Brussels Voices: Eastern Europe’s Media and Diplomacy- April 2025

Dear friends in the European media community,

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In April, Europe MédiaLab co-hosted a special cultural evening with our Moldovan residents at the Maison du MédiaLab, celebrating Moldova’s heritage and its European aspirations. The event brought together journalists, diplomats, and policymakers, highlighting the role of cultural diplomacy in EU integration.

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A new wave of six journalists has been pre-selected to join us soon, further strengthening East-West media cooperation. We are also seeking support for post-programme accommodation to help our alumni continue their work in Brussels.

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Warm regards,

Europe MédiaLab Team

Monthly event: Moldova: Rădăcini și tradiții cu gust.

On Monday, 7 April, Europe MediaLab, alongside the Moldovan residents of Maison du Médialab, hosted a special cultural evening celebrating Moldovan heritage, bringing together diplomats, policymakers, media stakeholders and journalists. Traditional dishes were prepared during a culinary workshop led by Șezătoare Bruxelles, a local Moldovan cultural group, adding authenticity and community spirit to the event.

A highlight was the participation of Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, Cristina Gherasimov, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of Moldova, and Dan Barna, Romanian MEP, they joined in preparing plăcinte cu brânză, Moldovan delicacy.

Looking for accommodation for the Maison du MédiaLab alumni

Maison du MédiaLab and its co-founders are also helping correspondents beyond 6 months. One of the co-founders agreed to host two alumni for the 6 months following the programme. This will allow them to stay in Brussels and continue their crucial work of reporting about the EU and NATO. Other people in Brussels have hosted Ukrainian refugees now typically well integrated and living elsewhere more on to the next challenge? What about you? In some years, would you like to tell your grandchildren that you helped defend democracy and empower the further EU enlargement?

If yes, please do contact us!

More Eastern journalists are about to come to the maison du MédiaLab!

Last month, the selection committee, made of Europe MédiaLab along with the EFJ (trade unions) and API-IPA (accredited journalists), selected six new journalists from Eastern Europe. These journalists will come to the Maison du MédiaLab soon and have the opportunity to cover EU and NATO events from Brussels, the heart of Europe. Stay tuned to find out who they are and how they help bridge the East and the West!

MD Elena Zagnat

Agora.md (Moldova)

In April, Elena Zagnat, covered several key developments concerning Moldova’s European integration and defence collaboration. She reported on Moldova’s potential to receive EU support for strengthening its air defence capacities, and detailed Moldova’s advanced progress in EU accession preparations, particularly its screening process. She explored the country’s inclusion in EU joint defence procurements through the SAFE mechanism, and also reported on statements by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte regarding NATO’s role in helping Moldova face Russian threats. Additionally, she noted that Europe is witnessing its largest increase in defence spending since the fall of the Berlin Wall. On a lighter note, she shared a cultural exchange experience, making traditional Moldovan pastries at the Maison du MédiaLab.

UA Valeriia Pashko

Suspilne Media (Ukraine)

This month, Valeriia Pashko produced a series of EU/NATO-focused reports for Suspilne Media, offering in-depth coverage of key diplomatic developments and international responses to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Her reporting highlighted President Zelenskyy’s high-level meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as well as his discussions with UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer. Valeriia also covered the EU’s advancement towards a 17th package of sanctions against Russia, Ukraine’s constitutional review of its critical minerals agreement with the United States, and forthcoming diplomatic meetings with Western partners. Her work continues to shed light on Ukraine’s evolving international strategy and its efforts to strengthen ties with key allies.