Geopolitical Forecast for December 19th - 25th

Monday, December 19th

Eurasia

Moscow. Russia. Meeting of the Council of the Russian-Chinese Committee for Friendship, Peace and Development, which will summarize the work of 2016.

Asia

India. 19-21 December. Active phase of the Indra Navy Russian-Indian naval exercises.

Yangon. Myanmar. An emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s member countries on the situation of the country's Muslim minority.

Europe

Brussels. Belgium. 3rd meeting of the EU - Ukraine Association Council expected to be held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman and the high representative of the Union for foreign Affairs and security policy, Federica Mogherini.

Brussels. Belgium. A meeting of the Russia - NATO Council at the level of ambassadors.

France. 19-22 Dec. Visit by the President of Senegal.

North America

New York. USA. Quarterly debates in the UN Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan and the work of the political mission of the world organization in the country.

New York. USA. The UN Security Council will consider a resolution on extending the mandate of the UN Force monitoring the disengagement of Syrian and Israeli troops in the Golan heights.

Washington. USA. The meeting of the electoral college on the results of the presidential elections held on November 8th, vote to be held on the country’s future president and vice-president.

Tuesday, December 20th

Eurasia

Istanbul. Turkey. The planned opening of the Eurasia Tunnel (Avrasya Tuneli) laid under the Bosphorus Strait connecting the European and Asian side of the city. Its length is 5.5 km, including 3.4 km under water. The volume of traffic through the tunnel is estimated at 100 thousand cars a day.

Europe

Paris. France. Publication of the report by the International energy Agency, "French Policy in the field of energy in 2016".

North America

New York. USA. Open debate in the UN Security Council on the issue of human trafficking during armed conflicts.

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International Human Solidarity Day.

Wednesday, December 21st

Eurasia

Moscow. Russia. Scheduled meeting between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the leaders of both chambers of the Federal Assembly and State Duma factions.

Moscow. Russia. Consultations of representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs of CIS member countries on cooperation in the field of export control and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Minsk. Belarus. The planned meeting of the Contact Group on settling the situation in Ukraine.

Europe

Paris. France. Debate and vote in the National Assembly (lower house of parliament) on the draft fifth extension of the state of emergency in the country.

North America

New York. USA. Monthly briefing and consultations in the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East and in Syria, including a report by the Deputy UN Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Stephen O'Brien.

Thursday, December 22nd

Eurasia

Moscow. Russia. Press conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia. Entry into force of the agreement with Finland on direct international train connections.

Russia. Scheduled sending of the 59th convoy of humanitarian aid for the residents of Donbass.

Kazakhstan. The planned launch of the “Proton-M” rocket carrier with the US spacecraft communication EchoStar 21.

Asia

Okinawa Island. Japan. Planned handover of administration of the prefecture of the island used by the U.S. armed forces. A plot of 4 hectares, which is part of the northern training ground, is supposed to be returned to Japanese authorities.

North America

New York. USA. Briefing of the UN Security Council on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The implementation of the agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue will be discussed.

Friday, December 23rd

Eurasia

Chisinau. Moldova. The inauguration ceremony of President-elect Igor Dodon.

Europe

Barcelona. Spain. Meeting of the representatives of political parties, trade unions, and public organizations of Catalonia devoted to preparations for a referendum on independence for this autonomous region. The meeting is convened on the initiative of the chairman of the regional government. On October 6th, the regional parliament approved a resolution on holding a referendum no later than September 2017. However, the central government has appealed against this decision in the constitutional court.

North America

New York. USA. The UN Security Council is scheduled to publish a report on the situation in Colombia.

Saturday, December 24th

No important events planned.

Sunday, December 25th

No important events planned.