Around EU Area & Eastern Europe [12.04.14]

Britain

• Tony Blair on Israel-Palestine, Putin, Eurozone, ‘Brexit’ and Kazakhstan (Wall Street Journal) 

Russia - Western Europe Relations

"Putin: Russia to loosen markets, open to West. Western Ministers Urge NATO to Rebuild Military Contacts With Russia."

• Western Ministers Urge NATO to Rebuild Military Contacts With Russia (Wall Street Journal)

• In Kremlin speech, Putin tries to bolster economy (Washington Post) 

"reassuring wary investors that “Russia will be open to the world” and ready to do business with anyone — even the West. In the 70-minute speech, which was largely focused on the economy, he offered measures to loosen markets, spur investment and bolster Russian self-sufficiency.

In an effort to boost the economy, Putin said in his speech that he would freeze taxes on businesses for several years. He also promised to reduce government inspections of small and midsize enterprises that are found to be compliant with Russian regulations. And he vowed to cut down on corruption and offered a full, no-questions-asked amnesty for Russians bringing back money from abroad."