EU Foreign/Security Policy and Eastern Partnership

IDIS Viitorul - Moldova's Foreign Policy Statewatch,
Issue 2, April 2010

Institute of Public Affairs (ISP), Warsaw - Analyses & Opinions,

No. 12/106, April 2010

IDIS Viitorul - Moldova's Foreign Policy Statewatch,

Issue 1, March 2010

An ICPS Policy Brief

(in English and Ukrainian)

ICPS Newsletter, No.5 (468), 9 March 2010

(in English and in Ukrainian)

(attached in English and Ukrainian)

Ukrainian foreign policy is in a difficult situation. Relations with its most important partners are dire, and the country is unable to adequately pursue its interests in the international arena.

What, then, is the way forward? What are Ukraine’s key interests, and how should they be pursued? Too often, answers to these questions are geographically-based, seeing relations with partners as ends rather than as means. ICPS and IWP (Institute of World Policy) therefore propose a different approach to the formulation of Ukrainian foreign policy, one structured around a limited number of strategic interests.

Ukraine today should have four priorities:

• regaining credibility;
• restoring key partnerships;
• preserving sovereignty and independence; and
• becoming a more active and constructive player in the region.

This paper’s recommendations are geared toward enabling the new President to harness the power of foreign policy to serve the country’s strategic interests.

An ICPS report

(in English and Ukrainian)

ICPS European Focus #6, 2010 (in English and in Ukrainian)

(attached in English and in Georgian)

The European Union’s Eastern Partnership was inaugurated in Prague on 7 May 2009. It represents a concerted effort on the part of the EU and six non-EU former Soviet Bloc nations – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus – to upgrade and expand their relationship.

The project is designed to facilitate the political and economic integration with the EU of the Eastern Partnership countries, including Georgia, with the help of various bilateral and multilateral co-operation programmes. At the same time, the Eastern Partnership should not be seen as an alternative to the action plans signed by the EU and partner countries within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Instead, it aims to give new impetus to existing co-operation initiatives. However, two factors make the Eastern Partnership different from past and ongoing co-operation formats.

(attached in English and in Georgian)

The expected normalisation in Turkish-Armenian relations may turn out to be the most momentous change in the security set-up of the South Caucasus since the break-up of the Soviet Union. Its results may even overshadow those of the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war which did not lead to a substantive redrawing of the map of regional alliances and disputes.

At this point in time, two fundamental uncertainties exist on this issue. The first is, whether the process will actually reach its conclusion. That is to say, whether the protocols signed on October 10 in Zürich by the two countries’ foreign ministers will be ratified by their respective legislatures, thus paving the way for the restoration of diplomatic relations and cross-border communications. One sticking point is the question of whether the ratification of the deal by the Turkish Parliament should be linked to the achievement of genuine progress in the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. On the other hand, there is resistance from within Armenian society among those who believe that the agreement would damage efforts to secure recognition of the Armenian genocide. Another big area of uncertainty is related to the impact that the rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia, if it does happen, will have on the regional security environment.

Many within the Georgian expert community think that the impending Turkish-Armenian deal implies inherent dangers for Georgia’s economic and security interests.

Forging Synergies within the Framework of the EU Eastern Partnership initiative

by Elżbieta Kaca, Researcher, European Programme, Institute of Public Affairs (ISP), Poland, and Jacek Kucharczyk, President, Institute of Public Affairs (ISP), Poland, in association with Jeff Lovitt, Executive Director, PASOS (Policy Association for an Open Society)

"Europe has the US president it wished for, but Barack Obama lacks the strong transatlantic partner he wants". With EU leaders heading to Washington for their transatlantic summit on 3 November, ECFR cautions EU member states: an unsentimental President Obama has already lost patience with a Europe lacking coherence and purpose.

CASE Network E-Brief, June 2009

Editor: Eva Blaszczynski, Author: Anders Aslund

(in English and Georgian)

The paper is published with financial support of the Think Tank Fund of the Open Society Institute - Budapest. The opinions it contains are solely those of the author and do not reflect the position of the OSI TTF.

This policy paper is an outcome of the research project titled Regional Strategic Framework for the EU’s Eastern Policy: Toward a Convergence of the Eastern Dimension of ENP and Common Spaces with Russia supported by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. It was printed also with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic.

