| Russia begins to protect its national interests
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti) - From a speech by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the 15th meeting of the Russian Council for Foreign and Defense Policy, held on March 17, 2007. Global developments, Russian diplomatic moves of the past few years, and the speeches made by President Vladimir Putin on foreign policy issues, notably in Munich, clearly demonstrate that the Russian political leadership has a well thought-out and tested foreign policy strategy. The dissolution of the Soviet Union seemingly made Russia a candidate for another territorial and political re-division, a situation it had faced in the early 18th century, when the problem was solved through an accelerated modernization of the country. This time, we are fighting the challenge with radical political and economic reforms.
Caribbean to mull EU market access offer
The European Union (EU) yesterday proposed to remove all remaining quota and tariff limitations on access to the EU market for all African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions, with the exception of South Africa, as part of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) negotiations. Caribbean negotiators are expected to consider this offer next week, among other issues. The initial proposal would become effective immediately following the signing of an agreement, with a phase-in period for rice and sugar, an EU release out of Brussels said yesterday. Commenting on the offer, Guyana's Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Dr Henry Jeffrey told Stabroek News yesterday, "the Caribbean would have to give much consideration to what this actually means in terms of our negotiations of an EPA." For example, he said, in the case of sugar, "the Caribbean is looking for a 'managed market' situation, which gives us guaranteed access at a negotiated price based upon a historic and legal arrangement: The Sugar Protocol." .
GOING OUT: A GUIDE TO THE WEEK'S ENTERTAINMENT
Emily Carr: New Perspectives on a Canadian Icon. Promising a fresh look at a celebrated painter, the 200-piece show includes a partial reconstruction of a landmark exhibit that first travelled to Toronto in 1927. To May 20. $10 to $15. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648. .
Bullish about EU
The European Union has been so successful that you would have thought there would be dancing in the streets at its 50th anniversary. Alas, there has been only persistent talk of failure -- to achieve political union, to adopt a constitution, to exercise global leadership and vision, to implement economic reforms and the list of laments goes on.
After World War II, Germany was a beaten and devastated nation with a history of dysfunctional nationalism. Today, a totally rehabilitated Germany is as thoroughly European and democratic as any other EU nation -- indeed, under the leadership of Angela Merkel, Germany has earned its place as Europe's most important country.
The EU deserves great credit for this transformation. After the war, it was a prime EU objective to moderate nationalism and promote regionalism in Germany, a feat that was accomplished to the benefit of all Europeans.
ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany in March slackened ...
The dynamism of the recovery process traced by the ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany slackened off somewhat in March 2007. The indicator rose by 2.9 points and now stands at 5.8 points after 2.9 points in February. This is still far below its historical average of 33.2 points. The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany suggests that the German economy is continuing to recover. Domestic incoming orders developed favourably despite the increase in value-added tax. The Institute for the World Economy in Kiel, Germany on Monday revised its forecast for the German Economy to 2.8% growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - faster than the 2.7% achieved in 2006, which was the fastest rate since 2000. Consumer confidence has also stabilized thanks to good news from the German labour market.
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