Belarus
RT: EU renews sanctions against Belarus. ‘The decision by the European Union to extend for another year sanctions against Belarus over human rights concerns freezes the relations between the EU and Minsk, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry says.The move is “not in the interest of either side,” noted the ministry’s spokesman Andrei Savinykh.Belarus will not give in to pressure, he stressed.“We consider such a policy by the EU to be incompatible with good neighborly relations,” the official pointed out. Ironing out the existing differences is only possible if both sides are willing to meet each other halfway, he added.Earlier on Monday, at a meeting in Luxemburg the EU foreign ministers decided to renew sanctions against the former Soviet republic till October 31, 2013. The Foreign Affairs Council pointed at the absence of improvements in the human rights situation, a lack of legitimacy and failure to respect democratic principles in the country.’
Georgia
LSE Blogs: Georgian Dream’s election victory puts the country at a crossroads between Russia and the West. ‘This month’s parliamentary elections in Georgia resulted in defeat for President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party, and a clear majority of seats for Bidzina Ivanishvili’s ‘Georgian Dream’ coalition. Hrant Kostanyan assesses the impact of Georgian Dream’s victory, arguing that the country will likely pursue a more balanced foreign policy, maintaining its course of integration with the EU and NATO, but also seeking to improve relations with Russia. However, this foreign policy vision will have to face a tough reality test.’
Greece
Comment – Al Jazeera: A delicate blasphemy case in Greece. ‘When Benghazi, Islamabad and capitals across the Muslim world were shaken by protests against an anti-Islam film last month, a case of blasphemy in a Christian European country went largely unnoticed.In crisis-stricken Greece, a 27-year-old man from the island of Evia was recently arrested on charges of malicious blasphemy and insult of religious beliefs for allegedly hosting a satirical page on Facebook mocking a monk whom some believe to be a saint. Both charges are misdemeanors that could, combined, result in up to two years in prison.Elder Paisios was a monk who lived an ascetic life on Mount Athos, a peninsula in northern Greece that has hosted monasteries and Orthodox Christian monks for more than 1,000 years. Elder Paisios became famous among the faithful for his gentleness, austere lifestyle, and for having visions and the gift of healing. He passed away in 1994 and since then, some have considered him to be a saint – although the Greek Orthodox Church hasn’t yet made such a decision.Almost 20 years after his death, the Greek right-wing press often invokes Elder Paisios’ name to advance their cause. These publications frequently prophesise wars and confrontations between religions and ethnicities, such as between Muslim Turkey and Christian Greece.’
Searchlight: Greek police seek far-right lawmaker’s prosecution for his behaviour at gay Jesus play protest. ‘Greek police are seeking the prosecution of a far-right lawmaker for his behaviour during a protest in Athens against a play depicting Jesus as gay.The protest took place Thursday outside a theatre on what was meant to be the opening night of U.S. playwright Terrence McNally’s play “Corpus Christi.”‘
Hungary
Politics.hu: Jobbik says Hungary should change EU accession treaty to bar foreigners from buying land in Hungary. ‘The radical nationalist Jobbik party calls for the amendment of Hungary’s accession treaty with the European Union to ensure the protection of arable land by foreigners, party leaders told a press conference on Monday.Party chairman Gabor Vona and deputy chairman Zoltan Balczo insisted that regulations on arable land differ in accession treaties of the first 15 EU member states and of those 12 countries that joined later.While the treaties with the first 15 members include regulations under the chapter on agriculture-related matters, those concluded with the new members include regulations in the chapter on capital assets’
JTA: Attacker of Budapest Jewish leader sentenced to prison. ‘The assailant of a Budapest Jewish leader was sentenced to two years in prison 11 days after the attack.The 21-year-old assailant was sentenced Monday following a “fast-track” prosecution, according to the Hungary Around the Clock news website. He was convicted on charges of violence and causing light physical injury to Andras Kerenyi, 62, the president of the Jewish congregation of the Hungarian capital’s South Pest district, on Oct. 5.’
Visegrad Group: Jobbik urges Hungary EU treaty amendment to protect land. ‘The radical nationalist Jobbik party calls for the amendment of Hungary’s accession treaty with the European Union to ensure the protection of arable land from foreign buyers, party leaders said on Monday. Party leader Gabor Vona and deputy chairman Zoltan Balczo insisted that regulations on arable land differ in accession treaties of the first 15 EU member states and of those 12 countries that joined later.’
Russia
Reuters: Russia authorities open criminal case against protest leader. ‘Russian authorities launched criminal proceedings against opposition leader Sergei Udaltsov on Wednesday, accusing him of planning “mass disorder” in protests against President Vladimir Putin’s 12-year rule.Law enforcement officials were conducting a raid at the house of the protest leader, known for his shaven head, leather jacket and hoarse-voiced speeches. Searches were going on at the houses of associates facing the same charges.The charges, which carry a sentence of up to 10 years in jail, focus on allegations made in a pro-Kremlin documentary that Udaltsov received money and orders from an ally of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili to cause mass unrest in Russia.’
RT: Putin: Russia must be unyielding against terrorists. ‘President Vladimir Putin expressed the importance of Russia continuing its security operations against criminal and militant elements.“It is necessary to continue coordinated, targeted security operations for combating terrorist activities of those who don’t want to lay down their weapons,” Putin told participants at a conference devoted to anti-terrorists operations.Regrettably, we still have such people, he added.The Russian leader called for a concerted effort by all government agencies to confront this national challenge.’
