[{"command":"add_css","data":"\u003Clink rel=\u0022stylesheet\u0022 media=\u0022all\u0022 href=\u0022\/themes\/commonspace\/css\/content\/article-teaser.css?s1c651\u0022 \/\u003E\n"},{"command":"invoke","selector":"html","method":"trigger","args":["drupalScrollTo","ul.media-tabs"]},{"command":"insert","method":"replaceWith","selector":"#teasers-wrapper-article-5","data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022teasers-wrapper-article-5\u0022 class=\u0022teasers-wrapper\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022row display-flex\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022col-teaser col-md-4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Carticle data-history-node-id=\u002211953\u0022 role=\u0022article\u0022 about=\u0022\/interview\/samantha-smiths-group-global-volunteer-movement-uniting-ukrainians-and-russians-through\u0022 typeof=\u0022schema:Article\u0022 class=\u0022node node--type-article node--promoted node--view-mode-teaser\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 content=\u0022Samantha Smith\u0026#039;s Group: the global volunteer movement uniting Ukrainians and Russians through English\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:interactionCount\u0022 content=\u0022UserComments:0\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top latest-news-label\u0022\u003EEditor\u0027s choice\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022need-to-login\u0022\u003EThis is a members\u2019 functionality. Please \u003Ca href=\u0022\/user\/register\u0022\u003ESign up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 class=\u0022share-icon icon-save show-popup\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-type\u0022\u003EInterview\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/samantha-smiths-group-global-volunteer-movement-uniting-ukrainians-and-russians-through\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg class=\u0022article-image-src\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.commonspace.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/normal_teaser\/public\/2023-02\/Solidarity%20with%20Ukraine%20%287%29.png?itok=PzUivSVR\u0022 alt=\u0022Samantha Smith\u0026#039;s Group: the global volunteer movement uniting Ukrainians and Russians through English\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top trending-label\u0022\u003ETrending\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022categories\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/conflict-and-peace\u0022\u003EConflict and Peace\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/russia\u0022\u003ERussia\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/ukraine-and-eastern-europe\u0022\u003EUkraine and Eastern Europe\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/samantha-smiths-group-global-volunteer-movement-uniting-ukrainians-and-russians-through\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 class=\u0022field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\u0022\u003ESamantha Smith\u0026#039;s Group: the global volunteer movement uniting Ukrainians and Russians through English\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-date\u0022\u003E21 February 2023\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-summary\u0022\u003EOn 24 February 2022, in the town of Kostyantynivka in Ukraine\u2019s eastern Donetsk oblast, Anastasiia woke up at 4am to the sound of explosions. Not in her town, but about 30km away. When the first explosion hit she did not understand what was going on, but once the second explosion hit she rushed to her parents\u2019 room and told them that the war had started.\r\n\r\nOriginally conceived as a protest, Samantha Smith\u2019s Group has evolved into a herculean effort run by a tight-knit, principled and dedicated group of individuals committed to making a very genuine difference to Ukrainians whose lives have been turned upside down by Russia\u2019s invasion of their country.\r\n\r\nHowever, although the teachers come from all over the world, from Canada to New Zealand, from the UK to Costa Rica, as well as Ukraine and Belarus, the majority of volunteers teaching English to Ukrainians in Samantha Smith\u2019s Group are actually from Russia.\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-authors\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-wrapper from-cs\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-image\u0022\n style=\u0022background-image: url(\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/author\/public\/2022-09\/IMG_1897-2-2-removebg-preview.png?itok=San8QuOI);\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-name\u0022\u003EPatrick Nor\u00e9n\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/article\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022col-teaser col-md-4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Carticle data-history-node-id=\u002211766\u0022 role=\u0022article\u0022 about=\u0022\/interview\/nikoloz-samkharadze-georgia-does-not-have-any-hidden-agenda-other-having-peace-and\u0022 typeof=\u0022schema:Article\u0022 class=\u0022node node--type-article node--promoted node--view-mode-teaser\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 content=\u0022Nikoloz Samkharadze: \u0026quot;Georgia does not have any hidden agenda other than having peace and stability in the South Caucasus\u0026quot;\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:interactionCount\u0022 content=\u0022UserComments:0\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top latest-news-label\u0022\u003EEditor\u0027s choice\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022need-to-login\u0022\u003EThis is a members\u2019 functionality. Please \u003Ca href=\u0022\/user\/register\u0022\u003ESign up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 class=\u0022share-icon icon-save show-popup\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-type\u0022\u003EInterview\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/nikoloz-samkharadze-georgia-does-not-have-any-hidden-agenda-other-having-peace-and\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg class=\u0022article-image-src\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.commonspace.