WASHINGTON | By Pablo Pardo | Geopolitics have returned with a vengeance in Europe right when Barack Obama’s economist view of international relations seemed to be on track with the negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The IMF warns that geopolitical risk is back on stage.
MADRID | The Corner | The escalation of the crisis in Ukraine has led to sharp asset prices and currency volatility with capital outflows from the region, particularly from Russia and of course Ukraine itself. UBS points out that the European banks within their coverage present “a meaningful exposure: the loans in Russia and Ukraine amount to over €60bn before taking into considerations any investment banking activity.”
BRUSSELS | By Jacobo de Regoyos | After Mr Poroshenko’s victory in Ukraine elections, expectations have risen to end the profound civil unrest. And many citizens are “identifying the EU with governance quality,” former head of the Spanish diplomacy (2002-04) and MEP Ana Palacio pointed out. She just came back from Kieve, where she was part of an international poll observers’ mission together the former US Secretary of State Madeleine Allbright.
BRUSSELS | By Jacobo de Regoyos | The euro zone’s GDP is to grow by 1.2% in 2014 and by 1.7% in 2015, the European Commission forecasts, while the whole of the EU will do by 1.6% and 2%, respectively. Even if Brussels rather thinks recovery is firmly rooted and it must protect it from gloomy predictions, the truth is that last data are showing an economy that is not really taking-off.
MADRID | By Jaime Santisteban | It could be a big deal. The Spanish government has to evaluate a comprehensive report on the tax system reforms handed by an experts’ comittee “We have spared no one,” they’ve said. Will this really boost simplicity and efficiency? Market makers await further details about where the government stands on each proposal. Besides, focus remains in Ukraine ans the polemic referendum in Crimea, and in China, whose PM announced that more defaults are coming.
MADRID | By Jaime Santisteban | Relax: Ukraine’s crisis will not spark gas shortages; Abengoa’s yieldco IPO could amount $1bn at Nasdaq.; renewable energies achieve new historic maximum of 59% of overall production and much more…
WASHINGTON | By Pablo Pardo | Germany’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, finishes his two-day visit to Washington today with at least some unintended achievement: the U.S. and Germany agree on the importance of a truly independent and democratic Ukraine. The revolution in Kiev and the menacing attitude of Russia have prompted an unexpected rapprochement between Berlin and Washington. However, a real warming up of US-German relations seems improbable.
MADRID | By Álex García.
THE CORNER TEAM | Photo by Reuters
KIEV | By Gazeta Wyborcza via Presseurop | Anti-government demonstrators in Kiev on December 8 destroyed a statue of Lenin, which they said symbolised Russia’s dominance over Ukraine, reports Gazeta Wyborcza.