Analyses & Opinions, No. 6/90, January 2009

CASE Network Reports No. 82

This report summarizes the analysis of institutional development in CIS countries and its convergence towards EU standards. Building EU-style institutions is a precondition for entry into the EU. The process of EU enlargement is tightly bound to the concept of convergence, as membership in the EU requires fulfillment of a series of political, legal, and economic criteria. Candidate countries must demonstrate political stability as a guarantee for a democratic and lawful order, including maintaining human rights standards and ensuring the protection of minorities (political criteria).

CASE Network Reports No. 81

This report aims to identify major existing gaps in the five socio-economic dimensions (economic, human, openness, environmental, and institutional) and to reveal those gaps which could potentially hinder social and economic integration of neighbor states with the EU. To achieve this, the authors aim to assess the existing trends in the size of the gaps across countries and problem areas, taking into consideration the specific origin of the gap between EU15/EU12, on the one hand, and FSU republics, EU candidates and West Balkan countries, on the other hand.

Discussion paper arising from seminar organised by the Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development, and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung

European Democracy Assistance after EU Enlargement

Editors: Jacek Kucharczyk and Jeff Lovitt

The purpose of this policy paper is to draft a proposal on the reform of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) towards the EU’s Eastern neighbours. This policy paper will explain why the EU needs a comprehensive regional dimension to its Eastern neighbourhood policy; identify the flaws in the existing framework and suggest recommendations for its improvement.

European Policy Institutes Network Working Paper No. 20 November 2008

Will 2009 herald a new beginning for transatlantic relations? Sobered by the experience of an eight-year Bush administration, the European Union and its member states are eager to take a fresh look at their partner across the Atlantic. What potential will they find for a new start in European-American relations? What issues will take centre-stage when, after a record-long US election campaign, policy-makers sit down to deal with matters of substance?

CASE Network Reports No. 80

The aim of this study is to evaluate the economic feasibility and implications of free trade agreement between the EU and Armenia as well as of greater regional integration between Georgia, Armenia and the Black Sea countries. The study uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative analysis along with surveys, sectoral studies and local expert knowledge. This approach will allow the policy maker not to rely on any single methodology while providing an interrelated analysis of various aspects of free trade agreements (FTAs).

A paper by the working group assembled by the Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development (CIPDD)

(In English and Czech)

GAERC: The End of Sanctions against "Disobedient States“?

Financial Crisis and its European-Style Solution

EU Heading towards Tougher Immigration Policy

What will be the Eurovignette Directive Ammendment like?

Presidency 2009: How much will the Presidency Cost?

Monthly analytical bulletin on Moldova, issued by Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", Chisinau
(in English and Romanian)

ICPS Newsletter #31 (423), 13 October 2008,
a publication of the International Centre for Policy Studies, Kyiv, Ukraine
(in English and in Ukrainian)

(In English and Czech)

In this issuse;

Quo vadis, Austria? Early elections from the perspective of the EU and CR.

Belarusian Election: Unfulfilled Expectations

Will the Financial Crisis Help a Faster Adoption of the Small Business Act?

Legislature in Preparation: CO2 Emission Limits for Cars

Presidency 2009: Czech Presidency and Youth – the Future of Europe?

CASE Network Reports No. 79

The aim of this study is to evaluate the economic feasibility and implications of a free trade agreement between the EU and Georgia as well as of greater regional integration between Georgia, Armenia and the Black Sea countries. The study uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative analysis along with surveys, sectoral studies and local expert knowledge. This approach will allow the policy maker not to rely on any single methodology while providing an interrelated analysis of various aspects of free trade agreements (FTAs).

(In English and Czech)

EU Mission in Georgia

The European Institute for Innovation and Technology and the State of Science in the EU

Sanctions for the Employment of Illegal Migrants in the EU – Legislation in Preparation

EU-Ukraine Relations in the Shadow of Georgian Conflict and the Governmental Crisis in Kiev

Presidency 2009: Bitter-sweet temptation or "We’ll give Europe a taste of its own medicine."

The design of the Community Financial Instruments for the first half of the Financial Perspective 2007-2013

A research study for The Evaluation of Visegrad Countries’ Democracy Assistance - a PASOS project with the support of the International Visegrad Fund and the Open Society Institute Think-Tank Fund

Monthly analytical bulletin on Moldova, issued by Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", Chisinau
(in English and Romanian)

This paper comprises an investigation and preliminary assessment of the activities of Monitoring Committees. Monitoring Committees (MCs) are a mandatory feature of European Union spending, combining a mixture of consultative, advisory and oversight roles with respect to each of the different Operational Programmes.

