Commentary
EAP 2030
Think Tank
Western Balkans Futures
Where to Next, Western Balkans?
18 May 2022
29 April 2020
How will the European Union approach the Eastern Partnership countries in the upcoming decade? The Association for International Affairs and Visegrad Insight describe possible scenarios and suggest an optimal approach.
On 19 March 2020, the European Commission presented its vision for the future of the Eastern Partnership after 2020. In addition to a strong emphasis on the economy and benefits for the citizens of Eastern Europe, the Commission communication also sets out new priorities of digitisation and combating climate change.
The Commission came up with a new approach to promote the resilience of six Eastern European countries but refused to engage in the debate offering a stronger political association or any political vision for the region in the future. This remained a challenge for the European Parliament and the Member States in the coming weeks and months.
A whole number of actors shared their criticism, given the low emphasis on the basic principles of cooperation and European values, which in the past provided the basic framework for cooperation with the EU.