The prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary say they will not support Ukraine’s efforts to join the European Union as long as Kyiv keeps opposition leader and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko in jail. Meeting Friday in Prague, the leaders of the three central European countries said Ms. Tymoshenko’s imprisonment had raised […]
Ukraine’s EU Neighbors Oppose Kyiv’s EU Bid Over Tymoshenko Case
Posted October 14th, 2011 at 1:20 pm (UTC-5)
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European Commission Proposes Refocusing Foreign Aid on Poorest Nations
Posted October 13th, 2011 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
The European Commission has proposed changing European Union foreign aid programs to focus more on the world’s poorest nations. In a policy paper published Thursday, EU Development Commissioner Andris Pielbags says the 27-nation EU must adapt the way it fights poverty to make sure that every euro of aid reaches those who need it most. […]
Turkey’s Goal: Full EU Membership
Posted October 12th, 2011 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
Turkish European Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis told a news conference Wednesday that full membership to the European Union is Turkey’s only goal and that no other outcome can be accepted. Mr. Bagis made his remarks after the EU released its latest progress report on countries seeking EU membership It was critical of Turkey for not […]
EU Extends Sanctions Against Belarus
Posted October 10th, 2011 at 6:30 am (UTC-5)
Diplomats say the European Union extended sanctions against Belarus Monday to ramp up pressure on President Alexander Lukashenko to free political prisoners. A meeting of EU foreign ministers Monday extended a visa ban and asset freeze against 192 individuals linked to the Belarus government and added 16 more officials to the list. Late last month, […]
Abbas to Europe: Palestinians Deserve Same Support as Arab Spring
Posted October 6th, 2011 at 11:30 am (UTC-5)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is urging European nations to support what he calls a “Palestinian Spring” by endorsing his bid to secure U.N. membership for an independent Palestine. In a speech Thursday to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, Mr. Abbas said Palestinians seek freedom from Israeli occupation and deserve the same support that European […]
Warship Saves Somali Fishermen Drifting At Sea
Posted October 6th, 2011 at 8:15 am (UTC-5)
European Union forces have rescued five Somali fishermen who had been drifting in the Indian Ocean for more than a week. The EU’s anti-piracy task force says one of its aircraft spotted the fishermen’s broken-down boat Tuesday while making a patrol flight. It says the German warship FGS Koln then rescued the men and brought […]
Belarus Opposition Leader Held by Police After EU Summit
Posted October 1st, 2011 at 4:10 pm (UTC-5)
One of the leading opposition figures in Belarus says that police summoned him after he attended a European Union summit in Poland to strengthen ties with former Soviet states. Anatoly Lebedko says plain clothes police tried to detain him in Minsk Saturday morning, but that he resisted. He says he agreed to go to a […]
EU Leaders Criticize Belarus, Ukraine
Posted September 30th, 2011 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
European Union leaders on Friday condemned Belarus for its continued poor record on human rights and the rule of law. Speaking at the first day of a summit in Poland aimed at bringing former Soviet states closer to the European Union, EU leader Herman Van Rompuy called for the release of all political prisoners in […]
Belarus Boycotts Summit to Strengthen Ties With the EU
Posted September 30th, 2011 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
Belarus has boycotted the first day of a summit in Poland aimed at bringing former Soviet states closer to the European Union. EU leaders have been telling Belarus, Ukraine and other countries seeking closer ties that they must demonstrate respect for democracy. The Warsaw summit aims to improve cooperation with Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia […]
EU Vows Support for Belarus Opposition, Presses for Democratic Change
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
President Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994. He was proclaimed the winner in the December presidential vote, which observers said failed to meet international standards. Belarus authorities arrested hundreds of protesters, journalists and opposition leaders during the mass post-election demonstration December 19. The EU’s Eastern Partnership meeting opens Thursday in Warsaw […]
