Among the EU 27 Member States, Germany accounts for 32% of EU exports to Russia followed by Italy (8.7%), France (6.9%), the Netherlands (6.5%), Poland (5.7%), Finland (4.9%), Belgium (4.4%), the United Kingdom (4.2%), Austria (3.3%), Czech Republic (3.2%), Sweden (3.0%), Lithuania (3.0%), Spain (2.4%), Slovakia (1.9%), Latvia (1.4%), Denmark (1.4%) and Estonia (1.1%).

Over 85% of EU exports to Russia are manufactured goods.

In 2012 Germany will grow by only 0.6%, France by 0.3% and Spain by 0.3%. Italy is forecast to enter into recession (-0.5%). Greece and Portugal are set for another year of deep recession (-3.2%) and (-3%) respectively. According to the ECB, the Eurozone economy as a whole will grow by -0.4% to 1.0% in 2012 which gives a feeble midpoint of +0.3%.

AALEP is actively engaged in the promotion of skills necessary to foster public participation and to become reliable, professional advocates in emerging countries.

Public participation is a political principle or practice, and may also be recognized as a right (right to public participation). The term public participation may be used interchangeably with the concept or practice of stakeholder engagement and/or popular participation.

The European Union along with international donors considers accountable participatory governance as a key enabler of development. The European Parliament is very supportive of this approach since it is believed this policy should eliminate corruption, improve financial management, enhance transparency and ensure the protection of human rights. The premise is that development aid must be used as an incentive for political reform.

Aujourd'hui, de nombreux pays africains traitent des questions de gouvernance et plus particulièrement de la participation du public dans les processus décisionnels. Cela exige un changement de mentalités pour toutes les parties. Il est important que les gouvernements et institutions collaborent avec la communauté pour partager des informations sur les lois et réglementations, pour identifier les besoins des communautés et démontrer ainsi leur état de préparation poir répondre à leurs besoins.

Today, many African countries address governance with a special focus on public participation. This is a step in the right direction but it does require a change of the mindset for all parties. It is important for African governments and institutions tto engage  with the community and share information on laws and regulations, identify the needs of the communities and demonstrate preparedness to address these needs.

AALEP has entered into a Protocol of Cooperation with the European Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lao PDR (ECCIL). Under this Protocol AALEP joins ECCIL as an Associate Member and reciprocally ECCIL joins AALEP as an Associate Member. It should be pointed out that Associate Membership does not confer any right for either organization to vote at annual meetings but it does provide entitlement to participate in meetings, events, projects and programmes.

For decades, the joke about Brazil has been that it's the country of the future-- and always will be. Despite enormous natural resources, it has long displayed an uncanny ability to squander its vast potential. Now it's beginning to look like Brazil might have the last laugh.

While Europe is consumed with debt and unemployment, and the mind is about fear of recession, Brazil is trying to figure out how to manage an economic boom. With the World Cup and the Olympics on their way, Brazil is about to make its grand entrance on the global stage.

2012 will be a tough year for the Eurozone. The broad agreements to redress the debt crisis will require governments to enact additional expenditure restraint and revenue enhancement measures to cap and eventually reverse fiscal and debt imbalances, with the extent of the retrenchment dependent upon the respective countries' current budgetary situation. Second, lending by the financial institutions will be constrained by the need to bolster capital and meet more stringent requirements.

Despite the popular association of lobbyists with corruption, it would be very difficult for government officials to conduct the public's business without lobbyists. Lobbyists serve an invaluable function in democratic governance. They provide useful information and expertise to government officials on any given matter. They represent interests that may be adversely and unintentionally impacted by a poor deliberated public policy. And they translate into understandable terms everything from scientific data to public opinions.