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/normal_teaser\/public\/2022-11\/108698.jpg?itok=kopEvDJJ\u0022 alt=\u0022Nikoloz Samkharadze: \u0026quot;Georgia does not have any hidden agenda other than having peace and stability in the South Caucasus\u0026quot;\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top trending-label\u0022\u003ETrending\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022categories\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/conflict-and-peace\u0022\u003EConflict and Peace\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/diplomacy\u0022\u003EDiplomacy\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/south-caucasus\u0022\u003ESouth Caucasus\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/nikoloz-samkharadze-georgia-does-not-have-any-hidden-agenda-other-having-peace-and\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 class=\u0022field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\u0022\u003ENikoloz Samkharadze: \u0026quot;Georgia does not have any hidden agenda other than having peace and stability in the South Caucasus\u0026quot;\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-date\u0022\u003E23 November 2022\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-summary\u0022\u003EProf. Dr. Nikoloz Samkharadze is the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Georgia. On 21 November 2022, during his visit to The Hague,\u00a0Prof. Dr. Samkharadze spoke to\u00a0commonspace.eu\u00a0about Georgia\u0026#039;s Euro-Atlantic trajectory, the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, Georgia\u0026#039;s relations with Russia and Ukraine, and recent successes in Georgian rugby.\r\n\r\nOn the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, Prof. Dr. Samkharadze says, \u0026quot;Georgia has a very big asset in its hands, and this is trust and credibility in both the Azeri and Armenian capitals. Georgia is equally respected in Yerevan and in Baku, and equally trusted by Yerevan and Baku. And no other player around us, no big regional power, has the same trust and credibility. This is very important in the South Caucasus. As you know, we came up with the Peaceful Caucasus initiative, and this initiative is supported by both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Recently we have had very productive visits of high-level Armenian and Azerbaijani delegations in Georgia, and I believe that there is room for reaching a comprehensive peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We will do our most, we will facilitate, we will mediate, because it is in Georgia\u2019s interests to finally have long-lasting peace and stability in the region. I believe that our partners in Yerevan and Baku also know that we don\u2019t have any hidden agenda other than having peace and stability in the South Caucasus. So we will play a very active role despite the fact that some of our neighbours might not like our activity in that regard.\u0026quot;\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-authors\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/article\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022col-teaser col-md-4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Carticle data-history-node-id=\u002211723\u0022 role=\u0022article\u0022 about=\u0022\/interview\/stepan-grigoryan-current-armenian-government-really-wants-peace\u0022 typeof=\u0022schema:Article\u0022 class=\u0022node node--type-article node--promoted node--view-mode-teaser\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 content=\u0022Stepan Grigoryan: \u0026quot;The current Armenian government really wants peace\u0026quot;\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:interactionCount\u0022 content=\u0022UserComments:0\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top latest-news-label\u0022\u003EEditor\u0027s choice\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022need-to-login\u0022\u003EThis is a members\u2019 functionality. Please \u003Ca href=\u0022\/user\/register\u0022\u003ESign up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 class=\u0022share-icon icon-save show-popup\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-type\u0022\u003EInterview\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/stepan-grigoryan-current-armenian-government-really-wants-peace\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg class=\u0022article-image-src\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.commonspace.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/normal_teaser\/public\/2022-11\/Stepan-Grigoryan-3.png?itok=AsjrgzHb\u0022 alt=\u0022Stepan Grigoryan: \u0026quot;The current Armenian government really wants peace\u0026quot;\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top trending-label\u0022\u003ETrending\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022categories\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/conflict-and-peace\u0022\u003EConflict and Peace\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/diplomacy\u0022\u003EDiplomacy\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/south-caucasus\u0022\u003ESouth Caucasus\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/stepan-grigoryan-current-armenian-government-really-wants-peace\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 class=\u0022field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\u0022\u003EStepan Grigoryan: \u0026quot;The current Armenian government really wants peace\u0026quot;\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-date\u0022\u003E3 November 2022\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-summary\u0022\u003EDr Stepan Grigoryan, the Chairman of the Board of the Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation, is a respected analyst and opinion-shaper in Yerevan who has over many years been a moderate voice in what has often been a toxic inter-Armenian debate on the prospects for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and in the wider region. He spoke to\u00a0commonspace.eu\u00a0in Tbilisi on 22 October 2022 about the current state of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, recent events surrounding it, and prospects for the future.