Month: September 2013

LITHUANIAN AND ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS ARMENIA’S DECISION TO SEEK CUSTOMS UNION MEMBERSHIP

Premium Official News
September 9, 2013 Monday

Brussels

The European Union has issued the following news release:

The Armenian Foreign Minister assured L.LinkeviÄ~Mius that Armenia
wished to continue to participate actively in the Eastern Partnership
programme.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister stressed that there was a need to
continue consultations and to assess the situation; however, the
Minister saw an incompatibility between Armenia’s membership of the
Customs Union and participation in a deep and comprehensive free
trade area with the EU.

“We respect Armenia’s will, but we must emphasise that the decision to
join the Customs Union diminishes Armenia’s ambitions of integration
in and cooperation with the EU,” L.LinkeviÄ~Mius said.

The Minister L.LinkeviÄ~Mius noted that in this context it was
important to look towards the future and not to waste what Armenia
had achieved during the 5 years of its participation in the Eastern
Partnership programme, as well as during the negotiations on the
Association Agreement.

According to L.LinkeviÄ~Miaus, the visit of the Armenian Foreign
Minister shows that the country wishes to cooperate with the EU and
to participate in the Eastern Partnership programme.

For more information please visit:

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IMPACT OF RUSSO-TURKISH RELATIONS ON ARMENIANS IN OTTOMAN EMPIRE TO BE PROBED

Targeted News Service
September 9, 2013 Monday 4:35 AM EST

MAHWAH, N.J.

Ramapo College issued the following news release:

Russo-Turkish Relations and the Armenian Community of the Ottoman
Empire” will be the title of a talk to be given by George A.

Bournoutian at Ramapo College of New Jersey on Tuesday, September 24
from 1 to 2 p.m. in the York Room of the Birch Mansion. Since 1986,
he has been on the faculty of Iona College, New Rochelle, New York,
where he is the senior professor of History. Bournoutian will examine
the impact of Russo-Turkish conflict since the mid-nineteenth century
on the fate of the Armenian community of the Ottoman Empire. The
program will be sponsored by the Center for Holocaust and Genocide
Studies and the History Club of Ramapo College.

Far from being a zero sum game, for Tsarist Russia the diplomatic and
political problems posed by the decay of the Ottoman Empire constituted
an opportunity to gain influence and territory on Turkey’s eastern
and western frontiers. As a Christian minority primarily residing in
the eastern reaches of Ottoman territory, the Armenians were almost
automatically involved the long decades of struggle that only ended
with the tragedy of the Armenian Genocide.

As Russia extended its border southwards, it became increasingly
involved with Ottoman affairs. Not only because Russia gained control
of a swathe of Armenian territory, but also its support of Serbian
and Romanian independence Armenians increasingly viewed Russia as its
champion vis-a-vis the Ottomans. It is this volatile and potentially
incendiary development that Bournoutian will explore in his talk.

Born in Ishfahan, Iran, Bournoutian is the author of more than two
dozen books and numerous articles on the history of Armenia, Georgia,
Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Iran, and Azerbaijan. His book, “A Concise
History of the Armenian People,” published by Mazda Publishers and
already in its 6th edition (some 20,000 copies sold), is the basic
text for most Armenian courses offered in the United States. It has
been translated into Spanish, Arabic, Turkish, and Armenian, with
editions in Japanese, Persian and Russian forthcoming.

In addition to his post at Iona College, he has held visiting
appointments at Columbia University, Tufts University, New York
University, Rutgers University, the University of Connecticut,
California State University at Fresno, and Ramapo College. Bournoutian
resides in Haworth. He is an avid world traveler and is fluent in
eight languages. He holds B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in History from the
University of California at Los Angeles.

SPECULATION OVER THE REOPENING OF RAILWAYS IN ABKHAZIA

The Messenger, Georgia
Sept 10 2013

By Messenger Staff
Tuesday, September 10

On September 6, Secretary of Armenia’s National Security Council,
Artur Baghdasaryan, in his interview with Novosti Armenia (News
Armenia), stated that Russia, Georgia and Abkhazia have agreed to
reopen the Abkhazian section of the railway connecting Georgia with
Russia. “This is a process and we should understand that both sides
of the conflict exist, but there exists the political goodwill to
open this segment of the railway,” stated Baghdasaryan.

