News dall' est Europa

Croatia

► Croatia’s Social Democratic Party obtains two Deputy Speaker of Parliament posts
On 20 February Croatia’s biggest opposition party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) managed to get two Deputy Speaker of Parliament posts, which went to Zeljka Antunovic and Neven Mimica, both representatives of the party. They obtained the posts after refusing to compromise with the Croation People’s Party (HNS) and split the posts between the two parties. HNS leader Vesna Pusic, however, obtained the chairmanship of the Council on EU integration, with the support of the ruling Croation Democratic Union.

► Hague tribunal allows six former Croat generals provisional release
On 20 February, the UN war crimes tribunal in the Hague allowed the provisional release of six former military commanders. The defendants, Jadranko Prlic, Bruno Stojic, Slobodan Praljak, Milivoj Petkovic, Valentin Coric and Berislav Pusic, all held senior posts in the self-proclaimed “Croatian Republic of Herzeg Bosna”, which was terminated with the initialing of the Dayton Peace Accord, and are charged in connection with the murder, torture, and persecution of Muslims in southeast Bosnia and Herzegovina. They will be freed until 4 May, but have to return for a few specific appearances in March and April.

Macedonia

► European Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini opens National Visa Centre in Skopje
On 21 February, European Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini opened the National Visa Centre in Skopje. The Centre is a requirement for starting negotiations to ease Macedonia’s visa regime with the EU. During his visit to the Macedonian capital, Frattini furthermore promised that the EU will continue to support different programmes to train and reform the Macedonian police.

► UN special envoy offers new proposal in name dispute between Greece and Macedonia
On 19 February, UN special envoy in the name dispute between Greece and Macedonia Matthew Niemitz offered a new proposal to resolve the long-standing issue. According to Niemitz, “this proposal does not fully satisfy both sides, but is just and dignified.” Greek foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis said that “the time has come to resolve this problem once and for all. The negotiation process is at the crossroads today.” However, on 22 February it became apparent that agreement is unlikely to be reached. Macedonian prime minister Nikola Gruevski said that”while Macedonia’s wish to join NATO is very strong, its name cannot be sacrificed to achieve that goal.” Meanwhile, Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos confirmed that Athens has prepared its response to the Nimetz proposal. In it, the government notes which elements are unacceptable and which are subject to further negotiation.

Turkey

► New Greek Cypriot president wants to resume unification talks
On 24 February the Greek Cypriot presidential elections took place. The communist Akel Party Secretary General Demetris Christofias won the election with around 54 percent of the vote against former foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides who received 46.6 percent of the vote. The new president already arranged to meet the Turkish Cypriot president Mehmet Ali Talat to resume negotiations about the reunification of Cyprus. Talat has congratulated Mr Christofias on his election triumph and said "I believe that it won't be a surprise if we solve the problem by the end of 2008". Decades of diplomatic efforts have failed to reunite the divided Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, who are separated by a UN buffer zone.

► Turkish troops invade northern Iraq
On 21 February Turkish ground troops entered northern Iraq for a "clean-up operation" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) bases. Turkey has so far resisted calls from Iraq, the United States and other nations to say when it would end its week-long operation. The United States has been calling on Turkey to end the land operations in northern Iraq against the PKK. Turkish Chief of Staff General Yasar Buyukanit declared to continue its operation against the PKK in northern Iraq as long as necessary.

► Turkish Democratic Left Party tired of unity talk
On 18 February the leader of the Turkish Democratic Left Party, Zeki Sezer, said that he is tired of efforts to unite leftist parties in Turkey. “I am tired of hearing the calls for unity. Going to the people with slogans such as ‘Protecting secularism' or ‘defending Atatürk' does not produce results. One needs to truly see what people need,” he said. During the elections in July 2007 the DSP formed a coalition with the Republican’s People’s Party (CHP) but this didn’t worked out as well as they hoped. Sezer noted that the voters of the and DSP voters had dissimilar preferences and those who voted for one didn't vote for the other.

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WESTERN BALKANS

Albania

► Britain to lead EU Police Mission to Albania next three years
On 25 February the British Home Office announced that England will lead the EU Police Mission to Albania (PAMECA) over the next three years. The PAMECA project was launched in December 2002 as a continuation of previous EU-assisted efforts aimed at reinforcing the operational capacity of the Albanian police following massive civil unrest in 1997. Britain will replace Germany, whose interior ministry oversaw the implementation of the second phase of the European Commission-funded police project in Albania until the end of December 2007. According to the British Home Office statement, the second phase of the European Commission-funded police project in Albania until the end of December. "The mission will work with the Albanian police to deal with the threat from organised crime in the country, reducing the threat to the United Kingdom and other EU member states, and helping to improve Albanians' confidence in their police service.” The statement furthermore mentions the fight against serious organized crime as a priority for the British government, and states the British government’s “commitment to help the Albanian authorities address this issue.

► Socialist Movement for Integration leaves Albania’s opposition coalition
On 21 February, Ilir Meta, the leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI) announced that the SMI leadership has decided to abandon the opposition left-wing coalition and create a new initiative called ‘Left for Integration’ to represent the progressive left. The main reason cited were the growing disagreements with the largest opposition party, the Socialist Party, especially over electoral reform. On 12 February, the smaller parties in Albania protested the electoral reforms presented by the two biggest parties in the country, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the opposition Socialist Party (SP). According to the smaller parties, they are being excluded from the reform process by the big parties. The Socialist Movement for Integration is mostly angered over the Socialist Party’s rejection of their smaller allies request for open lists in which their names appear on the ballots.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

► Olli Rehn: BiH should sign Stabilization and Association Agreement with EU in April
European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said on 26 February that BiH should sign a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union in April. According to Rehn, speaking after the first round of sessions of the Board of Principals of the Peace Implementation Council in BiH, “the prevailing belief is that the latest activities in the country could be encouraging both to domestic authorities and the international community.” Rehn furthermore praised the BiH government for recently passing many EU required laws, and noted that they have now entered parliamentary procedure. Chief of BiH diplomacy Sven Alkalaj said that “the signing of the Agreement with the EU would be excellent news for BiH and its citizens.”

