The Eastern Partnership in the Context of the European Neighbourhood

Home , Association Trio, Eastern Partnership, European Economic Area, European integration

ISBN 978-83-924279-8-8 Visegrad Fund (http://www.visegradfund.org) The by publication isco-financed The International (ed.) Albrycht Izabela oon theEUEasternPolicy concepts AAgnieszka Legucka: Comparative study aand thestrategy ofthe Visegrad Group Szczerski:KKrzysztof The EU’s EasternPolicy toolofPolishoof theEU–mainorsupporting EasternPolicy? PPrzemysław Żurawski vel Grajewski: The EasternPartnership andtheEasternPartnership AAndrás Hungary Rácz: – from aby-product toabeloved child? DDavid Král: The RepublicandtheEasternPartnership Czech IIzabela Albrycht :Introduction AANDAGENDA V4 NNEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY IIN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN TTHE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP z

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E y p ? A N The Kosciuszko Institute – is an independent, non-governmental Think Tank and research institute, established in 2000 as a non-profit organization. The mission of the Kosciuszko Institute is to contribute to economic and social development, and security in Poland – an active member of the European Union and a partner in the Euro-Atlantic Alliance. The Kosciuszko Institute strives to lead the way towards positive change and aims to develop and promote the best solutions to problems faced not only by Poland but also by countries in the region. The Kosciuszko Institute has over 10-year experience in expert area concerning the EU politics. Its analysis constitute supportive background for politicians and decision makers in Poland and Europe. The Institute cooperates with academics, members of the Polish and EU administrations, and individuals engaged in public, social and economic activities. Headquarters of the Kosciuszko Institute is located in Cracow (Poland). http://www.ik.org.pl

PARTNERS OF THE PROJECT EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy – is a non-profit, non-partisan and independent institute. It focuses on the issues of European integration and its impact on the transformation of political, economic and legal milieu in the Czech Republic. EUROPEUM strives to contribute to a long-lasting development of democracy, security, stability, freedom and solidarity across Europe. EUROPEUM formulates opinions and offers alternatives to internal reforms in the Czech Republic with a view of ensuring her full-fledged membership and respected position in the European Union. Headquarters of the organization is located in Prague (The Czech Republic). http://www.europeum.org

The Center for European Enlargement Studies (CENS) – an independent Center of the Central European University, was founded in 2005 as an institution of advanced research into the EU enlargement process. Our overall goal is to promote a dialogue between member states and partners in Eastern – and Southern-Europe, academics and decision makers in the EU and in national governments so that they may have a more informed understanding of factors that influence Europe’s common future. Headquarters of the organization is located in Budapest (Hungary). http://web.ceu.hu/cens

The opinion expressed in the publication is the author’s own, and in no way represents the official position of the Kosciuszko Institute. THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA AND V4 V4 AGENDA AND NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY NEIGHBOURHOOD IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN THE OF CONTEXT THE IN THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP EASTERN THE Izabela Albrycht (ed.) International The publication is co-financed by The (http://www.visegradfund.org) Fund Visegrad 2 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA Comparative study on the EU Eastern Policy concepts ...... 59 concepts Policy Eastern EU the . on study Comparative 6. Agnieszka 51 . the VisegradGroup of strategy the EU’s Theand Policy Eastern Legucka: 5. Krzysztof Szczerski: tool The Eastern Partnership oftheEU–mainorsupporting Przemysław Żurawski vel Grajewski: 4. 19 . Partnership Eastern the and Hungary 3. András Rácz: The Czech RepublicandtheEastern Partnership –from 2. David . . Introduction Král: 1. Izabela Albrycht: CONTENTS of Polish Eastern Policy? . Policy? PolishEastern of 5 . . child? beloved a to by-product a ...... 3 . 37 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA3 erent historical back- historical erent the perspective for accession er any – Vice-Chairman in the – of the Board new EU neighbours the towards approaches erent Izabela Albrycht Kosciuszko in the scientist (M.A. degree political Institute, Science and International Relations Institute of Political University), in Public specialist of the Jagiellonian Tischner studies in the Relations (non-degree professional thesis in the of a PhD University). Preparation European and International Science Relations of Institute of Political University. the Jagiellonian cant role, which has been presented in this publication has been presented which cant role, initiated by The Kosciuszko Institute and prepared jointly Kosciuszko Institute and prepared The by initiated The Eastern Partnership in the context of the European Neighbour- The Eastern Partnership in the context of the European

Historical and political perspectives, recalled in this publication, point out that recalled Historical perspectives, and political The publication publication The Since its establishment, the European Union has been representing an arena for for an arena Union has been representing its establishment, the European Since INTRODUCTION grounds, geopolitical circumstances and internal economic progress, a map of exter- a map progress, economic and internal geopolitical circumstances grounds, new along but also distinctively developed became not only wider, nal EU interests (ENP), the most important Neighbourhood Policy European instrumentThe trends. the has been a subject External between tensions Policy of internal of the European as it does not off old and the new member states, Diff partnersstrategic of the latter. Part- in the Eastern of the ENP, process in the regionalization apparent become have the Mediterranean and as the Union for 2009, as well nership established in March for a platform the EaP remains these disagreements, Despite the Black Sea Synergy. V4. of the within the auspices Europe and Eastern in Central cooperation constructive EaP has been one of the most important in which of the EU external policy, initiatives In this process with each other. and Hungarian authorities cooperated Czech Polish, every country a signifi played aims experts and European through familiar with the local political environments and Hungarian actions Czech study on Polish, comparative The of their countries. buil- as an aspiration for understood dimension of the ENP, the Eastern that shows hood Policy and V4 Agenda hood Policy with the consortium of European think tanks – the Europeum Institute for European European Institute for with the consortium Europeum think tanks – the of European experts, present aims to with invited Studies EU Enlargement for and Centre Policy active- (EaP) as an initiative Partnership – the Eastern Union a project of the European (V4) Group Visegrad countries. ly supported the by which determines of particular of the member states, the sharp exchange interests of the new the accession With integration. the dynamics and shape of European diff from emerged whose national strategies member states, 4 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA of theirEuropean, regional andneighbourlycooperation. cies andinitiatives. andPoland ofatest ofbothHungary willbesort The presidency for specifyingthemmore precisely ontheEUagenda,aswell poli- asintheexternal dating theregional development, socialand politicalprioritiesinEastern Europe, and Hungarian andPolish leadershipsoftheEU. Moreover, ithasavitalsensefor consoli- from V4 partners. This conditioning isaconsiderable thesuccess factor ofthefi goals inthefi willprecedegarian presidency thePolish intheEU. presidency Ourcommon political countries withintheEaP. Alltheseeff Dimension oftheENP, includingdeepeningcooperation withtheEastern European interesting anddeveloping way Eastern as a particularly insupporting V4 partners their common goals? The Polish, Czech andHungarianpotentials were presented in forceir memberstates beencapableofshapingatactical towards outofsolidarity tions. otherwords, In is V4 aninstitutionallyusefultool ontheEU arena andhave the- which thenrepresented inreaching themutualaspira- theirstrong politicalsupport withinthe performed V4, thattheycontributed to before theEUenlargement and Furthermore, thequestioniswhetherthey took advantageoftheirjointcapacity and iftheyhave beensuccessful indetermining theirdomainsinEuropean politics. sion, Poland, have theCzech setthestamponEUagenda RepublicandHungary with theEuropean politicalgame(informal eff progress interms of theEU”“learning (formal eff EU politicalsystem andaddress somefundamentalquestions. How muchdidthey to whichthesecountriesthe extent have moved intheadaptationprocess withinthe inrealizing theirnationalinterestsciency enablesto ontheEUforum. determine It interesting to follownew EUmemberstates. isparticularly andeffi It theiractivities Eastern Partnership were presented inadetailedmannerthepublication,are the scope ofcooperation includestheireconomic aims). thout exceptions, someare biasedinfavour ofchosencountries) andarea (the factor according theentire region to (somememberstates geographical support wi- factor realized intheEUarenapolicy by thesethree countries. diff The priority and reform assistance intheregion oftheEastern Europe, ofexternal isakeypriority ding sensiblepoliticalboundswiththeEastern neighbours, andfor democratization Next year isessentialforNext Polish andHungarianEuropean Politics, since theHun- The publicationhelpsto perceive whether duringthefi Poland, theCzech RepublicandHungary, of whosepositions inthesubject eld ofrealizing theEaPandENPpremises support need anactive orts may bare fruitin2011. orts ectiveness)? ectiveness) or in terms of familiarity orintermsectiveness) offamiliarity rst fi rst ve years acces- after

ers however, rst rst - THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA5 le, at least le, rst Eastern EU and during the Czech before airs - director of EUROPEUM Institute for European of EUROPEUM European - director Institute for David Král Král David at Charles Faculty the Law from in law master Policy, He lectured at the Metropolitan University in Prague. and at the Charles University - Faculty University in Prague During the work of the Convention of Social Sciences. and the Intergovernmental of Europe on the Future advisory 2003/2004 he was a member of Conference and member Minister, and the Prime MFA of the groups Vice- the to relations of an advisory on foreign group EU aﬀ for Premier presidency in 2009. . Secondly, the Czech Republic as the only country the Czech in . Secondly, 1

Eastern Neighbourhood. Hungarian Institute of International Relations, Hungarian Institute Relations, of International Neighbourhood. Eastern The Czech Eastern policy profi Eastern rather low Czech has been characterized by The The Eastern Partnership as an initiative at the EU level was one of the core prio- was one of the core at the EU level as an initiative Partnership Eastern The century. This is explicable by several factors. First of all, symbolically there was symbolically there of all, First factors. several is explicable by This century.

st BELOVED CHILD? BELOVED PARTNERSHIP – FROM A BY-PRODUCT TO A A TO BY-PRODUCT A FROM – PARTNERSHIP THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND THE EASTERN EASTERN THE AND REPUBLIC CZECH THE 1 the Republic towards of the Czech Policy Foreign The Michal Kořan: Tulmets, Drulák, Elsa Petr The place of the “Eastern factor” in the Czech foreign policy in the Czech foreign factor” “Eastern of the place The a need to distance itself from the East to prove the European credentials under the credentials the European prove the East to itself from distance a need to Europe” to “return of motto rities of the Czech EU presidency in the arena of external relations. The factThe that the of external EU presidency relations. rities of the Czech in the arena and that the fi Council European the March was endorsed by initiative much im- how 2009 illustrates on 7 May in Prague place summit took Partnership portance policy this new EU political representation. was attached to the Czech by articleThis Republic in building of the Czech will try detail the role explain in more to po- underpinning Czech considerations as strategic partnership, as well the Eastern of this initiative. the contents concerning and ambitions sition, their major interests “Eastern context of the Czech a broader be impossible without examining would This in the past years. policy” of and at the beginning of 1990’s in course countries, Visegrad other to compared 21 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA

6 the EU. That would implyintroducing visasfor many EastEuropean countries that clear thatthecandidate countries would have to comply withthevisalegislation of negotiating Justice andHomeAff blocks. Oneexampleclearlyillustratingthisistheissue ofvisas. theframework of In that itcould somehow undermineorendangertheCzech aspirationsto joinboth bition to develop anautonomous Czech Eastern policy, notleastbecauseofthefear foreign eff policy inlatereign 1990’s policy untiltheEUaccession in2004were to subordinate allthe stronger politicaltieswithEastEuropean states. trading withorinvesting inthisregion, there wasnoeconomic impulseto develop of smallcross-border tradeandlackofinterest ofthebiggestCzech companies in to theabsence ofborders withEastern countries whichwould allow for developing into forceand entry oftheEuropean agreement withtheECinFebruary 1995.Due latter waslargely facilitated by theassociation withtheEuropean Community (EC) Thirdly, and perhaps mostimportantly, theoverall imperatives of theCzech fo- CEFTA –Central European Free Trade Area 2 changing onlysince early2000’s whenasignifi in theCzech Republicthaninothercountries oftheregion. The situationhasbeen environmental threats ormigration pressures) alsoresonated muchlessintensively from theEastern neighbourhood(politicalinstability, frozen confl andPoles intheEasternin Slovakia Poland. orUkrainians Possible threats stemming livingintheCzechsubstantial Eastern Republic, ethnicminority liketheRuthenians (unlike HungariansorPoles noristherethe Easternany partnership livinginUkraine), substantive residing Czech minority inany ofthecountries currently fallingunder of former Soviet Union)becamemuchlesssalientintheCzech discourse. There isno relations withEastern countries meaningnewlyindependentstates (inthiscontext Eastern neighbours. Thus, in1992,theissueof thedivisionofCzechoslovakia after the region withany doesnothave ofthecurrent geographical adirect EU boundary through theestablishmentofCEFTA relations withformer Poland socialistcountries (especiallySlovakia, andHungary abandoned themarketsofformer Soviet Unionstates whilekeepingupthetrade uncil ofMutualEconomic Assistance), theCzech Republichasalmostcompletely offoreign aff withtheMinistry strong co-ordination red without matter aninternal andassuchhandledby security theinterior ministry citizens oftheEastern European countries. However, thisissuewasmainlyconside- ce to Eastern policy, especiallyinterms ofvisa and residence issuesconcerning the into theCzechcially from Republicstarted. Ukraine This againbrought more salien- Secondly, atthebeginning of 1990’s following thedissolutionofCOMECON (Co- orts to joiningtheEUandNATO.orts This somehow hampered theam- airs chapter, theEuropean Commission madeit 2 ) and trying to expandto ) andtrying Western markets. The cant infl cant airs. ux ofmigrant workers espe- and security icts, THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA7 nding a coordinated nding a coordinated Wider Europe and the European and the European Europe Wider le in the EU include particularlyle using the Czech experience, mainta- experience, using the Czech ciently articulated Republic and the Czech ed as another issue, mainly due to certain mainly due to historicaled as another issue, . Poland and Hungary have, on the other hand, opted on the other hand, and Hungary have, . Poland 3 , even before the EU accession. Polish delegation worked ma- delegation worked Polish the EU accession. before , even 5 rst Commission communications on the communications rst Commission erent approach (particularly Ukraine approach to erent in relation delaying Moldova), and

