Institut für Europäische Politik IEP – english version

The EU’s policy towards Eastern Europe and Central Asia – A key role for Germany

The European enlargement policy still proves to be the most effective instrument of the European Union in the field of external affairs. While continuing prepa­ra­tions for the accession of current candidate countries, the EU is exploring new options and strategies for pursuing its interests in the neigh­bourhood. These interests include the dispersal of “European values” such as democracy and rule of law, as well as economic and geopo­litical consid­er­a­tions. Therefore, the EU pays special attention to the regions of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Factors such as geographical proximity, a common cultural-historical background, as well as huge energy resources and a promising export market make these regions highly attractive for the EU. On the other hand, smoul­dering conflicts and unstable political struc­tures affect not only the immediate security of the region, but also the EU.

The research project aims at devel­oping alter­native strategies for shaping the EU’s relationship towards Eastern Europe and Central Asia, taking the role of Germany as a reliable supporter and motor of the rapprochement to Eastern Europe into particular consid­er­ation. An extensive analysis of the EU’s objec­tives, current politics and instru­ments in the field lays the foundation for these recommendations.

The research project is part of the programme “Dialogue Europe of the Otto Wolff Foundation“. It continues the work of the preceding research project “The relations of the European Union with the eastern neigh­bours — between neigh­bourhood and enlargement policy”. Within its framework, sessions of the study group “Enlargement / Neigh­bourhood Policy” and IEP lunch debates are conducted and publi­ca­tions are being issued.

In this regard, the IEP’s cooper­ation with the Trans European Policy Studies Associ­ation (TEPSA) network in which research insti­tutes in the EU member states work together is crucial. The internet publi­cation “EU-28 Watch” which is edited and coordi­nated by the IEP offers a regular “State of the Union” report on key national debates on deepening and reforms inside the European Union as well as on enlargement and neigh­bourhood policy. “EU-28 Watch” is a contin­u­ation of the successful internet publi­cation “Enlargement/Agenda 2000-Watch” of the IEP in cooper­ation with TEPSA .

Here you will find more project activ­ities:     IEP Lunch Debates     Study Groups     EU-28 Watch

Projek­tteam:

Prof. Dr. Mathias Jopp
Dr. Katrin Böttger
Julia Klein
Carolin Marx
Steffen Jäger