\r\nSpeaking about the current political situation in Armenia Stepan Grigoryan said \u0026quot;We have a strong civil society, active NGOs and active experts, and they act like pillars of independence in Armenia. And this civil society also criticises Nikol Pashinyan, but they are trying to help him. Yes, I myself am sometimes not happy with what Nikol Pashinyan is doing, but I try to help him with my advice, with my publications, with my speeches. So in Armenia one should not only look at the political field - which is polarised - but civil society too. We shouldn\u2019t think that we have an ideal government, they have made many mistakes, but they really want peace.\u0026quot;\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-authors\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/article\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022col-teaser col-md-4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Carticle data-history-node-id=\u002211570\u0022 role=\u0022article\u0022 about=\u0022\/interview\/interview-director-azerbaijan-campaign-ban-landmines-hafiz-safikhanov\u0022 typeof=\u0022schema:Article\u0022 class=\u0022node node--type-article node--promoted node--view-mode-teaser\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 content=\u0022Interview with the Director of the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines, Hafiz Safikhanov\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:interactionCount\u0022 content=\u0022UserComments:0\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top latest-news-label\u0022\u003EEditor\u0027s choice\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022need-to-login\u0022\u003EThis is a members\u2019 functionality. Please \u003Ca href=\u0022\/user\/register\u0022\u003ESign up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 class=\u0022share-icon icon-save show-popup\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-type\u0022\u003EInterview\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/interview-director-azerbaijan-campaign-ban-landmines-hafiz-safikhanov\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg class=\u0022article-image-src\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.commonspace.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/normal_teaser\/public\/2022-08\/Hafiz_Safikhanov_020310.jpeg?itok=qa9SMO-C\u0022 alt=\u0022Interview with the Director of the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines, Hafiz Safikhanov\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top trending-label\u0022\u003ETrending\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022categories\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/landmine-free-south-caucasus\u0022\u003ELandmine Free South Caucasus\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/south-caucasus\u0022\u003ESouth Caucasus\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/interview-director-azerbaijan-campaign-ban-landmines-hafiz-safikhanov\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 class=\u0022field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\u0022\u003EInterview with the Director of the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines, Hafiz Safikhanov\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-date\u0022\u003E26 August 2022\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-summary\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-authors\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/article\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022col-teaser col-md-4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Carticle data-history-node-id=\u002211544\u0022 role=\u0022article\u0022 about=\u0022\/interview\/art-gene-turns-nineteen-conversation-tamar-melikishvili\u0022 typeof=\u0022schema:Article\u0022 class=\u0022node node--type-article node--promoted node--view-mode-teaser\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 content=\u0022Art-Gene Turns Nineteen: In Conversation with Tamar Melikishvili\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:interactionCount\u0022 content=\u0022UserComments:0\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top latest-news-label\u0022\u003EEditor\u0027s choice\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022need-to-login\u0022\u003EThis is a members\u2019 functionality. Please \u003Ca href=\u0022\/user\/register\u0022\u003ESign up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 class=\u0022share-icon icon-save show-popup\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-type\u0022\u003EInterview\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/art-gene-turns-nineteen-conversation-tamar-melikishvili\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg class=\u0022article-image-src\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.commonspace.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/normal_teaser\/public\/2022-08\/IMG_9509.JPEG?itok=TaElV5H1\u0022 alt=\u0022Art-Gene Turns Nineteen: In Conversation with Tamar Melikishvili\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top trending-label\u0022\u003ETrending\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022categories\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/culture-and-lifestyle\u0022\u003ECulture and Lifestyle\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/south-caucasus\u0022\u003ESouth Caucasus\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/art-gene-turns-nineteen-conversation-tamar-melikishvili\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 class=\u0022field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\u0022\u003EArt-Gene Turns Nineteen: In Conversation with Tamar Melikishvili\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-date\u0022\u003E12 August 2022\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-summary\u0022\u003EJuly 2022 saw the 19th edition of what has become a staple event in the Georgian cultural calendar. Founded in 2003 by artists Tamar Melikishvili and Giorgi Baramidze, musicians Zaza Korinteli and Niaz Diasamidze, sculptor Nika Anjaparidze, and photographer Maria Lanevski, the Art-Gene music and crafts festival has played a huge role in reviving Georgia\u2019s now thriving traditional cultural scene since its dog days of the early 2000s. Looking forward to Art-Gene\u2019s 20th anniversary next year, commonspace.eu\u2019s Deputy Editor Patrick Nor\u00e9n spoke to Tamar Melikishvili about Art-Gene\u2019s origins, ethos, community, and future. Melikshvili told commonspace.eu that \u2018if a country keeps and loves its own culture, it will become very open and interested in the culture of other countries. The world is nice because we are so different, but we also make one big picture, like a painter. When I am working on the canvas, all of these different moods and colours become one symphony, and that is what makes the picture interesting.