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Editor: Eugene Imas

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Contributors: -Risa Chubinsky -Glyn Cozart -Joseph Gates -Thomas Hyde -Katharine Quinn-Judge

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09/16/13-09/20/13

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Azerbaijan

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Eight members of the opposition youth movement NIDA were charged with organizing mass disorder. Meanwhile, opposition journalist Perviz Hashimli was jailed Tuesday on charges of firearm and contraband possession. Human Rights Watch has accused the Aliyev regime of clamping down on opposition ahead of Octobers elections. Global Post

Country News Digest

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According to a Gallup poll released Wednesday, more Americans view Russia as an unfriendly rather than friendly nation for the first time in fifteen years, with 50% viewing Russia as a US enemy. The poll suggests Russias recent foreign policy towards Syria, the Edward Snowden asylum case, and Russias LGBT policy are factors in this trend. Los Angeles Times

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Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania made a trip to Afghanistan to visit Georgian troops stationed in the country. He first visited Camp Leatherneck, a U.S. Marine Corps base in Washir district, then headed to a combat base in Musa Qala. Currently, Georgia is the largest non-NATO troop contributor to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.

Georgia

Ukrainian company Nadra Yuzivska has signed an operating agreement with Royal Dutch Shell to start work at the Yuzivska shale gas field. The terms of the tender mean that Shell will invest around $500 million in prospecting, and an estimated $10 billion in industrial development and installation of infrastructure at 15 exploration wells. The project expects liberated gas as early as late 2014.

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This week the Armenian government approved a preliminary roadmap to membership in a Russian-led Customs Union with Kazakhstan and Belarus. A cabinet meeting of the Armenian Economics Ministry announced that seven working groups will be established from the Russian and Armenian governments to negotiate further regarding Customs Union membership.

Armenia

Despite Rosneft CEO Igor Sechins previous assurances, Russia has announced it will cut oil flow to Belarus by 42% in the 4th quarter this year, down from 5.3 million tons to 3.1 million. Oil shipments will also be cut by 233,000 tons in September because of pipeline repairs. This news follows Belaruss statement that it still will not release Uralkali CEO Baumgertner from custody.

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On Monday, a Syrian plane was shot down by a Turkish fighter jet. The plane had strayed more than a mile into Turkish airspace despite warnings to turn back, after which it crashed within Syrian borders. No confirmed news has been released on the status of the planes crew. The incident has increased the already heightened tension between the two countries, stemming from Turkeys support of Syrian rebel groups.

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PACE chairman JeanClaude Mignon made a three-day visit to Moldova this week, during which he praised the countrys aspirations for European integration, but noted that efforts to meet European standards of human rights and democratic development should be redoubled. Moldova and the EU are expected to sign an Association Agreement in November.

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Kyrgyzstans parliament debated a proposed law regarding nongovernmental organizations this week. The law states that organizations taking part in political activity would be labeled foreign agents. Human rights groups say the law is a near copy of the one passed in Russia last year, and fails to define political activity in sufficiently narrow or clear terms. Articles: Kloop.kg Azattyk

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The Taliban killed a senior Afghan election official on Wednesday, in what is reportedly the first attack by insurgents on a senior Independent Election Commission member in years. The Taliban used Twitter to claim responsibility for the attack. The killing came just days after the murder of Helmands highest ranking female police officer, for which no organization has claimed responsibility. Articles: New York Times Washington Post

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Kazakhstan condemned the use of chemical weaponry in Syria, and expressed support for a Security Council resolution on the destruction of the weapons. Astana also called for an international conference to discuss possible resolutions to the conflict.

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On Wednesday Iranian authorities released 11 political prisoners, including prominent human rights lawyer and activist Nasrin Sotoudeh. Sources close to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani say these releases are aimed at demonstrating goodwill towards the international community ahead of Rouhanis anticipated visit to the US for the UN General Assembly next week.

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On Saturday Chinese President Xi Jinping and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon signed an agreement to allow for the construction of a natural gas pipeline through Tajikistan to China. Tajikistan will act as a transit state for the Central Asia-China pipeline, which will transport gas from Turkmenistan to China and attract up to $3 million worth of Chinese direct investment in Tajikistan.

Tajikistan

This week Turkmenistan hosted an international energy forum in its capital, Ashgabat. Organized by Turkmenistans Energy Department and Chamber of Commerce and Energy, the forum hosted energy companies from 20 countries.

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Uzbekistan will allow an International Labor Organization mission to monitor this years cotton harvest, which began this week. Uzbekistan, the worlds second-largest exporter of cotton and the fifth-largest producer, relies on a system of compulsory labor for its harvests. Human rights activists have voiced concerns that monitors activities may be restricted by officials.

Uzbekistan

As the Mongolian Parliament discussed amendments to its environmental legislation, a protest formed outside the Government Palace in downtown Ulaanbaatar. When the authorities attempted to disperse the crowd, a protester fired a shot into the air. Agents immediately arrested the man and searched the other protesters, uncovering three guns, nine grenades, and various other explosives.

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Economy Minister Raasuke has proposed a plan to move shares of state-owned companies into a new holding company in order to create clearer investment policies. A recent audit found that most state-owned companies lacked longterm strategic planning. Raasuke hopes this plan will help to better manage the companies and increase investment.

