In November 2009, the Council of the European Union approved a set of Council Conclusions on Democracy Support in the EU’s External Relations, including an Agenda for Action. With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, and the creation of an EU diplomatic service (European External Action Service), an opportunity now exists to provide a clear framework for democracy support in EU external relations.

CIVIL SOCIETY DEFENCE COMMITTEE STATEMENT
Civil society organizations in Azerbaijan are deeply concerned that application of the latest changes and amendments to the Law “On Grants” and to several Legislative Acts of the Azerbaijan Republic will create serious obstacles for the activity of non-governmental organizations.

According to these changes, it is mandatory to operate only on grant agreements that are registered in the relevant government organ. This means that permission should be received from the government organ for any grant activity.

Green Paper on a European Citizens’ Initiative

Recommendations in response to European Commission's Green Paper on a European Citizens' Initiative - by PASOS (Policy Association for an Open Society)

The plenaries and panel discussions from "Return to Europe – Reflections After 20 Years of Democratic Renewal", a PASOS international conference, held in Prague, Czech Republic, on 10 December 2009, are now online for those who could not join us to listen to the debates. The conference marked the occasion of International Human Rights Day to mark 20 years since the end of the cold war and the end of communist rule in Central Europe.

A majority of Czechs, Slovaks and Poles consider democracy-building to have been a success; a majority of Hungarians regard it as a failure.

A proposal good enough to end the dispute over the name of the 'former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia'?

by Zhidas Daskalovski
Centre for Research and Policy Making/PASOS

European Voice - 10.12.2009

In association with PASOS, the Institute of Public Affairs (ISP), Poland, has authored a policy paper, Partners in Eastern Promise: A chance for Polish-Czech co-operation Forging Synergies within the Framework of the EU Eastern Partnership initiative, setting out a set of policy recommendations for enhanced co-operation between Poland and the Czech Republic to strengthen progress on the Eastern Partnership initiative

Commentary by Tetiana Polyvana, analyst at the International Centre for Policy Studies (ICPS), Ukraine, on the Eastern Partnership civil society forum, which took place in Brussels on 17 November 2009 (in English and below in Ukrainian)

How justified is disillusionment with Georgia?

By George Tarkhan-Mouravi, in association with PASOS

European Voice - 13.11.2009 / 07:00 CET

Six years ago on 2 November, Georgians went to the polls in what would prove to be a vote profoundly marred by fraud. Twenty days later, on 22 November, a dam of public protest broke and supporters of the opposition entered parliament, carrying roses, to prevent a compromised legislature taking office. Since then, the hopes and expectations of the Rose Revolution have blossomed and faded. Six years after the revolution, how justified is the disillusionment?

PASOS, backed by 13 independent policy centres spanning the Eastern Partnership countries and EU member-states, calls upon the European Commission to timetable a session on Support to Strengthen Independent Monitoring and Policy Analysis by Eastern Partnership Country Think-Tanks at the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum meeting, to be held in Brussels on 16-17 November 2009.The recommendations, submitted by PASOS on 1 November 2009, also include the proposal for a session at the civil society forum meeting on the Establishment of an Eastern Partnership Web Portal, with content driven by civil society from the Eastern Partnership members

The latest issue of Europe's World features a special report on "Overcoming the Crisis".

PASOS is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Europe's World

a publication of the International Centre for Policy Studies, Kyiv, Ukraine
(in English and in Ukrainian)

a publication of the International Centre for Policy Studies, Kyiv, Ukraine
(in English and in Ukrainian)

a publication of the International Centre for Policy Studies, Kiev, Ukraine
(in English and in Ukrainian)

a publication of the International Centre for Policy Studies, Kiev, Ukraine
(in English and in Ukrainian)

a publication of the International Centre for Policy Studies, Kiev, Ukraine
(in English and in Ukrainian)

ICPS Newsletter,
a publication of the International Centre for Policy Studies, Kiev, Ukraine
(in English and in Ukrainian)

ICPS Newsletter,
a publication of the International Centre for Policy Studies, Kiev, Ukraine
(in English and in Ukrainian)

ICPS Newsletter,
a publication of the International Centre for Policy Studies, Kiev, Ukraine
(in English and in Ukrainian)

ICPS Newsletter,

a publication of the International Centre for Policy Studies, Kiev, Ukraine

(in English and in Ukrainian)

"Although think tanks mostly operate as individual entities, a few years ago a unique network - PASOS (Policy Association for an Open Society), now consisting of 40 independent think tanks and spanning more than 25 countries in Europe and Central Asia was created with the aim of achieving a bigger impact via collective activities."
Pavol Demeš, director of the German Marshall Fund's Bratislava office, on The role of think tanks in shaping EU policies, for Europe's World website.

A PASOS group and a PASOS page have been created on Facebook, connecting PASOS members and friends around the world.

IN MEMORIAM

«I wish I could live in a developed European country, and if possible – this country’s name be Bulgaria. I wish that my newborn granddaughter would grow in a developed European country and if possible – this country’s name be Bulgaria.»
- Alexander Boshkov

ECFR, with offices in London, Berlin, Madrid, Paris and Sofia, broadens the engagement of the PASOS membership at the EU level

The Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), Albania, and the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT, Moldova, are newest members, joined by the Association for International Affairs (AMO), Czech Republic, which steps up from associate to full membership in PASOS.