\u2019\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-authors\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-wrapper from-cs\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-image\u0022\n style=\u0022background-image: url(\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/author\/public\/2022-09\/IMG_1897-2-2-removebg-preview.png?itok=San8QuOI);\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-name\u0022\u003EPatrick Nor\u00e9n\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/article\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022col-teaser col-md-4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Carticle data-history-node-id=\u002211497\u0022 role=\u0022article\u0022 about=\u0022\/interview\/brian-mefford-i-had-no-doubts-ukrainians-will-fight-defend-their-country\u0022 typeof=\u0022schema:Article\u0022 class=\u0022node node--type-article node--promoted node--view-mode-teaser\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 content=\u0022Brian Mefford: \u0026quot;I had no doubts the Ukrainians will fight to defend their country\u0026quot;\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:interactionCount\u0022 content=\u0022UserComments:0\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top latest-news-label\u0022\u003EEditor\u0027s choice\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022need-to-login\u0022\u003EThis is a members\u2019 functionality. Please \u003Ca href=\u0022\/user\/register\u0022\u003ESign up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 class=\u0022share-icon icon-save show-popup\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-type\u0022\u003EInterview\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/brian-mefford-i-had-no-doubts-ukrainians-will-fight-defend-their-country\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg class=\u0022article-image-src\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.commonspace.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/normal_teaser\/public\/2022-07\/Brian%20Mefford.jpg?itok=8MeJ--Oi\u0022 alt=\u0022Brian Mefford: \u0026quot;I had no doubts the Ukrainians will fight to defend their country\u0026quot;\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top trending-label\u0022\u003ETrending\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022categories\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/conflict-and-peace\u0022\u003EConflict and Peace\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/ukraine-and-eastern-europe\u0022\u003EUkraine and Eastern Europe\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/brian-mefford-i-had-no-doubts-ukrainians-will-fight-defend-their-country\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 class=\u0022field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\u0022\u003EBrian Mefford: \u0026quot;I had no doubts the Ukrainians will fight to defend their country\u0026quot;\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-date\u0022\u003E15 July 2022\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-summary\u0022\u003EWhen Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Brian Mefford, an American long time resident and expert of Ukraine, knew exactly what he needed to do. Shifting his office from Kyiv to Warsaw he started a humanitarian operation that has already helped tens of thousands of Ukrainians. In this interview with commonspace.eu Mefford reflects on the response of Ukrainians to the Russian invasion, the current humanitarian situation, and the prospects for Ukraine after the war.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have seen enormous changes in Ukraine since I arrived in 1999. \u00a0Ukraine is dramatically more European and focused on a future with the West as a partner. If Ukraine makes the tough changes needed during the war to enter the EU, it will speed the process of integration. War time is the easiest time to make radical changes. As I often point out, Abraham Lincoln didn\u2019t wait till after the American Civil War to free the slaves, he specifically did it during the war because after the war it might not have been possible\u201d, he argues.\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-authors\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/article\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022col-teaser col-md-4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Carticle data-history-node-id=\u002211443\u0022 role=\u0022article\u0022 about=\u0022\/node\/11443\u0022 typeof=\u0022schema:Article\u0022 class=\u0022node node--type-article node--promoted node--view-mode-teaser\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 content=\u0022Interview with the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the EU: \u0026quot;We have very high hopes that the results of the referendum will have deep positive consequences for the future of our country\u0026quot;\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:interactionCount\u0022 content=\u0022UserComments:0\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top latest-news-label\u0022\u003EEditor\u0027s choice\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022need-to-login\u0022\u003EThis is a members\u2019 functionality. Please \u003Ca href=\u0022\/user\/register\u0022\u003ESign up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 class=\u0022share-icon icon-save show-popup\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-type\u0022\u003EInterview\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/node\/11443\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg class=\u0022article-image-src\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.commonspace.