► Upper house BiH adopts police reform laws
On 26 February, the upper house of BiH’s parliament adopted two police reform laws, establishing a Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies and Agencies and a supervisory panel for police structures, while remaining entity police. Last week, the European Commission refused to comment on the draft reform laws, saying they needed more time to analyse the bill in order to ensure they meet the EU requirements. Police reform is an important EU requirement for the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with BiH.

► Thousands protest Kosovo’s independence in Banja Luka
On 26 February, an estimated 10,000 Serbs staged a peaceful protest against Kosovo’s decision to split from Serbia at a rally organized in Banja Luka by the Serbian Movement of NGOs (SPONA), made up of several Bosnian Serb war veteran’s groups. Republika Srpska (RS) prime minister Milorad Dodik told the protesters that BiH would never recognize Kosovo, even under pressure from the West, and added that if any attempt to abolish BiH’s present constitutional order is made, he will immediately organize a referendum on independence of RS. Shortly after the rally ended, a small group marched to the US consulate, destroying several shops and cars along the way. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. The US has temporarily sent its Banja Luka staff to Sarajevo, in anticipation of more demonstrations. On 17 February, when Kosovo declared itself independence, SPONA had also organized a mass protest rally in Banja Luka.

► EU ambassadors denounce secession aspirations Republika Srpska
On 23 February, EU ambassadors meeting in Sarajevo denounced the Bosnian Serb’s position that they have the right to follow Kosovo’s example and declare independence. The statement by the EU ambassadors was made after the parliament of Republika Srpska (RS) on 21 February had approved by an overwhelming majority a resolution stating that if most EU countries and the US recognize Kosovo’s independence, then RS would also have a right to secede from BiH. This happened after increasing calls by hard-line Bosnian Serb nationalists for RS to follow Kosovo’s example. Just one day earlier RS prime minister Milorad Dodik had indicated that Kosovo’s independence does not provide a reason for RS to push for secession. Dodik said that his party, the RS leading Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) “will seek a referendum on independence if (the RS) status is questionable, which did not happen because of Kosovo’s independence.” He furthermore stated that he “think[s] the independence of Kosovo only strengthened RS”, and indicated that his aim now was to strengthen RS’s autonomy.

► BiH cabinet approves law establishing EU-required fiscal council
On 21 February, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina approved a law establishing a fiscal council to coordinate fiscal policy in BiH, Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH. The fiscal council will also be charged with monitoring the drafting of budgets on different levels to avoid discrepancies. The establishment of the fiscal council has been a longstanding request from the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund, is one of the requirements for EU integration, and a prerequisite for establishing a single economic area in BiH.

► BiH state level government appointed
On 20 February, the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina formally appointed the state level government of prime minister Nikola Spiric, with all ministers and deputy ministers taking their oaths after the vote. Spiric resigned as prime minister on 1 November 2007 to protest reform measures announced by BiH High Representative Miroslav Lajcak aimed to boost the process of decision-making by parliament and government, but was nominated again by the six-party state-level ruling coalition on 28 December, after it reached agreement on new voting rules in parliament and in the Council of Ministers and EU-required police refom.

Montenegro

► EU and Montenegro start talks on easing visa regime
On 21 February, European Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini arrived in Podgorica to officially open talks on alleviating the EU visa regime for Montenegrin citizens. According to Frattini, Montenegro has made commendable progress in meeting the necessary EU criteria, and can expect the visa regime to be eased by the end of 2008.

► Montenegrin president officially nominates Milo Djukanovic as prime minister
On 20 February, Montenegrin president Filip Vujanovic officially nominated ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) leader Milo Djukanovic as prime minister. Parliament will hold a vote of confidence to confirm him for the post next week. The long term Montenegrin leading politician had during a course of 17 years served as president once and prime minister four times before deciding to retire from active politics in late 2006. On 6 February, the DPS nominated Djukanovic for the post of prime minister-designate. Outgoing prime minister Zeljko Sturanovic resigned last month due to long cancer.

► OSCE does not see need to monitor Montenegrin presidential elections
On 17 February, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Goran Lennmarker sent a letter to Montenegrin Parliament Speaker Ranko Krivokapic telling him that based on preparations so for, the OSCE sees no need to monitor the Montenegrin presidential elections scheduled for 6 April 2008. According to Lennmarker, the latest OSCE mission to Montenegro provided a “convincing, positive” assessment of the election process.

Serbia/Kosovo

► Serbia recalls ambassadors over Kosovo independence
Serbia is recalling its ambassadors from those countries which have officially recognized independence. On 28 February, Belgrade summoned the heads of its diplomatic missions in Austria and Switzerland home. Earlier, Serbia recalled its ambassadors from the US, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Australia and Peru, all of which recognized Kosovo’s independence shortly after Pristina unilaterally declared independence on 17 December. The Serbian foreign ministry said in a statement that other ambassadors should leave those countries supporting Kosovo’s new status as soon as possible. Serbia is supported in its opposition to Kosovo independence by Serbia. Moscow, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, already announced it will block any move by Kosovo to join the UN.

