Author: Alexander Mercouris, Political Commentator and Editor of The Duran.

Source: Peter BarnesSenior elections and political analyst, BBC News

No-deal Brexit on 31 October

Source: EC Spring 2019 Forecast

Basis for Assessment

1. Austria: Johannes Hahn, EPP. Current role: European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement.
2. Belgium: Didier Reynders, ALDE. Current role: Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
3. Bulgaria: Mariya Gabriel, EPP. Current role: European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society.
4. Croatia: Dubravka Šuica, EPP. Current role: Member of the European Parliament.

Russia has long viewed Europe as an important reference point for values, a civilizational model worthy of emulation. This attitude is rooted in long-standing intellectual traditions, and following the collapse of the Soviet Union Russians genuinely considered the “European path” as the preferred scenario for the country’s development. At some point, that sense of cultural and historical solidarity with Europe was transferred to the European Union as the current form of its institutional organization.

Source: Discours d'Emmanuel Macron/Conference des Ambassadeeurs Août 2019

The 45th annual Group of Seven (G7) summit, taking place on 24–26 August 2019 in Biarritz on France’s Atlantic coast, will be an important event. It comes when the climate change crisis has reached a critical stage, when the established liberal multilateral order is under assault, and when growing populism, protectionism, provincialism and doubts about democracy tempt many to turn inward to temper the inequalities that globalization has often intensified in their societies at home.

China’s theft or forced transfer of intellectual property and technology is a growing concern among governments and businesses worldwide, but it has been a particular concern in the United States and Europe. It is estimated that China derives 8 percent of its gross domestic product from the illegal theft of intellectual property rights.

Forced Joint Ventures

1. State and prospects of development of Russian-French relations in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres
2. Situation in Ukraine
3. Settlement of the conflict in the Donbass
4. Prospects for continuing work in the Normandy format and holding a summit with the participation of the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany.
5. Situation with Iran and around the deal on the Iranian nuclear program.