The security dimension of the Eastern Partnership? – EURACTIV.com

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In this week’s version: Eastern partnership security, Beijing boycott and trade war deterrence.

With the exception of Belarus, every country in the EU Eastern Partnership has a territorial conflict on its territory. Russia plays a central role in most cases, either by increasing tensions or positioning itself as an arbiter in an attempt to maintain relevance in the results.

The format was launched in 2009 to support Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Belarus, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, and has no military dimension in terms of hard security.

Partly overshadowed by the Belarusian crisis, the worrisome build-up of Russian troops around Ukraine, and the recent war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, EU leaders and their counterparts in the East will work this week to warn of “continuous instability” in eastern Europe During the joint summit on December 15.

According to an early draft communiqué previewed to EURACTIV, “we are still deeply concerned about the continued instability and violations of the principles of international law in many areas of the EaP region, including the Black Sea region.”

In the past few years, the EU has failed to provide tools or gather political will among its member states. This has resulted in failure to initiate peace negotiations in regional conflicts, and failure to provide a clear view of members for the most advanced members, the joint trio.

“If you really want the EU to become an important geopolitical player, it should not only play a role in Africa, especially its eastern neighbors-but also through security and defense,” Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Margiris Abukevičius, Tell EURACTIV Last week, many mainly Eastern European member states expressed their positions.

But as far as the current situation is concerned, many EU diplomats believe that any security assistance provided by the EU will not be ready for some of its EaP partners to deal with a possible Russian attack.

However, experts believe that through targeted support measures and the elimination of countries’ special weaknesses, the EU can make any Russian military aggression more costly and less likely.

When asked about the EU’s security role in the future Eastern Partnership, Lawrence Meredith, Director of the Council of Neighbouring Countries of the European Commission in charge of the region, said, “The EU has expressed a strong willingness to strengthen its participation in resolving unresolved conflicts. .”

“I think we are ready to increase this participation-we are studying this and how to best do it”, Meredith told a event This week, pointed out that the Associated Trio will be the place to start.

“However, here, I will see the special potential for deeper contact with relevant countries. I think it is important to be clear, in terms of security, this is obvious,” the EU official added.

In the past few months, Trends has at least expressed its willingness to consider supporting the security of some members of the Eastern Partnership, particularly Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova.

According to the recently adopted European Union instrument, the European Peace Fund (EPF), the European Union will begin to transfer to Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova starting next year.

At the same time, the EU is considering a so-called Military Advisory Training Corps As relations between Kiev and Moscow are still tense, Ukrainian officials have expressed dissatisfaction with the matter. Despite this, many details of the timetable and scope have not yet been agreed.

Following Ukraine’s request in July, the European Union’s Foreign Service (EEAS) established a fact-finding mission in September to conduct a needs assessment of possible support from the EU. The European Commission told EURACTIV that this was done in October.

“Our assessment emphasizes the EU’s support space,” Peter Stano, the EU’s chief foreign affairs spokesperson, told EURACTIV.

He added that possible EU assistance is being discussed to determine the best way to support Ukraine in reforming its Professional Military Education (PME) sector.

“Although many options can be considered, member states are discussing and determining possible support measures, and they have the final say on these issues,” Stano said.

This week, the EU foreign ministers will discuss the military build-up in Moscow and the flow of troops and equipment on the border with Ukraine, followed by an EU summit in which Russia may occupy a central position.

Commenting on the prospects of the upcoming meeting, one of the main EU legislators of the European Parliament’s Eastern Partnership, Member of the European Parliament, Petras Auštrevičius, stated that it is now “the EU side It’s time for more creative political thinking.

“If we are not ready for a full CSDP military mission in Ukraine, remember to assist the Ukrainian army in defense and other operations. If it is a civilian mission, we will do the same,” Auštrevičius said.

“It may be Christmas Eve, and making political commitments (…) Our political message is not enough, especially for Ukraine, to ensure its future,” Auštrevičius concluded.

EU in the world

Russia in their hearts| Russia will occupy an important place on the EU foreign policy agenda next week. The Foreign Minister will discuss the matter on Monday and EU leaders will discuss the matter on Thursday. The menu discussed the possible reaction to Moscow if it invaded Ukraine, including how sanctions would play a role in it.

European Commission President Ursula von der Lein said on Friday: “Aggression has to pay a price, which is why we will communicate these points to Russia in advance.”

A senior EU official told reporters that the EU will definitely sanction the Wagner Group, three other entities and seven or eight individuals, the Russian private military contractor, on Monday.

At the same time, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg rejected Russia’s request to cancel its 2008 promise to Ukraine that the country will one day become a member of the Western military alliance.

Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels: “As far as our relationship with Ukraine is concerned, NATO’s position remains unchanged. This is a basic principle. Every country has the right to choose its own path… including it. What kind of security arrangements do you want to participate in.”.

“The relationship between NATO and Ukraine will be determined by the 30 NATO allies and Ukraine, and not by anyone else. We cannot accept that Russia is trying to rebuild a system of spheres of influence of a large country like Russia, where they can control and determine other members’ spheres of influence. behavior.”

Beijing boycott| The EU foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday will also try to reach a consensus on whether to join the US-led diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics in February.

A senior EU official stated that although the EU “has not decided” whether to send any representatives to Beijing, it “strongly recommends a common European approach” and predicted that the negotiations may “become chaotic” because of different opinions among member states .

Although the agenda item was initiated by France and the Netherlands, Lithuania is likely to take the lead in supporting the EU’s tougher attitude towards China. Its recent trade dispute And Beijing’s Taiwan policy towards the country, which Vilnius asks EU for help.

Trade war deterrence | Speaking of geopolitics, the European Commission proposed a Powerful new trading tool If the EU or its member states are subject to “coercive measures” by third countries such as China or the United States, the EU executive branch can take countermeasures.

Transatlantic connection

Climate negotiations | U.S. special envoy for climate issues John Kerry told EURACTIV interview.

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Schengen dream | European Union governments agreed to Croatia earlier this week Passport-free Schengen to join the EU After Zagreb persuaded Brussels that it could effectively manage parts of the EU’s external borders, the tourist area.At the same time, some people say that Zagreb has Overzealous Show the EU that it can prevent undocumented immigrants from entering the EU.

Back to school| The EU should fulfill its promise to expand the EU while keeping the two front-runners Serbia and Montenegro in the waiting room. “Do your homework”, Serbian Human Rights and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue Gordana Čomić told EURACTIV.