► US Embassy in Belgrade temporarily closed after violent rally
On 27 February, the US embassy in Belgrade re-opened after six days of repairing damage cause by demonstrators angry over US support for Kosovo’s independence. In a statement the same day the embassy noted that its consulate department will remain closed for an unspecified period of time due to security concerns and ongoing repairs. After a big government-supported protest rally in the Serbian capital on 20 February, in which an estimated 150,000 Serbs participated, parts of the crowd broke away and marched to the US embassy, which was later set on fire. A body was found in the building the next day, believed to be one of the protesters who allegedly got caught up in the fire. The group also vandalized the neighbouring Croatian embassy, a McDonald’s restaurant and several stores and vehicles along its way. The attack on the embassy prompted an angry response by the US, which felt that the Serbian authorities had not done enough to protect the building. US undersecretary of state Nicholas Burns stated the US “would hold the Serbian government personally responsible for the safety and well-being of our embassy employees.” It was then decided to withdraw some of the 100 US embassy employees from Belgrade. In a statement on 27 February, the US embassy noted that its consulate department will remain closed for an unspecified period of time due to security concerns and ongoing repairs. Visa applications submitted by Serbian citizens will be reviewed by the US embassy in Zagreb until further notice.

► Serbia intends to remain in control over northern part Kosovo, EU withdraws personnel from area after violent demonstrations
On 25 February, Serbian prime minister Vojislav Kostunica said that Serbia will “do everything in its power” to remain in control over the northern region of Kosovo around the city of Mitrovica. According to Kostunica, “loyal citizens” in this area, where most of Kosovo’s Serb population is concentrated, can still “trust on the government in Belgrade.” At the same day, the EU, which is installing a mission in Kosovo (EULEX) which Serbia opposes, announced that it will currently not send any police and jurists to the area around Mitrovica. According to French general Yves de Kermabon, this will happen only in mid-June. Meanwhile, Kosovo Serbs in Mitrovica keep demonstrating against the independence of Kosovo. EU representative in Kosovo Peter Feith, who arrived in the region on 20 Ferbuary, announced on 23 February after violent protests by the Serbian community in Mitrovica that the EU decided to withdraw some of its employees from northern Kosovo.

► Russia and Serbia sign South Stream gas pipeline deal
On 25 February, Russian first deputy prime minister Dmitry Medvedev and Serbian prime minister Vojislav Kostunica signed an agreement on the implementation of a project to construct a pipeline for the transit of Russian national gas through Serbia to the Balkans and on to other European countries. During the signing ceremony, Medvedev said that “this agreement serves the interests of both Russia and Serbia and lays the foundation for energy security in the unified Europe.” Kostunica said that “the joint construction of a stretch of a natural gas pipeline with Russia’s Gazprom […] will turn Serbia into a regional economic leader.” The South Stream pipeline is a rival project to the Nabucco pipeline proposed by the EU and the US, which should diversify Europe’s energy supply by transporting Central Asian gas to Europe via Turkey, thereby circumventing Russia. On 25 January, Russia and Serbia had already reached agreement and signed a preliminary accord on the issue. Other countries that participate in the South Stream gas pipeline include Bulgaria and Italy.

► Parliament Kosovo passes laws based on Ahtisaari plan
On 20 February, the Kosovo parliament passed nine laws related to the former UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari plan. All laws that were passed covered areas directly related to statehood, including laws on diplomatic immunity, the establishment of a police force and a police inspectorate, travel documents, state symbols, special protected zones, local governance and administrative borders of municipalities. A law to establish a ministry of foreign affairs was withdrawn at the advice of the government. US undersecretary of state Nicholas Burns welcomed the new laws safeguarding the rights of minority populations in Kosovo, and said the US “believe Kosovo’s future should be multi-ethnic and multi-religious.”

► Border between Kosovo and Serbia temporarily closed after attacks
On 19 February KFOR, the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, closed the border between Serbia and Kosovo for 24 hours after angry Kosovo Serbs had attacked and destroyed two border posts. The action, which seemed well-organized and coordinated, the border posts were first occupied, before one was burnt and the other brought to explosion. The Kosovo police that manned the posts was not attacked. They were evacuated by KFOR, after which the border was sealed. In Belgrade, reactions to the events differed. Whereas Serbian president Boris Tadic condemned the use of any kind of violence, the Serbian minister for Kosovo, Slobodan Samardzic, called the actions “not pleasant, but legitimate.”

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WIDER EUROPE / NEIGHBOUR COUNTRIES

Armenia

► Armenian officials side with Ter-Petrosian
On February 22 Deputy Prosecutor-General Gagik Jahangirian affirmed his support for former President Levon Ter-Petrossian's ongoing protest against the official preliminary results of the February 19 presidential election. Jahangirian said, "the scale of fraud, violence, beatings, intimidation perpetrated in these elections was unprecedented." Several other government officials are coming out in support of the opposition. Many of them, including nine high-ranking Foreign Ministry officials, have reportedly resigned.

► Armenian Parliamentary Speaker resigns out of frustration over elections
On 22 february Deputy Parliamentary Speaker and presidential candidate Vahan Hovhannisian has resigned from office out of frustration with alleged election violations in Armenia’s recent presidential elections. Meanwhile, Hovhannisian, a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) – Dashnaktsutiun party , called for tranquility and restraint, effectively urging party supporters not to join Ter-Petrosian’s Yerevan rallies.

► Prime minister Sarkisian wins the presidential election in Armenia
On 19 February Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian won the presidential election in Armenia. According to the Central Election Commission, Sarkisian won the presidential ballot with 52.86 percent of the vote; his closest challenger, former President Levon Ter-Petrossian, placed a distant second with 21.5 percent, followed by former parliament speaker Artur Baghdasarian (16.67 percent), Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutiun candidate Vahan Hovannisian (6.2 percent); and former Prime Minister and National Democratic Union Chairman Vazgen Manukian (1.28 percent); the remaining four candidates polled less than 1 percent of the vote. Voter turnout was estimated at 69 percent. About 400 foreign observers have been monitoring the election. There were widespread complaints of ballot stuffing, multiple voting, violent voter intimidation, beatings and even kidnapping at polling stations. Ter-Petrosian announced that he organises a rally in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, to protest that elections have been marred by serious violations. Election observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe stated that the presidential election was conducted mostly in line with the country's international commitments, although further improvements are necessary to address remaining challenges. Meanwhile complaints against the rigged elections are still holding on. In the last days the police is arresting several opposition figures in separate incidents. At least three of the allies of former President Levon Ter-Petrosian arrested in recent days have been remanded in pre-trial custody on a string of criminal charges which the Armenian opposition rejects as politically motivated.

