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Ahto Lobjakas

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May 12, 2006
South Caucasus: Prospects For Regional Stability Pact Recede

(RFE/RL) BRUSSELS, May 12, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Hopes for an internationally sponsored Stability Pact for the South Caucasus suffered a setback today when the European Union made clear such an undertaking would not have its support.
May 11, 2006
Maintaining A Codependent Energy Relationship

Though the EU's apparent dependence on Russian oil and gas imports has been the source of much debate, senior European officials have noted that Russia will need a lot of foreign capital to retain its dominant position as a supplier to Europe's energy market.
April 20, 2006
EU Audit Suggests Much Aid Is Ineffective

The European Court of Auditors said today that the use of TACIS funds provided to Russia between 1991-2003 -- amounting to nearly 3 billion euros -- was largely ineffective.
April 11, 2006
EU Officials Say Membership Hopes Premature

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev has been urged by the EU at a meeting in Luxembourg to focus on reforms and work within the EU's Neighborhood Policy instead of focusing on membership.
April 10, 2006
EU Imposes Visa Ban On Lukashenka, 30 Other Top Officials

EU foreign ministers have barred 31 top Belarusian officials from entering the EU for their role in elections criticized by the EU as neither free nor fair. More names may be added, as too may other sanctions.
April 08, 2006
EU Monitors Detect Only 'Minor' Smuggling

In the first months of their mission, EU monitors on the border between Ukraine and Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester have chiefly found indications of large-scale smuggling of chicken meat and of locals illegally crossing the border to shop.
April 07, 2006
EU Visa Ban For Top Belarusian Officials

BRUSSELS, April 7, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- European Union foreign ministers, meeting in Luxembourg on April 10, will impose a visa ban on 31 top Belarusian officials, an EU diplomat told RFE/RL today.
April 07, 2006
The Glass Ceiling For Europe's Minorities

This week's move by Spain to give more powers to its regions is part of a Europe-wide trend. RFE/RL looks at the political ambitions of Europe's minorities and their odds of success.
March 31, 2006
Turkey: 'Unique' Army Complicates EU Membership Bid

(RFE/RL) The continued influence enjoyed by the army in Turkish society and politics will soon become an issue that could hamper the country's movement toward EU membership. This is the main implication of a report discussed at an academic seminar in Brussels today.
March 30, 2006
Scholar Warns Europe Of 'Clash Within Civilization'

Tariq Ramadan, a leading scholar of Islam in Europe warned on March 29 that the European Union must come to terms with its Muslim citizens or face what he called a "clash within civilization."
March 28, 2006
Elections Receive High Acclaim From EU Monitors

Deputies of the European Parliament who were in Ukraine monitoring last weekend's parliamentary vote have praised its conduct in glowing terms. Speaking in Brussels shortly after their return, members of the observation mission said the elections were free and fair. They said the poll shows Ukraine has passed an important test of democracy.
March 24, 2006
EU Sanctions Will Target Lukashenka Personally

The overnight breakup of a peaceful demonstration in Minsk spurred quick retaliation from EU diplomats in Brussels, and targeted President Alyaksandr Lukashenka personally.
March 22, 2006
EU: The Energy Dilemma -- With Or Without Russia?

(epa) The EU summit opening in Brussels on March 23 has energy security as its key topic. Relations with Russia are center stage. Russia is the EU's most important energy supplier, and also controls key transit routes from Central Asia. However, its reliability is increasingly being called into question.
March 21, 2006
EU Divided On Response

The foreign ministers of the European Union member-states were quick to dismiss as undemocratic Belarus's presidential poll on March 19. But they have been slower in deciding what step to take next. Some EU states in Eastern Europe want prompt and decisive action taken against Alyaksandr Lukashenka's regime. But Germany led others in calling for a more measured approach. A decision is not likely to come before April 10, when the ministers are due to meet next.
March 20, 2006
Belarus: Lukashenka Claims Victory As EU Condemns Poll

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka is claiming success in the country's March 19 poll, which appears to have handed him a third term in office by an overwhelming margin. Lukashenka today praised the outcome of the vote as a victory over foreign pressure from countries critical of him and his regime. But the European Union has strongly condemned the poll, and election observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) say the vote failed to meet proper election standards.
March 18, 2006
EU ‘Situation Room’ Monitoring Election

A "situation room" has been set up at the European Parliament in Brussels to observe as much as possible of the presidential elections on March 19. The parliament’s own monitoring team was warned not to attempt to come to Belarus, and the EU presence on the ground is likely to be thin at best.
March 16, 2006
Interview: EU Commissioner 'Concerned' About Vote

The EU external relations commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, told RFE/RL in an interview today that the EU sees "quite a lot" of flaws and difficulties in the run-up to the presidential election in Belarus on March 19. However, she said the EU will announce its final verdict only after the polls have closed.
March 16, 2006
EU Says Campaign Violations Are 'Unacceptable'

The EU external relations commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, has called the arrests of Belarusian opposition leaders "unacceptable," and reiterated an EU threat to impose "targeted sanctions" against top Belarusian officials if the elections are not free and fair.
March 13, 2006
Defense Minister Says Security Improving

Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak says the security situation in his country is improving; the increase in terrorist incidents and suicide bombings means the insurgents are turning to softer targets as the Afghan National Army gains the upper hand.
March 10, 2006
South Caucasus: Slow Progress On Plans For Closer EU Ties

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli (right) and Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, met in Tbilisi last month (InterPressNews) Officials from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia were in Brussels this week for another round of talks on "action plans" for closer EU links. Although it is now a year since the European Commission first proposed the "action plans," there is no end in sight to the process. EU officials say the talks have proven complex. It also appears Azerbaijan must overcome a spat with Cyprus over its ties to Northern Cyprus before the "action plans" can be formally approved by the EU.

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