Ben Aris in Moscow
Mon, 28th Dec -- Russia was undoubtedly far more affected by the international crisis that started in September 2008 than anyone had expected - especially the Kremlin. Despite the pain of the crisis, the prospects for Russia in 2010 are looking much better than many had dared hope.

Nicholas Watson and Mike Collier
Mon, 28th Dec -- The consensus is that emerging Europe will recover in 2010, albeit at a slower pace than certainly other emerging markets, but also perhaps even than Western Europe. However, this view encapsulates what has become a problem in looking at the region since the crisis - that it's now simply too diverse to regard as a single entity.

Nicholas Watson in Prague
Mon, 28th Dec -- The consensus is that emerging Europe will recover in 2010, albeit at a slower pace than certainly other emerging markets, but also perhaps even than the US and Western Europe. However, this view encapsulates what has become a growing problem in looking at the region since the crisis exposed its many vulnerabilities - that it's now simply too diverse to regard as a single entity.

Clare Nuttall in Almaty
Mon, 28th Dec -- Kazakhstan's economic performance in 2010 will be closely correlated to international macroeconomic developments and trends in world commodity markets.

bne
Mon, 28th Dec -- In 2010, much depends on the outcome of presidential elections slated for January.

Clare Nuttall in Almaty
Mon, 28th Dec -- Azerbaijan is expected to be the world's fastest growing economy in 2009, according to a report from the EIU.