For the Moldovans, the Europe Day celebrations began on May 18 and will continue until May 26. They did not coincide with the May 9 ceremonies elsewhere in Europe, because on that date, the Moldovan government preferred to commemorate WWII Victory Day in the presence of Russian Deputy Premier, Dmitri Rogozine. In the Jurnal de Chişinău, Petru Bogatu deplores what he terms “an abundant flow of misery in the Grand National Assembly Square.” The noted op-ed writer continues —
There is much to be said for symbolism. It can be inspiring, it can be unifying, it can be a moment of hope or defiance that ignites the courage of others – in short, it can have impact. It can also be completely empty of meaning, condescending, devoid of rationale and ultimately, pointless in the extreme. And so, 18th May brought to an end the 2 month “Rise Ukraine” strategy of the United Opposition – Batkivshchyna, UDAR and Svoboda parties – in Kyiv.
On 19 May, the first Pride March was held in Chisinau, Moldova. This is a historic day for people fighting for LGBT rights as well as a victory for freedom of assembly in Moldova.Civil Rights Defenders participated in the March that was held in Alexei Mateevici street outside the American Embassy with at around 70 participants from many different countries. The Swedish and the American ambassador, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy as well as representatives of ILGA Europe and the European parliament held speeches in front of the participants and several local media.
Ukraine is only six months away from the possibility of signing a trade and cooperation pact with the European Union known as the Association Agreement. How much progress has been made in preparations for this important milestone? The EU at a glance The European Union continues making the necessary steps to move [...]
Visa requirements for Moldovans willing to travel to the European Union member states will be eased as of July 1, 2013. The Council of the EU has informed the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday about the enactment of the decision from this date on. A similar amendment on the facilitation of the issuance of visas is applicable for Ukraine, as well.
Belarus Digest tackles the issue of perceiving the Belarusian higher education system (within the country as well as “outside”…):
How Belarusian Is The Belarusian University In Exile?
Four Western Myths About Belarusian Higher Education
After the Krakow meeting of foreign ministers from V4 & EaP countries:
“If Ukraine and the EU do not sign the agreement, what is Plan B?”
There is no Plan B, answer Adam Reichardt & Giacomo Manca on New Eastern Europe.
Meanwhile, “Alexei Pushkov, head of the Russian State Duma’s International Affairs Committee, has said he is skeptical about the prospects for the signing of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement”. (Interfax)
Aşıq Nargile, an ethnic Azeri Ashiq, performs ”Borçalı Poem”:
Learn more about the The Sayat Nova Project & the traditional music of the Caucasus.
Photo gallery by Onnik Krikorian
OSCE: the final report on the Presidential election Armenia, February 2013
&
(for desserts):
END OF THE CAROUSEL. Hardly fought election for Yerevan City Council consolidates President Sargsyan’s hold on power
by the Caucasus Elections Watch
RFERL: Georgians Wrestle With Abortion Issue As Gender Imbalance Grows
Check out Feradi’s infographic “Georgian Abortions by the Numbers”:
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