, although one could probably argue that Poland and Hungary com- that Poland had more argue probably , although one could 4 pean Neighbourhood Policy, whose many elements then were incorporated in the respective in the respective incorporated elements then were whose many pean Neighbourhood Policy, communication Commission took a more assertive stance, such as duting the Iraq crisis in 2003. However, the Czech position the Czech Iraq such as duting the assertive However, crisis in 2003. a more stance, took the then EU as well. across was a cleavage and there ambivalent and nuanced, was more approach among V4. While the Czech and Slovak PMs were in favour of an early introduction, the in favour were PMs and Slovak While the Czech V4. among approach was no co-ordi- there their postponement. Eventually, for arguing were and Hungarian PMs Polish Ukraine Republic and Slovakia visa for in 2000 while V4 with Czech introducing of approach nated Hungary and Poland only in 2003. of Visegrád prime ministers in the High Tatras in October 1999 in search of fi in October 1999 in search Tatras in the High prime ministers Visegrád of le of the Czech Eastern policy in 1990’s and early 2000 somehow undermined and early 2000 somehow policy Eastern le of the Czech in 1990’s A certain comeback of Eastern policy can be witnessed in the Czech foreign po-A certain policy of Eastern foreign comeback can be witnessed in the Czech

5 dimension“ of the Euro- „Eastern a non-paper on circulated MFA in 2003, the Polish instance For 4 policy Republic the Czech issues on some foreign that other examples show other hand, On the 3 was subject countries of the meeting European Eastern of citizens visas to issue of introducing The maintained visa free regime with the EU candidates, mainly as a result of agreements agreements of result as a mainly EU candidates, with the regime free visa maintained most of these renounced Republic has Czech The bloc. the times of the socialist from the requ- by this step justifying practically in 2000 overnight, agreements visa free the EU by imposed irements ting to the fi ting to Eastern neighbours was identifi Eastern profi active in contribu- much more was Poland instance, For of this choice. the credibility the Czech Republic wanted to take a stronger profi take a stronger to Republic wanted the Czech with relations Developing in the region. countries of the EU accession eventual to the low the socialist era. However, contactsfrom intensive thanks to on the ground has to have credibility and clear added value for pursuing them. These “niches” where “niches” These pursuing them. for and clear added value credibility have has to of democracy promotion and transformation Balkans leading Western in EU involvement ining a close transatlantic link or strong good knowledge as due to of the situation as well and cultural links with the region, foreign policy have to be well targeted, effi targeted, be well policy to have foreign fact that as a relatively small country with limited resources, its priorities for the EU its priorities for small countryfact resources, with limited relatively that as a could be projected through the EU level. The Czech diplomacy Czech on the build The tried to EU level. the through be projected could accomplished, the Czech foreign policy was clearly lacking foreign a vision or a priority the Czech that accomplished, licy discourse after the EU accession in 2004. Once the goal of the EU accession was accession the goal of the EU licy in 2004. Once after the EU accession discourse

pelling reasons for postponing the introduction of visas. for pelling reasons Neighbourhood Policy

cess its own Eastern policy should it be perceived as undermining its own accession pro- accession its own as undermining policy Eastern its own should it be perceived This illustrates to a large degree the unwillingness of the Czech Republic to develop to Republic of the Czech unwillingness the degree a large to illustrates This the imposition of visas verythe imposition (only in 2003).actual the close to of EU accession date for a diff for 8 THE EASTERNas overly intheregion. andproducts recent goodreputation In ofCzech industry tural choice for Czech oflocalenvironment, businessesdueto theknowledge aswell PARTNERSHIPvest inlower-cost countries. From thisperspective, Eastern Europe seemsto beana- markets andalso, withincreasing labourcosts in the Czech Republic, inneedto in- industrialising countries, theCzech companies are inapressing needto lookfor new cally inmid2000’s. With theeconomic growth andincreased competition from newly ofindustrialisedworld,Europe thesituationhaschangeddramati- andotherparts companies totally swappedmarketsandreoriented thenontradingwith Western nomic considerations. Unlikeinthe1990’s when,asitwasmentioned, theCzech IN THEbe pursued, notonlybilaterally butthrough diff area where democratisationeff important ighbourhood isaparticularly CONTEXT Belarus,ship –namelyUkraine, Georgia andMoldova. This illustrates thatEastern ne- group ofcountries. Four countries fallundertheEastern outofthepriority partner- which distributes fundsfor (implemented projects mainlyby NGOs)inaselected and ofHumanRights (currently calledDepartment Transformationministry Policy), democratisation eff OFas fartheemergence in1918.Institutionally, ofindependentCzechoslovakia the THEanchored anddates backnotonlyto intheCzech post-1989experience thinking but as acore valuewhich shouldbeprojected through Czech foreign isquite well- policy EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA The othermotive for aresurgent interest inEastern Europe isexplicableby eco- crats (KDU-ČSL) andtheGreen (SZ) Party crats (KDU-ČSL) (ODS), 2007,consisting oftheCivicDemocraticParty theChristianDemo- in January example visibleintheprogramme government ofthe centre-right whichtook offi to pursueeconomic integration oftheEastern neighbourswiththeEU. This isfor democratisation and “Europeanization” intheEastern neighbourhood, andtheneed there isarelative theneed to consensus support amongtheCzech policy-makers: towardsCzech activity Eastern Europe wasbuiltonseveral presumptions onwhich shaping newEUinitiatives targeted attheEastern neighbourhoodoftheUnion. The theEUaccessionse after facilitated amore role pro-active oftheCzech Republicin Coalition agreement andSZ,2006,p. between ODS,KDU-ČSL 30 6 Motives for thegrowing Republic intheCzech interest inEastern policy the future EUinitiatives. gave positionand, enabledto inthisrespect, infl themamuchbetter starting Swedeninly together withtheEUmemberstates andGermany), (particularly which The intheCzech growing foreign ofEastern policy discour- importance policy orts are intheforeign channelledthrough aseparateorts department 6 . However, astrong emphasisondemocracy erent EUpolicies andinstruments. orts should should orts uence uence ce THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA9 became a reality, although a reality, became 7 circulated in 2007. This non-pa- This in 2007. circulated 8 , working document (non-paper) – not public uence in Eastern Europe. While in 1990’s Russia was While in 1990’s Europe. in Eastern uence ENP and Eastern Neighbourhood – Time to Act ENP and Eastern Neighbourhood – Time has increased by 63% between 2000 and 2005 on avarage, with some countries, the increase is the increase with some countries, 2000 and 2005 on avarage, 63% between by has increased and Ukraine 2000%, in case of Moldova more with Azerbaijan by over e.g. substantailly higher, Repu- of the Czech Policy Foreign The Michal Kořan: Tulmets, Drulák, Elsa Petr than 100%. Source: 3 p. Hungarian Institute Relations, of International Neighbourhood. the Eastern blic towards

Let us move on to examining the role of the Czech leadership and diplomacy of the Czech examining the role on to us move Let

8 7 Neighbours (including Russia) Republic and the EU Eastern the Czech between trade turnover The The role of the Czech Republic in shaping the Eastern Partnership (EaP) of the Czech Partnership (EaP) Republic in shaping the Eastern role The years a boost of trade with Eastern European countries European with Eastern of trade a boost years in shaping the Eastern Partnership – the newest initiative framing the relations be- framing the relations initiative – the newest Partnership in shaping the Eastern the for incentives the strongest Probably neighbours. EU and its Eastern the tween with East- relations in shaping the EU’s take a highly pro-active Republic to role Czech (2007-2008) Group Visegrad in the presidencies the successive ern neighbours were preparations Union (JanuaryThe and subsequently in the European – June 2009). the EU presidency startedfor full speed after in 2006, gaining the parliamen- already tary in the was a consensus elections in the initial stage there in June 2006. Already policy put Eastern priorities of the presidency to the top among government Czech support a broader the Czech secure for In to order of external relations. in the area Visegrad with its consultations prepared the Czechs leading the EU, once proposals like-mindedpartners considered as other EU member states (such as Sweden, as well dimension of European Eastern on the enhanced and the Baltic countries) Germany a non-paper (ENP) through Neighbourhood Policy Last but not least, the Czech interest in Eastern Europe was also precipitated by was also precipitated Europe in Eastern interest Czech Last but not least, the

per was in principle accepted by the V4 which was viewed as a success of the Prague of the Prague as a success V4 which was viewed the by per was in principle accepted

most important, will look like. what the region element determining the Russian factor in Eastern Europe will once again become an important, again become will once if not thethe Russian factor Europe in Eastern ged substantially and the Czech politicians as well as administration realized that realized as administration politicians as well the Czech ged substantially and Czech diplomacy, after the assumption of power by Putin in 2000 the picture chan- Putin by after of power the assumption diplomacy, Czech facing enormous internal problems, and due to this not very and due to much on radar of the problems, facing enormous internal

the resurgence of Russian infl the resurgence interests in Eastern Europe through the initiatives taken at the EU level. EU level. taken at the the initiatives through Europe in Eastern interests neighbours with the EU seems to be the best way of securing the Czech business Czech of securing the be the best way to with the EU seems neighbours and the existence of the single EU trade policy, the economic integration of Eastern integration the economic policy, the single EU trade of and the existence the Czech economy with the EU (about 80% of the Czech trade is with EU countries) trade is with EU Czech (about 80% of the with the EU economy the Czech particularly from Russia and Azerbaijan. Due to a very high degree of integration of particularly of integration and Azerbaijan. Russia a very Due to from high degree gas), approximately 75% of which Czech Republic imports from the region at stake, at stake, Republic imports Czech 75% of which region the from gas), approximately much of this is attributable to high increase in trade in energies (especially oil and in energies in trade increase high is attributable to much of this court, as theitwascharged withpreparing the respectivecourt, communication whichwasto ship by theEuropean Council inJune2008, returned theballbackto theCommission’s instruments thatwere intended for states. thesouthern Mediterranean andto equiptheEastern neighbourswithsimilarset ofpoliciesand dimension further one to argue for abalanced approached to theENP, to pushfor upgrading theEastern thus madeitmucheasierfor whichwasto theCzech follow EUpresidency theFrench mainly ofamultilateral character. The acceptance oftheFrench proposal attheEUlevel i.e. to framework provide thesouthernEUneighbourswith newinstitutionalandpolicy muchatthesamethingaslater thePolish-Swedishproposal aimedvery initiative, instruments,ing community suchastheENPand Barcelona process. The French andwasconcernedin theproject abouttherelation ofthisnewinitiative to theexist- where muchopposedto includingonlysome oftheEUcountries thelatter wasvery 2008, despite someinitialcontroversies between France particularly andGermany, posal for Unionwasaccepted theMediterranean asaconcept by theCouncil inMarch whichitwastoview ofitsincoming assumeinJuly2008. presidency The French proposals”. Particularly France becamemuchmore notleastwiththe inthisrespect, active multilateral formats onthebasisof for developing theEasterndimensionsofENPinbilateral“both andtheSouthern 10 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA The acceptance ofthePolish-Swedish initiative for launchingtheEastern Partner- from 2007onwards. The European Council conclusions of14 werethe southernandeastern dimensionsofthispolicy becoming ever more obvious sive development ofEuropean NeighbourhoodPolicy, where the tensions between the EUatthattime–Unionfor theMediterranean. developing amore formal similarto newframework, anotherinitiative emerging in Czechs stressed fl The maindiff under thenameofEastern Partnership inJune2008European Council conclusions. RelationsCouncil inMayfairs andExternal 2008andendorsedasaconcept (GAERC) detailed proposal for theEastern dimensionofENPwhichwastabledto GeneralAf- the Visegrad Group (from June2008)who, jointlywithSweden, elaborated amore elaborated enough,andassuchitwasusedby theincoming Polish in presidency specifi country inadditiontoactions, existing mainlybilateral framework implemented through of relations. This would addamultilateral fr lateral, Eastern project-based dimensionofcurrent ENPthrough afl by theEUCouncil. The basicelementoftheCzech proposal wasto develop amulti- thus increased oftheCzech to Republicto beadopted thecapacity work onitfurther diplomacy, and becauseitprovided thebasicunderstandingamongpartners Indeed theCzech RepublichasseizedIndeed anewmomentumemerging inaprogres- erence oftheCzech andSwedish-Polish proposals wasthatwhilethe plans. However,c ENPaction theproposal wasstillnotconcrete and exible, lessinstitutionalized approach, theotherinitiative aimedat relevant Commission communications andpro- amework to co-operation onconcrete amework to co-operation th December 2007 called December 2007called exible framework THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT er OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA11 . The Commission has invited Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic, Czech and the Sweden Poland, has invited Commission The . 9 , was seen as another strong motive that the European Union, if it wants to that the European motive strong , was seen as another 10

uence” over the former Soviet republics. The Russian aggression against the Russian aggression The republics. Soviet the former over uence” ry, even admitted the posibility of sanctions, pledged assistance worth 150 million CZK to Georgia the posibility worth admitted of sanctions, pledged assistance Georgia even 150 million CZK to ry, on the contrary, with reconstruction; cope to helping Georgia donor conference and called for The Russia. and provoking leadership of escalating tensions Klaus Georgian accused President and in balanced but more – Georgian was pro Karel minister Schwarzenberg position of foreign dialogue with Russia presidency position, favouring line with the French nership, COM(2008) 823 from 3 December 2008, available at: http://ec.europa.eu/external_relati- 2008, available 3 December 823 from COM(2008) nership, ons/eastern/docs/com08_823_en.pdf It is interesting to observe partnership to It the Eastern how up the priori- is interesting was moving ict in August 2008. The centre-right government of Prime Minister Mirek Topo- Minister Mirek of Prime centre-rightThe government ict 2008. in August

