Despite the death of Moldovan man by a Russian peacekeeper at the border on January 1st, the past few months have brought signs of warming relations between Moldova and its largely unrecognized breakaway region, Transnistria. After 6 years of hiatus in the 5+2 format negotiations, Ukraine, Russia, the OSCE, the EU, and the U.S. once again formally met with Moldova and Transnistria in November of 2011. The effort was spearheaded byLithuania, the country holding the OSCE chairmanship. More recently, the Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat and Transnistrian newly elected... For Complete article go to http://www.diplonews.com/articles/2012/20120203_Transnistria.php

After a brief introduction by Troika Dialogue chairman Ruben Vardanian, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin began his speech to the Russia Forum 2012 in Moscow by comparing the mood at the recent Davos conference with that in Moscow. He surmised that the mood in the Russian capital was much more optimistic and positive. Moscow has fought and overcome the 2008 crisis. Unemployment is just 1%, investment is growing at a healthy pace, average life expectancy has risen to 75, and the birth rate now exceeds the mortality rate. However, the ill effects of the European crisis are being felt in many sectors, especially the financial sector. The development strategy for Moscow is aimed at transforming the city into a global megapolis and a regional development center.

Leaders in government, regional authorities, domestic and international business elite, policy and nongovernmental organizations are gathering on the 9th and 10th of November 2011 in Moscow for International Forum “RUSSIAN REGIONS: Investment appeal and development strategies”. The Forum has instantly won confidence and reputation of premier event among companies and state bodies interested in further strengthening the mutually beneficial cooperation and investments in the dynamic economy of Russian regions.

By John Bonar

Alexander Fedotov, General Director of the Sakha Republic’s (Yakutia) Republic Investment Company (RIC) told a meeting at the London Stock Exchange at the end of September, and repeated it to over 100 businessmen in the Royal Society of Chemistry, that “Investing in Yakutia will let you participate in the economic growth of the Asia-Pacific Ocean, and first of all China”.