The 9 founding member-states vow to work closely to strengthen 'peace, democracy, and prosperity on the European continent.' (AFP) A two-day forum aimed at promoting democracy and human rights in a region that spent decades under totalitarian rule concluded today in Kyiv with the official birth of the Community of Democratic Choice. In spite of assurances from founding members, the new grouping -- which comprises nine countries from the Balkan, Baltic, and Black Sea regions -- is perceived as an attempt to limit Russia’s influence on the post-Soviet area.
<p>2 December 2005 -- Parliament in Belarus has overwhelmingly approved a controversial bill aimed at muzzling dissent against the regime of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.</p>
1 December 2005 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has decided that his country will retain a 50-member military contingent in Iraq after it withdraws the bulk of its armed forces.
Tajik migrant workers in the Russian city of Astrakhan (RFE/RL) 1 December 2005 -- President Vladimir Putin has submitted to Russia's lower house of parliament a bill that would make it easier for citizens of former Soviet republics to acquire Russian citizenship.
(RFE/RL) Prague, 1 December 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Vandals are reported to have damaged a memorial to victims of Stalin-era repression outside the Belarusian capital Minsk.
President Alyaksandr Lukashenka (CTK) 30 November 2005 -- A Vienna-based rights group has decried a new Belarusian bill, saying it could make it a criminal offense to advocate human rights in the republic.
30 November 2005 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin today called upon members of a regional military grouping to join efforts in the fight against drug trafficking, terrorism and organized crime.
Gazprom wants Ukraine to triple the amount it pays for its natural gas (AFP) 30 November 2005 -- Russia's state-controlled energy company Gazprom has warned Ukraine that it could raise its price for natural gas even higher if Ukraine does not accept an offer of $160 dollars per 1,000 cubic metres for next year.
Barroso said he was 'looking forward' to informing Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko about the decision at the 1 December EU-Ukraine summit (file photo) (epa) Brussels, 30 November 2005 (RFE/RL) -- The European Commission said today it will inform Ukraine that it has decided to propose Ukraine be recognized as a functioning market economy.
30 November 2005 -- Defense ministers from CIS countries are meeting today in Moscow to discuss military cooperation and peacekeeping operations.
Rice's Ukraine visit will focus on political, economic reforms one year after the Orange Revolution (RFE/RL) 30 November 2005 -- The U.S. State Department says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit Romania, Ukraine, Germany, and Belgium on a five-day tour starting 5 December.
30 November 2005 -- Ukrainian Defense Minister Anatoliy Hrytsenko says Russia has not given Kyiv an ultimatum regarding Ukraine's possible membership in NATO.
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