Another impetus that pushed the Czech government to make the Eastern part- make the Eastern to government the Czech that pushed Another impetus

10 territo- against the Georgian the Russian aggression condemned Topolánek Minister Mirek Prime 9 Part- Eastern and the Council: Parliament the European to the Commission from Communication The Eastern Partnership initiatives during the Czech EU presidency Partnership initiatives Eastern The be issued in 2008 be issued ties of the external relations of the Czech EU presidency. Developing the Eastern di- the Eastern Developing EU presidency. of the Czech ties of the external relations but rather as some- the beginning, agenda since mension of ENP was on the Czech because of its geographical include, was obliged to government thing that the Czech prior- and as a perceived Group Visegrad activities previous in the position and history, as the external section factors Many in the previous explain why, policy. ity of its foreign partnership the Eastern important. more presidency was becoming was approaching, about what can realistic more was becoming government the Czech In this, addition to namely transatlantic rela- of external in other main priority relations, areas be achieved was great the momentum While in case of EU-US relations Balkans. Western tions and Obama, the very inauguration of the new ad- after the election gradual of President in organising Despite achievements. real any ministration in fact for scope the limited Czech- in Prague, of heads of government the EU-US summit at the level 2009, March bring the EU neighbours closer to its orbit, must make a much more attractive off its orbit, must make a much more closer to bring the EU neighbours

to them in addition to what is available for the time being. being. the time for what is available them in addition to to scene Georgian territory, although not being viewed consensually on the Czech political on the Czech consensually not being viewed although territory, Georgian of infl ibility of Eastern European countries in the eyes of the EU, and of restoring its “sphere “sphere its and of restoring of the EU, in the eyes countries ibility European of Eastern wards its neighbours and convinced of its long-term goal of undermining the cred- goal of undermining of its long-term its neighbours and convinced wards confl of Russia to- about the intensions suspicious at that time was quite lánek in power nership one of the top priorities for its EU presidency, was the Russian – Georgian – Georgian was the Russian its EU presidency, priorities for of the top nership one presidency actually resonate in it which will be analysed in the subsequent section. in the presidency analysed in it which will be actually resonate we can see from the contents of the communication, many of the priorities of the Czech of the priorities many of the communication, the contents can see from we as the future Heads of EU presidency to provide an input into this communication. As this communication. input into an Heads of EU presidency provide to as the future 12 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA sues like visa liberalisation. sues likevisaliberalisation. remain underfullcontrol ofmemberstates, especiallywhenitcomes to sensitive is- remains onthelevel butinany ofconcept, casewill whichwillbe elaborated further ship withtheEuropean Union“. wasalsounderlinedthatthe Eastern Partnership It countries’prejudice to individualparticipating aspirationsfor theirfuture relation- 1 Presidency conclusions, Brussels, 29March 2009http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_ 11 Czech presidency, for whichitcould beremembered andpraised. offl andakind to priority become themainexternal partnership the Croatian negotiationswasnotachieved. This slowly paved theway for theEastern of theeconomic crisis. Similarlyincaseof Western themaingoalofunblocking Balkans, US relations were strandedover many issuesincludingthemissiledefence andtackling pean Council the Declarationattachedto thePresidency conclusions approved by theMarch Euro- ment process, i.e. a mean agreen lightfor thesixcountries concernedoftheenlarge- to become part policiesandinstruments(especiallyENP)lastbutnotleastthatitdoes not ty in favour ofEastern neighbours, thatitisnotunderminingtheexistingcommuni- ofENPfunds re-distribution was thattheEaPisnotanti-Russian,itseeking the project. hadtoThe repeatedly mainpointsthattheCzech diplomacy underline took someeff It Union for theMediterraneanorganized under theFrench inJuly2008. presidency to prepare theinauguralsummitinspringof2009,similarlyto thesummitof nership endorsedby theEuropean Council, thehighestpoliticalbodyinEU, and going to become for atop priority theCzechs ofEastern inthecontext partnership. term intheheadofEU. alsoillustrated thatissuesconcerning It are energy security tentially to underminethefestive launchoftheEastern Partnership duringtheCzech asatransitcountry,a Russianattempt to underminethecredibility ofUkraine andpo- andr Vondra, themainface oftheCzech presidency, thewholecrisiswasviewed as has changeddramatically. According closeto to somepeoplevery Vice-Premier Alex- that theunderstandingofnature ofthedispute insidetheCzech administration involvementthe active ofthetop Czech politiciansintheupcoming weeks illustrated almost refused to interfere, callingtheproblem apurely bilateral commercial dispute, initialstagetheCzechEU memberstates. Republic thatinthevery Despite thefact 2009,whichseriouslyaff outinJanuary andRussiabreaking Ukraine withthegascrisisbetween tive its start camesoonafter oftheCzech EUpresidency Another strong incentive into thefl to turntheEastern partnership The upcoming challengefor wasto theCzech have presidency theEastern Part- data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/106809.pdf 11 states that “work undertheEastern Partnership willgoaheadwithout orts, assomememberstates governmentsorts, were stillhesitantabout de facto recognition oftheircandidate status. Despite thelatter, agship initiative of the agship initiative ofthe ected some of the someofthe ected agship initia- agship THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA13 uence” uence” erent levels of in- levels erent the period (600 million € for available nances nitely as a long-term goal in the March European European goal in the March as a long-term nitely ering them, because they expected more ambitious tasks, ambitious tasks, them, because they expectedering more . All above mentioned points, clearly illustrate the percep- illustrate clearly mentioned points, . All above 12 Radio, talkingRadio, 2009, http://www.radio.cz/cz/clanek/116173 point, 12 May The Czech Republic was active in contributing to the initial Commission proposal proposal the initial Commission to Republic was active in contributing Czech The The brief evaluation of the inaugural summit which took place in Prague on 7 in Prague place took which summit of the inaugural evaluation brief The

rst Mediterranean summit, which was attended by almost all EU leaders). Similarly, almost all EU leaders). Similarly, by rst Mediterranean attended summit, which was 12 Czech summit a success? Partnership Eastern EU Presidency’s the the Czech Was Rosie Johnston: The Eastern Partnership thematic platforms and the Czech EU presidency’s and the Czech EU presidency’s platforms Partnership thematic Eastern The overlap? do they priorities – how for the content of Eastern partnership elaborated in the aforementioned Communi- partnership of Eastern the content in the aforementioned elaborated for them further 3 2008 and was instrumental in developing cation of Dec. in the Eastern Council conclusions) or inadequacy conclusions) Council of fi the small). Last but not least, the Russian reaction to as too until 2013 is considered “to- the initiative calling Lavrov Sergei minister summit was very with foreign hostile, of infl “sphere the EU of trying and accusing extend to its tally unacceptable” May 2009 would be that it was probably not as spectacular as the Czechs hoped for. as spectacular not for. hoped be that it was probably Czechs as the 2009 would May summit was the and the already, was in resignation government the Czech of all, First but his politi- down, stepped Topolánek Minister the Prime before last big showcase practically the summit has Also the fact vanished. over that the summitcal leverage and Berlusconi Brown, such as Sarkozy, leaders, the major EU by was not attended were Tusk Merkel only Angela Donald and member states the big EU (from Zapatero observers many of a virtual as an illustration by lack was interpreted represented) the to compared (especially the biggest EU players from in the initiative of interest fi inter- the to (due Voronin the partnership president Moldovan regarding countries, the parliamentary following nal crisis in Moldova elections) and Belorussian presi- ministry issued) was not the foreign by dent Lukashenka whom the invitation (for at the represented countries of the Eastern the summit. But some not attended have what the particularly over disappointment meeting, Ukraine showed and Georgia, is off Partnership Eastern visa liberalisation in a short- of membership aspirations, the recognition instance, for set defi (while it has been term through the partnershipthrough

tion gap at the time of the launch of the Eastern partnership Eastern tion gap at the time of the launch of the – diff both sides. can bear fruit for if this new EU initiative will show years the coming relations with East European countries on a qualitatively new basis. Only the reality in Only the reality new basis. qualitatively on a countries with East European relations to present the project as an interesting trademark which would be able to foster the foster to be able trademark which would the project as an interesting present to neighbours and a hostile attitude of Russia. The Czech presidency Czech did not manageThe neighbours and a hostile attitude of Russia. terest among the EU member states, perceived lack of ambition on part lack of ambition of Eastern perceived among the EU member states, terest 14 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA member states. Ontheotherhand, itfailedto achieve concrete pledgesfrom Central states for Nabucco pipelineaswell asfor improving energy among interconnectivity from member support gasdispute,resolution ofRussian-Ukrainian pledgedfurther achieved mixed results Ononehand, inthisrespect. itsuccessfully engagedinthe tion, this is exactly where the Eastern partnership canmakeanenormousdiff where theEasterntion, thisisexactly partnership based mainlyonbilateral approach without muchemphasisonregional co-opera- efi the countries to integrate infi also politically. Economic integration withtheEUcould alsomakeitmucheasierfor make iteasierto adaptto European normsandstandards notonlyeconomically, but space with Eastern neighbours(theNeighbourhoodEconomic Community) will approximation for theestablishmentofsingleeconomic tory whichwillbenecessary tion in1990’s asapositive example. andassuchcanserve Furthermore, theregula- thathasbenefi Czech Republicisacountry of achievingeconomic development, inEastern Europe. prosperity andstability The ments (DCFTA) isunderstood intheCzech administrationasoneofthebestways also vis-à-visthird countries. The ideaofdeepandcomprehensive free tradeagree- which involves removal ofeconomic barriersnotonlyinsidetheEuropean Unionbut Firstly, thisgoesinlinewiththeCzech presidency’s ideaofopen,competitive Europe, Republic pursueitsown goalsvis-à-vistheEastern countries. cial for currently As underperforming. regional sofar, co-operation, theENPwas 13 EIDHR – European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights EIDHR–European andHumanRights for Instrument Democracy 13 ments (e.g. EIDHR struments available through Eastern Partnership, aswell instru- asothercommunity reputation intheEuropean through fi Union.Developing thesefurther Belarus,(Ukraine, Moldova andGeorgia) andassuchhasalready gainedacertain improvement ofdemocraticgovernance countries inthefour Eastern partnership role inthisarea. The many Czech targeted projects Republicalready supports atthe the cornerstones ofCzech foreign andthatEastern Europe policy plays aparticular of democracy, goodgovernance (thefi andstability Republic ortheprioritiesfor thepresidency. was already mentionedthatsupport It Presidency conclusions are refl these documents. fi interesting thatmany to oftheprioritiesthatCzech observe Republichasidenti- Partnership Declarationadopted by theEuropean isthus Council inMarch 2009.It ed generallyfor theEUinframework found ofitspresidency theirway alsointo Energy security was alsooneofthetopEnergy prioritiesoftheCzech security EUpresidency. It The sameappliesto theeconomic integration ofEastern neighbourswiththeEU. Firstly, mentionedintheCommunication thefour and platforms of co-operation 13 ) canthusachieve agreater synergy eff nancialterms. Their mutualintegration would beben- ections eitherofforeign prioritiesofthe Czech ections policy ted immenselyfrom economic liberalisa- rst platform) represents oneof ect and can help the Czech andcanhelptheCzech ect nancial in- nancial erence. THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA15 nally ects of the cult process, not least not process, cult particularly Ukraine. Plenty of activi- and with the Czech slogan of not only slogan of not and with the Czech ectiveness of other EU policies towards the ectiveness of other EU policies towards ed and interconnected energy market etc. The etc. market energy ed and interconnected nancial investments, which are not available to the to not available are which nancial investments, airs take a more careful approach. Furthermore, the Furthermore, approach. careful airs take a more Europe Without Barriers Without Europe Finally, the people-to-people the the of contacts with the main motto also comply Finally, Strong Czech support for the concept of Eastern Partnership, both in the Viseg- both in the Partnership, of Eastern support Czech the concept Strong for Conclusion providing the free movement of its own citizens, but also of giving the access to the to access the but also of giving citizens, of its own movement the free providing stron- Republic was Czech The country neighbours in particular. third EU to citizens, Balkan which fi countries, Western with liberalisation process visa gly advocating of Macedonia, Serbia and Monte- citizens with visas being lifted forward for moved is supported 2009. Similar approach in December the Eastern also in case of negro Partnership of the Eastern the citizens the EU, to an easier access With neighbours. far it is much image of the EU – as so positive build a more will gradually countries as something distant and alien. Russia and EU is viewed to travel them to easier for eff the enhance help to can greatly This Republic people-to-people Czech the Although, for not as im- region. contacts are or Hungary it has wideportant of minorities, the absence Poland because of as for particularly Ukraine. the region, from from migration with managing experience minis- – while the foreign is still a discrepancy at the political level there However, try supports ministry the interior strongly visa liberalisation as a political tool, and ministry of labour and social aff and diffi of the fact that this will be a lengthy aware are Czechs eff the negative because of the lack of will on part member states, of many crime. and organised migration of uncontrolled crisis and the fear economic Asian countries (especially Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan) to supply gas to Europe Europe gas to supply to Turkmenistan) Kazakhstan (especially countries Asian and of the January/ the experience However, Nabucco). (including routes alternative by much the security supplies de- how of energy has demonstrated gas crisis February neighbourhood, in EU’s the countries pends on ties in this respect, are envisaged in the framework of Eastern Partnership, including Partnership, of Eastern in the framework envisaged respect,ties in this are in cases ofregulatory and joint response warning mechanism harmonisation, early of a diversifi creation crises, energy partnershipEastern added value of the perspective again that is the Czech from framework, includingdeal with such issues in multilateral to it will be much easier what extent is to it will be One issue of concern at the time. countries EU and more enormous fi achievable without lim- due to make them at the moment, to and the EU is not ready involved countries partnership. Eastern earmarked for resources ited presidency – Czech rad Group and once it assumed the EU presidency, clearly demonstrates the rising clearly demonstrates the EU presidency, it assumed and once rad Group Repub- Czech The policyimportance discourse. policy of Eastern foreign Czech in the 16 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA especially ČEZ the region, butalsobecauseofthestakessomemajorenergy companies, ongasandoilcoming from because ofahighdependence ofthe country forpriority theCzech Republicinthearea ofEastern Partnership, notleast ingeneral.Czech presidency isprobably Energy security goingto beatop ly correlate withCzech interests intheregion, aswell aswiththoseof the those thematicareas thatare mentioned to receive suchoff ship issueagainonthetable, althoughmany ofthesecountries would like which –once thetimeisripe–willmakeitmucheasierto putthemember- internal reformsnecessary intheareas covered by theEastern Partnership, the Eastern European intheEUmarketandprecipitate states functionally consensus withinthebloc. to anchor Thus intheCzech viewitisimportant ern neighbourscannotbeachieved within theEUdueto acomplete lackof However, realistically currently anexplicitpromise ofmembershipfor East- 5 ČEZ(České energetické závody –Czech Power Comapany) isthe8thbiggestproducer ofelectrici- 15 RosieJohnston: Was theCzech EUPresidency’s Eastern Partnership summitasuccess? Czech 14 choose theirown tempo, theirown prioritiesinthecourse ofthisprocess” lateral andmultilateral relations withtheEU of thebloc. The Eastern Partnership allows countries to strengthen theirbi- pirations to EUmembershipcanrunalongsideitsrole asaneastern partner membership. This isoneofthekeystones Acountry’s ofthepartnership. as- Partnership,: cess. As thePrime Mirek Minister Topolánek saidattheinauguralsummitofEastern oftheenlargementthe countries to pro- gainacandidate statusandbecome apart ofcountriesmembership perspective intheregion, butratherasawaitingroom for seetheEastern Partnership notassomethingreplacing theeventual eign Ministry countries closerto theEU. At thesametime, therelevant offi platform, whichshouldleadto upgrading therelations andbringing theEastern bourhood Policy attheEUlevel. Moreover, theEastern Partnership provides anew lic isclearlyinfavour ofdeveloping theEastern DimensionoftheEuropean Neigh- lic andother, mainlyCentral European, memberstates vis-à-vistheregion. is aimedathelpingto ofthe Czech enhance thebilateral Repub- activities dards andEastern isalong-term partnership goaloftheCzech diplomacy ratisation andassistance intransformation oftheregion to European stan- The content oftheEastern Partnership stillneedsto bedeveloped, but ty inEurope;ty theCzech stakeinitsshares state hasamajority (63%) point,12May 2009,http://www.radio.cz/cz/clanek/116173Radio, talking “ This isnotsupposedto replace oreraseacountry’s hopesofEU 15 , whoisplanningamajorexpansionto theregion. Democ- er already atthetimebeing. in therelevant documentsclear- . It gives. It countries achance to cials intheCzech For- 14 . THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA17 rmly in rmly uence particularly in Western-oriented Western-oriented particularlyuence in er zone” between Russia and the EU. There There and the EU. Russia between er zone” agship initiatives will be launched, the goal of further “Europeanization” of “Europeanization” goal of further the will be launched, agship initiatives Europe rather than having a “buff a having rather than Europe the whole whether Republic as to of hesitation in the Czech is some degree the abovementioned achieve attractive enough to be really would concept the individual projects and be seen whether once to so it remains goals, fl will be successful. Europe the Eastern Eastern partnershipEastern EU portrayed the Czech during carefully – although coun- to as a platform viewed however, presidency – is, as not anti-Russian Russian infl resurgent the terbalance countries, among which Ukraine and Georgia are the most important.among which Ukraine are countries, and Georgia In the whether they choose to be free to have countries all the Eastern view, Czech anchor them fi is to goal the Czech but EU, with the integrate want to 18 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA19 cial position position cial can- Of these 16 ect on the commitment PhD, graduated at the Eötvös Loránd at the Eötvös Loránd graduated PhD, nite success area. Concerning policy Concerning areas, area. success nite András RáczAndrás - in Modern his Ph.D. University in Budapest, defended History works at the Institute 2008; currently of Strategic Miklós Studies of the Zrínyi and Defense National Defense and security elds of expertise EU foreign are: University; ﬁ Russian and post-Soviet Eastern Europe, policy towards and security policy. Hungarian foreign politics, eld on which Budapest shows the highest level eld on which Budapest shows initiative, Partnership of the Eastern and place ne the role

