Biba Klomp
05-01-2009, 07:21 AM
Prague hosted the EU summit launching the Eastern Partnership Initiative to govern EU relations with six Eastern neighbourhood countries on May 7. The Eastern Partnership, a priority for the Czech presidency that ends June 30, is designed to boost the European Union's relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
For the first time President Lukanshanko of Belarus has been invited ending years of isolation following the lifting of the EU sanctions and the travel ban on top Belarus officials.
The summit marked the end of the current Czech government of Mirek Topolanek, which was replaced by a temporary government on May 9.
From 6-8 May, the European Neighbourhood Journalism Network (ENJN) hosted a group of journalists and editors from the ENPI region to attend the event and report on the implications of the new initiative for the region.
The ENJN organised a programme of briefings, panel discussions and networking with peers from the Eastern neighbourhood including
* Seminar on political and economic implications of the Eastern Partnership Initiative
* Debate on the press freedom challenges facing journalists across the region today and possible impact of the new Eastern Partnership Initiative
* Organisation of special interviews with official EU and Presidency spokespersons
* Meeting with the EU Commission for external relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner
* Attending the Summit and official launch of the initiative.
Reports from the Summit can be found on the ENJN Community (http://training.journalismnetwork.eu/group/pragueeasternpartnershipgroup/forum).
For the first time President Lukanshanko of Belarus has been invited ending years of isolation following the lifting of the EU sanctions and the travel ban on top Belarus officials.
The summit marked the end of the current Czech government of Mirek Topolanek, which was replaced by a temporary government on May 9.
From 6-8 May, the European Neighbourhood Journalism Network (ENJN) hosted a group of journalists and editors from the ENPI region to attend the event and report on the implications of the new initiative for the region.
The ENJN organised a programme of briefings, panel discussions and networking with peers from the Eastern neighbourhood including
* Seminar on political and economic implications of the Eastern Partnership Initiative
* Debate on the press freedom challenges facing journalists across the region today and possible impact of the new Eastern Partnership Initiative
* Organisation of special interviews with official EU and Presidency spokespersons
* Meeting with the EU Commission for external relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner
* Attending the Summit and official launch of the initiative.
Reports from the Summit can be found on the ENJN Community (http://training.journalismnetwork.eu/group/pragueeasternpartnershipgroup/forum).