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/normal_teaser\/public\/2022-06\/Ambassador%20of%20Kazakhstan%203.JPG?itok=ShswcJAv\u0022 alt=\u0022Interview with the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the EU: \u0026quot;We have very high hopes that the results of the referendum will have deep positive consequences for the future of our country\u0026quot;\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top trending-label\u0022\u003ETrending\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022categories\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/diplomacy\u0022\u003EDiplomacy\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/central-asia\u0022\u003ECentral Asia\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/node\/11443\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 class=\u0022field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\u0022\u003EInterview with the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the EU: \u0026quot;We have very high hopes that the results of the referendum will have deep positive consequences for the future of our country\u0026quot;\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-date\u0022\u003E6 June 2022\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-summary\u0022\u003EOn Sunday, 5 June, the people of Kazakhstan voted overwhelmingly in favour of big changes to the country\u0026#039;s constitution which envisage a redistribution of presidential powers to various other state organs and a system of checks and balances. The changes complement other ongoing political and economic reforms that have been initiated by president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev over the last three years. Commonspace.eu interviewed Ambassador\u00a0Margulan Baimukhan, Head of the Mission of Kazakhstan to the EU about the importance of the constitutional changes, the role of Kazakhstan in Central Asia and the changes taking place in his country. \u0026quot;We have very high hopes that the results of the referendum will have deep positive consequences for the future of our country. It brings us one step closer to become a democratic state. Most importantly for me is that the referendum result paves the way for increasing the participation of the population in the governance of the country. It will nurture the culture of people in standing and defending their rights\u0026quot;, the Ambassador said. Ambassador Baimukhan also spoke about the relations of his country with the European Union.\u00a0 \u0026quot;The European Union was, is and will be at the forefront of our foreign policy agenda.\u0026quot; \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-authors\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/article\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022col-teaser col-md-4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Carticle data-history-node-id=\u002211437\u0022 role=\u0022article\u0022 about=\u0022\/interview\/interview-ukrainian-politician-and-activist-hanna-hopko-russia-will-not-break-us\u0022 typeof=\u0022schema:Article\u0022 class=\u0022node node--type-article node--promoted node--view-mode-teaser\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 content=\u0022Interview with Ukrainian politician and activist Hanna Hopko: \u0026quot;Russia will not break us\u0026quot;\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:interactionCount\u0022 content=\u0022UserComments:0\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top latest-news-label\u0022\u003EEditor\u0027s choice\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022need-to-login\u0022\u003EThis is a members\u2019 functionality. Please \u003Ca href=\u0022\/user\/register\u0022\u003ESign up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 class=\u0022share-icon icon-save show-popup\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-type\u0022\u003EInterview\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/interview-ukrainian-politician-and-activist-hanna-hopko-russia-will-not-break-us\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg class=\u0022article-image-src\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.commonspace.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/normal_teaser\/public\/2022-06\/Hanna%20Hopko%20b.png?itok=dRzCCReC\u0022 alt=\u0022Interview with Ukrainian politician and activist Hanna Hopko: \u0026quot;Russia will not break us\u0026quot;\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top trending-label\u0022\u003ETrending\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022categories\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/conflict-and-peace\u0022\u003EConflict and Peace\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/ukraine-and-eastern-europe\u0022\u003EUkraine and Eastern Europe\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/interview-ukrainian-politician-and-activist-hanna-hopko-russia-will-not-break-us\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 class=\u0022field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\u0022\u003EInterview with Ukrainian politician and activist Hanna Hopko: \u0026quot;Russia will not break us\u0026quot;\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-date\u0022\u003E3 June 2022\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-summary\u0022\u003E One hundred days ago, on 24 February, Russia invaded Ukraine in an attempt to overthrow the country\u0026#039;s democratic government and install a puppet regime. This objective failed, but the war goes on, especially in the Donbass region where heavy fighting is taking place.\r\n\r\nCommonspace.eu interviewed Hanna Hopko, a Ukrainian politician and activist, who previously served as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament and is today at the forefront of several important humanitarian initiatives. Hopko\u00a0 speaks about Ukraine\u0026#039;s frustration with Europe\u0026#039;s long standing failure to appreciate Ukraine properly. She speaks about the heroism of young Ukrainians who are fighting off current Russian aggression, and recalls the loss of some of her own friends who have died in battle or have been imprisoned.\r\n\r\nHopko however remains optimistic about the future, referring to the Ukraine Recovery Plan that is already being prepared. She speaks about the country\u0026#039;s hopes to be granted EU candidate status later this month: \u0026quot;Ukraine will not except any plan B. Only candidate status.\u00a0 Our aspiration to apply to EU membership is a result of the long fight of Ukrainians for the right to be part of a free European family. It is based on our achievements in transformations of the country despite Russian continues efforts to break us.\u0026quot;\r\n\r\nRead the interview in full.