Friday 29 March 2024 | 06:39

"Vilnius Consultations": Key points and recommendations on the future of EU Eastern Partnership

08.11.2017  |  Politics   |  Vilnius Institute for Policy Analysis,  
"Vilnius Consultations": Key points and recommendations on the future of EU Eastern Partnership

On September 11, the inaugural „Vilnius Consultations“ conference was organized by Vilnius Institute for Policy Analysis and Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The aim of the high-level expert meeting was to share insights regarding the future of EU Eastern Partnership initiative and to formulate recommendations for decision-makers in three policy areas: security, democracy, and energy. Experts from the UK, US, Germany, Poland, Ukraine and Lithuania took part in the consultations.

Security. In the context of Russia’ increased assertiveness and forceful treatment of Eastern Partnership countries as its “legitimate sphere of influence“, European Union must significantly strengthen its Eastern Partnership policy:

  • Security dimension should be included and emphasized in the EaP initiatives and EU policy considerations.
  • It is vital to the EU and EaP countries to understand that in Kremlin strategy every public communication or institutional element can be weaponized: information, energy markets and companies, business or organizational practices and discourses, corruption and nepotistic relationships, investments, cultural production, etc.
  • Economic reforms in all six EaP countries though extremely important will not be effective without a simultaneous counter-actions against Kremlin efforts to disrupt the strengthening of their democracies and consolidation of their political institutions.
  • EU decision-makers should come up with a comprehensive strategy that would address contemporary hybrid threats, including information warfare and cybersecurity.

Democracy. Despite the significant progress in numerous areas, EaP countries still suffer from the rule of law shortcomings and poor public sector management. Economic difficulties, corruption of political elites and hostile external influences create an atmosphere of insecurity, distrust and polarization of societies.

It must be stressed that:

  • Recently, some tendencies to make democracy and human rights in EU and EaP countries secondary issues compared to geopolitical manoeuvring or even bureaucratic technicalities could be observed. Relationship between democracy, economy and security is complex and intertwined. Autocracies cannot be pro-Western as they rely heavily on Eastern methods, resources and power structures.
  • In order to keep alive pro-European sentiments and pro-reform aspirations, new EaP policy goals should be defined for the associated partner countries (not so much as a gift, but an agenda and a way to increase the EU leverage) thus motivating and mobilizing the governments and societies to continue the long, complex and costly course of European reforms. “Marshal plan” for Ukraine/associated states could help ensure sustainability of transformation.
  • Democratization of EaP countries will depend not only on strong and effective institutions, but on civic resilience as well. The EU should invest more organizational and financial resources to support civil society actors in EaP countries, encouraging their involvement and participation in reform processes.
  • The EU should put more effort in directly engaging with EaP citizens, showing the benefits of EaP policy on the ground.
  • The EU ought to behave as a stakeholder in EaP countries, especially Ukraine and demonstrate active engagement and strong will to assist in fulfilling their EaP agenda.

Energy. Energy security is one of key priorities in the EaP countries and the broader CEE region. Russia has used its leverage in regional energy sector (especially gas and oil industries) to a great effect. Energy dependency on Russian imports is still considerable, though progress has been made in seeking alternative sources in the West. If the EU wants to pursue further integration in the field of energy security in EaP countries:

  • Financial support for EaP countries and their energy infrastructure should continue.
  • EU support for EaP energy policies should be based on condition of reform continuation.
  • Nord Stream 2 project and similar projects should be stopped as they clearly undermine the EaP project and EU cohesion at large.
  • As an alternative, the best practices and results of diversification of energy sources and implementation of EU ‘s Third Energy Package in CEE should be shared with the EaP countries.
  • Energy cooperation between the EaP countries, EU and the US should be promoted. Lithuania is a good example which has demonstrated how to successfully escape the precarious status of isolated energy island.

With participation of Chris Donnelly, Alex Dalziel, Stephen Finnen (Institute for Statecraft, UK), Brian Whitmore (RFE/RL), Andreas Umland (Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation, Ukraine), Lukasz Adamski (The Centre for Russian-Polish Dialogue and Understanding, Poland), Taras Kachka, Dmytro Shulga (International Renaissance Foundation, Ukraine), Wojciech Jakobik (Editor-in-chief at BiznesAlert.pl, Poland), Marius Laurinavičius (Vilnius Institute for Policy Analysis, Lithuania), Dalia Bankauskaitė (Center for European Policy Analysis, USA), Vytis Jurkonis (Freedom House), Darius Žeruolis (European Social, Legal and Economic Projects, Lithuania), and others.

