Hope for the settlement of the Cyprus problem has returned, following fresh talks on Friday 21st of March 2008, between the leaders of the two communities on the island, Dimitris Christofias, newly elected President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot Leader, Mehmet Ali Talat. Read more ...

 During a meeting of ELDR Prime Ministers on 13th March 2008, ELDR Party President, Annemie Neyts, stated: “Liberals leaders raise particularly the ambitious target of the "fifth freedom" – the free movement of knowledge”, and stressed the importance of creativity and small and medium-sized enterprises in the further development of the European economy. Read more ...

 ELDR congratulates its member party Convergencia Democràtica de Catalunya and its leader Artur Mas for their result in yesterday’s national elections in Spain, which makes them the only realistic option for the socialists to create a stable majority in parliament.Convergencia increased their presence in the Spanish parliament from 10 to 11 seats making them the only partner that can guarantee Prime Minister Zapatero with stability, after his party obtained 169 seats, just short of the 176 required for an absolute majority. Read more ...

 ELDR condemns the despicable assassination by ETA of a socialist local councillor on Friday 7 March, only 48 hours before the general election in Spain. On behalf of the European Liberal and Democrat Party, the President of ELDR, Annemie Neyts, said: "I extend my condolences to the family and friends of the victim, as well as to his colleagues of the Spanish socialist party. There is no place for violence in a democracy.   Read more ...

 International Women’s Day is seen as the chance to promote women's social and political rights and also as a time for celebration of womanhood. Its key themes are peace, justice and freedom.On the occasion of international women’s day held on 8th of March, ELDR welcomes the efforts made by its member parties to promote equality between men and women. Examples of this work include Belgian member party, Mouvement Réformateur, whose women’s group, The Reformist Women, have published a book titled “Gender Equality: Myth or reality?”. This book covers issues such as children, business and health. Read more ...

 Former First Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev is the new President of Russia following his victory in Sunday’s elections. He received just over 70% of the vote and replaces Vladimir Putin who has been Russia’s President for the past eight years and will be the country’s new prime minister.Mr Medvedev’s nearest challenger, Gennady Zyuganov, leader of the Communist Party received 17.76% of the vote ahead of Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and Andrei Bogdanov who heads the Democratic Party. Voter turnout was high at 69.65% Read more ...