MACEDONIA Lustration for all public officials in Macedonia begins Tuesday, with incumbent dignitaries to be the first to submit statements over not being involved with former secret police service. Public office holders in Macedonia are to submit within September 1-30 deadline a statement to the Commission for Verification of Facts …

GEORGIA The Georgian Foreign Ministry has stated its protest against Russia’s decision on protection of ships from detention by the Georgian authorities in the “Abkhazian territorial waters”. Russia decided that the Coast Guard Service of Russia together with the Abkhazian border guards will ensure the safety of those vessels that …

ROMANIA Despite uncertainty over the number of commissioners in the next EU executive, which stems from the as yet unfinished ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, Romania has announced that it will propose a former agriculture minister as its next commissioner. Dacian Cioloş (pronounced Dachian Chiolosh) is Romania’s candidate for the …