Meeting between Kosovo-Albania governments on January 11th
06/01/2014

The two governments of Albania and Kosovo will gather on January 11th in a joint meeting in Prizren.

Dy qeveritë shqiptare, ajo e Shqipërisë dhe ajo e Kosovës, do të mblidhen ne daten 11 janar, në një takim të përbashkët në qytetin e Prizrenit.

The first decision, that of the creation of a mutual fund for building a maternity hospital and helping the Presheva Valley in Serbia, an area of ethnic Albanian majority, will have a strong symbolic meaning,

The joint meeting has been confirmed by representatives of both governments. In fact, this meeting was supposed to be held on November, for the Albanian independence day, but it was postponed due to the Kosovo local elections.

This joint meeting was an idea of the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, since his first visit in Kosovo after coming to power. The same is expected to happen with the Turkish government, a country that has taken the position of Albania’s strategic partner.

The Presheva fund will also be used for building a school for the residents.

President: Serbs in Kosovo "won't be abandoned"

Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić delivered his Christmas greetings to SPC Patriarch Irinej and all Orthodox Serbs on Monday, Orthodox Christmas Eve.

(Tanjug)

In his Christmas message, Nikolić wished for all Serbian citizens and Orthodox believers to spend the most joyous Orthodox holiday in peace and happiness, the Serbian president's press service said.
“Dear brothers and sisters, citizens of Serbia, Serbs in the diaspora, Christmas is a symbol of joy, unity, peace and gentleness,” he said.

“This is a holiday that brings together the whole family, sets up strong ties through the force of faith and love and it is a holiday which brings together all Serbs,” Nikolić noted.

The president wished a happy Christmas to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

“Rest assured, we will never abandon you, we will never turn you over,” Nikolić said and added that this was an obligation and legacy of our ancestors who gave their lives selflessly in the fight for this spiritual and ideological symbol of the Serb people.

He then pointed out that "it was unimportant that those who spent their whole existence dedicated to materialism, and who seek to satisfy their spiritual hunger by amassing wealth, are mocking our spiritual striving."

"What matters is that we who have our essence, origins, spirituality, persevere on the road of righteously maintaining our identity, origins, and culture," he said, and stressed that this was what made us who we are - "a brave and just people, special, and noble."

“I wish a merry Christmas to Serbs in the region and Serbs in the diaspora who know how hard it can be to live outside the mother country and how hard it is to earn your daily bread and prove that you are not second-class citizens,” Nikolić said.

“Our thoughts and love will be with you,” Nikolić said and added that although physically far apart, Serbs will stand together in love and unity on the most joyous Orthodox holiday.

“Dear brothers and sisters, the challenges ahead are great but unison is something we should all strive to achieve. We should overcome personal vanities and animosities, and work together because we share the same goal,” Nikolić said.

Erdogan denounces ‘plot’ against Turkey’s future

Erdogan reiterated his view that forces in Turkey and abroad are conspiring to oust him from power. (File photo: Reuters)

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By AFP | Istanbul
Saturday, 4 January 2014

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose Islamist-leaning government is engulfed in a corruption scandal, on Saturday called the political crisis a “plot” against Turkey’s “future and stability” by rival forces.

At a luncheon in Istanbul with generally pro-government intellectuals, writers and journalists, Erdogan reiterated his view that forces in Turkey and abroad are conspiring to oust him from power.

“What they wanted to do was an attempted assassination of the national will,” he said in the televised address.

“They tried to carry out a judicial coup in Turkey.... But we are going to oppose this operation, this December 17 plot that targeted the future, the stability of our country,” Erdogan said.

Erdogan’s conspiracy charges are in reaction to a vast corruption investigation that led to the arrests on December 17 of key allies including high-profile businessmen and the sons of former ministers.

The prime minister was forced to reshuffle his cabinet and some lawmakers have resigned from his Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The corruption scandal has also affected the economy with the Turkish lira currency at record lows against the dollar and shares tumbling on the Istanbul stock exchange this week.

