Europe's East
Former Ukrainian president in another round of questioning amid ‘geopolitical’ leaks
Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, now a lawmaker, has been called in for "urgent questioning" by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) in a case involving the smuggling of 43 valuable paintings out of Ukraine, the state's investigation service agency said on Friday (22 May).
Azeri official points at ‘mafia’ as obstacle to solving Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
In an exclusive interview, a high official of Azerbaijan pointed at mafia-type relations between the unrecognized authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh and the government in Armenia as an obstacle for solving the long-lasting conflict. Hikmat Hajiev, head of the foreign affairs department...
Ukraine passes long-awaited banking law, clearing way for financial aid
Ukraine passed on Wednesday (13 May) a banking law that prevents the return of insolvent banks to previous owners, removing the last obstacle for getting aid from the EU and the International Monetary Fund, Interfax Ukraine reported.
An opportunity to end Kosovo’s isolation in Europe
The Covid-19 crisis with its overall ban on entry to the Schengen zone by non-EU residents and citizens may present a window of opportunity to allow visa free travel for Kosovars.OpinionPromoted content
Non-Aligned Movement is ‘United Against Covid-19’
On Monday (4 May), an online Summit of the Non–Aligned Movement (NAM) states was held at the initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Dr. Esmira Jafarova shares her impressions from this event.
Georgian ambassador: Eastern Partnership communication ‘weak’ on political signalling
The European Commission’s recently presented objectives for the Eastern Partnership (EaP) post-2020 were strong on content but "very clearly weak on political signalling," the head of Georgia's mission to the EU told EURACTIV in an interview.
Ukrainian businessmen demand easing of lockdown and government support
Several hundred businessmen, many of them wearing protective face masks, called for an easing of Ukraine's coronavirus lockdown in a protest near the government building on Wednesday (29 April).
EU should consider ‘flexible’ Russia sanctions over Ukraine: report
The EU should reconsider its 'all or nothing' approach on sanctions imposed on Russia for its role in the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, as well as its annexation of Crimea, a new report from the International Crisis Group suggests.
EU foreign affairs chief to turn to Europe’s East after COVID-19
The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, confirmed that his first visit following the easing of coronavirus-related restrictions will be to Ukraine, in a bid to affirm the EU's leadership in the region.
Commission announces a 3 billion loan package for EU’s neighbours
The European Commission announced on Wednesday (22 April) a €3 billion loan package for ten enlargement and neighbourhood countries to limit the economic fallout of the pandemic.
Can the coronavirus crisis impact on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution?
Now, when the world is immersed in an enduring coronavirus crisis, it will be quite difficult for Armenia to carry this additional burden, writes Gulshan Pashayeva. Dr Gulshan Pashayeva is Board member of the Center of Analysis of International Relations...
COVID-19 fight and borderisation: Georgia sets good example
While pro-Russian separatists in occupied Georgian territory are taking advantage of the COVID-19 outbreak to press on with illegal borderisation, the population of these areas puts hopes in the success of Tbilisi in fighting the pandemic.
COVID-19 as an excuse for lifting sanctions on Russia?
There has been an increased number of calls for rolling back the EU sanctions against Russia in order to help contain the spread of the coronavirus, but this idea is dangerous, argues Inna Sovsun.
COVID-19 doesn’t prevent Azerbaijan from looking at future with optimism
Azerbaijan’s strong standing before the Covid-19 outbreak as an energy and reformer state offer reasons for optimism that the country could quickly return back to normal, writes Esmira Jafarova.
COVID-19: Updates from the EU’s eastern neighbours
As EU countries begin mulling exit strategies, EURACTIV takes a look at the COVID-19 situation in EU's Eastern neighbourhood, including the spread of the virus and a short overview of containment measures.
IMF to raise funding to Georgia to $450 mln to fight coronavirus
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Wednesday (15 April) it was ready to provide Georgia with increased funding of $450 million this year to help the ex-Soviet country in its fight against the coronavirus and support the economy.
Simulation of ‘democracy’ in occupied Nagorno-Karabakh
The simulation of “democracy” in occupied territories of Nagorno-Karabakh unrecognized by the international community fooled no one, writes Vasif Huseynov.
EU, UN join forces to help Eastern neighbours fight organised crime
The EU and the UN's Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) yesterday (6 April) launched a programme to help Eastern Partnership countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine - claw back assets linked to organised crime.
Nagorno-Karabakh holds ‘elections’ despite international criticism and virus concerns
The authorities of the internationally unrecognised breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh are holding presidential and parliamentary elections amid international criticism and despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Ukraine opens up land market in bid for $8 bln IMF package
Ukrainian lawmakers voted on Tuesday (31 March) to lift a ban on the sale of farmland that has stood for nearly two decades, clearing one of the hurdles needed to unlock an $8 billion loan package from the International Monetary Fund.
EU announces COVID-19 help for Balkans, Eastern neighbours after criticism
The EU on Monday (30 March) announced nearly €40 million to help Western Balkan countries deal with the coronavirus, after Brussels came under fire for not doing enough for its neighbours.
Ukraine struggles to debunk fake virus news
The water service in Odessa, a port city in southern Ukraine, was suddenly overrun this week with calls from worried residents with a peculiar concern.
EU demands access to Donbas for international organisations during coronavirus restrictions
Russian-backed armed formations in the breakaway Donbas region have since Saturday (21 March) denied access to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) mission monitoring the conflict, Ukraine's State Border Guard Service reported on Tuesday.