EU to boost trade ties with Armenia

In order to increase economic growth and investment in Armenia, the EU is launching negotiations on a deep and comprehensive free trade area. The negotiations will focus on regulatory approximation along with market access conditions, both of which will help to achieve a closer economic integration of Armenia with the EU.

By increasing economic integration, the EU aims to enhance political stability and security in Armenia. The free trade area will be part of the broader Association Agreement, which has been negotiated with Armenia since July 2010. It is expected to diversify and strengthen the country’s export capacity and thus open the way to access the EU markets.

“The opening of free trade negotiations mark a turning point in our trade relations with Armenia. We are entering a new phase that will bring our economic ties to a new level of depth and ambition," said Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht. "The EU is Armenia's first trading partner and a deep and comprehensive free trade area will give Armenia a more favourable access to the European Single Market thereby helping to boost economic growth in the country."

For more: EU to boost trade ties with Armenia | New Europe

Netherlands: Dutch companies set for Turkey visit to seek opportunities

Turkey's impressive economy has become a source of attraction for Dutch investors after having attracted many global companies.

Seven Dutch companies, with high turnovers, will arrive in Turkey in the next several days to seek opportunities for investments. The Dutch delegation will include representatives from the Netherlands's biggest engineering company Deerns, as well as CLB, Bosphorus, Istanbul

Iseco, Lamboo, Linido, Nucletron and Skytron.

The Dutch companies will be in Turkey between
December 12 and 15 and will meet with officials from the Turkish ministries of health and national defense as well as officials from Turkish companies of Alsim Alarko, Guris, Tepe, Limak and Kur.

For more: Dutch companies set for Turkey visit to seek opportunities [ WORLD BULLETIN- TURKEY NEWS, WORLD NEWS ]

EurActiv.com - Investors view Europe as short-term safe haven - China slips to third place

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Investors view Europe as short-term safe haven - China slips to third place

International investors view Western Europe as a familiar and reliable region in which to invest, but Eastern and Central Europe is considered a better medium-term prospect, according to a new report by consultants Ernst & Young. The investment community views Europe as more stable and relatively safer than the rapidly developing BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), but the long-term trend suggests global capital projects will continue to shift from west to east and from north to south.

Western as well as Central and Eastern Europe are neck-and-neck as the "safest" regions, and China, which last year was in pole position as the most attractive region in which to establish operations, has slipped to third place. North America, India, Russia and Brazil are the next most attractive regions. However, when it comes to the most attractive regions for the next three years, Western Europe slips to fifth place. Top of the table is Central and Eastern Europe, followed by China, India and Russia. Looking at the bigger picture, investors expect the next Google or Microsoft to come from Shanghai or Mumbai rather than Paris or Berlin. China and India are best positioned to return to double-digit growth, according to the report, and China was rated second-highest among all regions for its ability to address the crisis.

DW: Merkel meets Medvedev for talks on trade and human rights - by Neil King

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Merkel meets Medvedev for talks on trade and human rights - by Neil King

German Chancellor Angela Merkel met Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday for talks dominated by their countries' growing economic ties. The two leaders also addressed the touchy topic of human rights.The two governments also signed a slew of economic partnership deals, including a 500-million-euro ($357 million) credit agreement. The agreements included a joint declaration on energy cooperation and an agreement between Russian Railways and Siemens to establish a joint venture to produce locomotives. In addition, Frankfurt airport operator Fraport is to participate in the expansion of the airport in St Petersburg. The two leaders did not comment on news reports that Russian oil giant Gazprom is interested in a takeover of bankrupt German shipyards in the northern cities of Wismar and Rostock.