y analyze also its context, e.g. the general priorities and interests and interests the general priorities also its context, e.g. y analyze

of the ZMNDU Institute of Strategic and Defence Studies. Studies. and Defence of the ZMNDU Institute of Strategic

The article intends to give a brief summary articleThe give to on the Hungarian perspectives of the intends

HUNGARY AND THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP EASTERN THE AND HUNGARY 16 the offi represents and no way own, is only of the author’s here opinion expressed The Eastern Partnership (EaP), and on the expectations, chances and priorities elated to elated and priorities and on the expectations, (EaP), chances Partnership Eastern its activities to Balkans, in the Hungary that compared argues author The the initiative. and almost exclusive- region, Partnership in the Eastern interest only moderate shows Ukraine of Belarus, composed and Moldova. NIS area, Western ly only in the In order to properly defi properly to In order

portance has an eff with Russia obviously of the relationship

security, to be enhanced not only in the EaP area, but “intra Visegrad” as well. The im- The as well. Visegrad” “intra but not only in the EaP area, be enhanced to security,

not to mention the EU-framework as a defi mention the EU-framework not to this is the fi Therefore Ukrainian transit. the issue of energy to dency is dedicated most attention in line with these priorities: are

pest conducts a wide range of activities here, both in governmental and NGO levels, and NGO levels, in governmental both pest conductsof activities a wide range here, serious dependencyconnection in gas supplies and on Russian with the country’s one, Presi- Visegrad objectives on-going of the The Hungarian high importance. also enjoy Neighbourhood Policy.

three, the Republic of Moldova is the most important target area for Hungary; is the most important the Republic of Moldova for area three, target Buda- Hungaryfor security clearly the energy dimension of the EaP is the most important and democracy assistance technical it, migration, promotion in addition to of interest, factor change signifi This is not likely to and activities of Hungary in the EaP region. after the parliamentarytly even 2010. in April-May elections, take place which will briefl one needs to and the perspective of Budapest on the European policy, of the Hungarian foreign 20 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA declared beingastrategic priority. for Hungarianforeign andaction” policy the Hungarianforeign policy: framework European Unionisthemostimportant “The ments ofHungary. intheworld,3. Aresponsible whichenumerates theinternational Hungary commit- and interests inorder to ensure theirwelfare andwell-being intheirhomecountries. responsibility felt for theminoritieslivingabroad, for theprotection oftheir rights 20 19 ibid. interests. of theneighbouringstates, are keyHungarian namelyofCroatia, and Ukraine Serbia indoingso”,va asspecialpartners besidesstatingthattheEuro-Atlantic integration objective, andweNeighbourhood Policy regard andMoldo- asanimportant Ukraine Aff ofForeign intheframework oftheEU. thewebsitery oftheMinistry Aboutthispart, Union, whichisaboutrealizing thepolitical, economic andsocialinterests ofHunga- the current Hungarianforeign are: intheEuropean 1.acompetitive policy Hungary political environment. RelationsStrategy As putsit,thethree theExternal prioritiesof 2007, theseprioritieshave obviously beenchanged, together withthegeneralgeo- 2004 respectively, EUandNATO andwith the further place in enlargement taking rities livingabroad. With theNATO andEUaccession, which happenedin1999and neighbouring countries, andtheprotection oftheinterests oftheHungarianmino- main priorities. These were: theEuro-Atlantic integration, thegoodrelations withthe ond theEuro-Atlantic region.” jectives “the general prevalence of ob- security Besides many others, primary thestrategy mentionsamong thesecurity motes thecentral role ofNATO anddefence inguaranteeing thesecurity ofHungary. 18 Magyarország Külkapcsolati Stratégiája Magyarország [ Külkapcsolati 18 http://www.kulugyminiszterium.hu/kum/en/bal/foreign_policy/hungary_in_the_world/ Lastac- 17 The ENPintheContext ofHungarianForeign Policy airs declares: “We regard strengthening theeastern dimensionoftheEuropean The National Security Strategy of theRepublicHungary.The NationalSecurity Following hadthree thedemocratictransition,foreign ofHungary policy Concerning policy, Strategy, security theNationalSecurity adopted in2004pro- pdf rdonlyres/61FB6933-AE67-47F8-BDD3-ECB1D9ADA7A1/0/national_security_strategy. htm www.mfa.gov.hu/kum/hu/bal/Kulpolitikank/kulkapcsolati_strategia/hu_kulkapcs_strat. cessed: 9Dec2009. Lastaccessed: 2Dec2009.p.2. Lastaccessed: 2Dec2009. 17 2.Successful Hungariansintheregion, whichpointisagaindeclaringthe 18 The strategy usesclearwording regarding therole oftheEUin 20 andRussiaisalso The ofUkraine longterm stability democratic values, includingtheirspreading bey- 19 Hungary’s RelationsStrategy. External Available: http://www.mfa.gov.hu/NR/ ] Available: http:// c THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA21 eld of crisis management and development po- development management and eld of crisis region in the framework of cross-border initiatives. Besi- initiatives. of cross-border in the framework region Zakarpatya rst one is the question of Hungarian minorities living abroad, in the parti-rst one is the question of Hungarian minorities living abroad, The second issue of special Hungarian interest in the general EU foreign policy in the general EU foreign issue of special Hungarian interest second The Following the same primary Hungary minorities abroad, the objective of protecting Following The fi The Since its EU accession, Hungary its EU accession, Since has been actively participating in the Europe- The foreign policy Hungary of of foreign The areas main geographical two has traditionally ENP from a Hungarian Perspective ENP from des, of course, successful cross-border projects help improving the economic situation the economic projects help improving cross-border successful of course, des, North-Eastern of Hungary counties of the underdeveloped as well. serious dependency the concretely more security, is energy Europe Eastern towards promotes cross-border cooperation with all neighbouring states. This is perceived as is perceived This with all neighbouring states. cooperation cross-border promotes most minority Hun- where regions, of living in those standards the improving for a tool projects small and medium-sized numerous are Ukraine, there Concerning garians live. in the poor realized cular case of the EU Neighbourhood Policy, in Ukraine. The situation of the approxi- The in Ukraine. cular case of the EU Neighbourhood Policy, especially con- 150.000 Hungarians living in Ukrainemately ideal, being is far from These in education and cultural life. language use their native their right to cerning policy the generally restrictive to ethnic of Ukraine related towards are problems Anyways, minority the Russian which is mostly connected to living there. minorities, of the Hungarian minorities and the protection Budapest keeps the representation living in Ukraine on the agenda. constantly policy areas, which are of special importance for Budapest, concerning the neighbo- of special importance Budapest, concerning which are policy for areas, Europe. Eastern urhood policy towards an Neighbourhood Policy. Due to the location of the country, Budapest pays more Budapest pays the country, the location of Due to Policy. an Neighbourhood the Mediterranean relations. dimension of the ENP than to the Eastern to attention and objectives of HungaryGenerally speaking, the interests ones in line with the are sup- of stability and democratic values in the neighbourhood, of the EU – promotion specifi a few are there – however, etc. port reforms, market economy-oriented for interests, due to geopolitical, historical, economic and cultural reasons. These twoThese reasons. and cultural economic historical, geopolitical, due to interests, in connection OfUN, with the course, and Eastern-Europe. Western-Balkans the are in geographically get engaged to Budapest is ready and OSCE membership, NATO mostly in the fi as well, areas remote licy: part took in Iraq; operation Hungary in the Coalition forces Hungarian operates is able to Budapest where main areas, the two However, etc. a PRT in Afghanistan, ones: the two mentioned the above are but also on its own act alliances, not only in Western-Balkans the Union. As Soviet of the former and countries Western-Balkans on the issues and interests is not part focus this study is going to ENP at all, of the Eastern-Europe. to related 22 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA ning of the Hungarian embassy in Minsk in December 2007, though the decision was inDecember 2007,thoughthedecision was ning oftheHungarianembassy inMinsk beingthattimeinplace.sanctions by waswell-demonstrated theope- This policy in favour ofestablishingasmany tiesaspossible, withoutviolatingtheU.S. andEU time Budapesthasbeenopenlyagainstany eff pean changesintheattitudeofregime, thereforms. andto support For along theinclusionofBelarus, inorderported to encourage thealready visible, pro-Euro- Eastern Partnership concept. phaseoftheEaP, Duringdrafting strongly sup- Hungary culated together with theEU-markets. wherea sharethetotal and6,6%ofallimports, 100%iscal- of3,5%total exports, Russian Federation isfarthelargest non-EUforeign ofHungary, taking tradepartner cording for to NationalDevelopment recent andEconomy, datafrom theMinistry power cannotbeignored. plant.Second, therole ofRussiaasatradingpartner Ac- forsian crudeoil, operatingthePakistani andon Russian uraniumnecessary nuclear onnaturalgas, butalsoonRus- consists notonlyofdependency energy dependency question,forminority example);however, itstillneedsto betakeninto account. First, the Russianfactor, theHungariansituationisnotuniqueatallinEU(unlike role andpositionofRussiaintheforeign ofHungary. Regarding policy andsecurity 22 Source: 1 Sz.Bíró, Zoltán 21 The Eastern andHungarianInterests… Partnership therealization ofbothprojects. support cannot aff willberealizedwhich project earlier(or, willberealized whichproject atall),Hungary isto decrease this of Hungary “triple vulnerability”, andascurrently noonecantell, rian behavior intheNabucco vs. Stream South debate aswell. interest As theprimary from Russia. onRussiangasdefi This highdependency extraordinarily energy balance ofHungary,mary 85%ofwhichisprocured from abroad, namely Budapest hasnobargaining positioninthisaspect. itselfisnotatransitcountry,only onetransitroute available: thus 3. Hungary Ukraine. 1.Budapesthasnoalternative source ofgassupplies,rability”: onlyRussia.2. There is onRussiangassupplies. of Hungary The situationcanbedescribedas “triple vulne- This leadsto athird factor, whichalsoneedsto bebriefl The Hungarian government has actively participated in the elaboration of the The in theelaborationof Hungariangovernment participated hasactively data/cms1950906/eun_kivul_orszag.xls In additionto highshare, allthese,In naturalgashasavery approx. 45%inthepri- with the main non-EU partners, January-September 2009.] Available: January-September with themainnon-EU partners, April2008.pp.tonság [NationandSecurity], 23-29. ord to exclusively commit itselfto any isto ofthem–theonlychoice left Külkereskedelmi 2009 forgalmunk partnereinkkel, I-IX. fontosabbEU-nkívüli : A Déli Áramlat ésaNabucco: ADéli 22 21 Lastaccessed: 18Dec2009. [The South Stream South andNabucco]. Nemzet ésBiz- In: [The orts to isolate Belarusandhasbeen orts http://www.nfgm.gov.hu/ y analyzed, namelythe nes theHunga- . [Foreign trade

THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA23 In 24 25 http:// , while in ] Available: ] Available: . policy taker

Last accessed: 10 Dec 2009. Last accessed: 23 26 ect on the Hungarian Last accessed: 8 Dec 2009. Last accessed: http://www.mfa.gov.hu/kum/en/bal/ cial launch of the initiative in May 2009. in May launch of the initiative cial Legyen vagy ne legyen magyar nagykövetség Minszkben? nagykövetség magyar ne legyen vagy Legyen role is ambitioned, at least in some particular is ambitioned, role [EU Eastern Partnership in the Doorstep of Moscow] Avail- of Moscow] in the Doorstep Partnership [EU Eastern [Hungary’s External Relations Strategy [Hungary’s nitely the most important the most nitely element of the EaP initiative. policy maker http://www.nol.hu/archivum/archiv-465308 Last accessed: 8 Dec 2009. Last accessed: nite nite http://www.euractiv.hu/kulpolitika/hirek/eu-keleti-partnerseg-moszkva-kuszo- Last accessed: 2 Dec 2009. Last accessed: [Should There Be or Should Not Be a Hungarian Embassy in Minsk?] 25 Sept In: There Népszabadság, [Should 2007. Available: www.mfa.gov.hu/kum/hu/bal/Kulpolitikank/kulkapcsolati_strategia/hu_kulkapcs_strat. htm Budapest has warmly welcomed the offi has warmly welcomed Budapest Energy securityEnergy is defi The geographical priority for Hungary in the Eastern Partnership is clearly the We- Hungary priority geographical for is clearly the The Partnership Eastern in the ben-001651 missions/missions_abroad/embassies_consulates/europe.htm Baku. However, the small Tbilisi embassy currently cannot issue visas, thus visas to Hungary thus visas to cannot issue visas, are embassy currently Tbilisi the small However, Baku. see: information more For the Latvian by embassy. given 23 see: detailed list of motivations, a more For Energy securityEnergy criticized some of the Western partners. the above-mentioned Besides inten- political Western some of the criticized play: to bilateral support a role motivations also had to economic tions, and improve etc. Hungary, visiting tourists Belarusian encourage to trade,

Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai has pointed out: “the Partner- “the out: pointed Bajnai has Minister Gordon Prime ceremony, the Following importantship is especially securi- energy Hungary for because it improves and the EU of gas and alternative sources the importance alternative stressed Bajnai of having ty.” pipeline is Nabucco the journalists that the building of the and reminded transit lines, policy. EU energy of a common with the creation together Hungary, the priority for Especially because the proposal envisages not only the security of supplies and envisages Especially because the proposal which of using renewables, and ways transit, but deals with questions of regulations stern-NIS region, thus the trio formed by Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova. The three three The Ukraine Belarus, and Moldova. by thus the trio formed region, stern-NIS Hungary has practically no historical, away, far are of the South Caucasus countries also very and political contacts and economic cultural ties with them, are limited.

25 and in Tbilisi only in of the region, countries an embassy in all three Hungary have does not even able: EU Keleti Partnerség Moszkva küszöbén. Partnerség Moszkva EU Keleti Magyarország Külkapcsolati Stratégiája Külkapcsolati Magyarország

The already discussed Russian factor has an eff discussed obviously already The

the South Caucasus region Budapest in most cases acts Budapest in most a only as region the South Caucasus

and NATO, and “on the basis of bilateral economic interests.” economic the basis of bilateral “on and and NATO,

political relations with Russia, in the framework of the dialog conducted by the EU of the dialog conducted by framework with Russia, in the political relations

Russia in any ways. On the contrary, Budapest intends to maintain stable, pragmatic stable, maintain to Budapest intends the contrary, On ways. Russia in any

Eastern Europe a defi Europe Eastern be discussed below. to issues, Hungary in alienating as well. Partnership is not interested the Eastern to approach Parliament, Nabucco enjoys priority. becomes.energy security Headdedthataccording to thedecisionofHungarian event, Gyurcsány told thepress has, thatthemore thebetter its pipelineacountry remony wasattended bothby Vladimir Putin andFerenc Gyurcsány. Following the inthePusztaföldvár-Dúsfacility area of1,3bcm. withacapacity The signature ce- and theGazprom have alsoagreed onjointlybuildinganunderground gasstorage uth Stream gaspipeline. The HungarianandRussiansides, represented by theMOL pany, oftheSo- works whichwould theconstruction oftheHungarianpart conduct Miller, CEOoftheGazprom have onestablishingthejointcom- signed thecontract March 2009 JánosErős, ChairmanoftheHungarianDevelopment BankandAlexey gascrisis. theUkrainian just after

24 For more information onthelack ofensured gassupplies, see:Sz.Bíró, ibid. 28 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA However, onehasto addthatsideby sidewiththispro-Nabucco approach, on10 law, for andrespect humanrightintheEastern neighbourhood. democracy Besides, 45 days, disruption. even incaseofatotal import storing 1,2bcmgas, which–together –isenoughfor withthedomesticproduction security. The Szőreg-1 nearAlgyő, facility completed 2009,iscapableof 1October ting gasstorage facilitiesonHungariansoil, inorder to ensure thecountry’s energy ded, andespeciallyascurrently onlythelatter’s gassupplyseemsto beguaranteed. would clearlybethebestoption,however, Stream theSouth must alsonotbeexclu- to diversifi hasbecome evenstrated more above, true:Hungary determined thisisonlypartially become clearlycommitted to theNabucco However, project. inreality, asdemon- has 2009gascrisis, andasaresultwas radicallychangedby Hungary theJanuary 27 Promotion ofdemocratic values assistance andtechnical nized ahugeconference inBudapeston26-27 onthepipelineproject approach: thegovernment hasappointed aspecialNabucco Ambassadorandorga- plies. The initiative, tacitlyfavouring Nabucco isinlinewiththerespective Hungarian creasing theabove mentioned “triple vulnerability”, andto diversify itsenergy sup- is alsoasource ofdiversifi urcsany_alairta_a_deli_aramlat_epiteset/ One ofthemainprinciples Eastern Partnership isto strengthen theruleof additionto that,BudapestputssignifiIn politiciansandanalysts arguedSome thattheearlier, ratherbalancingapproach Stream] Áramlat építését. aDéli Gyurcsány aláírta cation, bothofthesuppliesandtransitroutes. Nabucco, ifrealized, www.index.hu 10March 2009. cation. The for EaPmightbeanotherway for de- Hungary 27 http://index.hu/gazdasag/magyar/2009/03/10/gy-

[Gyurcsány HasSigned oftheSouth theConstruction cant eff cant andresourcesorts inconstruc-

January 2009, 2009, January 28 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA25 In 29 http:// ] Available: ] Available: . Last accesed: 11 Dec Last accesed: Hungary’s Democracy Assistance Democracy Assistance Hungary’s . Another particularity 32 http://www.kulugyminisz- www.icdt.hu Euro- New Champions. Democracy’s (eds.) ning the objectives, priority areas, priority ning the objectives, areas, describes, the medium-term part- the medium-term describes, . Available: . Available: 33 cant annual support from the MFA cant annual support the MFA from tic values” and “to support“to democratic and tic values” [Hungary’s External Relations Strategy [Hungary’s elated activitieselated development with international tional development cooperation (including de- (including cooperation tional development cial webpage of the ICDT: of the ICDT: cial webpage a clear strategy defi a clear strategy dence building in Ukraine, etc.) dence 31 each other. to closely linked elds are cial MFA document MFA cial In: Jeff Kucharczyk, – Lowitt, Jacek Hungarian Minorities, the Balkans... and the Far East and the Far the Balkans... Hungarian Minorities, However, as Áron Horváth as Áron in his paper on Hungary’s points it out However, 30 Last accessed: 11 Dec 2009. Last accessed: Last accessed: 2 Dec 2009. Last accessed: Magyarország Külkapcsolati Stratégiája Külkapcsolati Magyarország

www.mfa.gov.hu/kum/hu/bal/Kulpolitikank/kulkapcsolati_strategia/hu_kulkapcs_strat. htm terium.hu/NR/rdonlyres/06C1F916-0339-49F5-8903-85B444D9295D/0/1_2008nefeKB1h atEN.pdf Policies and Priorities. Policies pean democracy assistance after EU enlargement. PASOS, 2008. pp. 51-80. 2008. pp. pean democracy PASOS, after EU enlargement. assistance

29 EaP p.7. 29 EaP 30 the initiative also mentions providing technical assistance to the partner the to assistance technical countries, providing also mentions the initiative Develop- the EU regulatory and support to environment. legal approximation their proposed. is concretely Institution-Building Programmes ment of Comprehensive 31 Horváth, Áron: Áron: 31 Horváth, 32 see the offi information, more For

democracy policy, assistance

The geographical focus of interna focus geographical The

2009. for 2008 in terms of Hungarian Development Policy Tasks organizing workshop on confi workshop organizing nership region, such projects are about training security such projects policy are nership region, experts in Moldova, frontation with the governments of the targeted region (concerning the Eastern Part- the Eastern (concerning region of the targeted with the governments frontation Belarus, etc.), most of their projects still follow the usual line of avoiding any con- any the usual line of avoiding most of their projects still follow etc.), Belarus, Transition has a few activities, which are less cooperative (NGO capacity building in less cooperative activities, which are has a few Transition tive environment. Though the Hungarian NGO International Centre for Democratic for NGO International the Hungarian Centre Though environment. tive the hosting government, thus priority is given to work conducted in safe, suppor- conducted in safe, work to thus priority is given the hosting government, Budapest prefers to implement democracy to of projects with the consent assistance Budapest prefers ration funds, and the management of these funds is not very and the management of these funds Besides, ration funds, transparent. intends to coordinate democracy-r coordinate to intends coope- with development handles it together the MFA mocracy programs; assistance options and ways of democracy assistance is still missing. Though the government the government Though of democracy is still missing. options and ways assistance de- budget for is no separate There is visible of it. not much concrete yet cooperation,

The External Relations Strategy openly declares that that Hungary intends “to ac- “to that that Hungary External openly declares The Strategy Relations intends

ner countries are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Palestinian Authority, Serbia and Authority, Palestinian Moldova, Herzegovina, Bosnia and are ner countries

tional democracy assistance. Balkans. the the offi As wards

of the ICDT is that it operates with receiving signifi with receiving it operates is that of the ICDT interna- for as a tool uses the ICDT aspects in many the MFA budget – in other words, mostly to- is oriented mocracy the Hungarian government conducted by assistance)

tively support democra tively respect for the broad

the case of Hungarythe case of fi two these development”. 26 Last accessed: 20Dec2009. THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA der managementandthevisa question have always beenontheHungarian agenda. for illegalmigrant travelling transitcountry tozone the isalsoaprimary West. Saharan African countries. Hungary, fl beingontheSouth-East from Afghanistan, notto mentiontheincreasing numberofpeoplearrivingfrom Sub- numbers ofrefugees from the Yugoslav civilwar, mostrecently from theMiddle-East, a lotto theHungarianagricultural sector, wasalso atarget for andthecountry huge fl ishistorically inthecrossroad long beenontheagendaisthatHungary ofmigration isstillacomplicated one.Ukraine with theadoptionofvisa-free regime inDecember 2009.However, thecaseof problems. The hasrecently situationof theHungarianslivinginSerbia improved alot Romania, theexclusion ofthelatter two from zone theSchengen isstillasource of was farfrom beingobvious, andeven withtheEU-accession ofSlovenia, and Slovakia theearlyninetiesthis then theirculturalandprivate tieswiththemothernation.In neighbouring non-EU, countries, ornon-Schengen inorder to maintainandstreng- theHungarianslivingin intends to support Hungary us: through suchapolicy movement ofpeople, thesimplifi dapest hasbeentraditionallyadvocating theliberalizationofvisaregimes, thefree 34 The document describing the policy prioritieswasmadein 2006, butitisstillvalid: The documentdescribing thepolicy 34 Migration andfree movement ofpeople agriculture andwater management. etc. Furtherofeducation, areas are oftechnical thesupport development activity ge-transfer, institution-building, transfer oforganizational andplanningmethods, transition,andpreferscal-economic to getengagedincapacity-building, knowled- partner. beingaproject-based ing astrategic andUkraine from theEastern Partnership area onlytwo states are mentioned, withMoldova be- Western-Balkans allcountries oftheregion isclear: are listed (except Albania),while lia, Montenegro, and Ukraine Yemen. From thesetwo lists, the prioritized place ofthe Africa, Cambodia, Kosovo,of theSub-Saharan Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia,Mongo- Vietnam. additionto cooperation them,project-based isgoingonwithcountries In ows. Temporary labourimmigration from theneighbouringcountries has contributed hu/NR/rdonlyres/6C909959-3C4A-4881-9096-9C8F368B4748/0/061206_ODA_HU.pdf These factors altogetherThese justify, factors why theissueofmigration, border security, bor- Another elementofwhy theissueofmigration andfree movement ofpeoplehave ofthequestionHungarianminoritieslivingabroad,Due to thesensitivity Bu- Concerning the policy focus, Hungary intends focus,Concerning to share thepolicy experiences Hungary ofthepoliti- ry ofHungary’s Activities Co-operation ry InternationalDevelopment 34 cation ofprocedures, etc. The motivationisobvio-