Monthly analytical bulletin on Moldova, issued by Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", Chisinau
(in English and Romanian)

ICPS Newsletter #25 (417), 21 July 2008,
a publication of the International Centre for Policy Studies, Kyiv, Ukraine
(in English and in Ukrainian)

(In Czech and English)

Reflections of the Irish Referendum

The Czech Political Scene and Irish "No"

Lisbon Treaty: Six Countries to Go

Constitutional Process of Czech Ratification

Czech Presidency according to the Old Scenario

Monthly analytical bulletin on Moldova, issued by Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", Chisinau
(in English and Romanian)

(In English and Czech)

Results of the European Council Summit

Czech Republic’s Position Towards the upcoming Common Agricultural Policy Audit

EU Lifts Sanctions against Cuba

A Proposal for a new EU Waste Framework Directive

(In English and Czech)

Progress in energy liberalisation? A summary of the compromise and its impact on the Czech Republic

French EU Presidency 2008: What to Expect?

Changing the European Labour Market

EU reaction to the soaring oil price: A French proposal?

The aim of the paper is to address the relevance and importance of the role of social partners and their contribution to the European integration process. The paper gives an overview of the social dialogue structures and experiences in the European Union (EU) and evaluates the development of social dialogue in the candidate countries (Croatia in particular) during the accession process.

(In English and Czech)

Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty has Reached the Decisive Phase

The Czech Republic and EU – Russian Commercial Relations

European Atomic Forum in Prague: Operation Results and the Position of the Czech Republic

Polish-Swedish "Eastern Initiative"

(In Czech and English)

Euro in Slovakia: The Benefits and Risks for the Czech Republic

Liberalization of the EU employment market

Serbia after elections: New hope for Europe?

French-British cooperation and small EU countries

A study into the propensity to return of Polish migrants to Great Britain and other countries

(only in Polish)

Główne wnioski
1. Obecne migracje, pomimo wydłużania się średniego okresu spędzonego za granicą nie mają charakteru wyjazdów na „stałe”. Potwierdzają to również badania, zgodnie z którymi blisko połowa osób (46%) przebywała w Wielkiej Brytanii nie dłużej niż pół roku.
Większość badanych w deklaruje, że wyjechała do Wielkiej Brytanii sama (55%). Więcej niż co piąta osoba udała się tam z grupą znajomych, przyjaciół (22%).

2. Tak jak wyjazdy nie mają charakteru trwałego, nie są postrzegane jako decyzja ostateczna, tak też powrót do kraju nie jest już widziany jako decyzja ostateczna. Świadczą o tym plany migracyjne osób, które wróciły. Podobny odsetek zadeklarował chęć ponownego wyjazdu (33%) oraz pozostania w Polsce (37%). Blisko jedna trzecia badanych nie miała sprecyzowanych planów odnośnie emigracji. Dowodzi to, iż Polacy po przyjeździe do kraju mogą równie szybko podjąć decyzję o kolejnym wyjeździe.

Monthly analytical bulletin on Moldova, issued by Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", Chisinau
(in English and Romanian)

Proceedings and associated policy papers related to the conference, Populism in Central Europe, organised by the Association for International Affairs (Asociace pro mezinárodní otázky, AMO), a leading independent think-tank in the Czech Republic

On March 11th 2003, the European Commission presented the European Council and the European Parliament with the report "Extended Europe – Neighbourhood: a framework for relations with our neighbours from East and South" which regulates the relations between the European Union and 14 other countries, including Moldova. Thus, the foundation for the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was established. The report also defined the main tools the European Commission was to use in the realization of the ENP and the action plans which had to be concluded within each of these countries.

Monthly analytical bulletin on Moldova, issued by Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", Chisinau
(in English and Romanian)

This document reports on overall progress made on the implementation of the EU-Armenia ENP Action Plan between November 2006 and 31 December 2007, although developments outside this period are also considered when deemed relevant. It is not a general review of the political and economic situation in Armenia.

This document reports on the overall progress made on the implementation of the EU - Azerbaijan ENP Action Plan between November 2006 and 31 December 2007, although developments outside this period are also considered when deemed relevant. It is not a general review of the political and economic situation in Azerbaijan.

This document reports on progress made on the implementation of the EU – Georgia Action Plan between November 2006 and 31 December 2007, as well as on presidential elections that took place in January 2008, just after the reporting period; developments outside this period are also considered when deemed relevant. This document is not a general review of the political and economic situation in Georgia.