Azerbaijan

► Azerbaijan withdraws military force in Kosovo
On 28 February the government of Azerbaijan decided to withdraw its military force in Kosovo operating within the cadre of Turkish forces. Diplomatic observers suggest that Azerbaijan worries that the independence of Kosovo might set a precedent for its Nagorno-Karabakh region, occupied by Armenian forces. Azeri forces in Kosovo were responsible for preventing smuggling and policing 18 villages south of Prizren.

► Parliamentarian says OSCE should not monitor the presidential elections in Azerbaijan
On 22 February Zahid Orudj of the small pro-government Ana Veten party told fellow parliament deputies that he plans to ask the Azerbaijani government not to invite the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to monitor the presidential elections in October. Orudj criticized the positive OSCE evaluation of the presidential elections in Armenia. He said it amazed him that even though there were reports of violations and fraud the OSCE observers gave a positive assessment.

► Council of Europe launches program for Azerbaijani journalists
Between 19 and 22 February a delegation of the Council of Europe visited Baku to discuss media issues. Franziska Klopfer, an employee at the Directorate General of Human Rights’ Media Division, declared that the Council of Europe and European Commission will commence implementation of a 2-year program intended to improve journalistic professionalism in Azerbaijan. Workshops and training will take place within the framework of the program.

► Azerbaijani opposition likely to agree upon unified presidential candidate
On 18 February Azerbaijani opposition Musavat party stated that its likely they will nominate a unified candidate with the Azerbaijan Democratic Party for the presidential elections in October 2008. On 16 February, the ADP nominated the chairman of the party, Sardar Jalaloglu, for the elections. The Musavat party nominated its chairman Isa Gambar. ADP member Gurban Mammadov said to the press that there are close relations between the two party leaders and they may come to an agreement.

► Azerbaijan warns international community for PKK threat
On 18 February Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Ibragim said during a press conference that the international community should take seriously the threats of PKK (Kurdistan Workers party)military bases in Azerbaijan. Israel's Mossad intelligence service has confirmed the existence of PKK military bases in the Lachin and Fizuli districts in Azerbaijan.

Belarus

► Political prisoner Kazulin temporarily released to attend wife’s funeral after international pressure
The international community and Belarusian oppositionists are calling for the unconditional release of Alyaksandr Kazulin, an opposition leader who stood as an opposition candidate in the March 2006 presidential elections. He was jailed in July 2006 and is serving a 5.5 year sentence for staging antigovernment rallies protesting the conduct of the ballot. On 23 February, Kazulin’s wife, Iryna Kazulina (48), died from cancer. The Belarusian authorities’ subsequent reluctance to temporarily release Kazulin from prison in order to attend his wife’s funeral caused an international outcry. High Representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU Javier Solana urged the Belarusian authorities to release Kazulin immediately. EU Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner expressed ‘hope that the Belarus authorities will let Alyaksandr Kazulin attend the funeral in Minsk’. Head of the OSCE Office in Minsk Hans Jochem Schmidt reminded the Belarusian authorities that the release of political prisoners is one the requirements for improved relations with the EU. Earlier this month, several political prisoners in Belarus had been freed, raising hopes that Kazulin might be released as well. The Belarusian opposition pledged to stage protests for Kazulin, and called president Lukashenka, who had confessed earlier that he knew about the health situation of Iryna Kazulina but refused to allow Alyaksandr Kazulin on a temporary leave, ‘inhumane’. Meanwhile, Kazulin had announced to go on a dry hunger strike if he would not be allowed to attend his wife’s funeral. On 26 February, Kazulin was released for a period of 3 days to attend his wife’s funeral, which took place on 27 February. On 28 February, Kazulin went back to the prison colony. The Belarusian opposition and the international community have reiterated their demands for the unconditional release of Kazulin.

► Political prisoner Alyaksandr Zdvizhkou released
On 22 February, the Supreme Court of Belarus decided to release political prisoner Alyaksandr Zdvizhkou after having shortened his sentence from 3 years to 3 months. Zdvizhkou, former deputy editor of the Zhoda newspaper founded by the social democratic party Hramada, was on 18 January convicted of “inciting racial, national, or religious enmity or discord” due to the publication of controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in Zhoda in 2006. The newspaper has been closed.
Zdvizhkou had been in detention since his arrest in November 2007. The decision was made by the Supreme Court just one day after the EU demanded that Belarus release political prisoners before it can expect improved relations with the block. Earlier this month opposition leader and former lawmaker Andrei Klimau and student activists Artur Finkevich and Zmitser Dashkevich had already been released.

► Lukashenka alleges Gazprom threatened to double the gas price for Belarus in 2008
In an interview to Russian television on 19 February, Belarusian president Lukashenka alleged Russian gas monopoly Gazprom had threatened to double the gas price for Belarus in 2008. An act that is, according to Lukashenka, in contradiction to the nation of the relations between Russia and Belarus: “Natural gas has become expensive. We managed to cope with the situation, but we are threatened the gas price will be doubled within a year. Say now, how can we create a union state [between Russia and Belarus] if Gazprom’s rate of return from Belarus is equal to its rate of return from Germany?” Russia’s ambassador to Belaru, Aleksandr Surikov, has pledged that Russia will raise natural gas prices for Belarus by no more than 10 percent in 2008. However, the relations between Moscow and Minsk seem to have cooled over the past time. Many observers link the current moves by Lukashenka to improve relations with the EU to these developments, as the Belarusian president seeks new contacts now that relations with Russia decline.