. Available: http://www.mfa.gov. ank oftheSchengen A BriefSumma-

THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA27 region: capacity-building, edu- capacity-building, region: [A Step Forward in the Issue of Textbook Textbook Issue of in the Forward Step [A el contacts are maintained betweenel contacts are 37 Előrelépés a kárpátaljai magyar iskolák tanköny- iskolák magyar a kárpátaljai Előrelépés enjoys wide professional support.professional wide enjoys 35 Zakarpatya Last accessed: 25 Dec 2009. Last accessed: is hampered by the fact by that the activities is hampered conducted in its http://www.kulugyminiszterium.hu/kum/hu/bal/Aktualis/Szovivoi_ airs to Ukraineairs to security on 22-23 Dec 2009: transit of energy 36 cial MFA communique about the meeting: communique cial MFA

. In the framework of a TAIEX Programme, an advisor from the Hungarian Parlia- an advisor from Programme, TAIEX of a . In the framework vellátásának ügyében – a külügyminiszter ügyében kijevivellátásának tárgyalásai. Af- the Minister – Negotiations of of Foreign Transcarpathia the Hungarian SchoolsSupplies to in Available: fairs in Kyiv.] Taking into account that it has no own website, and Google gives only 176 hits to the only 176 hits to and Google gives website, that it has no own account into Taking interna- question the real to one might be tempted Initiative”, “Nyíregyháza word search Kezdeményezés” “Nyíregyházi Hungarian version, The tional importance of the initiative. conducted: 23 Dec 2009. Test 493 hits. altogether generates The Republic of Moldova is the only country in the Eastern Partnership region, whe- is the only country Republic of Moldova The region, Partnership the Eastern in As mentioned above, the stability, democratic development and Euro-Atlantic and democratic development stability, the mentioned above, As nyilatkozatok/BP_Kijev_091223.htm

37 The offi 37 The 35 EaP, p.7. 35 EaP, 36 Focus on Ukraine and Moldova on Ukraine Focus Therefore this aspect of the Eastern Partnership, supporting this aspect mobility the Partnership, of the Eastern of citizens Therefore of the partner though visa facilitation countries

cational programs, support for small and medium enterprises, etc. The visibilityThe of the etc. support enterprises, small and medium for cational programs, Initiative Nyíregyháza re Hungaryre policy-making ambitions a real Budapest holds important role. individual is Hungarian, not only the EU Special Representative Moldova: to EU-positions related Ferenc general, Mission a Hungarian police Assistance is also led by but the EU Border Banfi Appli- and very Common successful ment is working Parliament near the Moldovan ci- Moldovan where is operating in the Hungarian embassy in Chisinau, cation Center which do not maintain a diplomatic EU countries, numerous can obtain visas to tizens partner medium-term is a stable, Moldova in international in Chisinau. representation high-lev and intensive, cooperation, development also the op- but enough, not only the government, Interestingly governments. the two approximation of Ukraine is declared to be a priority in the key Hungarian foreign of Ukraine be a priority to in the key Hungarian foreign is declared approximation was Initiative” “Nyíregyháza and security policy In the so-called 2003 documents. in Ukraine, actively support processes to in order the reform MFA the launched by Ukraine Most is being done concerning not much visible but in reality as a whole. the to dedicated resources and attention

and educational rights of the Hungarian minorities. and educational rights of the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Aff Minister of Foreign priorities regarding Ukraine were clearly visible during the latest visit of Péter Balázs, Balázs, visit of Péter during the latest clearly visible Ukraine were priorities regarding framework are done by an NGO, Euro-Clip Public Foundation. The actualThe Hungarian Foundation. Euro-Clip Public NGO, an done by are framework

bed in the Global Approach to Migration is in the essential interest of Hungary. Migration in the essential interest is to Global Approach bed in the Particularly because the elaboration of a common, global immigration policy, descri- policy, global immigration elaboration of a common, because the Particularly ners. and alsobetween thecountries exercising andtheEastern part- theEUpresidency strengthening thetiesbetween theEuropean Commission andtheEastern partners, program. thewholepresidency matism characterizes Emphasisisputontheneedof engagement,thoughwithusingapragmaticthe needofactive approach. This prag- of theHungarianpresidency, bothinbilateral andmultilateral emphasizes format. It declares thattherealizationIt oftheEastern Partnership isoneofthemainpriorities urhood.” The fullversion program ofthepresidency is, ofcourse, muchmore defi Eastern Europe, onespeaksabout andthefourth “democracy buildinginourneighbo- includes theEastern Partnership, thefi 39 40

28 THE EASTERN2009/2010 Hungarianpresidency. Introduction cessed: 11Dec2009. PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA dency ofthe dency Visegrad Group]. Available: magyarA Visegrádi elnökségénekprogramja. Csoport Union is the most important framework for HungarianforeignUnion isthemostimportant andaction.” policy the already RelationsStrategy: mentionedstatement oftheExternal European “The of theEUasawholeto theEastern Partnership region. This isalsofullyinlinewith Eastern Europe, ifitmanagesto andmaintaintheattention direct (andtheresources) realizes that the V4 cooperation hasthebestchance to become astrong player in European Union. With otherwords, theHungarian strategy properly V4 presidency ofagreater onlyonitsown, ofactors, community namely ofthe butaspart king cooperation anditsrole inEastern Europe notasasoleentity, wor- notasanactor matism isthemostviablestrategy for asmallstate to realize itsown interests. to theEUingeneral. Amongsuchcir economic andpoliticalpower, ifcompared eitherto theEastern Partnership region or four priorities listed on the introductory websitefour prioritieslisted oftheHungarian ontheintroductory V4 presidency 8 For more information see:Összefoglaló Orbán Viktor the BonnNe- bonnitárgyalásairól [Summary 38 ...in Context ofthe V4 Presidency partnership “in allfi Vlad Filat, anddeclared thatifFidesz winsthe Chairman ofFidesz, hasmetMoldovan Prime Minister thestrongest oppositionparty position pays attention withMoldova: recently to maintaingoodcontacts Viktor Orban, The wording envisions oftheprogram the demonstrates thatHungary Visegrad php?folderID=942&articleID=23256&ctag=articlelist&iid=1 php?ctag=download&docID=127 Hungary holds the presidency ofthe holdsthepresidency Hungary V4 from July2009to June2010.From the gotiations of Viktor Orbán]Available: 40 This refl This ects to the fact that Hungary iswell aware thatHungary ofthelimitationshersize, to thefact ects elds” willbeestablishedwithMoldova. rst onerefers to theneedof V4 cooperation in Lastaccessed: 8Dec2009.p.6. http://www.fi . Available: cumstances, obviously multilateralism andprag- http://www.visegradgroup.eu/download. desz.hu/index.php?Cikk=143061 [Program oftheHungarianPresi- http://www.visegradgroup.eu/main. next parliamentary elections, strategic strategic elections, parliamentary next 38 Lastaccessed: 8Dec2009.

Lastac- 39 , two , two nite. nite. THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA29 elds, elds, not among the priorities.nitely cation of cooperation enjoys the support enjoys cation of cooperation of the presi- capacity building. eld of administrative ect mainly the joint V4 priorities, while national ones are represented only represented while national ones are priorities, V4 ect mainly the joint About Moldova the presidency program uses a rather laconic wording: streng- wording: laconic uses a rather the presidencyAbout Moldova program The ambitions are probably the highest about Ukraine. The program attaches program The highest about Ukraine. the probably ambitions are The About Belarus the intensifi The analysis of the Hungarian V4 presidency program is quite telling about the geo- telling is quite V4 presidency program of the Hungarian analysis The the coope- to chapters separate devotes Contrary the presidency program this, to V4 + Moldova V4 + Ukraine V4 + Belarus Geographic priority on the East is the West priorityGeographic the East is on the thening the rule of law, democracy and fundamental human rights is of essential im- thening the rule of law, support political and technical Mol-V4 should provide to portance. In addition, the mainly in the fi dova, great importance maintain dialogue with Ukrainegreat to the country get in order closer fi in many is envisioned Cooperation and practices. standards the European to including good governance, energy security, border control, mobility, visa issues, pe- visa issues, mobility, control, border security, energy including good governance, etc. people contacts, ople to dency, provided the suspended conditions are met. Dialogue should be strengthe- met. are the suspended conditions provided dency, environ- security, energy issues, consular tourism, matters: ned mostly in technical etc. mental protection, graphical priorities of Hungary concerning the Eastern Partnership region. For Buda- For priorities of Hungary region. Partnership graphical the Eastern concerning partners of the six Eastern countries of much higher clearly are Western pest the three importance of the South-Caucasus.In countries the External three than the Relations The Ukraine. only one country Strategy region, Partnership is mentioned of the Eastern neigh- Western-NIS about the three in a detailed way speaks V4 presidency program only twice is mentioned in Georgia states South Caucasus three of the however, bours, is in line with theThis left out. completely the text, Azerbaijan while and Armenia are which for and security policy, foreign of the Hungarian and resources interests overall is defi earlier, as stated the South-Caucasus region, Ukraine dedicatedfourth is also a ration with Belarus, and there and Moldova, one, V4 countries, all by be approved is to as the presidency Russia. Ofto program course, it does refl extent. a limited to 30 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA V4 countries. Similarcooperation isencour is theproposal to build Central-European gasstorage facilitiesinjointventure ofthe inenergysure businessinthewholeregion. andtransparency stability Newelement which took place inNovember 2009. tion. The springevent willfollow thetrends setby the Western-Balkans conference, Eastern Europe, bothinthewiderframework oftheEU, andinthe Visegrad coopera- directed towardsevent Hungarianactivities willbethefocus pointoftheactual ship conference and meetingofforeign ministers inBudapestspring2010. This gram. intendsThe to Eastern Hungarianpresidency organize Partner- alarge-scale before, though,ofcourse, withtheadequate “Visegrad” ofthepro- characteristics V4 presidency, theresults are mostlyinaccord withthenationalprioritiesanalyzed would contain detailed, legallybindingelementsinthefi tuation the V4 would approve anew, comprehensive EU-Russiaagreement, which the EU-Russiarelations. The keyelementofthe ach to Migration. Hungary intends to continue theCzechach to initiative Hungary Migration. ofestablishing to theenergy-relatedof Moldova andUkraine the EaP. The program argues thatthe Visegrad theinclusion countries shouldsupport isstrongly whichisinaccordnectors supported, withthediversifi forums dealingwithenergy. Besides, ofCentral-European the construction intercon- between the Visegrad states inorder to reach onvariousEU their jointobjectives Strategic Energy Review. general, grea In Plan:2nd interests Action curity andSolidarity includedinto theEUEnergy Security The program ambitionsto foster cooperation inorder to gettheregion’s energy se- initiatives proposed are inlinewiththeEaP, areas theygoeven andincertain further. Migration andfree movement ofpeople Energy policy prioritiesrelatedPolicy-oriented to theEaP V4 +Russia If oneintends toIf mapouttheconcrete prioritiesoftheHungarian policy-related Concerning theimprovement therelation expects withRussia,thepresidency of Along withthe EaP, program thepresidency alsorefers to theEUGlobal Appro- The program devotes more thanonepageto thequestionofenergy security. The t attention ispaidto ensure cooperation aged between national electricity markets. aged between nationalelectricity acquis communautaire program isthatinthepost-PCAsi- eld ofenergy security. cation objectives of of cation objectives , inorder to en- THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD er POLICY AND V4 AGENDA31 cials from cials rst one was Last airs. http:// 42 This This approach 41 16 Dec 2009. Available: 16 Dec 2009. Available: rst half of 2009; the second will be Hungaryrst half of 2009; the second Janu- from t the most from the Eastern Partnership. the Eastern t the most from [Strategic Directions in the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian Presidency Presidency Directions in the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian [Strategic Stratégiai irányok a spanyol-belga-magyar elnökség programjában és a trió együtt- elnökség programjában a spanyol-belga-magyar irányok Stratégiai Vademecum on Financing in the Frame of the Eastern Partnership. in the Frame on Financing Vademecum ec.europa.eu/external_relations/eastern/docs/eap_vademecum_14122009_en.pdf The above analyzed Hungarian V4 presidency program mentions that in 36 mon- V4 presidency program Hungarian analyzed above The The program attaches particular attaches program The importance neighboursin assisting the eastern

