question. OnApril 6, Russia’s Foreign Ministry’s officialspokeswoman Zakharova Maria sanctions by imposed EU. the he would continue to press for cancelation the of anti-Russian towardsopen policy Russia. The Austrian president statedthat Naryshkin expressed hope that Austria keep its and will friendly Austrian President Heinz Fischer in Moscow. meeting, the During On April 6,Lower House Naryshkin hosted Speaker Sergey o n al Up A onal Affairs dates: RUSSI A GPoT No. 14|13

Global Political Trends Center 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 11. 10. 9. Internal Affairs Regi supplying arms to terrorist On April chief 27,the of Russia’s Staff General Gerasimov saidthat Valery Turkey continued People” as an extremist group and forbid its on activities of territory the Russian the Federation. April 26,The SupremeCourt theRepublic Crimean of bannedthe “Mejlis the Crimean of Tatar regions. Islands. It means that Russia continue will to develop east inthe border infrastructure its military Lavrov confirmed Russia’s intention to protect eastern-mostits territories includingthe Kuril In withJapanese Chinese, an interview and Mongolian mass on media April 12,Russian FMSergey jail time.their Human Rights (ECHR)related with Russian the law on prisoners’ the voting rights for termof the Russia’s Constitutional notademand hasfrom decided to Court fulfill the EuropeanCourt of crime, andcomprise will existing Interior troops. Ministry after President Putin’sVladimir decisiondated April 5. guardfightThe will terrorism, organized A National Guard established be under will auspices the of Russian the of Internal Ministry Affairs took part in the vote inthe took part and among 55voted them infavor of resolution, the is which non-binding. Russia was supported by French MPon April 28.The 101 of 577deputies the of National Assembly The resolution calling the on French government not to extendsanctionsthe EU-imposed against Gerasimov stated that wounded terrorists undergo treatment and rehabilitation at Turkish hospitals. supplying arms to terrorists inSyria, negatively which affectsthe reconciliationthis, Besides process. On April chief 27, the of Russia’s Staff General Gerasimov saidthat Valery Turkey continued People” as an extremist group and forbid its on activities of territory the Russian the Federation. On April 26,The SupremeCourt theRepublic Crimean of bannedthe “Mejlis the Crimean of Tatar a number of issues of bilateral the agenda and international problems. o n al Up dates: RUSSI A GPoT No. 14|

Global Political Trends Center 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. UKR Regi the beginning of beginning the conflict. the Political Affairs Tayd-BrookZerihoun that reported peopleDonbas 9,300in have sincekilled been open meeting on Council April aUNSecurity During 29,UNAssistant for Secretary-General compromise a necessary signifies sides all thebetween conflict.of Foreign Minister status civil was agreed upon of observers the by 57OSCEmembers all and it OSCE mission to eastern Ukraine. According to Martin Schaefer, a spokesman for Germanthe On April 27,Germany and France President rejected Petro Poroshenko’s proposal to armed send March 2014. banned Russian movies produced after 1 January 2014 following Russia’s annexation inof Crimea in Russia after they 1991if the work“glorify of governmentbodies” of Russia. Previously, Ukraine Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko abill on signed April bans 20which movies all produced against Russia implementation until full of Minsk II. during atelephone conversation on April Juncker 20.Besides, said that notsanctions EUwill lift Poroshenko that “the EUkeepsadvocating firmly for Ukraine’s territorial integrity sovereignty”,and President of European the Commission Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed to President Petro requirements hasthe Kiev met all for needed regime. visa-free the On April 20,The EuropeanCommission liberalizationofficiallyvisa proposed for Ukraine after replaced Arseniy Yatsenyuk on PM’s the position, resigned who on April 10. by president Petro Poroshenko and PMVolodymyr Groysman. Before MP’s the voting, Groysman On April 14,Ukrainian government anew MPelected voting for Cabinet the of Ministers, proposed Russia using funds from the its National Welfare Fund. Kiev. Under bonds deal, the worth $3bln were listed on Irish the Stock Exchange and acquired by ofwas head the state, the an he signed agreement with Moscow in2013on a$15billion loan to was adoptedperiod by Ukrainian MPon April 12.The debtwhen was made Viktor Yanukovich The bill on extendingthe moratorium theon repayment of a 3 billion debt to Russia for an indefinite path, despite results the of Dutch the referendum. Hollande pointed out continue that will they to back Ukraine’s EU ChancellorGerman Angela Merkel and French President Francois solution to Ukraine-EU the Association Agreement. Meanwhile, PM Mark Rutte said that it a take few months will before finding a voting for it. Commenting on referendum the results, Dutch the 32.28%, with 61%of voters opposing ratification the and 38.21% Agreement on April 12.According to results, the turnout the was non-bindingthe referendum on Ukraine-EUthe Association DutchTheCouncil Electoral announced the official results of o AINE n al Up dates: UKR AINE GPoT No. 14|15

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