EU Commission: Eastern Partnership Strategy. “Our neighbours’ strength is also the EU’s strength”

Increasing trade; strengthening connectivity and deepening economic integration with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine; strengthening democratic institutions, the rule of law, environmental and climate resilience; supporting the digital transformation; and promoting fair and inclusive societies. These are the long-term policy objectives of the Eastern Partnership set out in a proposal presented by the European Commission and by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs today. “Our neighbours’ strength is also the European Union’s strength; the Eastern Partnership remains a crucial element of the EU’s foreign policy”, said High Representative Josep Borrell. The proposal should strengthen our partner countries, reflecting “the priorities and challenges that we share”, while maintaining the emphasis on “delivering tangible, positive results for all citizens”. The proposal builds on the achievements of the past 10 years and will seek to involve the East in the achievement of the von der Leyen Commission’s policy priorities: ecological transformation, digital transformation, and economies that work for all, with a focus on youth and gender equality. The Commission’s proposal will be submitted for endorsement at the Eastern Partnership Summit in June 2020.
Marco Calvarese