According to him, this issue is strategically important for Armenia’s
economy and it was discussed during the meeting between the presidents
of Armenia and Russia on September 3 in Moscow.

The issue is really crucial for Armenia. It has been discussed many
times on different levels. However, it has been Georgia that has
refrained from providing the push on this issue by putting forth
certain preliminary conditions.

Armenia and Russia are strategic partners. Moscow is the guarantor
of Armenia’s safety and security. It has taken commitment to protect
Armenia in the case of any military confrontation, but these two
countries do not have a common border and thus – land connections. The
only possibility for ensuring such connection is via Georgia. There
is only one road – the Georgian military road, which runs through the
Larsi checkpoint and enables Russian and Armenian cargo circulation.

There is also the possibility to transport goods between Armenia and
Russia via the Georgian Black Sea port of Poti. However, both these
ways are complicated; they take much time and extra expenses. So,
of course Armenia is interested in having a railway connection with
Russia so that the goods could be transported by the railways between
the two countries on a regular basis.

As soon as Baghdasaryan had aired his statement, the Georgian
political establishment, analysts and the media began discussing this
issue. Tbilisi denied Baghdasaryan’s allegations stating that the
Georgian government had expressed interest towards this issue and even
today it is ready to discuss the initiative. However, it does not mean
that any decision has been made yet, the government’s statement reads.

In fact, no official decisions have been made whatsoever, the Georgian
government has stated.

The Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Relations with Russia,
Zurab Abashidze, who conducts bilateral negotiations with the Russian
Deputy Foreign Minister, Grigory Karasin, said “We are not discussing
the issue of opening the railways passing through Abkhazia with the
Russian side.”

Abashidze said this topic has not been discussed with Mr. Karasin at
all. “But if there is an initiative from the Russian side, we are ready
to listen. However, if the railway is restored it would be on the basis
of protecting Georgia’s territorial integrity,” Abashidze explained.

Commenting on the issue, Ivanishvili said that it is not only a
simple economic question. The first factor that hinders reopening
of the railway is Russia’s recognition of the independence of the
separatist regimes.

Georgia’s former leadership form the United National Movement (UNM)
thinks that this is not in the interest of Georgia to reopen the
railway because the opening of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is
underway and carries strategic importance for the country.

Some analysts express their concern over the issue connecting
Baghdasaryan’s statement with Armenia’s decision to join the Eurasian
Union and its customs treaty. The analysts suspect that Yerevan will
probably join this agreement and in return Moscow promises to regulate
the railway issue with Georgia.

Unfortunately, Georgia knows very well how Russia can regulate
relations with its neighbors.

ARMENIA: CUSTOMS UNION COMMITMENT RISKS EU COOPERATION CHANCES

EurasiaNet,.org
Sept 10 2013

September 10, 2013 – 11:59am, by Marianna Grigoryan

President Serzh Sargsyan’s early September announcement that Armenia
is ready to join the Moscow-led Customs Union is stirring uneasiness
in Yerevan. Some analysts contend the move would do more to bolster the
incumbent government’s authority than benefit the country as a whole.

Sargsyan dropped the Customs Union bombshell announcement on September
3 during a visit to Moscow. On September 10, he held talks in Astana
with Kazakhstani officials on technical aspects of the Customs Union
accession process, Armenian news outlets reported.

“I confirmed Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union and
participate in the processes of formation of the Eurasian economic
union,” Sargsyan said in his September 3 statement, relating to his
Moscow visit. “It’s a rational decision and it is in the interests
of Armenia.

That statement generated an immediate backlash at home: several hundred
people gathered outside the presidential residence on September 4
to protest the possibility, chanting slogans including “No return to
the Soviet Union,” and “Russia, Go Away.”

“Did Serzh Sargsyan ask my opinion [on this]? Did he ask whether I
or other people agree to this, did he ask about the decision of the
Armenian citizens?” one protester told EurasiaNet.org. “Such issues
must be settled through a referendum and debates; the decision should
not be taken unilaterally.”

A close Sargsyan ally, on the other hand, disputed the notion that
such a weighty issue as Customs Union membership — an action that
would greatly complicate Armenia’s ability to foster closer relations
with the European Union, and thus likely cement Armenia’s geopolitical
orientation toward Russia — required public debate.