For the whole territory of South Eastern Europe, including Kosovo, the question has never been whether to integrate into the EU or not, but rather a question of when and how this integration should be achieved.

Serbia has a crucial role to play in the Western Balkans, both for ensuring stability and as a motor for the economic development and prosperity of the region. The biggest country in the region, Serbia, could make rapid progress towards EU membership. However the process has been prolonged by many complex political barriers.

Monthly analytical bulletin on Moldova, issued by Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", Chisinau

Monthly analytical bulletin on Moldova, issued by Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", Chisinau

(in English and Romanian)

This study aims to outline the difficulties of aid absorption capacities in Kosovo in the context of European Integration.

Monthly analytical bulletin on Moldova, issued by Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", Chisinau
(in English and Romanian)

Based on more than 30 interviews with government officials, experts, journalists and development workers in Poland, Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and Jordan, this report is a study of Poland’s policy, as a new EU member state (2004-2008), towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Monthly analytical bulletin on Moldova, issued by Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", Chisinau
(in English and Romanian)

Monthly analytical bulletin on Moldova, issued by Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", Chisinau

(in English and Romanian)

CASE Reports No. 74

This report aims to identify major existing gaps in the four socio-economic dimensions (economic, human, environmental, and institutional) and to reveal those gaps which could potentially hinder social and economic integration of neighbouring states with the EU. To achieve this, the authors aim to assess the existing trends in the size of the gaps across countries and problem areas, taking into consideration the specific origin of the gap between EU15/EU12, on the one hand, and FSU republics, EU candidates and West Balkan countries, on the other hand.

(In English and Russian)

‘Quo Vadis, Moldova?,’ published with the help of the European Integration Studies Centre in Lithuania, is a collection of 10 analytical articles which chart the complex changes within Moldova on the path to EU membership.

CASE Reports No. 73

The enlargement of the EU to include the ten new member states in Central and Eastern Europe and the two Mediterranean islands on 1 May 2004 and Bulgaria and Romania on 1 January 2007 was the result of a tremendous effort to reconfigure not only the frontiers of Europe, but also the concept of what Europe is. Enlargements in 2004 and 2007 did not end the debate about where Europe begins and ends, however. Rather it fuelled the discussion, as neighbouring countries continue to express interest in joining the EU. At the moment it seems that enlargement will continue in the short term to include the remaining Balkan states and Turkey.

CASE Reports No. 71

The central objective of this report (completed in March 2006) is to identify the best forms of enhanced economic integration that could be pursued over the next 5-10 years between the EU and Ukraine, Russia, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria, from the EU perspective.

This collection of papers is an outcome of a project aiming at mapping and debating the attitudes towards enlargement in three newer member states (Czech Republic, Poland and Latvia) and in three EU hopefuls (Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine). Thee authors – experts from the respective countries – discuss apart from general attitudes towards further EU expansion particularly those countries that have been relatively less prominent in their respective national debates: Ukraine for the Czech Republic, Turkey for Latvia, and the Balkans for Poland.

This paper sets out guidelines for the integration of Moldova into the European Union, a process which will involve central and local government as well as civil society institutions.

Enlargement is widely recognized as the most successful policy tool of the European Union. Yet, enlargement was one of the few topics causing heated discussion among EU leaders working on the Berlin declaration marking the 50th anniversary of the 1957 Treaty of Rome establishing the European Community, the predecessor of the European Union.

In this paper the author argues that Europe needs Turkey as much as Turkey needs Europe. The author says that problems that threaten international peace and prosperity can be tackled much more effectively by governance structures that function above the national level.

The enlargement of the European Union on 1 May 2004 has brought a historical shift for the Union in political, geographic and economic terms, further reinforcing the political and economic interdependence between the EU and Armenia. It offers the opportunity for the EU and Armenia to develop an increasingly close relationship, going beyond co-operation, to involve a significant measure of economic integration and a deepening of political cooperation.

The enlargement of the European Union on 1 May 2004 has brought a historical shift for the Union in political, geographic and economic terms, further reinforcing the political and economic interdependence between the EU and Azerbaijan. It offers the opportunity for the EU and Azerbaijan to develop an increasingly close mutually beneficial relationship, going beyond cooperation, to involve a significant measure of economic integration and a deepening of political cooperation.