Erdogan on Saturday expressed confidence that Turkey would overcome its current difficulties. He pointed to municipal elections set for March as a test for the regime in upcoming presidential elections in August.

“We will not allow a cloud to be cast over Turkey’s future,” he said.

Erdogan’s government, in power since 2002, has accused loyalists of US-exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, who wield influence in the police and judiciary, of instigating the corruption probe.

Gulen, who left Turkey for the United States in 1999 after being accused of plotting to form an Islamic state, has denied involvement in the investigation.

PM insists early elections "not priority"

Source: Tanjug

BATROVCI -- Serbian Prime Minister and Socialist Party (SPS) leader Ivica Dačić has reiterated that he does not see early elections as a priority.

(Tanjug, file)

The last word on that subject should be had by the parties in power, and not the government, he commented on Friday, while touring the Batrovci border crossing.
"I'm not talking about this alone. I spoke with (Aleksandar) Vučić, and if he wants to go to the polls, let's go to the polls, but - do we want to work, or wait for elections? The Serbian government works and should be dedicated to work. Elections are not a topic, it is not a state priority," said Dačić, and added that the government has "big work to do as early as next week."

According to him, the government has made a historic result - January 21 will be the start of negotiations on EU membership, the dialogue in Brussels continues, "and it is taking place almost every month so it is necessary to be devoted to work."

"Also, different state priorities could be determined. There is no dilemma there, nor any need for a public debate. This should be decided by the parties in the ruling coalition, and I do not want to deal with the issue any longer. It is not the central issue, it is not a matter for the government, but for the parties that make up the government," the news agencies quoted Dačić as saying.

Asked to comment on a remark made by President Tomislav Nikolić, that Serbia could have a better government and that the prime minister should come from the largest party - the SNS - Dačić, who heads the SPS, said:

"That's not what he was saying when the government was formed. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Maybe I have an opinion about others who perform other state functions. Maybe I think they can do better."

Asked whether the government indeed could perform better, he said that "in Serbia, anyone can do better, and even the government."

"If someone can do better, let them go ahead. We've made historic progress," the prime minister said.

Turkey Selects Local Shipyard for LPD Contract


Dec. 29, 2013

By BURAK EGE BEKDIL

ANKARA Turkey selected a local shipyard to award the countrys first-ever contract for the acquisition of a Landing Platform Dock (LPD), a deal industry sources estimated at about $500 million.

Turkeys procurement agency, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), announced on its web page late Dec. 27 that it picked up Sedef Gemi Insaati A.S., a privately-owned Istanbul shipyard, to open contract negotiations for the LPD program.

SSM said if contract negotiations with Sedef failed, talks would open with the second-comer, DESAN Deniz Insaat Sanayi A.S.

SSM opened the competition in 2010.


Turkey is bordered by sea on three sides; the Black Sea in the north, the Mediterranean in the south and the Aegean in the west. In the northwest, there is also an important internal sea, the Sea of Marmara, between the straits of the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus, important waterways that connect the Black Sea with the rest of the world. The Turkish coastline is 4,474 miles, excluding islands.

Turkey has long been aiming to bolster its amphibious vessel fleet. The LPD program is designed to deploy a battalion-sized force of up to 1,000 troops and personnel, eight utility helicopters, three UAVs, 13 tanks and 81 armored vehicles to crisis zones in the three seas near Turkey.

Seven private local shipyards received requests for proposal for the LPD competition, and they submitted their offers late in 2011. Foreign manufacturers interested in the program included Italys Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani; South Koreas Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction; Spains Navantia; the Netherlands Merwede Shipyard Nieuwbouw; Frances DCNS Group; the U.S.s Northrop Grumman Ship Systems; Britains DML Davenport Royal Dockyard; and Germanys ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Surface Vessel Division.

