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Partnership for Good Governance
Highlights | May- July 2025

This overview highlights key activities and achievements in the Eastern Partnership region from May to July 2025, as part of the EU/Council of Europe joint programme Partnership for Good Governance.

FOCUS
FOCUS

The European Union, the Council of Europe, and Ukrainian partners and beneficiaries highlighted the crucial role of the Partnership for Good Governance joint programme in supporting Ukraine’s national reform agenda. They stressed the importance in aligning reforms with European standards, as well as in contributing to the EU accession process.

The third Local Steering Committee meeting for Ukraine took place in May 2025, following similar meetings held in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

>> Read more about the meeting.
>> Download the factsheets of the results obtained in the country as part of the current phase of the Partnership for Good Governance. Available in English and in Ukrainian.

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COUNTERING ECONOMIC CRIME
Republic of Moldova
Republic of Moldova

A policy dialogue aimed at aligning the Republic of Moldova’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing systems with EU standards was held in Chisinau in June 2025.

Participants from the National Bank of Moldova, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and international experts assessed key legislative gaps and discussed ways to improve co-ordination and supervision, and beneficial ownership transparency. The workshop concluded with clear priorities and next steps for reform.
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PROMOTING EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION
Cooperation with Belarusian Democratic Forces and Civil Society
Cooperation with Belarusian Democratic Forces and Civil Society

A safe space was provided for the Belarusian LGBTI community and civil society representatives to share experiences, strengthen networks, provide resources to improve protection mechanisms while in exile, during a two-day workshop. The event focused on key issues such as legal support, access to services, digital security, and legal entry and stay in Council of Europe member states. This initiative marks an important step toward empowering Belarusian LGBTI individuals to defend their rights and contribute to democratic change.

Read more about this workshop ›
Republic of Moldova
Republic of Moldova

Dialogue and co-operation between the police and the LGBTI community in the Republic of Moldova was further strengthened through the second round-table held in Chisinau in May 2025. Bringing together law enforcement, experts, activists, and civil society, the discussions highlighted the importance of tackling intolerance, promoting mutual respect, and building trust to improve the reporting of hate crimes and protect the rights of LGBTI individuals.

Read more about the round-table ›
Regional
Regional
55 Young European Ambassadors from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries were united in Tirana, Albania, to strengthen their skills in combating racism and hate speech.

Through hands-on activities and collaboration, they were provided with tools and ideas to develop initiatives and promote tolerance in their local communities. The event addressed urgent concerns raised by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) and highlighted youth as key drivers of positive change.

Read more about this regional event ›
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STRENGTHENING JUSTICE
Armenia
Armenia

Prosecutorial independence in cases involving public officials, such as corruption and money laundering, was the focus of the high-level international conference organised in Dilijan, Armenia in July 2025. Marking the 107th anniversary of Armenia’s Prosecution Service Day, the event brought together national and international officials to discuss European standards, best practices, and international co-operation in upholding the rule of law.

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Armenia
Ukraine
Building a shared understanding of the concept of a social state during war was the theme of the expert discussion organised in Lviv in May 2025. Participants explored the constitutional limits of state responsibilities and discussed possible amendments to Ukraine’s Constitution to better define and protect social rights. The event brought together judges from Ukraine’s Supreme Court and Constitutional Court, members of Parliament, representatives from the Ministry of Social Policy, and leading academics and policy experts.
Read more ›
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GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S ACCESS TO JUSTICE
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan

An interactive discussion on the protection of victims of domestic violence was organised in collaboration with the Azerbaijani Bar Association. 25 legal professionals explored challenges faced by domestic violence victims and the crucial role of courts in preventing psychological abuse. Participants called for criminalising domestic violence and pledged continued collaboration to strengthen national legislation and promote a zero-tolerance approach.

Read more on this meeting ›
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QUICK RESPONSE MECHANISM

The Quick Response Mechanism (QRM) is a Partnership for Good Governance tool, by which the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and other Council of Europe bodies may provide ad hoc legal and policy advice to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, linked to priority reforms on: strengthening justice, countering economic crime, promoting equality and non-discrimination and advancing women’s access to justice and combating violence against women.

At its 143rd plenary session (held on 13-14 June 2025), the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe adopted, among others:

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

 
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RESOURCES: WHAT IS NEW?
RESOURCES: WHAT IS NEW?
  • “Combating hate crime” based on the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers recommendation on combating hate speech (CM/REC (2002) 16) is available in Romanian and English.
 
  • Research on discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in Ukraine. Now available in English and Ukrainian.
 
STAY UPDATED: FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
STAY UPDATED: FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the Partnership for Good Governance Facebook and X accounts for all the latest information on the support of the programme to Eastern Partnership countries’ domestic reforms to strengthen justice, counter economic crime, promote equality and non-discrimination, advance women’s access to justice and combat violence against women.

The highlights were produced with the financial support of the European Union and the Council of Europe. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the author(s). Views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of either party.

 

MORE INFORMATION:

Partnership for Good Governance Co-ordination Team
Directorate of Programme Co-ordination
Council of Europe
Avenue de l'Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex
France

Partnership for Good Governance