Eugen Tomiuc

Turkey: Council of Europe Says Ankara Progressing On Reforms, But Deficiencies Remain

A preliminary report by the Council of Europe says Turkey has proven its commitment to constitutional and legislative reform and no longer needs to be monitored. The report is seen as an important step for Turkey toward opening accession talks with the European Union. But human rights groups say Ankara still has much to do to stop the violation of minorities’ rights, to improve freedom of expression, and prevent torture.

EU: Is Membership A Bridge Too Far For Western Balkans, Ukraine, Caucasus?

The European Union, which in May undergoes the largest expansion in its history, has reiterated that possible enlargement in future will continue to strictly depend on prospective candidates fulfilling admission criteria. Analysts say a further enlargement of the bloc to include other countries in the Balkans and Eastern Europe will depend both on the countries' readiness and on how fast the expanded EU can integrate the 10 new members. But they add that, in the long run, the EU is likely to shift focus from enlargement itself to partnership agreements with its future neighbors.

Eastern Europe: Orthodox Church Still Wields Political Clout

The Romanian Orthodox Church has ruled that its priests cannot belong to political parties or hold public office. Romania will hold general elections later this year, and the governing Social Democrats are keen to attract support from the church. Relations between the Orthodox Church and the government have reportedly remained strong in the Balkans and Russia after the fall of communism. Too strong, some analysts argue.

East/CIS: UN Says High HIV/AIDS Rates 'Punish' Bad Governance, Discrimination

A UN report on HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union says the region has one of the fastest growing rates of HIV/AIDS infection in the world. The document suggests a high correlation between a country's successful transition to democracy and the ability of governments and civil societies to curb the spread of the disease.

Caucasus/Central Asia: OSCE Official Speaks Out On Human Trafficking Initiative

Europe's largest security and human rights watchdog, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is launching a three-year, $2.5-million initiative to fight the increasing trafficking of human beings in Southeastern, Central, and Eastern Europe. RFE/RL talked to Helen Santiago Fink from the Anti-Trafficking Program, about the plan's objectives, as well as the situation in other regions, such as the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Eastern Europe: First Consultative Body For Roma May Soon Be Established

The Council of Europe is inching toward establishing the first consultative body for Europe's estimated 10 million-strong Romany population. The forum could become operational before the end of the year. It is meant to aid continental organizations in developing policies for Romany populations and to coordinate efforts to improve the situation of Roma in different countries.

Russia: Moscow Subway Blast Kills At Least 39, But Circumstances Remain Unclear

An explosion in the Moscow subway today killed at least 39 people and injured more than 100 others. Russian officials say the blast was a terrorist attack, apparently caused by a bomb. But investigators say the explosion could also have been accidental. The blast is the latest in a series of attacks in the Russian capital that have been blamed on Chechen rebels and is raising anew the issue of safety on Moscow's public transportation system.

Romania: Brussels' Tough Stance Sends Clear Signal To Other EU Hopefuls

The European Union is demanding that candidate country Romania provide urgent information on the adoption of many Romanian children abroad despite a 2001 moratorium. The request follows a call from European Parliament's rapporteur on Romania to suspend membership negotiations with Bucharest unless more reforms are implemented, including measures to protect children's rights. The unprecedented call raises the issue of whether the EU integration process for candidate countries is reversible.

Eastern Europe: Hunting Brown Bears Is Big Business, But At What Cost?

Environmentalists warn that brown bear hunting in some Eastern European countries has turned into a profitable business that threatens to drastically reduce the number of animals, which are already a threatened species in Europe. Some conservation organizations warn that officials may be overestimating the number of animals to allow higher hunting quotas, resulting in more profits.

WHO: Organization Says Urgent Action Needed To Reshape Health-Care Systems, Fight AIDS

Balkans: Report Says Human Trafficking Is On The Rise

Eastern Europe: U.S. Plan To Redeploy Bases Stirs Mixed Feelings

World: UNICEF Report Finds 65 Million Girls Are Being Denied Access To Basic Education

Transdniester: Missing Missiles Raising Fears Of 'Dirty Bombs' For Sale

Moldova: EU Offers Plan For European Integration

Moldova: Caught Between A Hammer And A Sickle As Anti-Communist Protests Continue

Ukraine/Moldova: Lack Of Action On Transdniester Affects Both Nations

Romania: Hollywood Filmmakers Move Farther East In Search Of Good Deals

East: OSCE Says Torture Still Widespread

Romania: Bucharest Gets Mixed Grades In Progress Toward EU Entry