Abstract
The Russian invasion of Crimea and the pro-Russian separatists’ violent takeover in the east of Ukraine have reminded us that peace, stability and prosperity cannot be taken for granted. Having experienced nearly 70 years of peace among the members of the EU, we may have become complacent about peace and security. In May citizens of many EU member states commemorated the Second World War, but most of all, they took a moment to think about their freedom. For a moment, many EU citizens felt close to the people of Ukraine, who are struggling for freedom and peace.
This year, 2014, is also the year that Central and Eastern Europe is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its joining the EU. The accession has brought stability and prosperity to the region in a short period of time. Formerly state-run economies, the countries of the former Eastern Bloc transformed themselves into market-based economies, and they now enjoy pluralist democratic political systems. This is what the EU wants for the eastern neighbourhood as well. With that purpose, the EU developed the Eastern Partnership initiative, its main policy tool for the region, to bring about prosperity, security and stability. Through cooperation between the EU and the governments, political parties, business worlds and civil societies of these countries, gradual reform can bring the necessary change: change that will lead to vibrant societies with democratically elected governments.
Nonetheless, developments in each of the countries demonstrate that the political situations are fragile. Moldova and Georgia are making great efforts to come closer to the EU. Armenia's European path is less certain. Ukraine is the most complicated, with the country divided into pro-European and anti-European forces. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan and Belarus have taken a course independent from both Russia and the EU.
The EU needs to generate new momentum to speed up the process. The Rose Revolution in Georgia (2004) and the Orange Revolution in Ukraine (2004) demonstrated these countries’ change of course towards the EU. The West may have missed an opportunity and have provided insufficient support to these countries. With Ukraine, we are again offered a historic opportunity to act and to show leadership to transform the region together with the Eastern European countries.
However, close cooperation may be more difficult to achieve as the Eastern Partnership countries are closely tied into the Russian sphere of influence and the region has a certain percentage of Russian-speaking inhabitants who generally favour closer ties with Russia. It would be unwise to ignore this. Russia is also an important partner for the EU in terms of energy supply and trade, but this should not stop the EU from providing justice and support to those who want to move forward.
This issue of the European View offers thorough and timely analyses of the developments in each of the Eastern European countries. It addresses the geopolitical issues found in our eastern neighbourhood, issues that are often influenced by Russia. The EU's policy in the eastern neighbourhood is also examined.
The authors agree that the EU should mobilise all resources when it comes to providing assistance to the region and that this should be done with both the short term and long term in view. Russia's influence in the eastern neighbourhood is a disturbing factor in the partner countries’ economic and political progress. The windows of opportunity should be identified better and made use of while they remain open. This is very important to keeping the EaP countries on the European path.
The EU should take a leadership role and show responsibility. If it cannot play a role of international significance here, then where can it? It is imperative that we support the partner countries with everything that the EU can provide.
Footnotes