“Serzh Sargsyan did not need to ask anybody about this issue,”
Galust Sahakian, the deputy chair of the parliamentary faction of
the governing Republican Party of Armenia.

Some observers in Yerevan believe that Moscow coerced Sargsyan
into making a commitment to the Customs Union. “Serzh Sargsyan’s
West-oriented policy made Russia nervous; the Russians pressed and
blackmailed him, forcing to make an opposite decision,” independent
political analyst Yervand Bozoyan told EurasiaNet.org.

The Armenian president has repeatedly denied doing the Kremlin’s
bidding. At a news conference back in March, for example, Sargsyan
declared: “Do not believe those who claim that the Russians are
imposing membership in the Customs Union on us. This is not true. How
many times should I repeat this?”

Sargsyan in his September 3 statement insisted that Customs Union
membership would not necessarily “preclude our dialogue with the
European structures.” He also claimed that his administration was
“determined” to press ahead with economic reforms.

EU representatives wasted little time in bursting Sargsyan’s bubble
world, stating bluntly that Customs Union membership and close
cooperation with the EU were generally incompatible. In an interview
with the RFE/RL Armenian Service on September 6, Peter Stano, the
spokesperson for Stefan Fuele, the European Union Commissioner for
Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, stated that the EU would
not initial either an Association Agreement or an Agreement on Deep
and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with Armenia, if Yerevan’s Customs
Union plans proceeded.

Various political analysts, meanwhile, have cast doubts on Sargsyan’s
reform dedication. Richard Giragosian, a political scientist
and director of the Regional Studies Center in Yerevan, described
Sargsyan’s Customs Union policy as perhaps the gravest geopolitical
error in Armenia’s post-Soviet history, and, if implemented, one that
would have lasting consequences for Armenia.

“This recent decision demonstrated that Armenia has made a strategic
blunder and has lost another opportunity,” Richard Giragosian tells
Eurasianet. “This poses a very serious threat to our future. This is
not only a loss for Europe; this is a far greater loss for Armenia.

The price required for this wrong decision will be paid by the
population, and it only strengthens the oligarchic system in the
country.”

Giragosian also predicted that Customs Union membership would cause
a massive drop in public confidence in the government’s ability to
foster a better life for the majority of Armenians at home, and thus
spur a new and vast wave of emigration.

Raffi Hovannisian, the leader of the opposition Heritage Party,
and the man who led a fleetingly successful protest movement
following his disputed defeat in
the presidential election earlier this year, asserted that Sargsyan
was putting personal political considerations ahead of the country’s
best interests.

“Serzh Sargsyan who assumed the status of a self-willed governor
should resign. All possible resources of patience and a worthy life
for the country and its people are exhausted,” Hovannisian said.

“Sargsyan should resign for the sake of Armenia and our future,
our independence, justice and national security.”

Though concern about Armenia’s prospects in the Kremlin’s economic
embrace is fueling worries in many political circles, Sargyan does have
an ample cohort of defenders. Political analyst Alexander Margarov,
for one, suggested that fears that Armenia would be cut off from
the EU were overblown. He added that a major factor that persuaded
Sargsyan to opt for the Customs Union was a Russian guarantee to
ensure the security of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Editor’s note: Marianna Grigoryan is a freelance reporter based in
Yerevan and editor of MediaLab.am.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VEGAN STRONGMAN PATRIK BABOUMIAN BREAKS WORLD RECORD

One Green Planet
Sept 10 2013

At Toronto’s Vegetarian Food Festival this past weekend,
Iranian-born, Armenian-German strongman competitor, psychologist and
former bodybuilder Patrik Baboumian not only made history with his
record-breaking carry of 550 kilograms (1212.54 pounds) over ten meters
(32.8 feet), but also defied stereotypes when he let out the words,
“Vegan power” with a roar.

The 34-year-old already holds world records for log lifts in the
105k-category (165 kg), as well as the German heavyweight loglift
record (185 kg) and the title of “Strongest Man of Germany.” He will
now add “heaviest yoke carry traveling 10 meters” to the list after
Guinness World Records verifies the feat. According to Toronto’s
festival organizers, Baboumian shouldered the heaviest load ever,
one that is equivalent to a large horse.