\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-authors\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/article\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022col-teaser col-md-4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Carticle data-history-node-id=\u002211429\u0022 role=\u0022article\u0022 about=\u0022\/interview\/opinion-our-ambition-kosovo-transform-our-young-and-vibrant-democracy-most-prosperous\u0022 typeof=\u0022schema:Article\u0022 class=\u0022node node--type-article node--promoted node--view-mode-teaser\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 content=\u0022Opinion: \u0026quot;Our ambition in Kosovo is to transform our young and vibrant democracy into the most prosperous nation in the region\u0026quot;\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:interactionCount\u0022 content=\u0022UserComments:0\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top latest-news-label\u0022\u003EEditor\u0027s choice\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022need-to-login\u0022\u003EThis is a members\u2019 functionality. Please \u003Ca href=\u0022\/user\/register\u0022\u003ESign up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 class=\u0022share-icon icon-save show-popup\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-type\u0022\u003EInterview\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/opinion-our-ambition-kosovo-transform-our-young-and-vibrant-democracy-most-prosperous\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg class=\u0022article-image-src\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.commonspace.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/normal_teaser\/public\/2022-05\/IMG_6548.jpeg?itok=eBhppX7q\u0022 alt=\u0022Opinion: \u0026quot;Our ambition in Kosovo is to transform our young and vibrant democracy into the most prosperous nation in the region\u0026quot;\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top trending-label\u0022\u003ETrending\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022categories\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/diplomacy\u0022\u003EDiplomacy\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/eu-plus\u0022\u003EEU plus\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/opinion-our-ambition-kosovo-transform-our-young-and-vibrant-democracy-most-prosperous\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 class=\u0022field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\u0022\u003EOpinion: \u0026quot;Our ambition in Kosovo is to transform our young and vibrant democracy into the most prosperous nation in the region\u0026quot;\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-date\u0022\u003E30 May 2022\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-summary\u0022\u003ERecently, the Government of Kosovo submitted a formal application to join the Council of Europe as a full member. The international community remains divided on the issue of Kosovo\u0026#039;s international recognition. Yet in the few years since its independence Kosovo has made great strides forward, and today has one of the most dynamic economies in the Western Balkans, a vibrant cultural life, and a solid track record on human rights and the fight against corruption.\r\n\r\ncommonspace.eu interviewed the Ambassador of Kosovo to the Netherlands, Dren Doli, about the current state of play in relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and on the thorny issue of whether the recognition of Kosovo has emboldened secessionist movements elsewhere. Ambassador Doli said that \u0026quot;the tendency to use Kosovo as a model for other cases is a strategy to generalise the rules that guide the creation of states and inflict confusion, deflect the truth, and deny the significance of objective arguments that differentiate Kosovo from other cases\u0026quot;. Doli told commonspace.eu that \u0026quot;Kosovo is one of the rare examples of successful democratic state-building supported by western democracies\u0026quot;. Ambassador Doli said that the government of Kosovo is committed to further develop and improve its relations with Serbia and welcomes any initiative\u00a0 by the EU and the US in this direction.\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-authors\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/article\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022col-teaser col-md-4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Carticle data-history-node-id=\u002211321\u0022 role=\u0022article\u0022 about=\u0022\/interview\/interview-commonspaceeu-armenian-deputy-foreign-minister-paruyr-hovhannisyan-describes-eu\u0022 typeof=\u0022schema:Article\u0022 class=\u0022node node--type-article node--promoted node--view-mode-teaser\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 content=\u0022In an interview with commonspace.eu Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan describes EU-Armenia relations as \u0026quot;very diverse, multifaceted and dynamic\u0026quot;\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:interactionCount\u0022 content=\u0022UserComments:0\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top latest-news-label\u0022\u003EEditor\u0027s choice\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022need-to-login\u0022\u003EThis is a members\u2019 functionality. Please \u003Ca href=\u0022\/user\/register\u0022\u003ESign up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 class=\u0022share-icon icon-save show-popup\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-type\u0022\u003EInterview\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/interview-commonspaceeu-armenian-deputy-foreign-minister-paruyr-hovhannisyan-describes-eu\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg class=\u0022article-image-src\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.commonspace.