Turkish officials have said they prefer joint development and production proposals, bringing together Turkish and foreign companies. Sedef is expected to choose foreign partner or partners for certain capabilities in the program.


http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131229/DEFREG01/312290003/Turkey-Selects-Local-Shipyard-LPD-Contract

Rama: 2014, year of recovery



"The extremist forces are a concerning issue for the EU. It is not up to us to treat and resolve that issue. What we can do, is to make sure that that integration will not hampered by them. EU doesn't hide the fact that the Muslim affiliation of part of our population is concerning", Rama declared.

The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, held the New Year's Eve press conference this Monday, in which he commented the first 100 days of his government and announced the priorities for the next year.

"Citizens voted the change and made 2013 the year of the big change. With their votes, doctors, teachers, police officers and 97% of the citizens chose to have fewer taxes. In these 100 days we established our orientation for the future", Rama declared.

"Reestablishing law and order, and protecting citizens and their property, will be the priority of 2014. Other priority is the justice reform. The Albanian people need justice", Rama declared, underlining that the foreign and integration policies will also be a priority.

"Next year we will have a foreign policy based on the promotion of an active Albania. The next year will be the year of work for the integration process and that Albania takes what it deserved", the head of government declared.

Rama added that radical reforms await our country in the next year, and he announced a series of actions that will take under control the national assets. He also declared that the property titles will all be given in 2014.

The Prime Minister also answered to journalist questions. When asked by Top Channel if there will be constitutional changes in the next year, he declared:

"We don't have a plan to make constitutional changes. We will make a justice reform and we are ready to cooperate with the opposition for this".

Rama underlined that there are no barriers with businesses in Kosovo, and that as for the Peja Beer, the Albanian government has simply followed the directives of the European Union.

As for the relations with Kosovo, Rama guaranteed that in the first meeting between the two governments they will mark the beginning of the strategic governing between the two states.

When asked about Albania's position in the Islamic Conference, Rama accepted that this is an issue for the Eu, but underlined that it will be resolved with maturity.

"The extremist forces are a concerning issue for the EU. It is not up to us to treat and resolve that issue. What we can do, is to make sure that that integration will not hampered by them. EU doesn't hide the fact that the Muslim affiliation of part of our population is concerning", Rama declared.

Greece's wind-powered electricity capacity rises 6.6 pct

Installed wind-powered electricity capacity in Greece rose to 1,864.6 megawatts at the end of 2013 from 1,749.4 MW a year earlier, the Hellenic Wind Energy Association said on Thursday.
Installed capacity rose by 71.15 MW in the second half of 2013 compared with an increase of 44.05 MW in the first half and 10.35 MW in the second half of 2012, showing investment recovery amid adverse economic conditions, the Athens-based association said in an e-mailed statement.
Electricite de France SA was the biggest producer of wind energy in Greece in 2013, accounting for 322.8 MW or 17 percent of total production, according to the association.
Terna Energy SA was the second-largest producer with 277.4 MW and Iberdrola Renovables SA’s Greek unit, Rokas Renewables, was third with 250.7 MW. Enel Green Power SpA and Ellaktor made up the rest of the top five producers.
Vestas Wind Systems A/S accounted for 49 percent of wind turbines installed in Greece in 2013 and Enercon GmbH for 24 percent.

Bakogiani calls, the Greek diaspora, for dual citizenship



The next local elections in May, the Greeks of Diaspora, will vote for the first time in history

About 700 thousand Northern Epiriotes, will receive double citizenship after the bill is expected to pass in the Greek parliament

Dora Bakogianis , a Senior official, of the Nea Demokracy Party of the PM Antonis Samaras, during a visit in Melbourne, Australia, has said before the Greek diaspora, that the Greek government (ND, PASOK) has prepared a draft law for the device with dual nationality, all the Greek diaspora, Omogenia in 5 continents where they live.

In this case, the former Foreign Minister of Greece Dora Bakogiani, a good cognitive, for the national issues of Greece, has informed the Australian Greek lobby, for the efforts of the Greek government, to provide within these months, with dual citizenship and the right to vote, in the upcoming local elections to be held in May, in Greece.