“It’s a bit stupid to do things like that, it really hurts,” Baboumian
said to the festival audience, as reported by the Toronto Star. “But,
the point is to inspire people and break stereotypes that tough guys
need to eat a lot of meat.”

“I just realized that if it’s really compassion that drives you,
maybe it’s not enough just to stop eating animals but you maybe should
boycott the whole animal industry, because … it’s not what you as
a compassionate being would want. So actually you should go one step
further and become vegan,” said Baboumian.

Baboumian became a vegetarian in 2006 and in 2011 turned to a vegan
diet after being named Germany’s strongest man (he immigrated to
Germany from Iran with his family at the age of seven).

Wondering what he eats? According to Baboumian, he makes sure his body
gets all three macro-nutrients in feasible amounts, but since protein
is a key factor for the development of the type of body that is needed
to be able to endure the grueling events he faces as a strongman,
he relies on soy-milk, soy-protein-powder, tofu, nuts and beans as
his main sources of protein. To get the energy he needs for his daily
training sessions, he uses carb-heavy foods like rice, potato, oats
and lots of fruits and greens and vegetables. In addition, to ensure
he consumes the right amount of calories to gain weight and maintain
the development of physical strength Baboumian relies on shakes and
smoothies to get a lot of his calories in liquid form.

After his record-breaking lift, he was joined on stage for a Q&A
session with other plant-powered athletes, including retired UFC
champion James Wilks, former NHL player Georges Laraque and marathon
superstar Rich Roll. A fitting celebration to a grand achievement.

Image source: David Cooper / Toronto Star

GLENDALE ARMENIAN GROUP TO HOLD VIGIL AGAINST A POSSIBLE MILITARY STRIKE ON SYRIA

Los Angeles Daily News, CA
Sept 9 2013

By Brenda Gazzar

The Glendale chapter of the Armenian National Committee of America
and the Martin Luther King Coalition are holding a candlelight vigil
in Glendale tonight to urge Congress to vote against a potential
military strike in Syria.

The vigil, which will take place at 7 p.m. at the Krikor and Mariam
Karamanoukian Glendale Youth Center at 221 W. Chestnut Street,
is one of many events set for today around Southern California to
counter President Barack Obama’s efforts to secure congressional
authorization this week for a strike on Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad’s military capabilities.

“As Americans, we do not want to see the U.S. be dragged into another
long-term, costly – in terms of human lives and financial – war,” said
Berdj Karapetian, chairman of the ANC’s Glendale chapter. “Secondly,
there is a large Armenian community in Syria that has remained neutral
and it is being hurt as the fighting continues; as it escalates it
will be harmed even more than it has already been.”

The Obama administration says it has “high confidence” that Assad’s
regime carried out a chemical weapons attack on Aug. 21 that killed
hundreds of people. Assad, however, has denied that his regime was
behind the deadly attack and has suggested the rebels are responsible.

Talar Malakian, the chapter’s executive director whose father is from
Syria, said one of her father’s cousins was kidnapped in Syria and
then returned safely a few months ago and that the 2 1/2 year war
has been very hard on the Syrian people.

Many are waiting to die and wondering when they can resume going to
work and school again, she said, but a military strike on the Syrian
regime is not the answer.

“I don’t think that any more escalation and aggression is going to
help save lives or help bring peace,” Malakian said. “I think it’s
only going to make matters worse for a lot of the community who is
really suffering in Syria.”

BULGARIAN PM, ARMENIAN COUNTERPART DISCUSS ECONOMIC EXCHANGE BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES

Focus News, Bulgaria
Sept 10 2013

10 September 2013 | 13:39 | FOCUS News Agency

Dalian. Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski has met with his
Armenian counterpart Tigran Sargsyan and discussed how to enhance
bilateral relations with a focus on economic exchange, announced the
government’s press center.

The two prime ministers met in the Chinese city of Dalian, while
attending the Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the
Summer Davos.

They reached an agreement about a meeting of the Bulgarian-Armenian
Trade and Economic Commission as soon as possible and a wide business
forum.