The enlargement of the European Union on 1 May 2004 has brought a historical shift for the Union in political, geographic and economic terms, further reinforcing the political and economic interdependence between the EU and Georgia. It offers the opportunity for the EU and Georgia to develop an increasingly close relationship, going beyond co-operation, to involve a significant measure of economic integration and a deepening of political cooperation.

CASE Reports No. 67

In recent years, external links with the Republic of Moldova have been determined by the influence of two geopolitical blocks, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the European Union (EU). Moldova is currently a member of the CIS, largely as a result of historical economic and political ties.

This White Paper proposes an alternative, independent vision of state policy for controlling illegal migration in Ukraine. This is the final report from the “Improving Mechanisms for Implementing Migration Policy in Ukraine. Applying EU experience in instituting readmission agreements” Project implemented by the International Centre for Policy Studies (Kyiv, Ukraine) and the Institute for Public Affairs (Warsaw, Poland), with support from the Embassy of the UK in Ukraine.

This brief report reviews the Polish experience in concluding and implementing readmission agreements with its neighbours and other European states, focusing on the two key documents: the agreement with the Schengen states of 1991 and with Germany of 1993. A twofold perspective is offered here: on the one hand, the conclusion of agreements is seen as part of the ‘bargain’ struck between Poland, a country that until the early 1990s had been a major source of migrants itself, and West European states, especially Germany, to remove obstacles to the legal entry and residence of Polish nationals in Western Europe.

The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of the European regional policy and the European integration of Bulgaria on the political mobilisation, social-economic status and the perception of two compact Muslim groups – Turks and Muslim Bulgarians (Pomaks), who are the local majority in the Kardzhali and Smolyan districts of the South Central Region of Bulgaria – about their place within united Europe.

TURECKO A UKRAJINA: ČLENOVÉ NEBO PARTNEŘI? Středoevropské pohledy na perspektivy jejich členství v Evropské unii

This publication examines Czech attitudes towards the EU membership prospects of two countries: Turkey and Ukraine. It deals with the attitudes of the political representation, including political parties, government and diplomatic service (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and other governmental stakeholders. Furthermore, it tries to give an account of how the issue has been treated in the media, especially in the major opinion-shaping newspapers. In addition, it tries to assess who the other stakeholders in the process are, especially within the ranks of the civil society, and how they are likely to shape the public debate.

CASE Reports No. 68

The economic relations between the EU and Ukraine have intensified in recent years. Following the 2004 enlargement, Ukraine became the direct neighbour of the EU. At the same time, the country has been developing rapidly and both local production capacities and demand for foreign produce have been increasing. Ukraine also became more open to external partners. All this is reflected in the gradual effective trade integration with the EU; i.e. in growing bilateral trade flows.

On 21st-23rd November 2005 the International Center for Human Development organized an international conference - Promotion of OSCE Values, Principles and Commitments as a Basis for Security and Co-operation in the OSCE Area: Concrete Steps towards the European Integration of Armenia.

The event was sponsored by the Yerevan offices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation of Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe. More than 50 participants from Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria attended the conference.

The main goal of the conference was to bring together the representatives of interested organizations from different countries that focus on current issues of stability and cooperation to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act. They discussed OSCE values, principles and commitments and highlighted how those could become a basis for security and co-operation in the OSCE area.

This study takes a close look at the visa and consular policies of the Visegrad countries (V4) - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - in the context of recent EU accession and the requirements of full integration into the Schengen system.

Polish attitudes towards the European Union are characterized by a certain duality. On the one hand, the vast majority of Poles support Poland’s membership of the EU and assess the accession effects increasingly well. On the other hand, deeply rooted distrust not only towards the EU, but also towards the biggest EU states and their motives can be observed.

(In English and German)

The image that the German public have of Poland and the Polish people is much less crystallized than the image of Germany in Poland. When the Germans are asked questions about Poland they respond ambivalently or do not have an opinion at all, much more often so, than when Poles talk about Germany. Almost 20% of Germans do not have any associations with our country. And when some associations are listed, the negative ones clearly prevail.

This paper presents the main results from the project “IGC Net” geared to study a crucial period of EU constitutionalisation: constitutional reforms from the European Convention (2002-2003) to the constitutional treaty (2004). The research on the “Anatomy, Analysis and Assessment of the EU Constitutionalisation” was carried out by a transnational group of political scientists and lawyers in 2004 and 2005 in the framework of the Jean Monnet Programme funded by the European Commission.

Newsletter of the International Centre for Policy Studies, Ukraine.

