Russia and the Arab League have negotiated a plan to settle the bloody political conflict in Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday.

• March 10, 2012

Following the meeting, which discussed the regional ties and projects, the statement was passed in Nakhchivan.
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov expressed confidence that this meeting will prepare the ground for further cooperation between the three countries.

• March 10, 2012

Iran is likely to reject the offer to replace uranium enrichment with nuclear fuel, as it already produces it, according to a report in an Iranian newspaper quoting officials in the country’s nuclear agency.

• March 10, 2012

“The trilateral meeting of Azerbaijani, Iranian and Turkish foreign ministers in Nakhchivan is significant both from regional and international standpoint”, said Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan Mahammadbaghir Bahrami, APA reports. He underlined the importance of the meeting in Nakhchivan.

• March 9, 2012

Members of several environmental organizations gathered in Bulgaria's capital Sofia for a silent protest to mark the upcoming first anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

• March 9, 2012

India's government has revoked the visa of a Japanese anti-nuclear activist who was scheduled to visit during the one-year anniversary of the Fukushima disaster.  Nuclear energy opponents say the move fits a pattern of seeking to stifle criticism of India's rapid push toward nuclear power.

• March 9, 2012

by Naim Ameur
Expert on political transition in Tunisia and the Maghreb

One year after the Jasmine Revolution of January 14, 2011, Tunisia has successfully advanced in its democratic transition and political reform process. The election of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) held on October 23, 2011 was well organised, and for the first time in history, it was fair. Al-Nahdha (which means “renaissance” in Arabic), a moderate Islamic party, won 41 per cent of the NCA seats. READ MORE

• March 8, 2012

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics
February 2012

Key Points:

• A crisis erupted between state prosecutors and the intelligence service, when members from the latter refused to turn up for questioning regarding an investigation into ties to the PKK. The intervention of prime minister and the parliament have calmed matters for now, but some experts speculate the incident is a result of a break between the AKP and the Gulenist movement.
• Bloodshed in Syria continues while Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu travels to capitals throughout the world in an attempt to drum up support for an UN resolution to stop the violence there. Syrian refugees continue to flood into Turkey’s southern provinces, where the Free Syrian Army is said to be organizing the armed resistance to the regime in Damascus.
• France’s Constitutional Council invalidates the Armenian Genocide draft law passed in January, though both presidential candidates have vowed to push a reworded version upon entering office.
• The cold spell in Turkey shows the weakness in the country’s position as a net importer of gas, while supply issues with Azerbaijan and Iran drastically cut imports amidst increased use in the month. Energy Minister Taner Yildiz met with NABUCCO’s board of partners to discuss the link up of it and TANAP.
READ MORE

• March 8, 2012