Bialowieza forest in France

             It was a big pleasure and great experience to present our project “Bialowieza forest – European natural heritage” in Nantes, France last week. Besides the opportunity to explain the importance of the oldest forest in Europe and to show pictures of amazing nature and animals to the participants of the forum, we have received a great feedback! Radio of Nantes broadcasted the interview with me and my project partner last Friday and I hope people from Brittany discovered Bialowieza forest as their next tourist destination. Early next year we will confirm the project implementation and its form more precise: it will be an art installations inspired by Bialowieza and a workshop with an expert from Belarus in Warsaw. We will be grateful for any additional support!

   

Four-way talks in Berlin: the weight of promisses

            The one and half years ago four-way talks were focused on armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine only. Yesterday the Syrian issue was added to a meeting of the heads of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia. Apparently, the meeting was more a formal way of showing that West is interested in regulate the conflict though dialog in a peaceful way. Putin agrees on certain things, however the question is would these agreements be respected? Putin used to agree and sign documents on e.g. ceasefire anf the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine but keep destabilizing the situation in Ukraine and bombing Syrian city Allepo targeting kindergartens and hospitals. What is the cost of the word when Kremlin talks?

Georgia: EU visa free movement dispute

Georgian state has fulfilled all requirements to obtain a visa-free movement for its citizens in the European Union. Delay in EU visa liberation for Georgia is a result of foreseeing approach to the process by Germany and France. Politicians of these countries would prefer to have a back up plan: fast return of visa regime if there is a rise of illegal actions caused by Georgians (or other nations granted visa-free movement) in EU. In media Georgian situation is presented along with Turkish, however, these cases are very different. Georgians just need a little bit of patience, meanwhile there is a long process of negotiations regarding requirements fulfilment with Turkey.