Europe's East
Kaczynski and Putin’s alliance without friendship
It is wrong to assume that Europe's far-right are divided in their attitudes to Putin's Russia, writes Maciej Kisilowski.
Russia takes Ukraine to European court over MH17 plane crash
Russia said Thursday (22 July) it had filed a complaint against Ukraine with the European Court of Human Rights, blaming Kyiv for the 2014 crash of a Malaysian airliner and civilian deaths in Russia and Ukraine.
On Washington visit, Belarus opposition leader asks US for more help
Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya appealed on Monday (19 July) for more help from the United States as she began a visit to Washington for meetings with top Biden administration officials this week.
Georgia FM: We need a post-2020 Eastern Partnership agenda perspective
In an exclusive interview, the foreign minister of Georgia, David Zalkaliani, discussed this week's Associated Trio summit in Batumi, relations with Ukraine, the internal political process and the country’s EU ambition.
Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova seek acceptance of their EU membership perspective
A summit between Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova in the Georgian Black Sea city of Batumi culminated on Monday (19 July) with the signature of a declaration calling for the EU to acknowledge the perspective of these countries to become full EU members one day. EURACTIV reports from Batumi.
Charles Michel heralds more EU involvement in the South Caucasus
European Council President Charles Michel will attend a regional summit in the Georgian Black Sea city of Batumi on Monday (19 July), after a weekend visit of Armenia and Azerbaijan, in what appears as an attempt to keep the region closer to the EU. EURACTIV reports from Batumi.
EU chief backs international mediation to Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
The European Union supports international efforts to ease tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan following their war last year over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, chief Charles Michel said on Saturday (17 July).
Georgia TV stations suspend broadcasts over attacks on journalists
Four independent Georgian TV stations suspended broadcasts for 24 hours on Wednesday (14 July) in protest over attacks against journalists and the death of a cameraman.
Moldova pro-Europeans win resounding election victory
Moldova's main pro-European party has won a resounding victory in parliamentary polls, results showed Monday (12 July), strengthening the hand of President Maia Sandu as the former World Bank economist pushes to reform her ex-Soviet country.
Moldova president pledges ‘end to rule of thieves’ as party leads poll
Moldovan President Maia Sandu pledged an "end to the rule of thieves" Sunday (11 July) as her pro-European party looked set to win snap parliamentary elections she called to shore up her position against pro-Russia forces.
Thousands rally in Georgia after death of TV cameraman
Thousands rallied in Georgia on Sunday (11 July) demanding the government to resign following a TV cameraman's death after being badly beaten by far-right assailants during a protest against an LGBTQ Pride march.
Moldova holds parliament vote set to weaken Russia’s grip
Voters in Moldova head to the polls Sunday (11 July) in a snap parliamentary election called by new President Maia Sandu to strengthen her position against pro-Russia forces.
Thousands rally in Georgia to protest anti-LGBTQ violence
Thousands rallied Tuesday (6 July) in the Georgian capital Tbilisi to denounce attacks on the LGBTQ community that shocked the Caucasus nation and forced activists to cancel a planned Pride march.
Belarus jails Lukashenko foe Babariko for 14 years in sham trial
A court in Belarus jailed former presidential contender Viktor Babariko for 14 years on Tuesday (6 July) after convicting him on corruption charges he denied, sparking condemnation from the West and the embattled opposition-in-exile.
EU condemns Belarus ‘pressuring’ Lithuania with migrants, says Michel
The European Union "speaks with one voice" in condemning a decision by Belarus to allow illegal migrants to cross into Lithuania in response to EU sanctions, European Council President Charles Michel said on Monday (5 July).
Georgia LGBTQ activists cancel Pride march after clashes
LGBTQ activists in Georgia said Monday (5 July) they had been forced to cancel a planned Pride march, as protesters assaulted activists and journalists and clashed with police hours after the prime minister denounced the event.
Azerbaijan frees 15 captured Armenian troops in exchange of minefield maps
Azerbaijan on Saturday (3 July) handed over to Yerevan 15 Armenian troops captured last year in the wake of an armed conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, officials said.
Lukashenko orders closure of Belarus border with Ukraine
Belarus' leader Alexander Lukashenko on Friday (2 July) ordered the closure of the border with Ukraine, seeking to block what he called an inflow of weapons to coup-plotters detected by his security services, BelTA state news agency reported.
Von der Leyen says flow of illegal migrants from Belarus ‘politically motivated’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday (2 July) pledged support for Lithuania, which is experiencing a quickly growing flow of Middle East migrants though its 679-kilometre border with Belarus.
The end of the Serbia-Belarus tango
Serbia has for many years claimed to maintain friendly and even brotherly relations with Belarus, but this did not prevent Belgrade from joining the EU sanctions against the regime of Aleksander Lukashenko, writes Orhan Dragaš.
EU reproves Belarus’ walkout from the Eastern Partnership
Belarus on Monday (28 June) said it was suspending its participation in the EU’s Eastern Partnership, an initiative to boost ties between the EU and its ex-Soviet neighbours, a move condemned by Brussels as “another step backwards” after the skyjacking...
Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine: A higher EU ambition
The foreign ministers of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine are together in Brussels on Thursday (24 June) for their first joint visit to the EU since the three countries formalised the format of ‘Associated Trio’ last May. This exclusive opinion by David Zalkaliani, Aureliu Ciocoim and Dmytro Kuleba highlights their countries’ higher EU ambition.
Tsikhanouskaya: EU must base Belarus policy ‘on values, not pictures’
The EU must apply consistent pressure on the repressive Belarusian regime until it responds to calls for dialogue, exiled democratic opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.