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/normal_teaser\/public\/2022-04\/default.jpg?itok=tKTu_Ul7\u0022 alt=\u0022In an interview with commonspace.eu Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan describes EU-Armenia relations as \u0026quot;very diverse, multifaceted and dynamic\u0026quot;\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top trending-label\u0022\u003ETrending\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022categories\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/diplomacy\u0022\u003EDiplomacy\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/eu-plus\u0022\u003EEU plus\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/south-caucasus\u0022\u003ESouth Caucasus\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/interview-commonspaceeu-armenian-deputy-foreign-minister-paruyr-hovhannisyan-describes-eu\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 class=\u0022field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\u0022\u003EIn an interview with commonspace.eu Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan describes EU-Armenia relations as \u0026quot;very diverse, multifaceted and dynamic\u0026quot;\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-date\u0022\u003E1 April 2022\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-summary\u0022\u003E In November of last year Paruyr Hovhannisyan was appointed Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia with responsibility for relations with the European Union. This week he was in Brussels where he had meetings with officials from the EU institutions. Commonspace.eu spoke with the Deputy Foreign Minister on the current state of Armenia-EU relations and prospects for the future. Hovhannissian described relations as\u00a0very diverse, multifaceted and dynamic.\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-authors\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/article\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022col-teaser col-md-4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Carticle data-history-node-id=\u002211316\u0022 role=\u0022article\u0022 about=\u0022\/interview\/geu-podcast-giving-eu-citizens-voice-foreign-policy-dr-dennis-sammut\u0022 typeof=\u0022schema:Article\u0022 class=\u0022node node--type-article node--promoted node--view-mode-teaser\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 content=\u0022GEU Podcast: Giving EU citizens a voice on foreign policy \u2013 with Dr Dennis Sammut\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:interactionCount\u0022 content=\u0022UserComments:0\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top latest-news-label\u0022\u003EEditor\u0027s choice\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022need-to-login\u0022\u003EThis is a members\u2019 functionality. Please \u003Ca href=\u0022\/user\/register\u0022\u003ESign up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 class=\u0022share-icon icon-save show-popup\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-type\u0022\u003EInterview\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/geu-podcast-giving-eu-citizens-voice-foreign-policy-dr-dennis-sammut\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg class=\u0022article-image-src\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.commonspace.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/normal_teaser\/public\/2022-03\/DSCF4020%20%281%29.jpeg?itok=yUHyZ4HA\u0022 alt=\u0022GEU Podcast: Giving EU citizens a voice on foreign policy \u2013 with Dr Dennis Sammut\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top trending-label\u0022\u003ETrending\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022categories\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/conference-future-europe\u0022\u003EConference on the Future of Europe\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/diplomacy\u0022\u003EDiplomacy\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/domestic-politics\u0022\u003EDomestic Politics\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/geostrategic-europe\u0022\u003EGeostrategic Europe\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/eu-plus\u0022\u003EEU plus\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/global\u0022\u003EGlobal\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/geu-podcast-giving-eu-citizens-voice-foreign-policy-dr-dennis-sammut\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 class=\u0022field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\u0022\u003EGEU Podcast: Giving EU citizens a voice on foreign policy \u2013 with Dr Dennis Sammut\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-date\u0022\u003E1 April 2022\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-summary\u0022\u003E\u201cI think what is important is that the issue of international affairs is understood not to be an elitist sphere but something that impacts the lives of everyone in one way or another; and as a result, discussions on foreign policy need to be extended to include the wider citizenry. This is a challenge going forward and an increasingly important one.\u201d \u2013 Dr Dennis Sammut on the latest final episode of Global Europe Unpacked\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-authors\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-wrapper from-cs\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-image\u0022\n style=\u0022background-image: url(\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/author\/public\/2021-03\/IMG_0389_0-removebg-preview.png?itok=gQt5JBJw);\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-name\u0022\u003EWilliam Murray\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/article\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022col-teaser col-md-4\u0022\u003E\n\u003Carticle data-history-node-id=\u002211269\u0022 role=\u0022article\u0022 about=\u0022\/interview\/geu-podcast-after-ukraine-can-we-still-talk-about-soft-power-prof-jamie-shea\u0022 typeof=\u0022schema:Article\u0022 class=\u0022node node--type-article node--promoted node--view-mode-teaser\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 content=\u0022GEU Podcast: After Ukraine, can we still talk about soft power? - with Prof Jamie Shea\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:interactionCount\u0022 content=\u0022UserComments:0\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top latest-news-label\u0022\u003EEditor\u0027s choice\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022need-to-login\u0022\u003EThis is a members\u2019 functionality. Please \u003Ca href=\u0022\/user\/register\u0022\u003ESign up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 class=\u0022share-icon icon-save show-popup\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-type\u0022\u003EInterview\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/geu-podcast-after-ukraine-can-we-still-talk-about-soft-power-prof-jamie-shea\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-image\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg class=\u0022article-image-src\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.commonspace.