German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has invited Egypt to cooperate in combating the smuggling of weapons into the Palestinian Authority. This was announced on the radio "Deutsche Welle". He believes it is important that the forthcoming participation of German experts in the security arrangements at the border of Egypt with the Palestinian Authority. "The aim of Germany is to help, especially to deal effectively with the complex territory between Egypt and Gaza," said the German minister.

North Korea is helping Syria build a reactor, which in 2007 was destroyed by Israeli aircraft, Tel Aviv, because it was believed the nuclear test site. He said that the U.S. vitsprezidentat Dick Cheney in an interview with AP. He noted that the DPRK is "a problem that requires constant attention," and the future leaders of the White House should be aware of this.

Ukraine is ready for talks on gas to be constructive level and without any threats. He said at a press conference in Sofia, Ukrainian Ambassador Victor Fender. It is clear that the basis for the negotiation process should serve as a Memorandum of Understanding between Ukraine and Russia on cooperation in gas sphere was signed in 2008, which provides a transition to market prices for gas and its transit over 3 years.

Monitoring Mission of European experts to Ukraine begins today. This Interfax reported with reference to the representative of the commission Ferrand Espoo. According to its mission - consisting of 10-12 people to check the transit of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory will be in agreement yesterday between Brussels and Kiev. At the same time, Brussels has no information on reports received by the Czech Presidency of the agreement with Russia concerning the conditions of this evromonitoring.

United States and Georgia signed a strategic Euro-Atlantic cooperation. The document was signed to put WS Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol Vashadze. According to the Georgian diplomat, is a step on the way to Tbilisi to join NATO. The agreement provides for cooperation in defense, trade, energy security, cultural exchange and strengthen the democratic system. This is an important step that will help Georgia to join NATO in order to be accepted into NATO and the return to the family of civilized nations of the West, Grigol Vashadze said, quoted by Reuters.

Barack Obama will visit Canada in his first international trip as U.S. president, said that the office of Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday. Date of the visit has not been determined, it will be a place "shortly after Obama's inauguration," the statement said. The representative of the Obama transition officials confirmed on News reported, without details. Visiting Canada is a tradition for every American president.

Ukraine is puzzled by this situation with the transit of Russian gas to European consumers. It says in a letter to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. From the press office of President Yushchenko stressed that Ukraine is not used for their own use, or one cubic meter of gas.

Russia announced that it cuts off gas supplies to the border with Ukraine. It was proposed by Gazprom chief Alexei Miller during a meeting with Prime Minister Putin, who in turn accepted the offer. Vladimir Putin, however, stressed that it should be possible in public and in the presence of international observers. Mirel responded positively to the question of the Prime Minister is proof that Ukraine is the transit of Russian gas ceased to pass through its territory.

Slovenian President Danilo Turk decided that it would limit his travels abroad, visitors will be met by a more modest and will accept lower wages. Thus, the Turkish government wants to give an example of the global financial crisis. Administration of the President announced that the Turks will travel only if his trip is approved by the Commission. Foreign entrepreneurs who attend will have to bear its own costs.

This morning, about 300 foreigners and Palestinians with dual citizenship have left the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military blockade lifted to allow foreigners to leave the enclave across the border, "Here," said MIGnews. Area is currently 12 days, the scene of hostilities, killing 400 people.

Turkey plans to start teaching at universities in Kurdish. Department of the Kurdish language to be created in two of the leading university in Turkey - in Ankara and Istanbul. The Turkish state broadcaster TRT began broadcasting, and the only official channel in the Kurdish language. The first program was shown, "Ari Studio" in Ankara. During the program, were read out congratulatory calls from President Abdullah Gul and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In his speech, Gul said that he admires the program TRT, which broadcasts in different languages ​​and dialects used in the Republic of Turkey.

On New Year's Presidency of the EU took over from the Czech Republic. Czechs join the community until 2004, and the political leadership of this country is not working in unison with Brussels. He said the radio "Deutsche Welle". Czech leader Topolanek government has set an ambitious goal to eliminate barriers in Europe, while Klaus, the president prefers to stay away from Brussels. It is important to note that before the presidency of the Czech Republic - where the work of Vaclav Klaus, no European flag flying in his personal possession.

Later in 2009, Cuba was declared the "Year of the 50th anniversary of the victory of the Revolution," the unanimous decision of the Parliament. This RIA Novosti reported. Island will celebrate the anniversary of the revolution of January 1, 2009 is already all over the country held celebrations. Streets, facades of houses and office buildings were decorated with flags and banners with revolutionary symbolism. expected that the main celebrations for the anniversary to be held in the capital Havana and the eastern Santiago de Cuba - the event which began in 1959

Turkey has canceled planned New Year celebrations in Taksim Square in Istanbul because of the Israeli attacks in Gaza. They informed the municipality, given the Turkish news agencies. New Year's holiday program organized by the Municipality of Istanbul, Taksim, has been canceled due to recent events in our region, said in a statement. Since the beginning of the Israeli air offensive Saturday caused some 300 air strikes in which 310 people were killed and 1420 wounded in the latest figures released by the head of civil defense in the Gaza Strip, Muauya Hasanein.

Turkey has suspended its participation as a mediator in the talks on the peace process between Israel and Syria on the Israeli offensive in Gaza. "Continuation of negotiations in such circumstances, of course, quite impossible," said Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan after talks with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abul Gheit.

Partnership between Russia and the United States has strategic importance for security and stability in the world. This position is expressed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in his New Year message of congratulations on U. S. President George W. Bush. He congratulated the upcoming 2009 and the newly elected U. S. President Barack Obama told the ITAR-TASS reported.

Israel has every right to attack the positions of Hamas, said Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg. According to him, the reaction of Jerusalem fair response to Hamas attacks on civilians, the Czech news agency reported. Schwarzenberg said the Hamas to attack Israeli territory it seeks to eliminate any possibility of political dialogue. He added that Islamic groups have focused their camps in densely populated areas. Czech Prime Minister categorically said that political negotiations can begin only when both sides laid down their arms.

From 1 January 2009 foreign radio stations broadcasting on national frequencies in Azerbaijan will be stopped, we decided to appropriate the National Council for Radio and Television, ITAR-TASS reported. The ban affects the broadcasting of local radio frequencies, "BBC", "Voice of America" ​​and "Freedom." It was decided to revoke the license of Russian radio "Europe Plus". "The license for the national frequencies for these radio stations will be extended," said conference chairman Nushiravan Mageramli.