15 March 2020
Our experts and partners shed light on possible policy responses to the four possible scenarios.
The Eastern Partnership region needs to bet on building greater interconnectivity to prepare for future economic shocks and reduce pressure from malign actors. A new regional infrastructure for transport and energy will increase resilience in each of the six countries.
A partnership between the EU and civil society in the Eastern Partnership countries will facilitate the further development of democracy based on Eastern neighbours’ common as well as individual, political, economic and socio-cultural contexts and challenges.
Defence and security have for far too long been the domain of authoritarian regimes. Democracy and domestic reforms are the best defence against external threats. The EU is best equipped to empower but not to intervene in sustaining dynamic, local activism and efforts to produce lasting change.
We need to engage the Eastern Partnership countries in more EU programmes, especially those not treated as a political threat by Russia. Additionally, we should promote more intraregional and interregional business partnerships.
The Green New Deal offers an interesting opportunity for the Eastern Partnership region. The EU will have to not only increase its financial involvement but really choose the right tools and instruments to implement its climate diplomacy in practice.
The Eastern Partnership region should invest in digital tools and work on social media platforms for different age groups in order to engage various segments of society into civil activism.
Digitalisation may serve as a bridge for a region where physical contacts between countries are not extensive. However, we should be aware of the malign effects cyberspace may bring. More steps towards resilience need to be undertaken, including the exchange of practices on how to counter disinformation and cyber-threats.
Relevant stakeholders and young researchers within the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries have to mobilise their efforts towards deeper cooperation in terms of scientific research, information technology as well as encouraging innovation at the regional level.