The purpose of the project "Comparative Review of SAPARD Pre-Accession Assistance Impact on National Agriculture and Rural Development in 5 New EU Member States (Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary) and 2 future EU member states (Bulgaria, Romania)", financed by the Open Society Institute - Budapest, is to review the implementation of the Programme in seven Central and East European countries - the Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.

A publication by the Center for Economic Development, Sofia, together with the Economics Institute in Serbia

Research report of the Institute of Public Affairs, Warsaw

Policy Paper 4/2008, Association for International Affairs (AMO), Czech Republic

(in English and in Czech)

Discussion Paper No.2, January-July 2008
by Dumitru Minzarari

(in English and in Romanian)

by Agnieszka K. Cianciara

Analyses & Opinions, No. 4, June 2008, Institute of Public Affairs, Poland

A policy brief from the International Centre for Human Development.

(In English and Armenian)

PASOS Policy Brief No. 1, 2008

Jeff Lovitt, Executive Director, Policy Association for an Open Society (PASOS) and

Věra Řiháčková, Research Fellow, EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Czech Republic

Analiz i Opinii, No. 80, January 2008, a publication of the Institute of Public Affairs, Warsaw, Poland

(only in Polish)

A policy brief by the International Center for Human Development, Armenia

A policy brief, prepared by the Association for International Affairs (AMO), Czech Republic, and the Stefan Batory Foundation, Poland, and supported by Václav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, former President of Poland, and Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland

A policy paper of the International Centre for Human Development, Armenia.

(In English and Armenian)

A policy brief of the International Centre for Human Development in Armenia.

(In English and Armenian)

This paper will examine Poland’s policy in the Middle East and the potential it yields to become a more active player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It will also establish whether there is a need for Poland’s involvement as a member of the EU and what value this could add in the context of the new American initiative and the Annapolis Peace conference. It will also examine the overall role of New Member States in Middle-East conflict.

A policy brief by the International Center for Human Development (ICHD), Armenia

A policy brief by the International Center for Human Development, Armenia

(in English and Ukrainian)

This report was prepared as part of the "Support of Public Consultations on an EU-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement" project carried out by the International Centre for Policy Studies (ICPS) with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative of the Open Society Institute (LGI/OSI).

by Piotr Maciej Kaczyñski, Institute of Public Affairs, Warsaw

(in English and Polish)

European integration has been on Ukraine’s agenda since its independence.There has been a period identified as ‘integration without Europeanization' during the Kuchma regime, and later on it was followed by a number of ‘real integration’ steps (e.g. the EU-Ukraine Action Plan with clear priorities and monitoring procedures). Ukraine will have to make another significant step towards the EU by signing the New Enhanced Agreement. This agreement, especially its part on free trade, will go beyond the liberalisation of trade in goods and services between the EU and Ukraine. It will primarily aim at adjusting Ukraine’s regulatory policy and economic governance rules to those of the EU. Given the lack of EU membership prospects in the mid- and long - run, Ukraine must take as much as possible from what is being offered now.

The Czech Republic, as well as the other new Member States of the European Union, belongs to the group of EU countries most vigorously supporting the future EU enlargement. The support runs across the political spectrum as well as public opinion. According to the last Eurobarometer poll, as much as 65% of the Czech population supports further EU enlargement. Explicit anti-enlargement rhetoric cannot be found in the programme of any of the parliamentary parties. The strong support can be explained by relatively fresh accession memory, recognising the importance of the EU enlargement policy for creating a stable and democratic environment, but also by a genuine belief in the need for over coming post-Cold War divisions in Europe, and the right of non-EU countries to stability and prosperity, which has changed the region of Central Europe in the last fifteen years beyond recognition

Macedonia already enjoys the status of a candidate for EU membership. Undoubtedly, this fact represents a great achievement, since the country had to face so many challenges in such a short period of time. However, the mission called “EU membership” is far from being over. What’s more, the hardest part may be yet to come.

What is waiting for Macedonia on her road to the EU? What is Macedonia’s “to-do-list”? What is EU unfinished business on the Balkans? How is Macedonia perceived in the EU, and how is the EU perceived in Macedonia? Which EU member can be hoped for as a promoter of Macedonian accession?

A policy paper from the Peace Institute, Ljubljana, January 2006.

PASOS network calls on EU to convene EU-Ukraine summit to agree technical and financial assistance to strengthen transparency and rule of law in Ukraine (also available in Ukrainian)