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Committee on Foreign Affairs I

Bearing in mind the ongoing cooperation between the European Union and its Eastern neighbours, what measures should the EU take so as to further promote economic prosperity, stability and peace in the region?

Submitted by: Beka Kakabadze (GE)

Amidst the Eastern Partnership Programme in place, the EU and its six Eastern neighbours are now enjoying the close partnership in various important areas, such as trade, environmental protection and energy. However, with Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova eager to take further steps towards the EU and without a clear path for the Eastern Partnership Programme after 2020, the future of this important initiative is uncertain. It is just in time for the EU to work on the future actions ensuring continuous stability, economic prosperity and peace in the region.

 

Relevance of the Topic

With a number of economic, social and political difficulties continuing to prevail in all six of the EU’s neighbouring post-soviet states and the immense desire for a more comprehensive regional and bilateral cooperation. The Eastern Partnership Programme was established in May 2009 during the Prague Summit. Every participating nation agreed on delivering concrete, tangible results for their citizens within 4 priority areas precisely embodied under 20 key deliverables for 2020. The early 2019 update highlights fields with notable improvements and those still requiring special attention. 

The past few years have also been significant for three of the EAP countries as Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine signed and ratified Association Agreements with the EU, allowing them and their citizens to benefit from deep and comprehensive free trade areas and visa-free movement.

Even with so much being done by both sides, Eastern Partnership countries still struggle with economic underdevelopment, human rights violations, the lack of democracy and corruption. In order for the EU to have a stable, secure and peaceful Eastern neighbourhood, it should work on forging even more profound bonds with the EAP nations.

Key Conflicts

In 1996, the launch of the INOGATE  programme marked the first major energy cooperation between the EU and post-soviet nations serving the regional interest. Nevertheless, entering the new millennium, a few of the former Soviet states declared a more balanced approach towards the EU and the Russian Federation with Armenia and Belarus joining the Eurasian Economic Union,  while others like Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova remained bold with their pro-EU aspirations. Citizens of these countries also are strong supporters of EU-integration as 83% of Georgians, 51% of Ukrainians, 60% of Moldavians approve accession to the EU. However, some nations in western Europe have a different opinion as revealed by the 2016 Dutch referendum on Association Agreement with Ukraine.

Even with deep and comprehensive free trade areas with more than 500 million customers now open for Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, they still come across a number of stumbling blocks on the way of better economic integration. Furthermore, Russian military presence in some of the EAP countries, particularly the late Crimea dispute, have contributed to instability and the lack of regional security.  Human rights still remain a burning issue in the region, with the LGBTQ+ community facing police crackdowns and corruption not being properly addressed.

Whilst the Eastern Partnership Programme is marking the 10th anniversary, all participating countries celebrate the progress made during the past decade. The main guideline that has shaped the partnership, the 20 deliverables, is expected to be accomplished by 2020. As the initial aim of the programme has never been giving Eastern neighbours a clear path to the union membership, it is still uncertain what comes for this precious alliance after 2020.

 

Stakeholders

The European Commission is the only EU body eligible for initiating legislation and implementing decisions on behalf of the European Union. More relevant to the topic are the Commission department on European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) and the Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO). Furthermore, The European External Action Service (EEAS) assures the EU’s diplomatic presence around the world, including Eastern Neighbors, through the commission department for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) and special representatives.

A significant role on both sides is played by the countries participating in the Eastern Partnership Programme and their governments, which are to determine international vectors for their nations. Moreover, it is up to the decision makers of Eastern Neighbours to update legislation and meet goals set within the 20 deliverables for 2020 or Association Agreement.

Civil Society Forum within the Eastern Partnership Programme (EAP CSF) strives to further increase the involvement of civil societies and non-governmental sector in the process of monitoring and implementing the Eastern Partnership policy. Through hundreds of member organisations in Eastern countries, the EAP CSF promotes democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Businesses, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises(SMEs) in Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova benefiting from the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade area and in all of the Eastern Partnership nations from EU support.

 

Existing Measures and Current Legislation

Eastern Partnership states are not members of the EU, leaving a narrow area for legally binding regional regulations. However, there are a number of major regional programmes and social initiatives along with national legislation.

European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) is a framework for the EU to deepen cooperation with its Eastern and Southern neighbours, ensure stability and prosperity in the region. The ENP mainly focuses on bilateral relations with the EU, thus there are separate policy programmes for Southern and Eastern regional cooperation. The Eastern Partnership is a joint initiative of the EU and its six Eastern neighbours aiming at greater multilateral collaboration, securing regional stability and delivering concrete results through 4 priority areas and 20 key deliverables. To make funding faster, more flexible and accessible, the EU introduced the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) which helps the European Neighbourhood Policy in turning guidelines into real benefits.

With Association Agreements in place between the EU, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, those Eastern Partnership countries benefit from visa-free travel and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTA).

The EU4business umbrella initiative supports the growth of businesses, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in EAP countries. To unlock the full potential of the DCFTA, the EU, in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development provides further fundings within Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. Moreover, the European Investment Bank (EIB) works closely with the EU, supporting the goals set by the European Neighbourhood Policy, including the Eastern Partnership Programme objectives.

 

Food for thought questions

  • Although EAP countries have seen improvements with the 20 deliverables for 2020 in certain areas, where do they still need further reforms?

  • What can be the future steps for Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova so as to get even closer to the EU?

  • On both sides of the partnership, what can be done to ensure the benefits of deep and Comprehensive Free trade area for Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova?

  • What comes after 2020 for the Eastern Partnership?

 

Links to further research and materials

20 deliverables for 2020: Where is the Eastern Partnership Heading?”

Ukraine reaps benefits of trade deal with EU

Corruption in Ukraine has to be stopped

Key reports on the implementation of Association Agreements in  DCFTA countries

 “Eastern Partnership joint declaration on transport cooperation

A short read -“The future of the Eastern Partnership

 

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, many of the Eastern European countries found themselves in a turbulent economic and geopolitical state. Throughout the 1990s and in the early 2000s, some of the post-soviet nations experienced severe armed conflicts, resulting in increased poverty, shrinking economic development and political instability.

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