A number of events that have taken place these days at Berlin were devoted to this issue. Analysts from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia had an opportunity to exchange views on future cooperation between the EU and the EaP countries. A series of discussions was organized by the German Institut für Europäische Politik. First Deputy Director Sergiy Solodkyy took part in the event on behalf of the New Europe Center.

There is considerable interest in Germany to this topic. Not only because the time has come to overview the results and give a new breath to the Eastern Partnership, as this year the initiative celebrated its 10 anniversary. In the second half of next year, Germany will preside in the EU, so useful ideas may be useful for the German government.

Importantly, Hans-Jürgen Heimsoeth, currently holding the post of Special Representative for the Eastern Partnership at the German Foreign Office, took part in the #EaPbeyond2020 discussion on October, 16. In 2008-2012 he was the Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine. These facts give reasons for optimism: Mr Heimsoeth knows the region well, understands its needs, ambitions, difficulties, and therefore can be more attentive to the expectations of Ukrainians.

NEC analyst participated in a working group that developed recommendations for the EU on future steps in the security field. Among those are:

– A strategic dialogue has to be initiated to explore the ways to more effective involvement of the EU in conflict resolution in Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Georgia;
– Energy security has to be an important component of the dialogue between the Eastern Partnership countries and the EU;
– The EU shall go beyond soft security cooperation. The EaP states have to be involved into the EU defense initiatives (according to their capabilities and willingness). Associated countries should have access to PESCO projects;
– Continue and augment CSDP cooperation;
– Promote cooperation in the fields of cyber resilience, counteracting hybrid threats (disinformation and propaganda).

The recommendations offered by Sergiy Solodkyy at #berlinpolicyhub were based on the New Europe Center materials, in particular, the one developed by NEC senior analyst Leo Litra and NEC associate analyst Kateryna Zarembo. For instance, “The Eastern Partnership A Decade On: Looking Back, Thinking Ahead”.

Ambassador Heimsoeth promised to discuss all the recommendations with colleagues in the ministry (apart from the security, the working groups also dealt with economic development, governance and the rule of law and the future of the EaP as a whole). Some of them can be implemented on the level of bilateral relations, some may form the basis for future cooperation between the EU and the EaP as a whole.