► President Lukashenka announces to tighten control on law enforcement agencies
On 19 February, Belarusian president Lukashenka announced to tighten control on law enforcement agencies in the country. Lukashenka criticized the constitutional court and the prosecutor’s office who, according to the president, are acting against the administration. In a press conference, Lukashenka said that he “feels that certain persons start acting around him.” He alleged that certain people in the prosecutor’s office “are concerned how the US and the EU would look at us. These are not your problems, these are problems of the president and the prime minister. We are to grapple with political problems. And you have the law and the constitution.” He specifically warned not to prosecute senior officials: “you can become the same common people as them at any time. Treat people, especially senior officials, humanly.” Similarly, he warned the constitutional court that “control over the constitutionality of the adopted regulatory legal acts in the country shouldn’t be reduced to just criticism.”

► Fourth protest of entrepreneurs in Minsk cracked down by riot militia
On 18 February, the fourth entrepreneur’s protest action in Minsk was planned. In total, about 1000 people tried to reach October Square in order to protest against newly imposed state regulations on their businesses, especially paragraph 1.1 of presidential decree 760, which stipulates small businessmen can employ only close relatives. Entrepreneurs have been protesting the measures since January 2008, when they went into effect. However, most people were unable to reach October Square, as the square was cordoned off by the riot militia. According to charter97, militia encircled those coming to the square and forced them out to neighbouring streets. Furthermore, several protesters, including some of the leaders of the Belarusian opposition such as leader of the ‘For Freedom’ movement Aleksander Milinkevich and Aleksander Kazulin’s daughter Volha Kazulina, were arrested. They were, however, released soon. The opposition has already announced new demonstrations to take place on 25 March, the anniversary of the Belarusian Republic.

Georgia

► Georgian parliamentary elections held between 14 and 24 May
On 26 February the Georgian parliament voted in favour of the constitutional amendment that allows to hold early parliamentary elections in May. It is up to president Mikhail Saakashvili to set an exact date of the polls. The ruling National Movement Party has proposed earlier to hold elections sometime between May 14 and May 24.

► Georgians arrested in breakaway region Abkhazia
On 26 February Georgian Journalist Malkhaz Basilaia, and two other Georgians, were arrested and charged in breakaway region of Abkhazia for “illegal crossing the border.” Basilia was trying to feature the voting process in the breakaway region of Abkhazia, going in the framework of the primary presidential election in Russia, and was trying to film the ballot box for the Russian troops serving at the checkpoint at the de facto Georgian-Abkhaz border. Georgian foreign minister, Davit Bakradze, said diplomatic efforts are underway to free the Georgians.

► Georgian president Saakashvili meets with Russian president Putin
On 21 February Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili held a meeting with Russian president Vladimer Putin in Russia. Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, stated after the meeting the Putin explained Saakashvili the consequences of Georgia’s integration into the NATO for further Georgian-Russian relations. The situation of Georgians breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia was also discussed. Saakashvili was in the understanding that Putin said that he would never recognize the independence of the regions. In a statement released on 28 February the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the results of meeting between Putin and Saakashvili has been incorrectly understood in Tbilisi. “The unresolved conflicts were not discussed in detail during the brief meeting between the (Georgian and Russian) presidents and no “assurance” of this kind was given.”

► Central Election Commission refuses to give Public Defender key information
On 20 February the Public Defender’s Office(PDO) in Georgia said in a statement that the Central Election Commission (CEC) has refused to hand over copies of signatures made by voters at some polling stations before they voted in the presidential election on 5 January. According to the PDO the refusal constitutes a breach of law. The PDO's request for the information follows opposition allegations that voter turnout was artificially inflated to the benefit of President Mikhail Saakashvili. In their statement the Public Defender’s Office requested that the courts should impose a fine on the CEC.

Moldova

► OSCE Special Envoy visits Chisinau to talk about Transnister conflict
On 27 February, Heikki Talvitie, the Special Envoy appointed by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva, visited Chisinau to discuss the Transnistrian conflict settlement process, which he will be in charge of. Before coming to Moldova, Talvitie visited the headquarters of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) in Odessa, where he was briefed on the work of EUBAM. In Chisinau, Talvitie met with Speaker of Parliament Marian Lupu, and spoke out for resuming the Chisinau-Tiraspol negotiation process. According to Talvitie “the Finnish presidency has pledged to pay particular attention to regional conflicts and stands for resolving them.” Marian Lupu said the Moldovan Parliament is exerting energetic measures aimed at building up mutual trust between the two Dniester banks and establishing a permanent dialog at the levels of citizens and non-governmental organizations. He also stated that interaction with the OSCE is valuable for democratic reforms in Moldova. Both sides furthermore shared the opinion that Moldova’s parliamentary elections in 2009, when held in accordance with international standard, will reaffirm Moldova’s striving for Europe.

► Romanian Orthodox Church gives up intention to open 3 eparchies in Moldova
On 25 February the Romanian Patriarchate stated on its official website that it has given up its intention to open 3 eparchies in Moldova, saying that this plan is “not on the list of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s priorities at the moment.” In October 2007 the Romanian Orthodox Church had decided to open three eparchies in Moldova, but this met with considerable resistance from other churches. Both the Moldovan Metropolitan Church and the Russian Orthodox Church were against what they saw as “interference into the Russia Orthodox canonic territory”, and warned this would “inevitably lead to chaos in the world Orthodox family”. On the website, the Romanian Patriarchate also writes that it “continues to stand for peaceful coexistence and fraternal cooperation of the Romanian and Russian Orthodox Churches in the Republic of Moldova.”