41 An Additional Way to Reach Objectives: Visegrad Cooperation in EU Cooperation Visegrad Reach Objectives: to Way An Additional Presidencies Technical assistance in administrative capacity building in administrative assistance Technical migration partnership with the eastern and south-eastern neighbours. The program program The partnershipmigration south-eastern and the eastern with neighbours. Visegrad between the tendencies on migration data exchange migration proposes particularly Asia. from concerning originating the migration countries, ths, three of the four Visegrad countries exercise the EU presidency: exercise countries the fi Visegrad of the four three ths, Republic in the fi the Czech taking the position right after Hungary. ary one Poland, June 2011, and the third to the between role a bridging have is going to that Budapest document envisions The In fact, presidencies. not much is visible of this bridge-like if and Polish role, Czech which in general, initiative Partnership of the Eastern one puts aside the existence Ho- initiatives. and some migration-relate presidency, during the Czech was adopted in 2011 off presidencies of the Hungarian and Polish the direct succession wever, the policy to issues related foreign in many of meaningful cooperation, chances real high-ranking is used also by argument offi The region. Partnership Eastern example Gábor Aff Union Secretary Iván, for State European for the MFA, in capacity building and in improving the performancein capacity administra- of the national and in improving building mostly its to due too, belongs here cooperation of cross-border fostering The tions. the re- on these issues, concrete was not too the EaP itself Though nature. technical that national declares document openly on Financing Vademecum adopted cently profi administrations will

2008/11. pp. 84-91. 2008/11. pp. accessed: 21 Dec 2009. accessed: más területein. működésének Mirror.] [European Tükör In: Európai Trio.] of the of Cooperation and in Other Fields Program,

NGO sector.

at governmental structures, and only to a limited extentlimited a at the civil society and only to and the structures, at governmental

velopment cooperation and capacity should be aimed mostly cooperation assistance building velopment

seems being rather similar to the one of the Hungarian government, e.g. that de- e.g. government, the one of the Hungarian similar to seems being rather 42 Iván, Gábor: 42 Iván, 32 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA tors, whichmightposeforeign challengesinEastern policy-related Europe in2011: economic crisis, altogether resulting inanapprox. 6-7%ofGDP decrease, growing Hungary.has badlyimpacted worsened by thedomestic The situationwasfurther ment alsohasarole to play. First, noonecanignore the globalfi However, inadditionto thealready enumerated ones, domesticpoliticalenviron- which theEastern Partnership can beinterpreted from theHungarian perspective. then therole ofthe V4 intheEU. oftheseissuesare: Some close coordination amongthe would benecessary Visegrad states, inorder to streng- nistrative matters related to theEU– Eastern neighbourhood relationship, inwhich rums could beofgooduse. arly overlapping, thuscloseandcoordinated Visegrad cooperation onvariousEUfo- fi of thePolish politicalrightandoftheFidesz inHungary, however, theseare notyet there are already someinformally cooperation initiatives goingonbetween parties strengthening therole ofthe Visegrad say that cooperation inBelarus. experts Some by Budapest,etc.initiatives started Such cooperation would alsobesuitablefor terally andintheframework oftheEU),enabling Warsaw to continue directly joint Belarus, there would beaclearroom for closecooperation withPoland (bothbila- fi which willexercise rightthattime, thepresidency hasneithertheresources, northe toplace, prepare sostarting for thecoming crisiswould behightime. As Hungary, Domestic policy considerations Domestic policy nalized. foreld knowledge, in northecontacts withnon-state extensively actors working All the EU-Ukraine, EU-Moldova and the EU-Georgia Action Plan expire in the end Planexpire EU-MoldovaAction andtheEU-Georgia All theEU-Ukraine, intheend for Preparing reaching theoperational statusto Service Action the EUExternal Newpossible “energy wars” between Russiaanditsneighbours, aff domesticpoliticalandeconomic crisisinUkraine On-going Growing inRussianNorth-Caucasus instability Possible confl Azerbaijan-Armenia Presidential inBelarusSpring2011 elections Without attempting to create to enumerate someofthefac- afulllist,itis worth All the above mentioned external factors togetherAll theabove constitute factors in mentionedexternal thecontext, In additionto thepossiblecriseslistedIn above, there are sometechnical, admi- These are also suchissues, inwhichthegeneralinterests ofthe V4 states are cle- of 2011,thuspreparation Planswillfallmostly to ofthenewAction 2011. 2012, asprescribed inthe Treaty ofLisbon. From fi theabove-listed EU ve, inBelaruswillsurely thepresidential take elections ict overict Nagorno-Karabakh nancial crisis, which ecting also the alsothe ecting THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA33 Last

cant 43 Fidesz Fidesz Zazdroszczę Polsce. Polsce. Zazdroszczę 44 Last accessed: 4 Dec 2009. Last accessed: . In: Wprost, 43/2008. Available: 43/2008. Available: Wprost, . In: ect on foreign policy as well, the bud- policy ect well, as foreign on [For Us it is Normal that Orban and Putin it is Normal that Orban and Putin Us [For erent standpoints. The two most important two The standpoints. erent ltration”, “selling the country to Russia”, etc. country the Russia”, to “selling ltration”, cantly cut, a number of embassies and consulates and consulates a number of embassies cantly cut, onsiderations over the earlier populism. If thisonsiderations over http://www.nol.hu/kulfold/20091212-ne_feljenek_moszkvatol eld of foreign policy, the debates are not much about EU policies not much are the debates policy, eld of foreign Second, the battle of words between the government and opposition parties and opposition the government between has words the battle of Second, partially is only the to abroad question of Hungarian minorities living The related http://www.wprost.pl/ar/141904/Zazdroszcze-Polsce/?I=1348 Rozmowa z Viktorem Orbánem, byłym premierem Węgier premierem Orbánem, byłym z Viktorem Rozmowa

43 Orban: Viktor with ’Wprost’ Weekly example see the interview of Polish For unemployment, etc. This obviously had its eff had obviously This etc. unemployment, get of the MFA has been signifi MFA get of the etc. been closed, have the parliamentary as intense, elections ap- more much become 2010 are of April-May In the fi proaching. and in which the government policy-related issues, certain but on in general, foreign opposition parties remarkably diff have and the relations minorities living abroad, of the Hungarian the protection ones are the go- between open debates widespread, are there topics with Russia. On both crises stand is visible only in times of serious while united and opposition, vernment in January(gas supply disruption Slovakia, on language use in law 2009, the recent on minority in Ukraine, language education regulation etc.). Hun- question is mostly a bilateral dimension of the Eastern The Partnership. Eastern forums use various international to garian-Ukrainian Budapest intends in which issue, pro- and complex interesting Russia is a more to relationship The if necessary. as well, of Bajnai, and especially of Gordon While the ruling Socialist government Part blem. maintained remarkably close ties with Russia, Gyurcsány’s Ferenc his predecessor’s, the government kept criticizing has constantly Fidesz opposition party, the strongest Russian infi the doors for “opening of

12 Dec 2009. Available: 12 Dec 2009. Available: Meet]. Interview with Russian Ambassador to Budapest, H.E. Alexandr Tolkach. In: Népszabadság, In: Népszabadság, Tolkach. Meet]. Interview Budapest, H.E. Alexandr with Russian Ambassador to Számunkra normális, hogy Orbán találkozik. és Putyin normális, Számunkra

Concerning energy policy, Fidesz has been strongly pro-Nabucco, while the So- pro-Nabucco, strongly has been Fidesz policy, energy Concerning accessed: 13 Dec 2009. accessed:

represents the takeover of pragmatist c of pragmatist the takeover represents

Fidesz is already preparing for governmental work, and the sudden change of tone governmental for preparing is already Fidesz

Orban kept stressing the importance Russia. Seemingly with Orban kept stressing of the good relations

communicated the meeting as a great success story, and in the domestic media and in story, success as a great the meeting communicated

probably Fidesz will win the April-May 2010 parliamentary win the April-May will elections, a signifi Fidesz probably

porting (at least tacitly) both the South Stream and Nabucco projects. However, as porting However, projects. and Nabucco (at least tacitly) both the South Stream

cialist governments have pursued the already described pragmatic, dual policy, sup- dual policy, described pragmatic, already pursued the have cialist governments

gress of the “United Russia” party, where he negotiated with Vladimir Putin. with he negotiated where party, Russia” “United of the gress

ber Viktor Orbán, Chairman of the Fidesz was invited to St. Petersburg to the con- to St. Petersburg to invited was Chairman of the Fidesz Orbán, Viktor ber change has already become visible in the Russia-policy become Inchange has already Novem- of the party. late also for thewhole Visegrad region. garian interests, awareness andlevel ontheEastern Partnership, ofknowledge but spring 2010,itwillsurely beasignifi ge Eastern Partnership conference willbesuccessfully organized in andconducted a defi 34 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA nite changeoftones mightwell beexpected. Anyways, ifthementionedlar- ine-related projects are projects focusedine-related mostlyonthe andinMoldova. are onlyinUkraine conducted cant Hungarianactivities The Ukra- da. However, from thethree western states ofthe eastern neighbourhood, signifi missingfrom Caucasus theHungarianpoliticalagen- ones; theSouth ispractically the interests importance. oftheEUare ofprimary isinfavour extent, ofavoidingsitivities to acertain confrontation, thoughofcourse, pragmatic, non-ideological nature. Budapestiscarefully theRussiansen- respecting ning theEastern Partnership region, theHungarian approach ischaracterized by its whiletheeastern neighbourhoodenjoysBalkans, onlymoderate attention. Concer- ry environment andperhaps contributingry to the maintenance works ofthepipeline inmany term, viaimproving ways. ofHungary theregulato-energy short security In to strengthen isexpected tive one. the isconsidered It being themostimportant vel are projects goingon. in Moldova, where theHungarianpoliticalpresence isrelatively strong andhigh-le- countries ruleonly of theeastern neighbourhood, Budapesttakesupapolicy-maker Hungary, andpopulated by –amongothersethnicHungarians. Thus from thesix 5 Gergely Romsics –Zsuzsanna Végh: 45 En lieuofaConclusion simplydueto theapproaching EUPresidency; in anearthquake-scenario andanalysts agree thatthechangeinpower experts Most making. willnotresult cy effi personal andorganizational changesintheadministrative willaff structures ths oftheHungarian V4 Presidency. thesubsequent to isyet whatextent unknown, It signifi new, ofFidesz andmore Russia-policy cooperation-oriented willlast,no lessassertive cacy and functioning ofthegovernmental andfunctioning responsible structures forcacy foreign poli- Concerning geography, clearlythethree Western-NIS states are theprioritized ismostlyoriented towards ofHungary the The neighbourhoodpolicy Western- Concerning policy, element oftheEastern the energy Partnership initia- security Due to the coming elections attention will mostly be diverted from attentionDue to willmostlybediverted thecoming thelastmon- elections dency. the Slovak Foreign Policy Association. pp. 25-48. cant changeisprobable intheHungarianapproach to theEastern Partnership. In: International Issues andSlovak International Foreign In: Policy Aff cant step forward, notonlyconcerning theHun- Managing theFuture? Prospects ofthe2011HungarianEUpresi- Zakarpatya airs. No. 3./2009.Research Center of region, bordering directly

45 however, however, ect the the ect - THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN ed, THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA35 crisis andnancial cation of supplies will of 2010 most attention rst half ned by external factors, e.g. by the energy dependence, dependence, the energy by external e.g. ned by factors, The Hungarian Visegrad presidency has envisaged a set of objectivesnot being presidency has envisaged Visegrad Hungarian The as well. as well. but in some initiative, Partnership of the Eastern with the principles only in line July the presidency from period lasting aspects further However, them. developing the global fi by 2010 has been partially June 2009 to overshadowed the parliamentary due to elections, Moreover, of Hungary. hardships the internal by fi 2010, in the in April-May take place scheduled to elections, of the of the outcome Regardless domestic policy. be turned to obviously and policy-related priorities of Hungarythe general geographic will not be modifi defi are simply because they the minorities living abroad, etc. Thus the pragmatic, moderate nature of Hungarian nature moderate the pragmatic, Thus etc. abroad, the minorities living change. is not likely to Eastern-Europe policy towards foreign system in the eastern neighbourhood, the security of transit is going to be enhanced. the security enhanced. be going to transit is of neighbourhood, the eastern in system the diversifi to contribute might well long run, the EaP While in the 36 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA37 – PhD in History – PhD ce of the Undersecretary Government of State, Defence ce of the Minister for of National Defence Plenipotentiary for European Integration and Foreign Integration and Foreign Plenipotentiary European for of Ministers in - Council employed (1995-1996); Assistance the Oﬃ of the Ministry Planning Policy of the of National Defence (1992). Republic of Poland from the Department the from of History of International Relations of the visiting professor of the University of Łódź; Vilnius. Humanities University in Belarusian European responsible expert Parliament EPP-ED in the European Moldova, monitoring situation in Belarus, the political for of Natolin Russia and Ukraine (2005-2006); researcher expert of the Kosciuszko Centre, European Institute, (1996-2001). Institute in Łódź member of the European Held Oﬃ Przemysław Żurawski vel Grajewski vel Żurawski Przemysław uence in the territories to the east of Poland’s border. border. the east of Poland’s to in the territories uence nd an answer to the question of the real meaning and the question of the real to nd an answer

The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is currently a leading governmental initiative in the initiative a leading governmental (EaP) is currently Partnership Eastern The policy maintain the indepen- is to foreign fundamental objective of Polish The