Of course in the program of this draft law, the Northern Epiriotes, are a large contingent from Albania, in which a major category, including ethnic Greeks, mixed families, vllaho greeks, and Albanian with permanent residence permits in Greece.

According to sources for SManalysis, the Greek dual citizenship, may receive about 700 thousand Northern epiriotes, with the right to vote, both Greece and Albania where they live.

The procedure of distribution of dual citizenship documents, will be a process headed by foreign Ministry, directly by consulates in all the world where live the Greek diaspora (omogenes).

According to a result of the Census from the Greek Organization in Albania, " Omonia ", over 300 thousand ethnic Greeks, live in Albania, half of them immigrants living in Greece, who having parents, permanent civil status and property in Albania.

Anyway, both Athens and the Greek Organization "Omonia", doesn`t recognize the Albania Census of 2011, realized by the Albanian Government, which accounts about 1.7% of Greek community that live in Albania and 6.7% the orthodox community.

Kosovo and Albania, project unification
 
Both governments will gather next week
03/01/2014

The most commented news by analysts for the end of this year was the joing meeting of the two Albanian governments, that of Albania and Kosovo, led by Edi Rama and Hashim Thaci.

The meeting was confirmed by the Albanian PM and Kosovo Deputy PM, saying that it will be held on the second week of January.

Besides a joint strategy for concrete cooperation between Albania and Kosovo in several areas, the first meeting between both governments, which will be held in Prizren, will establish a joint fund for the Presheva Valley in Serbia.

The projects that will be realized from these funds are the building of a maternity and school, promises made by the Albanian Prime Minister during his electoral campaign.

This fund would be the first one that the Albanian governments give for the Presheva Valley, and it has been welcomed by the Presheva local leaders, who considered it delayed but welcomed. Kosovo analysts consider the commitment of the Kosovo and Albanian governments as very positive, but have not hesitated to compare it to the help that the government of Serbia is giving to northern Kosovo.

Analysts in Prishtina says more than financial helps, the Albanians of Serbia need to improve the rights of the Albanian people there. However, this is the first tike that an Albanian government from Tirana helps the valley of Albanian majority in Serbia, who often report of denied rights as a minority.

Greece to overhaul defence buying after scandal

By Harry Papachristou

ATHENS Fri Jan 3, 2014 

(Reuters) - Greece will overhaul arms procurement to make it more transparent, Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said on Friday, after a wide-ranging corruption inquiry led to the arrest of a former defence official and two arms dealers.
Heavy arms spending was one of the reasons Athens piled up debt and had to be rescued with European Union and IMF bailouts totalling 240 billion euros ($328 billion) in 2010 and 2012.

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These were accompanied by strict conditions that have increased poverty and unemployment, so the scandal has touched a raw nerve with many Greeks.
Avramopoulos said the ministry's proposals would be submitted to parliament "in the immediate future".
His statement followed court testimony by Antonis Kantas, deputy armaments chief at the ministry between 1997 and 2002, who openly admitted to taking $16 million in bribes relating to arms deals with foreign companies from countries including Germany, France, Russia, Brazil and Sweden.
Two arms dealers named by Kantas, who was arrested and charged with graft in December, appeared in court on Friday to respond to bribery charges.
One of the pair, 83-year-old Panagiotis Efstathiou, admitted before investigating judges to bribing Kantas and also making payments to at least seven high-ranking officers of the Greek armed forces, according to a transcript of his testimony obtained by Reuters.
Efstathiou, who was released on 500,000 euros' bail, said he paid the bribes on behalf of German defence company Atlas. The firm told Reuters in a statement on Monday it was carrying out an internal investigation into the matter and would then "decide on the steps to follow".
Kraus-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), another German company named by Kantas according to his testimony obtained by Reuters, said in a statement on Friday it was also carrying out investigations. "KMW has neither paid bribes nor made anyone pay bribes, and obliges its employees and business partners to strictly comply with the law," it said.
The second arms dealer interrogated on Friday, 78-year old Dimitris Papachristos, was detained in jail after his testimony in which he also admitted he paid Kantas, according to court sources.
According to Kantas's testimony and court sources, Papachristos represented Wegmann in Greece at the time alleged bribes were paid.
Greece had the highest defence expenditure in the European Union in relation to economic output over the past decade. Its military spending stood at about 4 percent of output in 2009, when its debt crisis started. Most contracts were awarded to foreign companies.
Athens has already convicted a former defence minister and Kantas's immediate superior at the ministry for money laundering. ($1 = 0.7322 euros)
(Additional reporting by Karolina Tagaris in Athens and Sabine Siebold in Berlin; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)

Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo strive to improve road infrastructure

03/01/2014

The three countries say developing highway and railway connectivity between them is a priority.

By Miki Trajkovski for Southeast European Times in Ohrid -- 03/01/14

Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo officials met in Ohrid to jumpstart transportation infrastructure projects. [Miki Trajkovski/SETimes]

Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo are working on transportation infrastructure projects to improve travel and develop local economies.
Transportation and infrastructure officials met in Ohrid last month and agreed to begin implementing highway projects beginning in the first quarter of this year to connect the three countries. They also agreed to finish construction of the railway along east-west European transportation corridor No. 8 as well as liberalise freight transportation.
"We are beginning to intensify the co-operation process aimed to fully implement all projects and available funds. The process is open to all regional countries because they are involved in European integration," said Albania Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Edmond Haxhinasto.
Haxhinasto said the meetings have a specific platform and are structured to solve current problems and to look to the future.
Albania announced capital road infrastructure projects to build highways to significantly ease transportation with Macedonia and Kosovo.
Macedonian officials said the country will begin to build two highways in its western part adjacent Albania and Kosovo, while concurrently working on completing the highway to Greece.
"I already announced the signing of the agreement to construct the Kicevo-Ohrid highway -- works will begin in the first trimester of 2014 -- and also the Macedonian government is making efforts to obtain a favourable financial package for the Gostivar-Kicevo highway. In addition, I announced our plans to rehabilitate the road toward Debar [on the Albanian border]," Mile Janakieski, Macedonia transportation and communications minister, said.
Kosovo has completed highway No. 6, which connects Kosovo with the north-south transportation corridor No. 10, Fehmi Mujota, Kosovo infrastructure minister, said.
"We are about to begin construction on the new highway to the Macedonian border and expect to complete it in three years," Mujota said.
Mujota said work will likely continue across the border in Macedonia to connect this highway with the Tetovo-Gostivar-Kicevo highway.
"Only this [completed] route will make corridor No. 8 functional," he added.
"We will continue to contribute to [develop] the east-west transportation corridor No. 8 [because] connecting Tirana and Skopje is very important," Haxhinasto added.
Completing the road infrastructure means an increase in trade between the three states, and Macedonian companies will begin more readily to use ports in Albania as an alternative to the port in Thessaloniki, said Menderes Kuci, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Macedonia in Tetovo.

Albania brands power pylon blast a "terrorist act"

 

TIRANA Thu Jan 2, 2014 

Jan 2 (Reuters) - Albania's interior ministry said on Thursday an explosion that damaged a power pylon was a "terrorist act" apparently prompted by anger over higher fuel prices and taxes.
The attack, which targeted a major electricity transmission line linking the capital Tirana with Albania's northern neighbour Montenegro, occurred on Dec. 31 and did not appear to disrupt power supplies in the small Balkan nation.

The interior ministry distributed pictures showing the damage to the pylon - which remained standing - and also two small signs taped to the structure that read "fuel" and "taxes" in Albanian.
"This is the first terrorist act in the Republic of Albania which has been accompanied by clear messages left at the crime scene by the perpetrators," the ministry said in a statement.

Albania's Socialist government has hiked a national fuel tax by 10 leks ($0.10) per litre and also raised taxes on big business and the wealthy since sweeping to power in September.

