This week MEPs gathered in Strasbourg, where they focused on the countries outside the EU, the new potential EU members and the partners of the Community, as well as EU internal affairs. MEPs expressed their position on Russian presidential elections, assessed the situation in Kazakhstan and Belarus, as well as the progress of Iceland, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina towards joining the EU, conclusions of the summit, voted on the creation of a special parliamentary committee on organised crime. (Suite...)

A group of MEPs who, last summer, had submitted a Written Question to the European External Action Service (EEAS) concerning the EU actions for pushing Russia for a thorough investigation into the death of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in prison have finally received an answer from High Representative Catherine Ashton. Unfortunately, MEPs found more political correctness than principles in the answer, which was signed by one of the EU`s leaders. (Suite...)

On Tuesday, a hearing on Russia was held during the Subcommittee on Human Rights meeting. Several representatives of civil society and human rights defenders from Russia attended the Subcommittee meeting in order to share information about elections, and problems relating to violations of the freedom of association, discrimination and the rule of law. (Suite...)

Leonidas Donskis finished his ten-day tour of Lithuania in the Vilnius Book Fair during very intensive but at the same time very successful Friday and Saturday. (Suite...)

Last week, continuing the tour of Lithuania, Leonidas Donskis visited Western Lithuania and Žemaitija, including his native Klaipėda and Gargždai, Plateliai and Plungė. The MEP met with Klaipėda Mayor Vytautas Grubliauskas at the port city, as well as he gave a public lecture to the city`s teachers. During the other visits to Gargždai, Plateliai and Plungė he traditionally presented the new book "Lithuanian Liberalism II".  (Suite...)

"I always visit Lithuania in winter", said Leonidas Donskis after the meeting with the society and the presentation of the book "Lithuanian Liberalism II" in Ignalina on Saturday. In fact, for the second year in a row the MEPs` one week tour of Lithuania was held in February, when there are no sessions in the European Parliament. L. Donskis was met not only by the wonderful Lithuanian winter but also by curious and ready-for-discussions citizens in Visaginas, Zarasai, Ignalina and Švenčionys. (Suite...)