Towards a More Visionary and Participatory Eastern Partnership - EaP CSF Position Paper for the Riga Summit

Ahead of the Riga Summit and in light of the European Neighbourhood Policy Review taking place in a complex geopolitical situation, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum calls on the EU to stay true to its values in the Eastern Partnership policies, work towards deliverables and communicate benefits of EU integration in a more efficient manner. EU membership perspective, visa-free regime and empowering civil society in the Eastern Partnership countries are among the key messages. The EaP CSF has repeatedly urged the EU Heads of States and Governments to recognise at the Riga Summit the right of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to apply for the EU membership. The firm European choice by the people of these countries should be supported against the geopolitical tensions, military aggression and economic pressure by the Russian Federation.

Read the Position Paper here

Call for Projects under EaP CSF Regranting Scheme - Deadline: 10 May 2015

Until 10 May the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) Secretariat is accepting the proposals for sub-grant projects with an Eastern Partnership regional dimension that will contribute to achieving the mission and objectives of the EaP CSF. This call aims to support the work of the five thematic Working Groups of the EaP CSF. The Call for Re-granting Proposals 2015 – Guide for Applicants describes the priorities for each Working Group and the application process.

Deadline: 10 May 2015

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Applications to Participate in the 7th EaP CSF Annual Assembly (Kyiv, 20-21 November 2015)

The Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) is accepting expressions of interest from civil society organisations from EaP and EU countries to participate in the 7th EaP CSF Annual Assembly. The submission of applications is a necessary step to participate in the EaP CSF annual meeting to take place on 20-21 November in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Deadline: 25 May 2015

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Consultation on the European Neighbourhood Policy Review

In the view of the current review of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the European Commission launched a consultation process. The Commission identified four priority areas for consultation and reflection: Differentiation, Focus, Flexibility, and Ownership & Visibility. A joint consultation paper with a series of questions was adopted by the European Commission and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. All interested stakeholders are invited to participate in the discussion based on this questionnaire by 30 June 2015.

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Statements

National Platforms: Eastern Partnership Countries Need EU Membership Perspective

More than 400 civil society organisations from Armenian, Belarusian, Georgian, Moldovan and Ukrainian National Platforms of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum adopted a joint statement calling on the European Union to recognize the European perspective for the Eastern Partnership States at the EaP Summit in Riga.

The Riga Summit is a crucial milestone where the EU should declare that the Eastern Partnership States have the right to apply for the EU membership despite the geopolitical tensions in the region.

Steering Committee Demands Immediate and Unconditional Release of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan

In light of the recent conviction of prominent Azerbaijani human rights defenders Intigam Aliyev and Rasul Jafarov to harsh prison sentences on questionable legal charges, the EaP CSF Steering Committee adopted a statement condemning these actions by the government and urging the European Union to reconsider its current approach to relations with Azerbaijan.

EU Should Improve Monitoring Procedures for Financial Support to Moldova

The Civil Society Platform ‘For Europe’ is denouncing the practices lacking transparency and the level of corruption in the governance of allegedly pro-European parties in Moldova. In its statement, the platform suggests that these parties associated themselves with the European integration process and in the end only “took advantage of EU generosity and committed numerous legal and financial abuses”.

Co-Chair of EaP CSF Steering Committee Delivers Speech at EaP Ministerial in Luxembourg

On 20 April, Krzysztof Bobiński urged the decision makers present at the Ministerial Meeting in Luxembourg to maintain the sanctions against Russia until the issue of aggression towards Ukraine is resolved and introduce further restrictive measures if Russian attacks are stepped up.

“It is no good hoping that friendly gestures towards Russia will be appreciated and will bring positive results,” the co-chair told a meeting of EU and Eastern Partnership foreign ministers, as well as EU High Representative and EU Commissioner for ENP.

Armenian National Platform Demands Immediate Release of “Founding Parliament” Members

The Armenian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum condemns the new wave of lawless political persecution by the government targeting the “Founding Parliament” civic movement. The NP assesses the actions of the Armenian Investigation Committee and National Security Service as a flagrant violation of human rights and calls on Armenian authorities to immediately release all the arrested members of the Founding Parliament, bringing to justice those responsible for illegitimate arrests.

EaP CSF Secretariat Appoints Darya Mustafayeva as Communications Manager

Darya Mustafayeva has joined the Forum’s Secretariat in the capacity of Communications Manager. Her main responsibilities include developing and implementing the Forum’s communication strategy and increasing visibility of the Forum’s activities.

Upcoming Deadlines & Events

CLEEN Project: Applications for mentoring programme to build sectoral regional partnership of civil society organizations (CSOs) and to strengthen CSOs capacities with a focus on energy efficienc. Deadline 15 May 2015 More Info

European Development Days (EDD15): 2015 is the European year for development, and in that regard on 3-4 June 2015 a major event is organised by the European Commission to define and debate the major issues and objectives of development policy for the post-2015 period. More Info

Call for Proposals under Territorial Cooperation Programme Moldova-Ukraine to strengthen cross border contacts between local authorities, communities and CSOs to help develop joint solutions to common social and economic development challenges. Deadline 14 July 2015 More Info

20 May: EaP Media Conference, Riga

21 May: EaP Business Forum, Riga

21-22 May: EaP Summit, Riga

20-21 May: Civil Society Conference, Riga

22 May: Second Steering Committee Meeting, Riga

4 June: Conference Security Perspectives: towards a security agenda for the EaP, Kyiv

5 June: Working Group 3 Meeting, Brussels

8-9 June: Working Group 1 Meeting, Brussles

16-17 June: Working Group 4 Meeting, Brussels

3-4 July: Working Group 5 Meeting, TBD

Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum

Secretariat of the Steering Committee of the EaP CSF
Rue de l'Industrie 10
1000 Brussels
Belgium

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