European Liberal Democrats from all over Europe gathered for the bi-annual ELDR Leaders and Ministers meeting, on Thursday 11th December 2008, which saw the participants reach a common position on the EU's ambitious climate change and energy 'package' of legislation on the eve of a two-day EU summit. ELDR Leaders also discussed about the Lisbon Treaty, upcoming EP elections and a liberal response to the financial crisis .
The
International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) held its 31st Extraordinary General Assembly in the capital of Ukraine, Kiev, on the 5th and the 6th of December 2008, four years after the Orange Revolution and in the context of a deep political turmoil in Ukraine, with all political parties already preparing for new parliamentary elections.
The GA notably debated about Ukraine's political future between Europe and Russia and on the liberal dilemma of the choice between self-determination and state sovereignty. Keynote speakers at the GA included
Matyas Eorsi, president of the liberal group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and
Kristiina Ojuland, ELDR Vice President and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, who led an ELDR fact-finding mission in conjunction with the GA.
The Youth Organization of the Alliance Moldova Noastra Party (OT AMN), full member of LYMEC, held its National Conference in Chisinau, on 30th of November 2008. The event, which gathered about 400 delegates, came to consolidate and fortify the Youth of the party before the parliamentary election of 2009,in the presence of Mr. Serafim Urechean, leader of AMN.
European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) held its Executive Committee as well as an Extraordinary Congress in Brussels from November 21st to November 23rd. Over 100 delegates from all over Europe discussed and adopted a comprehensive Action Plan aimed at highlighting the political priorities and key issues that will drive LYMEC’s political action in the upcoming year. Its main aim is to contribute to the creation of a political Europe and winning seats in the European Parliament elections in June 2009.