BULGARIA, ARMENIA TO BOOST TIES THROUGH LARGE BUSINESS FORUM

Novinite, Bulgaria
Sept 10 2013

Bulgarian Prime Minister, Plamen Oresharski and his Armenian
counterpart Tigran Sargsyan have agreed to boost bilateral relations,
focusing on economy and trade. They met in China in the frame of the
“Annual Meeting of the New Champions” AKA “The Summer Davos.” They
are two of the six Prime Ministers taking part in it. Oresharski and
Sargsyan have reached an agreement to organize ASAP a sitting of the
joint Trade and Economy Commission Bulgaria-Armenia to be accompanied
by a large business forum. Oresharski, who is to stay in China until
September 12, will have the opportunity to share his ideas and his
vision during a discussion titled “New Beginning for Europe,” in the
presence of his counterparts from Belgium, Finland, and Malta. The
foremost business gathering in Asia within the framework of the World
Economic Forum for 2013 is taking place in the city of Dalian. The
forum brings together more than 1 600 participants from 90 countries
and 95 nationalities to share strategies and solutions and discuss
global issues and risks. Young scientists, technology pioneers, social
entrepreneurs, global growth companies, young global leaders and more
than 300 journalists will also take part in the forum. The Bulgarian
delegation also includes Bulgaria’s Deputy PM for Economic Development,
Daniela Bobeva and Minister of Agriculture and Foods, Dimitar Grekov.

BULGARIA IN TALKS FOR DIRECT FLIGHTS TO GEORGIA, ARMENIA

Novinite, Bulgaria
Sept 10 2013

Transport Minister Danail Papazov told Frank Brenner, Director General
of Eurocontrol, on Tuesday that Bulgaria had achieved an increase
by nearly 50% in the number of serviced aircraft in 10 years, at the
same time decreasing air navigation service fees.

Papazov, as cited by Darik radio, noted that Bulgaria belonged in
the top three by implementation of aviation funds management plans
as of 2012.

He informed that a total of 563 063 airplanes had flown over Bulgaria
in 2012.

Papazov estimated the work of the State Enterprise “Air Traffic
Services Authority” (BULATSA) as efficient.

He said that Bulgaria was in talks with airline companies based
in Armenia and Georgia which were considering setting foot on the
domestic market.

“Bulgaria sustainably reduced air navigation service fees, achieving
a 35% decrease in a 10-year period. Meanwhile, the number of serviced
aircraft increased by almost 50%” the Transport Minister said.

He also made clear that Bulgaria was to launch free flight planning
in November 2013.

Angel Rachev, Angel Rachev, BULATSA Deputy Director General, explained
that these flights would mostly be conducted during nighttime.

Papazov also said that an inspection at BULATSA would be completed
in end-September and vowed that the results would be made public.

,+Armenia

KIRKILAS: EASTERN PARTNERSHIP DILEMMA – THE EU OR RUSSIA – DEMOCRACY OR AUTOCRACY?

LithuaniaTribune
Sept 10 2013

The Lithuania Tribune presents an analysis of the current situation
in the EU Eastern Partnership countries by Gediminas Kirkilas,
the Vice-Speaker of the Lithuanian’s Seimas and the Chairman of the
European Affairs Committee.

The European Union’s (EU) Eastern Partnership countries face dilemma
of choosing between getting closer to the EU or joining the Russia’s
initiative of custom union and ultimately the Eurasian Union in
future. However, it is not only the choice between the two economic
integration projects, but also between democracy and authoritarian
path of political development.

Armenia, which very recently has demonstrated a decent democratic
promise, in the early September announced of its decision to join the
Russia’s Customs Union that is being created together with Belarus
and Kazakhstan. For Europe, this is not happy news.

Lithuania has been providing democratic assistance to the post-soviet
countries and making efforts of bringing them closer to the EU.

Naturally, the first post-soviet Baltic country holding the EU
Presidency has hoped that the EU and Armenia’s Association and
Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement would be initialled during the EU
Eastern Partnership Summit on 28-29 November in Vilnius.

Sitting on the two chairs, i.e., trying to integrate into the EU and
into the Eurasian Union is impossible, not for political, but primarily
economic reasons. If Armenia eventually joins the Russian project,
the country cannot sign the Free Trade Agreement with the EU, because
of different tariff requirements. This also means the closure of the
biggest market in the world and that Armenia’s further co-operation
with and integration into the EU might lose momentum.

