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Maison du MédiaLab at European Council and EP Plenary, cluster openings, and rotation of correspondents
Maison du MédiaLab at European Council and EP Plenary, cluster openings, and rotation of correspondents. Newsletter October 2026
1. Covering the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg
From 5 to 8 October, Yuliia Hyra from Ukraine, Giorgi Edilashvili from Georgia, and Karine Asatryan from Armenia covered the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg.
There, the European Commission presented its new pre-enlargement policy reviews, setting out how the EU could prepare its institutions and policies for future enlargement. The journalists reported on their significance for their countries, which aspire to join the EU.
They also had the opportunity to meet Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, who presented the proposals to the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs.
2. First-hand reporting from the European Council in Brussels
On 15–16 October, current and former Maison du MédiaLab resident correspondents were in Brussels to follow EU leaders’ discussions on Ukraine, enlargement, and Europe’s security and competitiveness. The journalists covered the summit closely, put their questions to leaders at the Council doorsteps, and reported to their audiences as the meetings unfolded.
Yuliia Hyra (UA) was one of a few Ukrainian journalists who had the opportunity to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shortly before his bilateral meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Giorgi Edilashvili (GE), Samson Martirosyan (AM), Karine Asatryan (AM), Cătălin Volconovici (MD) and Maxim Bolohan (MD) were joined by residents from previous waves, including Carina Muller (MD), Iulia Sarivan (MD), Olha Kyrylova (UA), Milana Holovan (UA) and Valeriia Pashko (UA). Together they followed the summit from the Council building, where leaders discussed the European energy crisis, the EU’s next long-term budget, enlargement and Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The correspondents also attended press briefings held by European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who answered a question from Carina Muller, a former resident and correspondent for TVR Moldova.
3. Cătălin Volconovici covers the EU-Moldova Association Council
In parallel, on 5 October, Maison du MédiaLab correspondent Cătălin Volconovici (MD) from NordNews covered the 10th EU–Moldova Association Council in Brussels.
The meeting focused on Moldova’s EU accession process, political dialogue and ongoing reforms, as well as cooperation on foreign and security policy and economic issues. It brought together EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.
Cătălin covered the meeting on site at the Council of the EU and interviewed Prime Minister Tofan, bringing first-hand reporting from Brussels to audiences in northern Moldova. His coverage is another example of how Maison du MédiaLab correspondents follow European discussions up close and report on the issues that matter most to their communities.
4. EU accession conferences: clusters opening and a drink with Commissioner Kos at stake
On 13 October, Maison du MédiaLab resident correspondents Yuliia Hyra (UA), Giorgi Edilashvili (GE), Maxim Bolohan(MD) and Cătălin Volconovici (MD) travelled to Luxembourg to follow the EU’s latest enlargement discussions.
The EU’s accession conferences with Ukraine and Moldova opened negotiations on two clusters: the internal market, and competitiveness and inclusive growth. They were part of a broader enlargement agenda in Luxembourg that also included an accession conference with Albania and a meeting of the General Affairs Council.
Reporting for NordNews, Cătălin asked Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos about the prospects of Moldova opening its remaining negotiation clusters by the end of the year. Commissioner Kos promised to buy him a drink if Moldova opens all six clusters before the end of 2026.
5. Farewell and familiar faces back: a new chapter at Maison du MédiaLab
As October comes to an end, it is time to say goodbye to some of our Maison du MédiaLab residents. Giorgi Edilashvili(GE), Samson Martirosyan (AM), Karine Asatryan (AM) and Cătălin Volconovici (MD) are returning home to continue their work, bringing with them new connections and expertise. Their time at the Maison has been inspiring and professionally rewarding, both for them and for their media outlets.
To mark their departure, we held a cosy farewell breakfast, where the journalists shared their thoughts and favourite moments from Brussels with the team.
November will also bring some familiar faces back to the Maison! We look forward to welcoming four returning correspondents: Lusine Vardanyan (AM) from CivilNet, Carina Muller (MD) from TVR Moldova, Tamta Nachkebia (GE) from Publika and Tetiana Litvinova-Mykhalonok (UA) from Hromadske Radio.
We are delighted to have them back and look forward to supporting their important work!
6. Celebrating Armenia’s Independence Day
We are glad to see three former Maison du MédiaLab residents continuing to build their EU expertise after their Brussels residencies: Carina Muller (TVR Moldova), Nicoleta Botnaru (Diez.md) and Luminița Toma (formerly TRM).
All three are taking part in the fourth edition of a training programme on Moldova’s EU accession negotiations.
The programme was launched on 1 October by the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), together with the College of Europe in Natolin and Moldova State University.
This year’s edition brings together 27 journalists and 26 university lecturers from Moldova. It combines self-study, webinars with EU and Moldovan experts, and training at the College of Europe in Natolin. The aim is to deepen participants’ understanding of the accession process and help them explain complex reforms and European integration more clearly to the public.
7. Highlighting residents’ work
| Samson Martirosyan Hetq (Armenia) | Giorgi Edilashvili Tabula (Georgia) |
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| In October, Samson covered key political developments shaping EU enlargement policy. His reporting focused on Ukraine’s EU accession talks, developments in negotiations, and discussions at the European Council Summit, including security, energy and budgetary challenges. Samson also followed the latest developments in Ukraine–Russia–US–EU negotiations, providing insights into ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. | Giorgi, on his side, covered key developments in relations between the European Union and Georgia, including political tensions and European Parliament discussions on democratic values. His reporting also followed EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and European Council discussions on EU financial and military support, as well as diplomatic tensions between Kyiv and Washington. |