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On September 17 the USs Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was awarded a $45 million contract to build a high-powered research laser for the EUs Extreme Light Infrastructures Beamlines facility near Prague. The laser will be used for scientific research in medical imaging, particle acceleration, quantum physics and homeland security. SF Business Times

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In protest against Russias increased supplementary border checks of cars and trucks carrying imports from Lithuania, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius has summoned its Russian ambassador to Vilnius and called upon EU leadership to condemn the increased checks. Due to the policy change, Lithuanian transport firms and traders are losing an estimated two million euros per day.

Lithuania

The Finance Ministry is reporting that Slovakias economy will grow faster than projected this year, in part because of improvements in the euro region and increased domestic household spending. The 2013 growth forecast is now at 0.8 percent. This growth will help Slovakia meet its target of reducing fiscal shortfall below the EU limit of 3 percent of GDP, bringing Slovakia in line with international standards.

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As Latvia nears accession to the Eurozone in 2014, a poll has revealed that Latvians are predominantly against adopting the Euro as its currency. Despite a government-led proEuro campaign, 53% of Latvians oppose joining the Eurozone, while only 22% favor it, according to the poll.

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The Hungarian government approved an amendment to the constitution in response to international criticism that the government has become more anti-democratic. The amendment tweaked processes for political media campaigns, judicial independence, and religious freedom. However, the EU, USA, and human rights groups have called the changes largely cosmetic, noting that they undermine EU norms and contradict the principle of rule of law.

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Poland has decided to keep plans for an IPO of the rail cargo arm of the national rail Polskie Koleje Panstwowe SA, as well as Energa SA, the fourth largest national utility. The IPO prospectus will likely be approved by October 15, meaning that the companies could be listed on the stock exchange by the end of the year. While the plan will bring in a significant amount of money for the government, the Treasury will still control 50% of the general meetings voting power. Articles: WBJ Businessweek

Poland

Cristian Socol, Advisor on macroeconomic issues for Prime Minister Ponta, announced that the government will be creating an agency to attract investments to Romania. The agency will focus on initiating strategic partnerships in different sectors and will closely monitor relationships with companies already investing in Romania. The agency will also help reduce bureaucratic barriers facing foreign businesses operating locally. Articles: Balkans Business Act Media

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Syrian refugees are flooding into Bulgaria, creating unsafe conditions in its overcrowded accommodation centers. Bulgaria received around 3,000 asylum applications in August. The government has vowed to address the deteriorating conditions, and is accepting technical assistance from the UNHCR to process refugee claims more quickly.

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Country News Digest

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Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic met with Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski this week in Zagreb to voice Croatian support for Macedonias entrance into the EU. The two officials also discussed further economic cooperation between their respective countries. World Bulletin

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EU Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso announced Tuesday that Albania could achieve EU candidate status later this year. Experts cite the countrys termination of parliamentary immunity and adoption of an administrative courts law as examples of progress towards EU eligibility. However, organized crime and corruption reportedly remain obstacles.

Albania

Montenegrin Foreign Minister Igor Luki has proposed forming the Western Balkans Six and a joint Balkan police. The group would include Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and would seek to increase regional cooperation, simplify border crossings and fight organized crime. Regional leaders will discuss the initiative at the end of September.

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On Tuesday, the Serbian government announced the appointment of Dominique Strauss-Kahn to the post of Economic Adviser. StraussKahn was head of the International Monetary Fund from 2007 until 2011, when he resigned in the midst of a series of sexual scandals. First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has defended the choice, saying that Strauss-Kahns checkered personal past has no bearing on his professional knowledge and expertise.

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Kosovos Prime Minister welcomed Tuesdays acquittal of ten former KLA fighters on charges of war crimes, saying the verdict demonstrated the cleanness of the Kosovo Liberation Armys war. The prosecution, headed by the EU Rule of Law Mission, has not ruled out an appeal. Meanwhile, a EULEX member was shot dead Thursday in north Kosovo, in what some have termed an attempt to destabalize the region ahead of November elections. Articles: EULEX Kosovo B92

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Seventeen people were arrested in Macedonia this week for selling state intelligence to foreign governments and for threatening to blackmail individuals by releasing classified information. Among those arrested are acting and former intelligence employees, a parliamentary officer, police and defense officials, and a journalist. The Macedonian police have been investigating the case for two years and are still on the hunt for three more suspects. Articles: World Bulletin Reuters

Macedonia

Slovenia has begun constructing its first mosque this week. Although the initial request for the mosques construction was issued in 1969, it was not built until now due to popular resistance and issues involving land availability. Slovenia is home to approximately 47,000 Muslims.

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On Monday former Bosnia & Bosnian prison camp Herzegovina guard Almaz Nezirovic was approved for extradition from Virginia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he is charged with the torture of Serbian civilian prisoners in 1992. Nezirovics extradition case is currently pending approval from the US State Department.

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The Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies is a U.S. Department of Education Title VI-funded National Resource Center (NRC) that strives to increase understanding and appreciation of the cultures and challenges of the region stretching from Central Europe to the Pacific and from the Baltic to the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas

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2013 by Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies; School of Foreign Service; Georgetown University * CERES is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.

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Box 571031, ICC 111, Washington, DC 20057-1031 Email: ceres@georgetown.edu Tel.: (202) 687-6080 Fax: (202) 687-5829

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