The explosion recalled a spate of similar attacks a decade ago which caused some disruption in electricity supplies. ($1 = 101.9750 Albanian leks) (Reporting By Benet Koleka, editing by Gareth Jones)

Montenegrin FM: NATO has no alternative

Source: Tanjug

PODGORICA -- Montenegrin Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Igor Lukšić has said that membership in NATO has no alternative for his country.

(Beta, file)

"NATO today has no alternative. It is the guarantor of every kind of safety to a country and it is important that the citizens of Montenegro understand in the right way that this is the best way for our children and for future development," Lukšić said.
Montenegro is currently in the Membership Action Plan (MAP), while full membership in NATO is considered to be the next step.

"Given our desire and ambition to be given an invitation for membership in 2014, we will continue with further fulfillment of obligations, and we actively contribute to global stability as a dedicated and reliable partner of the alliance," he continued.

Lukšić also told the CDM website that the Montenegrin government will in the coming period "intensify the dialogue with citizens on the subject of integration in NATO and offer sufficient arguments so that they understand the benefits of membership in the alliance."

Lukšić said that Montenegro, with the opening of negotiating chapters 23 and 24, "showed that it was a serious partner of the European Union," but that it was also "capable of meeting the demanding obligations on the road of European integration."

He pointed out that the policy of good neighborly relations also continues to be one of the priorities of Montenegro.

Commenting on relations within the Montenegrin ruling coalition, he said that there had been "better moments," but that it was "quite normal that after a long joint performance of authority there should be friction and different views on certain issues."

Hellenic Armed Forces | 2013 | All Equipment | HD

US Navy submarine fires drone from underwater

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Time-lapse photography shows the launch of a drone from the submerged submarine USS Providence. (Photo: NAVSEA-AUTEC)

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Arms, Drones, Military, Navy, SciTech, Science, USA

The US Navy has successfully launched an unmanned aerial system from a fully submerged submarine, marking the successful completion of a nearly six year long program designed to further the Navy’s drone capabilities.
The fuel-cell powered, completely electric unmanned aerial system (UAS) was developed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) with funding assistance provided by the Department of Defense Rapid Reaction Technology Office and the SwampWorks innovation program.
Engineers used a launch system known as ‘Sea Robin’ (first developed to launch tomahawk missiles from submarines) to fire what is known as the eXperimental Fuel Cell Unmanned Aerial System, or XFC UAS. The UAS surfaced before rocketing through the air for several hours, broadcasting the entire mission via live video to commanders watching from a nearby base.
“This six-year effort represents the best in collaboration of a Navy laboratory and industry to produce a technology that meets the needs of the special operations community,” Dr. Warren Schultz, program developer and manager at NRL, said in a press release. “The creativity and resourcefulness brought to the project by a unique team of scientists and engineers represents an unprecedented shift in UAV propulsion and launch systems.”
The Navy’s announcement Thursday comes as the public is questioning the very future of drones. Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos announced this week that he hopes the company will eventually deliver packages throughout the United States by using drones rather than traditional ground and air delivery services. The mere mention of such a plan was enough to cause a commotion, with columnists and lawmakers alike warning against such a plan.
Moreover, upcoming regulations by the FAA on the domestic use of drones are expected to include major restrictions and limit the use of UAV’s weighing up to 55 pounds.
It also comes after the Navy and Marines decided to bet big on the RQ-21A Blackjack. Officials at Navy Air Command awarded an $8.8 million contract to Insitu, a subsidiary of the Boeing Corporation last week in an exchange for an initial Blackjack order. The order includes the production of one aircraft, ground control stations, as well as launch equipment, according to Wired.
The Blackjack craft is 8 feet long with a wingspan of 16 feet, weighing in at 80 pounds. The drone can be launched from air or sea and is capable of flying 104 mph at nearly 20,000 feet for 13 hours.
“It has a configurable payload that allows you to integrate new and unique payloads that are specific to the mission in addition to an [electro-optical/infrared] camera,” Marine Corps Major Wayne Phelps told the technology magazine. “You can have multi-mission ability. This allows you to do some type of unique cross-cueing types of missions.”

