An agency of the EU

Overview

The EU’s Eastern neighbourhood is a region in transition. On one side of the spectrum are Ukraine and Georgia with a clear commitment to democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration following the Colour Revolutions. On the other side is the ‘last dictatorship in Europe’, Belarus. Diverging foreign policy orientations, frozen conflicts, and a very low level of inter-state cooperation further fragment and polarise the region. Russian claims for a dominant position make it difficult for the EU to respond adequately to the challenges emanating from the Eastern neighbourhood.

In 2004 the EU introduced the European Neighbourhood Policy as an instrument to regulate its relations with its new neighbours. The ENP offers ‘a privileged relationship, building upon a mutual commitment to common values.’ In the framework of the ENP, the EU has concluded Action Plans with Ukraine and Moldova in 2005 and with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2006. In November 2009, the Cooperation Council adopted the EU-Ukraine Association Agenda, replacing the former Action Plan.

The ENP has met with criticism for not offering a membership perspective and thus limiting the incentives for the partner countries to quickly implement the Action Plans. At the same time, reform processes unfold slowly, and the democratic credentials of ruling elites remain doubtful. Belarus remains isolated, with no prospect of change on the horizon. Three years after the inauguration of the ENP, the main problems of the region – transition, fragmentation and polarisation – remain far from resolved.

The EUISS analyses political and security-related developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood. lts seminars have focused on the frozen conflicts in Transnistria, South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Alongside its publications, the EUISS also aims to build up a network of contacts with experts and think tanks in the countries of the Eastern neighbourhood.

Publications

  • The ENP Strategic Review: the EU and its neighbourhood at a crossroads

    As events across North Africa unfold, the author forwards the idea of an ‘association area’ along the EU’s borders, providing the ENP and its partners with a tangible medium-term goal.

  • The role of EU defence policy in the Eastern neighbourhood

    While the current focus of EU foreign policy is firmly trained on its southern neighbourhood, this paper explains why the EU should not forget about the long-simmering disputes in its Eastern neighbourhood – disputes which might once again require EU responses in the future.

  • How to engage with Abkhazia?

    While the past few months have seen some positive developments in Abkhazia, the EU should pay close attention to opportunities it could use to improve the situation along the conflict lines. The author of this paper provides an analysis of recent developments in Abkhazia and proposes ideas for a more concise engagement policy.

  • The Institute's quarterly newsletter

    In this quarter's issue of the newsletter, EUISS director Álvaro de Vasconcelos, explores the increasing inter-connection of actors beyond the big powers, F. Stephen Larrabee highlights the work yet to be done by the EU in the Balkans and the Eastern neighbourhood, and Luis Peral considers the EU's responsibility within the International Criminal Court.

  • The Institute's quarterly newsletter

    Articles in this current issue: "After Lisbon: the States of the Union", "The EU and natural gas: the new security agenda", and "Obama's first year: a transformational presidency?"