Russia and four ex-Soviet Nations Finalise New Alliance EEU
Russia and four ex-Soviet nations have finalized the formation of a new economic alliance- Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Four ex-Soviet nations are Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.
It was finalized in EEU summit held in Moscow, Russia.
EEU will come into existence on 1 January 2015. It seeks to bolster integration of member nations which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan primarily located in northern Eurasia.
Signatories: A treaty aiming for the establishment of the EEU was signed on 29 May 2014 by the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. Armenia’s and Kyrgyzstan’s signed this treaty later on 9 October 2014 and 23 December respectively.
Operation of EEU: The union will operate through supranational and intergovernmental institutions. The supranational institutions are Eurasian Commission (the executive body), the Court of the EEU (the judicial body) and the Eurasian Development Bank. National governments will be represented by the Eurasian Commission’s Council.
Ukraine’s opposition: Earlier Russia had tried to encourage Ukraine to join EEU. But after Crimean crisis of February 2014 i.e. after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine decided to stay away from EEU and moved closer towards NATO and EU.
It was finalized in EEU summit held in Moscow, Russia.
EEU will come into existence on 1 January 2015. It seeks to bolster integration of member nations which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan primarily located in northern Eurasia.
Key facts about Eurasian Economic Union (EEU)
- It aims to provide free trade among member countries without any barriers.
- In addition, it will co-ordinate the financial systems and regulates industrial and agricultural policies along with labour markets and transportation networks of member nations.
- EEU will bring together around 170 million people from 5 member nations and will have a combined economic output of $4.5 trillion.
Signatories: A treaty aiming for the establishment of the EEU was signed on 29 May 2014 by the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. Armenia’s and Kyrgyzstan’s signed this treaty later on 9 October 2014 and 23 December respectively.
Operation of EEU: The union will operate through supranational and intergovernmental institutions. The supranational institutions are Eurasian Commission (the executive body), the Court of the EEU (the judicial body) and the Eurasian Development Bank. National governments will be represented by the Eurasian Commission’s Council.
Ukraine’s opposition: Earlier Russia had tried to encourage Ukraine to join EEU. But after Crimean crisis of February 2014 i.e. after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine decided to stay away from EEU and moved closer towards NATO and EU.
Pakistan constitutes federal counter-terror force
Pakistan has constituted a federal counter-terrorism force with an immediate effect for implementing the National Action Plan on counter-terrorism.
Final nod in this regard was given by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Key facts
This tough National Action Plan was drafted by Pakistan government in the wake of Taliban fighter’s barbaric attack on school in Peshawar, killing 141 people, 132 of them children on 16th December 2014.
Final nod in this regard was given by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Key facts
- This force will work under Pakistan’s defense ministry. It will be deployed across Pakistan and will be responsible for countering terrorism and curb increasing militancy.
- It will also keep contact with civilian, military-intelligence security agencies and its counter-terrorism wings.
- As part of the National Action Plan, Pakistani government is working to stop printing and publication of hate material promoting sectarianism. Even, government is seeking to amend its Constitution to regulate printing of such publications and declare them as illegal.
- Furthermore, Central Bank of Pakistan has been directed to supervise anti-terror financing in Pakistan and freeze all accounts which were being used for funding terrorists.
This tough National Action Plan was drafted by Pakistan government in the wake of Taliban fighter’s barbaric attack on school in Peshawar, killing 141 people, 132 of them children on 16th December 2014.
India Donates $1 Million to UN-ESCAP Tsunami Fund
India donated $1 million as contribution to United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) fund for tsunami, disaster and climate preparedness in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian countries.
It was donated by Ambassador of India to Thailand, Harsh Vardhan Shringla on 26 December 2014 to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2004 Tsunami.
UN-ESCAP Multi donor Trust Fund aims to strengthen early warning systems for natural disasters like Tsunami and boost regional and South-South cooperation.
It also supports the activities that build resilience through strengthened early warning systems for coastal hazards.
It will ensure that vulnerable communities receive timely warning information that is required to save lives and livelihoods in disasters.
Background
On 26 December 2004, a 9.3-magnitude earthquake off Indonesia’s western point had generated a series of massive tsunami that smashed the coastline of 14 countries including India, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Somalia. These tsunamis had claimed more 230000 lives.
It was donated by Ambassador of India to Thailand, Harsh Vardhan Shringla on 26 December 2014 to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2004 Tsunami.
UN-ESCAP Multi donor Trust Fund aims to strengthen early warning systems for natural disasters like Tsunami and boost regional and South-South cooperation.
It also supports the activities that build resilience through strengthened early warning systems for coastal hazards.
It will ensure that vulnerable communities receive timely warning information that is required to save lives and livelihoods in disasters.
Background
On 26 December 2004, a 9.3-magnitude earthquake off Indonesia’s western point had generated a series of massive tsunami that smashed the coastline of 14 countries including India, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Somalia. These tsunamis had claimed more 230000 lives.