US the biggest threat to world peace in 2013 – poll

Published time: January 02, 2014 13:30
Edited time: January 02, 2014 18:14

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US President Barack Obama. (AFP Photo / Nicholas Kamm)

The US has been voted as the most significant threat to world peace in a survey across 68 different countries. Anti-American sentiment was not only recorded in antagonistic countries, but also in many allied NATO partners like Turkey and Greece.

A global survey conducted by the Worldwide Independent Network and Gallup at the end of 2013 revealed strong animosity towards the US’s role as the world’s policeman. Citizens across over 60 nations were asked: “Which country do you think is the greatest threat to peace in the world today?”
The US topped the list, with 24 percent of people believing America to be the biggest danger to peace. Pakistan came second, with 8 percent of the vote and was closely followed by China with 6 percent. Afghanistan, Iran, Israel and North Korea came in joint fourth place with 5 percent of the vote.

The threat from the US was rated most highly in the Middle East and North Africa, those areas most recently affected by American military intervention. Moreover, the survey showed that even Americans regard their country as a potential threat with 13 percent of them voting the US could disrupt global status quo.
Latin America expressed mixed feelings towards its northerly neighbor, with Peru, Brazil and Argentina all flagging the US as the most dangerous country.

After its numerous threats of a strike on Iran, many countries voted Israel was the biggest threat to prosperity. Morocco, Lebanon and Iraq all chose Israel as the number one danger to world peace.
In the survey participants were also asked: “If there were no barriers to living in any country of the world, which country would you like to live in?” Despite being the perceived largest threat to world peace, the US still topped the tables by a narrow margin of 9 percent.

In general 2013 saw a drop in approval ratings for the Obama Administration. A poll conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that 50 percent of those asked thought that the political system in the US needed a “complete overhaul.”
In addition, 70 percent of Americans believe the government lacks the ability to make progress on the important problems and issues facing the country in 2014.”
The survey comes two months after the first government shutdown in 17 years in the US which cost the country an estimated $10 billion.

The American government’s credibility was dealt a blow earlier this year when President Obama made a call to strike Syria following a suspected chemical weapons attack by the Syrian government on civilians. The American public and the international community both opposed the action.

Two Albanians tend to grab the house of the head of the Municipality of Senigallia in Italy




Ancona ( Italy ) - New Year 's night, two Albanians have used differently way from most other people. Ardit Nuhu and Denis Lleshaj attempted to rob the house of Senigallia 's mayor, Maurizio Mangialardi, when the latter was celebrating in the streets .

21 - year-old and 18 - year-old (Nuhu and Lleshaj), both unmarried and persons without criminal precedents, forcibly entered to the house of Senigallia 's mayor, a city unit, 25 km from Ancona with a population of about 45 thousand inhabitants.

They were sure no one was in the house, since it was made ​​public that would emerge Mangialardi downtown to celebrate the changing of the years .

But they were neighbors who called the police, after two Albanians dictated by secretly entered the house of the mayor .

Within a few minutes near the mayor's house has received a police patrol surprised by two Albanians were collecting jewels and valuable personal items.

Edi Rama, Person of 2013
31/12/2013

The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, is the Person of Year 2013, as voted by the public on the annual poll organized by Top Channel's website.

Second on the list is Elhaida Dani, the singer from Shkoder, who triumphed in the Voic of Italy, and declared as the Best Voice of Italy in 2013.

Third on the list are the protesters, everyone who said "No!" to the import of waste materials and the dismantling of Syria's chemical weapons in our country.

The Albanian Prime Minister leads the list, while the second and third place are divided by only four votes.

Voters have chosen fourth Pal Ndoka, the person who reported the justice scandal through Top Channel's investigative program "Fiks Fare".

Shpend Ahmeti and Mimoza Kusari Lila are in the Top Ten, two novelties of the Kosovo politics for this year.

Ninth on the list is the former MP, Sokol Olldashi, who leads among the right wing politicians.

Former Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, is ranked 12th, a few votes after the US Ambassador Alexander Arvizu, but still higher than the current Democratic Party leader, Lulzim Basha.