► Parliament adopts new law on assemblies
On 22 February, the Moldovan parliament passed a new Law on Assemblies, which is said to be in line with European standards. The reform of the law was one of Moldova’s EU commitments in the framework of the EU-Moldova European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan. The law stipulates that organizers of public meetings from now on do not have to request authorities’ permission, but are under the obligation to notify authorities about their plans, after which the authorities are to register the meetings. Meetings may be held at any place open to the public, except for those places temporarily closed for rallies by the authorities due to repair works or scheduled undertakings. The bill furthermore prohibits holding meetings calling citizens to war, to ethnic, racial or religious hostility, to violence, or to discrimination, and actions that undermine national security, public order or violate citizen’s rights and freedoms. The opposition, however, is skeptical of the law, as some fear that the law might be used against them during the 2009 parliamentary elections.

► Parliament adopts code of civil servant’s behavior
On 22 February, the Moldovan parliament adopted the Code of Civil Servant’s Behavior. This is the first code setting a legal frame for the activities of state employees to be introduced in the country. The code prohibits civil servants to accept gifts or services for official duties, or to pressure anybody for personal interest. It also prohibits officials to make statements for the press, although this provision was resented by the opposition, as making press statements will now be the exclusive competence of the state institution’s PR officers.

► Popular Action movement intends to challenge Justice Ministry in court
On 20 February, the Popular Action movement announced its intention to challenge the Ministry of Justice’s refusal to register the new organization in court. The Popular Action movement, which stands for a temporary renouncement of the Transnistrian region for the sake of Moldova’s integration into the EU, was founded in late 2007 and submitted its statutory documents to the Ministry of Justice on 17 January 2008. However, the ministry refuses to register the movement, claiming that after a routine check of the signatures of Popular Action activists, these revealed many fakes. When these were crossed out from the party lists, the movement’s actual membership figure appeared to be below the law-stipulates minimum of 5.000 persons. The ministry furthermore claims that the Popular Action’s charter fails to comply with the Law on Parties and Socio-Political Organizations regarding internal decision-making procedures. If the court rejects the Popular Action’s claim, the organization will have to start the establishment procedure again from the very beginning. This will considerably delay their possible preparations for the next ordinary parliamentary elections in Moldova, due in the spring of 2009.

Russia

► Russia’s Central Election Commission chief warns PACE observers of early comments on election
On 28 February, chief of Russia’s Central Election Committee (CEC) Vladimir Churov warned observers of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) that any comments made ahead of the country’s 2 March presidential elections would be considered as interference in Russia’s internal policies. A delegation of 25 members of PACE, led by Andreas Gross, arrived in Moscow on 27 February. The observers are expected to meet the presidential candidates, political party members, election officials, representatives from the media and NGOs, and diplomatic missions. On 28 February, Gross said in an interview with Nezavismaya Gazeta that the coming presidential elections in Russia will be voting without a real choice, and expressed his disappointment with the refusal of Dmitry Medvedev, Putin’s favourite candidate for the elections and widely expected to win the polls, to take part in televised debates. Gross also criticized Medvedev for failing to demonstrate his adherence to democratic values and said there were a number of signals to suspect that the March 2 polls would be neither free nor fair. Vladimir Churov responded to these remarks by saying that “we [the Russian CEC] have repeatedly asked all observer missions to refrain from making statements that could affect voter behaviour before the election results are known.” According to Churov, missions should limit themselves to “correct election monitoring, excluding interference in a country’s domestic affairs.” Russia’s continuous restrictions on election monitoring missions has led the OSCE to abstain from monitoring the 2 March elections.

► Ban op public polls starts prior to elections
On 26 February, a band on the publication of public opinion polls findings and forecasts regarding the outcome of the 2 March Russian presidential elections took effect. According to the Russian election law, it is prohibited to publish the findings of public opinion polls and other surveys concerning the election campaign five days prior to the polling date, as it is held that this will unjustly influence people’s voting behaviour during the elections.

► Informal CIS summit in Moscow
On 22 February, an informal meeting of the heads of all twelve CIS member states took place in Moscow. It is rare for all head of states to be present, as some member states tend to boycott CIS summits because of Russia’s domination of the group. The heads of state discussed prospects for increased cooperation in the economic and political sphere. Energy cooperation and immigration policies were among the main topics of discussion. Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiev urged Russia to address the increase in racially motivated crimes in the country. Ten Kyrgyz citizens have been killed in Russia in the two first moths of 2008 alone. Furthermore, the summit served as an occasion for the heads of states to get acquainted with Dmitri Medvedev, Putin’s favourite and the expected winner in the 2 March Russian presidential elections. Putin stressed that they don’t have to expect a change of policies with Medvedev: “It was together with [Medvedev] that I have made crucial decisions, including those in the most important area of foreign policy for us, the CIS. […] Essentially, he is one of the authors of Russia’s policy in this area. I don’t believe we should or will have any revolutionary changes here.”

Ukraine

► New tensions in Russian – Ukrainian gas dispute
On 28 February, first deputy chairman of the board of Naftohaz Ukrainy Igor Didenko left for Russia for negotiation with Gazprom concerning the issue on gas delivery in 2008. Two days earlier, Russian president Vladimir Putin had called Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko for a telephone talk on the non-fulfillment of Kyiv of the arrangements which the leaders of the two states concluded in Moscow earlier this month, regarding the still outstanding debt of Naftohaz Ukrainy for Russian gas consumed in 2007. Putin said that payment for used fuel carried out by now is not adequate to the entire debt and cannot be enough for further security of supply of gas to Ukraine, and warned Yushchenko that Gazprom might stop the gas supply from 28 February. Gazprom Chief Executive Alexei Miller has warned on 28 February that “Moscow will believe the work to resolve the problem has begun the moment the debt has been settled.”

