Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 19 March 2015
The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM, based on its monitoring – which was restricted by third parties and by security considerations* – observed sporadic artillery and mortar fire in a number of locations. Whilst patrolling in and around the “Donetsk...
Training for crisis response operations is essential part of struggle to prevent human trafficking, OSCE Special Representative says
Communication and Media Relations Section The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Ambassador Madina Jarbussynova, emphasized the positive role that comprehensive training can play in preventing human trafficking in conflict and post-conflict environments during a 19 March 2015 address at...
OSCE Chairperson Dačić and Secretary General Zannier highlight importance of water governance on World Water Day
VIENNA, 20 March 2015 – “Water is an important topic for the OSCE – it can be a source of conflict, just as water co-operation can be a tool for conflict prevention,” said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić on the eve of World Water Day. “Countering the challenges posed by the nexus of food, water, energy and...
Europe Presses Moscow on Ukraine Peace Deal; Report Claims Russian-Made Missile Downed MH17
Plus, Azerbaijan releases two of dozens of political prisoners, and Serbians are urged to be careful where they throw their hand grenades. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Observers on the Line of Death
Five Ukrainians reflect on the turmoil of the past year and the ‘physical need to resist.’ Last in a series. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Energy and Crimean Tatars Top Agenda as Turkey’s Erdogan Visits Ukraine
March 20, 2015 …read more Source: Center on Global...
Malcolm Fraser’s foreign policy wisdom
Many Liberals and conservatives have looked on sadly over the past three decades at the career of Malcolm Fraser. Like British prime minister Ted Heath, Fraser started off as a man of the Right but ended up as anything but. But some political questions transcend party, and in the post-Cold War era, ideological divisions on foreign policy all too...
European Union Sanctions Against Russia
The European Union responded to Russia’s intervention in Ukraine in March 2014, imposing sanctions that have been successively tightened since. Germany was an active participant in the process. Sanctions have become a familiar instrument of EU foreign policy in recent years. But the measures applied against Russia are unprecedented in both...
The British instructors will train the trainers for Ukrainian troops
The relatively small number of British instructors belies the impact the advisers can make, according to Oleksiy Melnyk, Co-director of foreign relations and international security programmes at the Razumkov Centre, the Guardian writes. “One of the approaches the British use is to train the trainers, and this is the way to affect the situation,”...
Vladimir Putin’s Russia is treading water in a sea of red ink
As President Vladimir Putin looks out on to the world stage, he should be relishing Russia’s renewed status as a global player. But when Putin looks homeward, he sees a different reality. Three months into 2015, Russia’s economic forecast ranges from gloomy to catastrophic. Yet in contrast to his aggressive response in Ukraine, Putin...
