By Pieter Cleppe At a visit to Saudi Arabia, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Gulf Arab leaders that China would work to buy oil and gas in yuan. According to Reuters, this is “a move that would support Beijing’s goal to establish its currency internationally and weaken the U.S. dollar’s grip on world trade.” President […]
A closer look at China’s pledge to work to buy oil and gas in yuan Read More »
Russia’s plan to turn Turkey into a hub for Russian gas in theory could allow Moscow to mask its exports with fuel from other sources, but that might not be enough to persuade Europeans to buy, analysts and sources have told EURACTIV.com and Reuters. A special report on the topic notes: “Russia supplied 40% of
Turning Turkey into a hub for Russian gas still faces great obstacles Read More »
The United States have warned Saudi Arabia and their Gulf allies against engaging too much with China, as the White House top official responsible for the Middle East made clear to Western allies in the Gulf that deepening certain ties with China would hamper their cooperation with their chief strategic ally and security partner. The
Concerns increase about Chinese influence in the Middle East Read More »
Writing on the website of specialised think tank Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), researchers Arnold Koka and Veronica Stigliani discuss how the UAE and Egypt have agreed to build one of the world’s largest onshore wind farms in Egypt, noting: “The deal was inked by the Emirati renewable energy firm, Masdar, and Egypt’s renewable energy companies,
UAE and Egypt agree to build one of the world’s largest onshore wind farms in Egypt Read More »
Writing for Al-Monitor, Elizia Volkmann reports that “questions are being raised across the political spectrum on whether Tunisia’s long-delayed International Monetary Fund loan will have the positive impact that many hope for. Other observers fear it will be too little, too late to save Tunisia’s drowning economy.” In her article, she notes: “This would
“Tunisia is currently not fit to receive more IMF funds” Read More »
A new 3 billion USD loan has been agreed between the International Monetary Fund and Egypt, Reuters reports. The so-called “Extended Fund Facility (EFF)” will run over 46 months and is supposed to provide “durable exchange rate flexibility”, with Egypt promising to boost social protection with the funds. Wheat and oil price increases due to
Egypt obtains 3 billion USD loan from IMF Read More »
For the first time ever, the G20 summit, which is taking place in Bali, Indonesia, is also convening the world’s major religious leaders, in a bid to find faithbased solutions to global crises. It included an address by His Holiness Pope Francis. This gathering has been named Religion 20 (R20). At the occasion, a forum
G20 convenes leading religious leaders at Religion 20 (R20) in Indonesia Read More »
Iran has blamed Germany for a terror attack that took place in the Iranian city of Shiraz, reports Borzou Daragahi, international Correspondent at The Independent and a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, as he notes the regime in Tehran is linking it with a big protest against the Iranian regime that took place in
Iran blames Germany for terrorist attack in Shiraz Read More »
Earlier this month, a deal was agreed to develop Gaza’s offshore natural gas field, Reuters reports. The deal signifies a boost for the economy of the Palestinians living in Gaza. The Gaza Marine field is around 20 miles removed from the Gaza coast. Israel’s blockage has restricted its development, even if until 2018, the project
“Agreement to develop Gaza’s offshore natural gas field” Read More »
On a visit to Algeria last week, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson has hailed a “long-term strategic partnership” with the country. Euractiv notes that this is clearly linked with the EU “turning to Africa’s biggest gas exporter to fill a gap left by Russian supplies.” Simson further stated: “As the relationship with Russia, so far
EU explores greater energy imports from Algeria Read More »