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/normal_teaser\/public\/2022-03\/imago0064785806h%20%281%29.jpeg?itok=nBHL_-g-\u0022 alt=\u0022GEU Podcast: After Ukraine, can we still talk about soft power? - with Prof Jamie Shea\u0022\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022colored-label label-blue label-top trending-label\u0022\u003ETrending\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022categories\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/conference-future-europe\u0022\u003EConference on the Future of Europe\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/conflict-and-peace\u0022\u003EConflict and Peace\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/defence\u0022\u003EDefence\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/theme\/geostrategic-europe\u0022\u003EGeostrategic Europe\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/eu-plus\u0022\u003EEU plus\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca\n href=\u0022\/region\/global\u0022\u003EGlobal\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/interview\/geu-podcast-after-ukraine-can-we-still-talk-about-soft-power-prof-jamie-shea\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022schema:name\u0022 class=\u0022field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\u0022\u003EGEU Podcast: After Ukraine, can we still talk about soft power? - with Prof Jamie Shea\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-date\u0022\u003E14 March 2022\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-summary\u0022\u003E\u201cEU soft power will still be a factor, but I think the EU now recognises that this works more with like-minded countries that aspire to join the EU... The notion that soft power works on countries with different political systems \u2013 I think that has been, if you like, the victim of the Ukrainian crisis\u201d says Prof Jamie Shea in this episode of our Global Europe Unpacked podcast.\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022article-authors\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-wrapper from-cs\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-image\u0022\n style=\u0022background-image: url(\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/author\/public\/2021-03\/IMG_0389_0-removebg-preview.png?itok=gQt5JBJw);\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-name\u0022\u003EWilliam Murray\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/article\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cnav class=\u0022pager\u0022 role=\u0022navigation\u0022 aria-labelledby=\u0022pagination-heading\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch4 id=\u0022pagination-heading\u0022 class=\u0022visually-hidden\u0022\u003EPagination\u003C\/h4\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\u0022pager__items js-pager__items\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cli class=\u0022pager__item is-active\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/ajax\/load-teasers\/article\/12\/5\/3?page=%2C%2C%2C0\u0022 title=\u0022Current page\u0022 class=\u0022use-ajax\u0022 data-test=\u0022test\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022visually-hidden\u0022\u003E\n Current page\n \u003C\/span\u003E1\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli class=\u0022pager__item\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/ajax\/load-teasers\/article\/12\/5\/3?page=%2C%2C%2C1\u0022 title=\u0022Go to page 2\u0022 class=\u0022use-ajax\u0022 data-test=\u0022test\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022visually-hidden\u0022\u003E\n Page\n \u003C\/span\u003E2\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli class=\u0022pager__item\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/ajax\/load-teasers\/article\/12\/5\/3?page=%2C%2C%2C2\u0022 title=\u0022Go to page 3\u0022 class=\u0022use-ajax\u0022 data-test=\u0022test\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022visually-hidden\u0022\u003E\n Page\n \u003C\/span\u003E3\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli class=\u0022pager__item\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/ajax\/load-teasers\/article\/12\/5\/3?page=%2C%2C%2C3\u0022 title=\u0022Go to page 4\u0022 class=\u0022use-ajax\u0022 data-test=\u0022test\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022visually-hidden\u0022\u003E\n Page\n \u003C\/span\u003E4\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli class=\u0022pager__item\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/ajax\/load-teasers\/article\/12\/5\/3?page=%2C%2C%2C4\u0022 title=\u0022Go to page 5\u0022 class=\u0022use-ajax\u0022 data-test=\u0022test\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022visually-hidden\u0022\u003E\n Page\n \u003C\/span\u003E5\u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli class=\u0022pager__item pager__item--ellipsis\u0022 role=\u0022presentation\u0022\u003E\u0026hellip;\u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli class=\u0022pager__item pager__item--next\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/ajax\/load-teasers\/article\/12\/5\/3?page=%2C%2C%2C1\u0022 title=\u0022Go to next page\u0022 rel=\u0022next\u0022 class=\u0022use-ajax\u0022 data-test=\u0022test\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022visually-hidden\u0022\u003ENext page\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan aria-hidden=\u0022true\u0022\u003E\u203a\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli class=\u0022pager__item pager__item--last\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/ajax\/load-teasers\/article\/12\/5\/3?page=%2C%2C%2C5\u0022 title=\u0022Go to last page\u0022 class=\u0022use-ajax\u0022 data-test=\u0022test\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022visually-hidden\u0022\u003ELast page\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan aria-hidden=\u0022true\u0022\u003E\u00bb\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003C\/nav\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n","settings":null}]