EaP CSF Newsletter 

8 April 2016

For the newsletter in Russian, please click here

Results of the EaP CSF Re-granting 2016

This year in the framework of the re-granting scheme the EaP CSF Secretariat received 59 proposals, out of which 49 passed the eligibility screening. The majority of the eligible proposals were submitted under the priorities of the Working Group 1, Working Group 2, and Working Group 4.

The Selection Committee decided to provide funding for 17 projects conditionally on the implementation of specific recommendations to be communicated to the applicants. The selected projects cover at least three Eastern Partnership countries. The grant agreements are expected to be signed in the coming weeks.

List of Selected Projects and Lead Organisations

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Application Deadline for the Annual Assembly in Brussels Approaching

The 8th Annual Assembly of the Forum will take place on 28-30 November 2016 in Brussels. The applications should be submitted by 20 April. It is a necessary step in the selection process to participate in the EaP CSF Annual Assembly.

The EaP CSF Annual Assembly is the key event conducted on an annual basis since 2009. Every year the event brings together over 200 civil society representatives from the EaP region and the EU, as well as other stakeholders.

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Co-chairs Presented the CSF Position at the Euronest PA Meeting in Brussels

EaP CSF Steering Committee Co-chairs Krzysztof Bobiński and Ulad Vialichka attended the Euronest PA meeting in Brussels. Bobiński shared the Forum’s view of the situation in the Eastern Partnership focusing on the major challenges in the EaP countries in these turbulent times, which make the realisation of the CSF mission all the more urgent. Vialichka presented the EaP CSF position on the EU policy towards Belarus at the meeting of the respective Working Group.

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GNP Chairman Kakha Gogolashvili Spoke at EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee Meeting

The meeting of the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee with the participation of civil society, EEAS and DG NEAR representatives was held at the European Parliament on 17 March 2016. The Chairman of the Georgian National Platform (GNP) of the EaP CSF Kakha Gogolashvili commented on monitoring of the Association Agreement (AA) implementation by the GNP against the backdrop of the Memoranda of Cooperation signed between the GNP, the Georgian government and the Georgian Parliament.

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Statements

EaP CSF and National Platforms React to Brussels Attacks

In the light of the unspeakable tragedy that struck Brussels on 22 March 2016, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and National Platforms expressed their deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims affected by the terrorist attacks. Brussels is a symbol of European ideals, freedom and cultural diversity. We firmly believe that our societies will stay stronger together through these troubling times.

Statement by Azerbaijani National Platform  Statement by Belarusian National Platform

Statement by Georgian National Platform    Statement by Moldovian National Platform

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EaP CSF Joins Global Partnership for Social Accountability

The EaP CSF have recently become a Global Partner of the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA). The partnership with the GPSA provides an opportunity to participate in a large international network, increase visibility of the EaP CSF work, and facilitate sharing of knowledge with other partner organisations. 

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Working Groups

WG5 Coordinator Elected

Siarhei Antusevich from Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions was elected the new WG5 coordinator in an online election, having received 8 votes out of 11 participants of the WG5. We congratulate Mr Siarhei Antusevich as the new Coordinator of the group and WG5 on finalising this very important process and wish him and the group a productive year.

WG Councils Meetings Were Held in Bratislava and Minsk

WG4 and WG3 Councils held their meetings on 10 March and 2 April in Bratislava and Minsk respectively. The priorities for 2016, planning of the WG Meetings and Annual Assembly in Brussels were among the issues on the agenda.

Events

Public Lecture on Minority Rights in Georgia Held at the EaP CSF Secretariat

The EaP CSF members Minority Rights Group Europe and Eastern Partnership Minorities Network held a lecture on the situation of minorities in Georgia. The event took place at the EaP CSF Secretariat in Brussels. The most prevalent issues pertinent to minority rights in Georgia, including rise of Islamophobia, discriminatory hiring practices, and access higher education were disscussed by the speakers and the representatives of minority groups.

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International Security Experts Conference "EU Global Strategy: Eastern Partners in European Security"

On 2-4 March, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre and the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence in close cooperation with the EaP CSF, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union Institute for Security Studies, and the National Centre for Strategic Studies (Poland) organised the international conference “EU Global Strategy: Eastern Partners in European Security”. The conference focused on security environment in and around Europe, as well on possible ways for greater EU engagement with Eastern Partners in security and defence.

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Upcoming Meetings and Deadlines

18-19 April 2016: Steering Committee meeting, Berlin

20 April 2016: Application deadline for the 8th Annual Assembly

22 April 2016: EaP Platform 1 - Democracy, Good Governance, Stability, Brussels

23 April 2016: Belarusian National Platform meeting, Minsk