Greece is estimated to become the new "Norway" according to many big Oil companies
January 2 2014

Greece: A new European oil and gas zone

A lot of ink has been spilled about the possible hydrocarbon quantities in Greece. Many companies have shown a lot of interest for the seismic data of just the first regions that have been explored by PGS.

Greece can be prove to be the new European oil and gas zone, without even taking into consideration the promising shale oil and gas that is present in many Greek regions.

Underneath the Aegean and Ionian Sea crust, according to many scientists lies some of the biggest hydrocarbon reservoirs of Europe. Top executives of the Oil and Gas industry estimate that Greece can acquire its own hydrocarbon industry in the years to come, and turn out to be an energy center for the whole region.

Even though it is quite soon to say whether the hydrocarbon quantities will be enough to make Greece an exporter, or even if it is enough for its own needs, preliminary results are very promising. New technologies and techniques help in making deep sea reservoirs reachable and economically viable. This could upgrade the geopolitical status of Greece in many ways.

Cyprus is cooperating with Israel for their own gas reservoirs and both are seeking ways to export these huge gas quantities to Europe. Greece can be the solution to this problem with the international TAP pipeline, and even with the plans for the huge gas storing place in the Northern Aegean in Macedonia region.

Greece is estimated to become the new Norway according to many big Oil companies.

This could pose part of a solution for the economic crisis that Greece has in the recent few years. Huge amount of money as well as many new job positions could offer a breath of much needed fresh air to Greece.

New regions of Greece in the Ionian Sea and in the south of Crete of a total 225.000 square km are now being promoted for seismic research. Many sources in the government say that in these regions, reservoirs such as the Cypriot and Israeli are expected to be discovered.

A significant problem that exists is that Greece has not, yet, declared its exclusive economic zones as most of the countries worldwide have. The reasons for this are complex and tricky. It was to do with the geopolitical situations and power play in the region. An exclusive economic zone, also known as EEZ, gives to a state right over the mineral rights over that area. Greeces neighbor to the East, Turkey, has declared as Casus Belli, or act of war, if Greece exercises its lawful right to declare its EEZ. Up to this point this wrongful Turkish position had little economic consequences, but now, as there are hydrocarbons involved a solution is needed. USA is exercising pressure to make the two countries reach a solution and exploit the hydrocarbons together. Many parameters have to be taken into consideration for something like that to happen though.
http://youngpetro.org/2013/11/03/greece-a-new-european-oil-and-gas-zone/

 A plan B, for Balkans?

"Change of borders would contribute to lasting peace"

Source: B92

BELGRADE -- Former British Ambassador to Yugoslavia Sir Ivor Roberts believes that "a correction of borders in the Balkans would contribute to a lasting peace".

Ivor Roberts is seen at the Belgrade Book Fair (Tanjug)

This "correction" would also include Kosovo, the now retired British diplomat told B92 in Belgrade on Wednesday.
Roberts, who currently serves as president of Oxford's Trinity College, is in Serbia to promote his book "Conversations with Milosevic", which was presented during the ongoing International Belgrade Book Fair.

He added that it was his personal opinion that insistence on unchangeable borders was "absurd":

"We always had these mantras about Yugoslavia. For instance, after the NATO bombing, the Security Council adopted a resolution containing the mantra about the territorial integrity of Yugoslavia. After that Serbia and Montenegro separated, and later Kosovo. The idea that such positions are carved in stone is absurd, just as is insistence that a country with unsolved territorial issues cannot join the EU. In that case Great Britain would have to leave immediately because we have territorial disputes with three countries."

The former ambassador also noted that instead of debating whether a change of existing borders would be good or bad, more focus should be put on the interest of the citizens.

"What will stability bring? We have a saying that 'good fences make good neighbors'. If people are still unable to live in peace and tolerance - and incidents in Kosovo show that the situation is not good, and that's not my impression, those are facts on the ground - then perhaps it's best to redefine some of those borders," Roberts concluded.
smanalysis