Democracy News

House Committee on Foreign Affairs Holds Hearing on the State of Democracy in Eastern Europe
August 1, 2011
By: Carlos Aramayo | Printer Friendly

On July 26, Nadia Diuk, Vice President of Programs for Europe and Eurasia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean at the National Endowment for Democracy, testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs as part of a panel discussion titled “Eastern Europe: The State of Democracy and Freedom.”

In her testimony, Diuk noted that entry into the European Union “has proven to be one of the main guarantors of freedom and democracy” in this region of the world. Although Diuk noted that there have been advancements in democracy over the past couple of years, she lamented that “the general trend has been a slow backsliding and in some cases a dramatic one.”

Diuk also identified that real gains had achieved by Georgia in the past few years, however, in her view there is cause for concern about some creeping authoritarian tendencies on the part of the authorities. On a positive note, Diuk stated that Moldova is one bright spot where democracy is progressing. In conclusion, Diuk said that the interrelationship between Ukraine and Russia is paramount for the region and added that  the political direction both countries choose to implement will not only determine the future of freedom and democracy domestically but will impact the region as a whole.

The read the complete testimony, please click here.