► US ambassador to Ukraine says NATO seriously considers Ukraine’s bid to join MAP
Speaking at a Europe-Ukraine Forum in Kyiv on 28 February, US ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor said he believes that the upcoming NATO Bucharest Summit in April will be positive for both Ukraine and the NATO. According to the ambassador, NATO members have been seriously dwelling on Ukraine’s leadership’s bid to join the NATO Membership Action Plan, the first step in the process of preparing to NATO membership. According to Taylor “there is still a very big possibility that this decision will be made at the Summit in Bucharest.” From 14-14 February Gerneral Ray Henault, chairman of NATO’s Military Commttee on Ukraine, visited Kyiv for meetings with the Ukrainian Chief of Defence Staff, General Serhiy Kyrychenko, and Defence Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov. A key topic during the meetings was Ukraine’s progress in pursuing reforms in the defence and security sectors. Another important topic of discussion was Ukraine’s support for ongoing NATO-led operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo and the Mediterranean, as well as NATO’s training mission in Iraq. Henault highlighted the fact that Ukraine is the only partner country to contribute to each of NATO’s current missions and operations, and called this “a significant step to making your forces more interoperable with NATO’s.”

► Six high ranking members Our Ukraine leave party
On 19 February, six high ranking members of Our Ukraine (OU), Roman Bessmertny, Myhaylo Polyanchych, Igor Kryl, Victor Topolov, Oksana Bilozir and Vassyl Petyovka, left the party. They presented their motives in a joint declaration, in which they speak of “serious, irreversible and negative tendencies in the development of the party.” According to the six former OU members, the most important reason to leave the party was that they “lost a persuasion that people who are at key positions in the party are devoted to the president.” They also state that the party, since being in power, has become a vehicle for “means of satisfying personal ambitions”, and that party leaders no longer listen to the ordinary party members and activists. “Some of the leaders of the party play their own game, coming from personal interests and it has nothing to do with responsibility, pluralism and norms of democracy.” Furthermore, the six express their wish for “all members of the party to come back to their values and idea origins. We hope that the party is able to clear oneself from rust, unscrupulousness, double standards and untruth.”

► Ukraine starts official negotiations on creating free trade zone with EU
On 18 February, Ukraine started official negotiations with the EU on the creation of a free trade zone. This was announced by Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko and EU Commissioner on trade issues Peter Mandelson after their meeting in Kyiv that day. Yushchenko noted that the EU is the most important trade partner of Ukraine, and most investments in the country come from the EU. According to the Ukrainian president, this “binds [the EU and Ukraine] to think about the development of relations”, and called the start of the official negotiations on the free trade zone “a token event.” Mandelson noted that “a new phase of economic relations with Ukraine starts” for the EU.

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CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan

► OSCE organizes discussion on media legislation in Kazakhstan
On 25 February, the OSCE Centre in Astana and the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media organized a roundtable discussion on media legislation reform in Kazakhstan. The event, which was supported by the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information and leading non-governmental organizations in the sphere of media, brought together Kazakh deputies and government officials and representatives of the non-governmental sector, media lawyers, journalists and experts involved with media legislation. Participants discussed the latest draft amendments and changes to legislative acts related to media, including the issues of libel and defamation. According to Kazakh minister for culture and information Yermukhamet Yertysbayev, “In 2008, we will be focussing on media legislation to reach compliance with international standards. In this regard, we will actively cooperate with the OSCE, representatives of civil society, and the media.” However, chairman of the Union of journalists of Kazakhstan Seytkazy Matayev painted a gloomier picture. According to Matayev, the government does not meet its engagements to the OSCE on liberalization of mass media legislation: “The practice of the last three years has shown that the introduced amendments have not improved the situation of the press in Kazakhstan.” On 15 February, an Astana court ordered “Law and Justice”, one of the few remaining independent newspapers in Kazakhstan, to be closed, alleging errors were made when the newspaper registered. The majority of the media in Kazakhstan is state-owned or controlled by friends and supporters of president Nursultan Nazarbaev.

► Turkic-speaking countries intend to establish Parliamentary Assembly
On 25 February, four Turkic-speaking countries (Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan) sighed a protocol of intention to establish a ‘Parliamentary Assembly of the Turkic-Speaking Countries’. According to deputy speaker of the Turkish parliament Nevat Pakdil, the protocol, which was signed by the vice speakers of parliament of the four collaborating countries, the aim of the meeting at which the protocol was signed was “to discuss prospects for strengthening cooperation between the parliaments of the Turkic-speaking states, as well as to set preparatory issues for a meeting of an inter-parliamentary council of those countries on the level of the chairmen of the parliaments.

Kyrgyzstan

► Kyrgyz parliament calls on Russian lawmakers to address increase in hate crimes
On 22 February, the Kyrgyz parliament passed a resolution calling on Russian lawmakers to address the increase in hate crimes in Russia. Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiev, in Moscow on 22 February to attend the informal CIS summit, also urged Russia to do more to curb the wave of racially motivated crimes. The resolution was passed by the parliament after ten Kyrgyz citizens has been murdered in the first two months of 2008 alone. Russian officials did not yet publicly comment on the killings. According to the Kyrgyz interior ministry, so far eleven people have been detained in Moscow in connection with the killings of two Kyrgyz. Human rights groups, however, criticize Russian prosecutors for filing many racially motivated attacks as “hooliganism”, a charge which carries lighter sentences than hate crimes. According to official figures, circa 300.000 Kyrgyz citizens are involved in legal and illegal jobs in Russia. Unofficial sources report estimated figures exceeding 800.000. Despite the danger of increased attacks, most Kyrgyz believe that lobar migration from Kyrgyzstan to Russia will not decrease, as many families in Kyrgyzstan depend upon the remittances send to them from Russia.