Download document

Other news section «Politics»

Andrei Yahorau — Al Jazeera: “Lukashenko is irresponsible”
Andrei Yahorau — Al Jazeera: “Lukashenko is irresponsible”
He said Belarus would likely face economic tightening not only as a result of the coronavirus pandemic but also a Russian trade oil crisis that worsened this past winter.
Shhh! Belarus Wants You to Think It’s Turning Over a New Leaf
Shhh! Belarus Wants You to Think It’s Turning Over a New Leaf
Minsk’s muddled media clampdown could jeopardize warming of relations with the West.
Statement of the BNP in connection with the wave of searches in the editorial offices of the Belarus
Statement of the BNP in connection with the wave of searches in the editorial offices of the Belarus
The Belarusan National Platform of the EaP CSF issued a statement in connection with the wave of searches in the editorial offices of the Belarusan media and the detention of journalists.
Statement of the Belarusan EaP CSF National Platform on solidarity with the civil society of Armenia
Statement of the Belarusan EaP CSF National Platform on solidarity with the civil society of Armenia
The Belarusan National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum issued a statement on solidarity with the civil society of Armenia.
"Vilnius Consultations": Key points and recommendations on the future of EU Eastern Partnership
"Vilnius Consultations": Key points and recommendations on the future of EU Eastern Partnership
On September 11, the inaugural „Vilnius Consultations“ conference was organized by Vilnius Institute for Policy Analysis and Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From farewell to a new Eastern policy and towards a new development
From farewell to a new Eastern policy and towards a new development
Poland and Germany were both initiators and drivers of a New Eastern policy linked to the Eastern neighborhood and Russia/Soviet Union.
Uladzimir Matskevich: The sooner the "Union State" is denounced, the better for Belarus
Uladzimir Matskevich: The sooner the "Union State" is denounced, the better for Belarus
Not only does the "Union State" undermine the establishment of civilized relations with Europe, but it hinders the possibility of normal relations between Belarus and Russia.
Uladzimir Matskevich: The regime can no longer control the situation in the country
Uladzimir Matskevich: The regime can no longer control the situation in the country
The authorities are unable to prolong the social contract with the people: there is no way out of the social crisis.
Press release in connection with the dialogue in the format of the EU-Belarus Coordination Group
Press release in connection with the dialogue in the format of the EU-Belarus Coordination Group
Belarusan National Platform of the EaP CSF welcomes the dialogue process in the format of the EU-Belarus Coordination Group, the third round of which was held in Minsk on 3-4 April 2017.
Statement of the BNP in connection with the events of March 25-26, 2017 in Minsk and other Belarusan
Statement of the BNP in connection with the events of March 25-26, 2017 in Minsk and other Belarusan
Belarusan National Platform of the EaP CSF issued a statement in connection with the events of March 25-26, 2017 in Minsk and other Belarusan cities.
Statement by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum on mass repressions in Belarus
Statement by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum on mass repressions in Belarus
The EaP CSF Steering Committee issued a statement on repressions against civil society activists and journalists in Belarus, in view of the demonstrations planned on 25 March 2017.
Uladzimir Matskevich: Belarus-Ukraine relations need to be re-established
Uladzimir Matskevich: Belarus-Ukraine relations need to be re-established
"Case of Zhadan" demonstrated that Belarus does not actually have a clear policy - neither domestic nor foreign.
Belarus
Belarus's Lukashenko alleges “fifth column” plot as unrest continues
Belarusan President Lukashenko said on Tuesday a “fifth column” was plotting to overthrow him with the help of foreign-backed fighters, days before a planned street protest in Minsk against a new tax.
In Belarus, a rising fear: Will we be the next Ukraine?
In Belarus, a rising fear: Will we be the next Ukraine?
The relationship between Russia and Belarus has never been an easy one.
Andrei Yahorau: European window of opportunity is slowly closing, relations take form of fatigue
Andrei Yahorau: European window of opportunity is slowly closing, relations take form of fatigue
The Belarusian regime is not able to pursue a truly multi-vector policy, and the EU cannot decide what it needs in the region on the whole and from Belarus in particular.
Uladzimir Matskevich: Today Belarus is in a very difficult situation
Uladzimir Matskevich: Today Belarus is in a very difficult situation
But even under the circumstances the authorities have various ways out.
Uladzimir Matskevich: Lukashenka does not disrupt Russian plans to annex Belarus
Uladzimir Matskevich: Lukashenka does not disrupt Russian plans to annex Belarus
But Lukashenka is afraid for his fate and position - he needs Belarus to be sovereign to fully exercise his power.
Andrei Yeliseyeu: Russia is taking drastic unconstructive steps  
Andrei Yeliseyeu: Russia is taking drastic unconstructive steps  
There should be no actual passport control for the Belarusians arriving in Russia within the framework of the existing Belarusian-Russian agreements.
Uladzimir Matskevich: Visa-free regime is not a political concession to the West
Uladzimir Matskevich: Visa-free regime is not a political concession to the West
It is a process of normalization of Belarus-EU relations. Belarus just fulfils its international commitments.
Andrei Yahorau: Belarusian regime is self-improving, the only threat so far is the economy crisis
Andrei Yahorau: Belarusian regime is self-improving, the only threat so far is the economy crisis
Political analyst emphasizes that Belarus is the first modern authoritarianism in the European space, a phenomenon not yet studied by anyone.
Gintautas Mažeikis: The relation of political field and arena in the framework of information war

In his report, philosopher Gintautas Mažeikis discusses several concepts that have been a part of the European social and philosophical thought for quite a time.

“It is our big joint work”

It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.

Shhh! Belarus Wants You to Think It’s Turning Over a New Leaf

Minsk’s muddled media clampdown could jeopardize warming of relations with the West.

Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool

To achieve changes, you need to be interested in them and stop pinning all hopes on the state.