Moreover, Armenia’s latter decision, if it stays so, might have
negative impact on the country’s democracy, which is the 114th in the
Economist’s democracy ranking for 2012, scoring 4.09 points out of 10.

With the leadership of Russia, ranking 122nd, Armenia inevitably
faces risks regarding its democratic future.

Finally, Armenia’s choice has the inevitable implications for Ukraine,
Georgia and Moldova, as well as for the EU immediate policy towards
these three countries.

For Lithuania, given the country’s European integration experience,
the Eastern Partnership has naturally become the No 1 priority of
its EU Presidency. Lithuania strongly holds on the position that
these countries should be helped to make the ‘right’ decision towards
Europe and given a credit of trust in advance, especially now, when
Armenia might be lost to Russia’s geopolitical project. Demand or
“waiting and seeing” strategy is no longer feasible, if Europe does
not want to lose the other three.

The major battle is now for Ukraine (democracy ranking 80th). Georgia
and Moldova will likely follow the pattern afterwards. Therefore,
Lithuania hopes that during the Vilnius Summit of Eastern Partnership
the EU Association Agreement will be signed with Ukraine and the Free
Trade Agreements will be initialled with Georgia and Moldova.

Zbigniew Brzezinski in his famous book on Eastern Europe ‘The Grand
Chessboard’ states, that “with Ukraine Russia is an Empire, without
Ukraine – it’s not. The politicians in Russia took it very literally
and doing everything in their power to keep Ukraine in their sphere
of influence”.

With Ukraine Russia is an Empire, without Ukraine – it’s not.

I strongly believe that signing the EU Association Agreement with
Ukraine will actually provide the EU with more effective instruments of
influence towards this country, especially regarding democratic reforms
and human rights. Within such a framework, Ukraine will be politically
assigned to the democratic path and united Europe, and, therefore,
become less susceptible to the non-democratic stimuli from outside.

Otherwise, like it was done in the case of NATO enlargement, postponing
Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the EU might be understood
by the Ukrainian people and its democratic forces as a rejection,
or as the country’s ban from Europe. The non-democratic powers, on
the other hand, might accept such gesture as an easy licence to move
towards the consolidation of a non-democratic regime.

This year is a turning point for Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, meaning,
that making a delay now might turn into the continuing delay.

This year is a turning point for Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, meaning,
that making a delay now might turn into the continuing delay.

If the Eurasian Union project expands, it can create the new and
long-term divisions in international politics as well as the renewed
rivalry between democracy and dictatorship in the world more than 20
years after the proclaimed victory of democracy in Eastern Europe.

The ball to throw is today being held not only by Ukraine, Georgia
and Moldova, but also by the EU.

Moldova (ranking 67th) has more recently made so far the biggest
progress towards its integration into the EU. Let’s just hope it will
stay on the right track.

Georgia (ranking 93rd),together with Ukraine, mostly thanks to foreign
policy of the Lithuanian President Mr Adamkus, 1998-2003 and 2004-2009,
has been the Lithuania’s favourite in the Eastern Partnership. Despite
some recent doubts regarding Georgia’s commitment to the rule of law,
I am confident that the entire democratic input delivered by the EU
and also the Lithuanian diplomatic forces cannot easily drain. I see
the current Georgian government as rational and thus understanding
the prestige and benefits of belonging to the democratic Europe.

Azerbaijan (ranking 139th) is more concerned with getting closer
to the EU economically rather than democratically or in the form
of membership. Europe needs to find a way to work closely with a
country’s such as Azerbaijan to keep them on Europe’s horizon.

However, Azerbaijan would need more than the successful Eurovision
performances to win Europe.

Azerbaijan would need more than the successful Eurovision performances
to win Europe.

Belarus (ranking 141st) remains the most complicated case due to the
President Lukashenka’s overt authoritarian regime. Nevertheless, the
time is on our side, and Europe hopes that ultimately the Belarusian
society will be democratised and Europeanised through the democratic
assistance, the NGO development, democratic intellectuals or such
projects as the European Humanitarian University, which found its
exile home in Vilnius and where the future Belarusian political elite
is studying.