► Former president Akayev visits Germany
On 18-19 February, former Kyrgyz president Askar Akayev paid a visit to Germany. According to his press service, he met with the leadership of the Eastern German Economy Committee and the German Foreign Policy Council to discuss the development of further cooperation between the EU and Central Asia. Akayev was president of Kyrgyzstan until March 2005, when he was ousted from power by public protest during the Tulip Revolution. He has since lived in Russia.

Tajikistan

► UN-sponsored Geneva meeting pledges revitalization Silk Road
On 19 Feburary, a meeting of 19 Asian and European countries took place in Geneva to discuss the revitalization of the Silk Road. During the meeting, the countries together pledged to prioritize infrastructure projects worth $43 billion to this end, hoping that a revitalized Silk Road will offer new economic opportunities to the landlocked countries of Central Asia and Eastern Europe along its route. The meeting was sponsored by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). It was agreed that each country will take care of the infrastructure projects involving its own territory, with financial assistance from international organisations like the World Bank. The UN will coordinate the project, to make sure that the projects in different countries connect with each other so there will be no gaps in the trade route. Within the framework of the project, 230 projects are envisaged. The countries hope to finish most of those by 2014.

► European parliament adopts own initiative report on EU strategy for Central Asia
On 20 February, the European parliament adopted an own-initiative report on a EU strategy for Central Asia. The report welcomes the increased EU focus on Central Asia, marked by the adoption of the Central Asia strategy in June 2007, but is critical about “the slowness of the implementation of EU projects for the Central Asian states.” Members of the European Parliament also called on the European Council and the European Commission to "ensure that human rights issues should carry equal weight with the EU's robust approach to energy, security, and trade." The human rights approach should pay special attention to commitment of the respective governments to improving the situation in their countries. The EU furthermore calls on the relevant governments for the immediate release of political prisoners. With regard to economy, the EP wishes to encourage ‘deeper integration of Central Asia in the world trade and economic system, in particular through World Trade Organisation (WTO) accession.’ Kyrgyzstan is the only Central Asian state so for that is a member of the WTO. In the energy sector, the EP wishes to develop transport routes for Central Asian gas to reach the EU, and to promote cooperation between Central Asia and the Black Sea region to make this possible. Furthermore, energy cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan (which hold no gas reserves), and if possible Uzbekistan is sought to address ‘energy problems of particular importance to their huge human and economic development needs, difficult inter-state relations and precarious security of supply.’

Turkmenistan

► German business delegation visits Turkmenistan
On 25 February, a German business delegation led by Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Michael Glos met with Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat. On 26 February, the delegation attended the Turkmen-German economic and energy forums, which were also attended by several Turkmen officials. Michael Glos called the Turkmen market “promising”, and furthermore said that “taking into account Turkmenistan’s abundant hydrocarbon resources, Germany’s business circles are especially interested in co-operating in the fuel and energy sector, where they could offer a broad range of services.” At the end of the meetings, a joint statement was signed on cooperation in managerial staff training for the economic sector.

► Turkmen and Russian presidents meet in Moscow
On 22 February, Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Russian president Vladimir Putin met for bilateral talks after the informal CIS meeting in Moscow. Putin stressed that the bilateral relations between the two countries “have great potential in the energy sphere.” Berdimuhamedov mentioned the increased economic cooperation which, according to the Turkmen president, produced good results in the previous year. Both presidents expressed confidence that Turkmen-Russian relations will progress further in the future. During the reign of Berdimuhamedov’s predecessor Saparmurat Niyazov, relations between Moscow and Ashgabat had been relatively cool, as Niyazov distanced Turkmenistan from Russia after the country became independent in 1991.

► Raising of gasoline prices meets with protests
The raise in gasoline prices has provoked rare protests in Turkmenistan. Under a decree signed by Turkmen president Berdimuhamedov on 8 February, and entered into force on 11 February, drivers can claim coupons for 120 liters of free gas per month. However, gas prices above this monthly limit have increased from $0.08 per litre to $0.60 per litre. As a consequence, the price of foodstuffs has risen as well. This has allegedly led people to panic. In Mary province, two gasoline stations were set on fire. Exiled Turkmen opposition leaders called the free gas allowance “free cheese in [Berdimuhamedov’s] mousetrap” and claimed that ‘no one was happy” about it. Turkmen authorities stated that the new system was introduced as a modernization effort. Turkmen vice prime minister Tachberdi Tagiyev reported that a number of new fuel stations are planned to be build in Turkmenistan, and a modernized system of payments with special cards will also be introduced shortly.

Uzbekistan

► Organization for Economic Cooperation discusses sea cooperation
On 25 February, a meeting of the chairmen of sea administration of the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OEC) took place in Teheran, Iran. Delegates from the 10 member states (Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and the Central Asian states), representatives of the International Marine Organization (IMO), the UN Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the OEC General Secretary took part in the meeting. During the meeting, the transit member countries confirmed their readiness to lend their port-infrastructures and special tariffs privileges to the landlocked member countries.

► Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking alarmed by increase in human trafficking Uzbekistan
From 13-15 February, the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking took place under the framework of the United Nations-sponsored Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT). Participants in the Forum shared data and research on human trafficking, and discussed measures to fight human trafficking. Concern was expressed over the prevalence of “happy trafficking”, a tactic in which traffickers pledge to release some victims on condition that they return to their homes and recruit new women to replace them by pretending to have had a good experience in legitimate jobs during the time they’ve been away. It was noted that in Central Asia human trafficking is an increasing problem, especially in Uzbekistan. According to activists, this might be due to poverty and social conditions in the country.