The Week Ahead: June 27 - July 3

Poland assumes six-month Presidency of the European Union on July 1.

The Week Ahead is a detailed listing of key events of the coming week affecting RFE/RL's broadcast region.


MONDAY, June 27:

Czech Republic: Prague hosts an international conference to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact (to June 28).

Iran: Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard is set to launch military exercises with the firing of various ballistic missiles.

Iraq: Tens of thousands of Shi'ite pilgrims gather in Baghdad to commemorate the death of Imam Musa al-Kadhim.

Russia: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev chairs a meeting of the state commission on modernization and technical reform of Russian economy.

Serbia: Serbian President Boris Tadic gives a speech on stability in the Balkans in Berlin.

World: U.S. Department of State publishes its annual "Trafficking In Persons Report."


TUESDAY, June 28:

Armenia/Georgia: Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian visits Tbilisi (to June 29).

Azerbaijan: Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas is scheduled to visit Baku.

Kazakhstan: Astana hosts the 38th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference (to June 30).

World: London hosts a conference on the future of broadcasting (to June 29).


WEDNESDAY, June 29:

Afghanistan: The Cato Institute holds a discussion titled "Turning the Page in Afghanistan."

Iraq: The International Institute For Strategic Studies hosts a discussion on the future of Iraq.

Russia: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attends conference in Paris to discuss nuclear proliferation and disarmament (to June 30).


THURSDAY, June 30:

Czech Republic: Prague hosts an international conference titled “Ronald Reagan: Inspired Freedom” (to July 1)

Iran/Azerbaijan: Chairman of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani is expected to visit Baku.

Russia: Moscow holds general shareholders meeting of Russian energy giant Gazprom.

World: Lithuania hosts a conference titled "Women Enhancing Democracy: Best Practices." U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to attend.


FRIDAY, July 1:

Eastern Europe: Twentieth anniversary of the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact.

EU: Poland assumes six-month Presidency of the European Union.

Russia: Russia is expected to lift grain export ban.

World: Karlovy Vary International Film Festival opens (to July 9).


SUNDAY, July 3:

Russia: Sochi hosts a NATO-Russia Council meeting on missile defense (to July 4).