EASTERN POLICY? EASTERN – MAIN OR SUPPORTING TOOL OF POLISH POLISH OF TOOL SUPPORTING OR MAIN – THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP OF THE EU THE OF PARTNERSHIP EASTERN THE sphere of Polish foreign policy. The EaP project is undoubtedly valuable and worthy EaP project is undoubtedly The policy. foreign of Polish sphere the EaP if interests Polish be harmful for it would Therefore of support political idea. became a bartering the EaP should in domestic inter-party tool Furthermore clashes. about the EaP should be debate real The context and dimension. be seen in a proper keep proportion critique and at the same time should of a total make both to free achieving par- for the EaP as a useful tool decision-makers and public opinion see the EaP should not However veryticular and (which should be noted) aims. limited the war in from ranging all challenges posing in the East, for a panacea as be treated fi To the gas crisis. to Georgia EaP isThe interests. one should start Polish it to relating of the EaP initiative, by scope not a goal in itself. interests, of Polish an instrument used in the realisation being simultaneously a policy denies perspective, goal, Polish The of the state. dence a sole infl being from Moscow membership in Polish Therefore is rather a mean of achieving this objective. rest The More- not a goal. position within its structures is a tool the EU and building a strong 38 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA the revision ofapro-Atlantic inPolish direction foreign policy. Unfortunately, there to force through newconcepts for throughout EUforums. Eastern policy clares “as makersofthe Washington’s orders”, weakens thecapabilities ofthosestates the BalticStates are regarded asstaunchUSallies, orastheRussianpropaganda de- some infl attitude, hasbeenabaseoftheirpro-American This whichisunwillingly fact seenby the post-soviet countries isrelying ontheUSA playing aRussiancounterbalance. of thosecountries dueto theirinsuffi forces by tries oftheEaPagendayet themilitary could supported notbedirectly inthesummerof2008Georgia.could observe from –justliketheonewe beingdestroyed intervention by the Russian military tion inthementionedcountries, andatthesametimewould protect thoseeff ground whichwould enableto enhance eff ambitions oftheKremlin. dentalisation programme” concerning thedescribedregion clasheswiththeimperial a similarproblem, butonasmallerscalehowever). Therefore thenature of “the occi- siderable fi these states causedby longlastingRussian/Soviet domination,thusinvesting con- 6 Taking into consideration thehistorical grievance 46 gramme” integration withRussia(thisprocess could bedescribedas “the occidentalisation pro- changes andleaningtowards European andEuro-Atlantic integration, incontrast to Polish aff nationalsecurity (keeping thispeculiarorder refl Belarus,ing Ukraine, Georgia, andArmeniacloserto Moldova, the Azerbaijan West atall.no real action lack ofreal programme behindacatchy asanexcuse up for sloganandserve taking in thepoliticaldiscourse asagoalofthePolish foreign policy, isanattempt to hide pied actively, however Using itisneitheragoal, noranaction. “Polish position” active over strong positioniscrucialandhighlydesirablefor Poland, andshouldbeoccu- This iseasyto discern, politicalfactor however itisnotthedecisive argument for of security Military “the occidentalisation programme” spread throughout coun- The programme implementationrequires prestigious andstrong political back- The principlegoalcanonlybeachieved underthecircumstances ofbring- heritage andtradition whichlinkthemto theGreek-Byzantine culture ratherthanto theLatinone. ofthe become apart West inthe senseinwhichGreece isi.e. without renouncing theircultural tries andinthesenseoftheirforeign strategic politicalorientationto the policy West. They should only inthesenseofwesternisation coun- ofthepoliticalandeconomic system ofthepartner the cultural traditionsoftheregion stressing thatitshouldbe understood in questionitisworth uential states andpoliticalenvironments intheEU. thatPolandThe fact and 46 nancial resources whichPoland doesnotpossess(Poland alsodealswith ). Suchanambitioustaskrequires themitigationofunderdevelopment of airs), whichmeanstheadoptionof Western systemic ofneighbouringcountries in theimportance ects cient potential. Oneofthesolutions usedby orts ofmodernizationanddemocratiza- orts of theterm ‘occidentalisation’ of inthecontext orts orts THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA39 , „Rzecz- , „Rzeczpospo- uence The The shift 49 and: G. Bernatowicz, and: G. Bernatowicz, , „Rzeczpospolita”, nr 247(8453), „Rzeczpospolita”, , nr 4 (XLVIII), październik- nr 4 (XLVIII),

. 48 Polska bierze nową tarczę bierze nową Polska W Polsce żadnej tarczy nie będzie W Polsce , since 1997 Finland with Sweden with Sweden 1997 Finland , since asco concerning the antimissile shield the concerning asco declaration of the new Polish-American of the new Polish-American declaration 50 , Interia.pl, (Tuesday, 20 wrzesień 11:32), http:// (Tuesday, , Interia.pl, , European Commission, External Relations, Euro- External Relations, Commission, , European , „Rzeczpospolita”, nr 248(8454), 22 wrzesień 2009, p.A11. „Rzeczpospolita”, , eld of antimissile defence – did not have any psy- any – did not have of antimissile defence eld guarantor in East-Central Europe. guarantor cant reaction from Washington about the Russian in- Washington cant reaction from The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership The Euro-Mediterranean Biden: Nic o was bez was (rozmowa z Piotrem Gilertem) z Piotrem (rozmowa bez was Biden: Nic o was , was regarded in Russia as a “comforting visit”. “comforting in Russia as a , was regarded 47 Rosja jest teraz dla Obamy najważniejsza Rosja jest teraz http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/euromed/index_en.htm

śródziemnomorska Unii Europejskiej, „Sprawy Międzynarodowe”, śródziemnomorska Unii Europejskiej, 21 październik 2009, p. A11; compare: W. Lorenz, P. Gilbert, P. Lorenz, W. A11; compare: 2009, p. 21 październik lita”, nr 248(8454), 22 październik 2009, p.A11. A. Cohen, A. Cohen, 2009, p.A11. nr 248(8454), 22 październik lita”, pospolita”, nr 248(8454), 22 październik 2009, p.A17. 22 październik nr 248(8454), pospolita”, Biden przyjeżdża prasa: pocieszyćRosyjska Polskę fakty.interia.pl/raport/tarcza-antyrakietowa/news/rosyjska-prasa-biden-przyjezdza-pocieszyc-pol- ske,1384892 med,

47 More about: 47 More has been a gradual weakening of Polish-American relations since Polish troops wi- troops Polish since relations of Polish-American weakening a gradual has been the fi since and especially Iraq, from thdrew project in Poland and the Czech Republic. The pro-American character of Polish fo- pro-American characterThe of Polish Republic. and the Czech project in Poland in power came to policy the new government rapidly since reign down is melting its new under Europe in the Central Washington of so is the interest in 2007, Poland recent The of Barack Obama. administration be planned to project of the SM-3 on the implementation launch, based 1B rockets the USA made by a gesture situation. Moreover, the started 2015, does not alter for in the fi Poland for – a new proposal (20-22 Poland visit to Joe Biden’s President Vice impactchological on Russia as the US October 2009) 48 Pipes, 49 R. 50 More about: 50 More

There was a lack of signifi There grudzień 1995, pp.63–80. grudzień Polityka Polityka Since Poland joined the EU, Warsaw has hoped to gain an institutional infl has hoped to Warsaw joined the EU, Poland Since

ger wants to keep the role of the security keep the role ger wants to

Afghan war. All these political moves have created the impression that the US no lon- the impression created have moves All these political war. Afghan

Russian support or with the with the Iranianprogram nuclear solving problems in

be eager to sign an agreement on strategic nuclear arms control, as well as seeking as well nuclear arms control, on strategic an agreement sign be eager to

nistration that the US wishes to reset relations with Russia, hoping that Kremlin with Russia, hoping will relations reset wishes to nistration that the US

vasion in Georgia. Furthermore an announcement was sent from the Obama admi- was sent from an announcement Furthermore vasion in Georgia.

attempt to answer. to attempt

What is the new role that should be played by the EaP? These are the questions I will are These the EaP? by that should be played What is the new role

indeed a propagator of Western values and political systems in this part values and political systems of the world? Western of indeed a propagator

Could the EU replace the US role of the Post-Cold War as the order stabilising force, or stabilising force, as the order War of the Post-Cold the US role the EU replace Could ating Mediterranean dimension of the EU Policy

dermine independence and territorial integration of countries situated in the region. in the region. situated of countries integration and territorial dermine independence cre- Process the Barcelona Spain initiated in 1995 set up other initiatives: examples to

of the American role in Eastern Europe can be a cause for destabilisation and can un- can be a cause for Europe in Eastern of the American role been some encouraging already have There policy. on the shape of the EU Eastern What short-term goalsshouldPolandWhat short-term setwithintheEaPconstruction? in front ofus? ofchallengescanorcannotbedealtwithusingtheEaP? What kind inmeetingthechallengesstanding factors them asdeterminants, orassupporting aboutthePolishwhile thinking infl EaP? What are Shouldwe itsadvantages andweaknesses? taketheminto account goalsapproaching usto thestrategicpartial goalcanbeachieved by theuseof lish interests? theEaPandonwhatscale? Which countries are eagerto support What EUEastern Policy usingtheEaPasatoolactivating itinfavour anddirecting ofPo- “added value” ofalready inthecontext existingsolutions? What are thechances for the EaP? theEaPandwhy? Who supported What isitsnature andessence? What isits tiative pioneered by Poland andSweden? What were thecircumstances oflaunching EaP shouldbeshapedwithinit?How muchspace doesthisrole leave for theEaPini- Polishfurther Eastern neighbours, shouldbetakenby theEUandhow therole ofthe joint Polish-Swedish initiative oftheEastern Partnership. time itendedinfailure. The second attempt wasmadein2008andresulted inthe started to promote Synergystarted theBlackSea THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOODthe fi SynergyDimension, norintheBlackSea programmes. towards a place intheEUpolicy Belarus, whichisincludedneitherintheNorthern ded withoutPolish Ontheotherhand, thisinitiative required participation. fi avoid situationwhenrelations –Moldova, –Georgia EU-Ukraine, etc. would bedeci- POLICYpate inthisinitiative; however ithasposedachallengefor thePolish government to AND V4 AGENDA 40 Therefore whatrole withinthePolish occidental targeted project to closerand During the pre-accession period(atthe turnof2002and2003)PolandDuring thepre-accession launched President ofFrance, (13August 2008) Sarkozy Nicolas 52 More about: 3 More about:P. vel Żurawski Grajewski, 53 More about:P. vel Żurawski Grajewski, 51 Circumstances surrounding thecreation oftheEastern Partnership Dimension have beenbuildingtheNorthern 54 rst initiative for thecreation ofanEastern DimensioninEUrelations external_relations/blacksea/index_en.htm The announcement ofthecreation oftheUnion for by theMediterranean the 2004 pean Parliament andtheCouncil Brussels, 20/05/08COM(2008) 319(Final), pp.1-13. Barcelona Process: Unionfor theMediterranean ISS, Kraków 2004, pp.67-89.. Policy ExecutionSecurity , Kraków-Warszawa 2008,pp. 592-646. Black Sea SynergyBlack Sea , [in:] “Eastern DimensionoftheEuropean Union”, Zamarlik, ed. by Monika uence onitsEastern neighbours?Shouldwe treat , European Commission, Relations, External Polityka UniiEuropejskiej wobec Rosjiainteresy Polski 1991- Eastern Dimension as and Aspect ofCommon asandAspect ForeignEastern Dimension and 52 . Poland hasnotbeeninvited to partici- 51 , Communication from theCommission to theEuro- . In 2007theEuropean. In Commission 54 created agoodclimate for http://ec.europa.eu/ 53 . At that . At that nding nding THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA41 , Council of the Euro- of , Council 7 May 2009 , uential Mediterranean lobby less Mediterraneanuential lobby tal programme integrating Ukraine, integrating tal programme rst EU-EaP countries summit in Prague (7 summit in Prague countries rst EU-EaP nancial resources transferred to the South, but not to develop any any the South, develop to but not to transferred resources nancial . This fact should not comprise a delusion, however, as to what ex- as to factThis a delusion, however, should not comprise . 55

Joint Declaration of the Prague Eastern Partnership Summit Prague of the Prague Joint Declaration When the EaP was accepted at the fi When the EaP was accepted pean Union, Brussels, 7 May 2009, 8435/09 (Presse 78), p.5. 78), p.5. 2009, 8435/09 (Presse 7 May pean Union, Brussels,

nancially ready to be active within the occiden to nancially ready 55 the regionalisation of European Neighbourhood Policy – ENP. Since its creation, Since – ENP. Policy Neighbourhood of European the regionalisation within one countries all EU neighbourhood unifying been criticised for the ENP has Undertakingscheme. EU partners used with the East, as are activities the similar for initia- Sarcozy’s The decision. be a natural Mediterranean the seemed to Basin, from the infl the EaP by criticism of made any has tive probable since less credible especially if launched by those who had just created just created those who had if launched by especially less credible since probable the French On the other hand the ENP. of the regionalisation of such a precedent leading do- is the Germany Germans with reserve. the by has been treated initiative EU the main priorities of “old” and the only big country the EU budget nor to of the the South of the continent. the East than towards rather towards oriented which are on Ger- relied have could initiative the Polish-Swedish conditions, In such favourable based that are ambitions French down in slowing man support interested are as they direct the majority to the Medi- and attempting of EU funds to attention on drawing Such an essential con- of the German scope. outside the areas to basin i.e. terranean support the supposition that German hasclusion leads us to the EaP initiatives for building a counter- Motivation for is a will meaning. strategic instrumental than more open the EU towards to intention the real not for yet initiative, French the to balance that Berlin is politically and the conclusion it should not lead to Therefore, the East. fi isThis structures. Western Armenia, and Azerbaijan with Georgia, Moldova, Belarus, is con- in its nature the programme been shown; and as has already worthy of note by tradictory politically tolerated which are aspirations, the Russian imperialistic to will support Germany the EaPThus, river. on the Spree resting the powers-that-be limit fi to in order of Ukraine the EU. accession to the future perspective for Britain, of Great along with the prime ministers of France, 2009), the president May of representative only top-level The the meeting. absent at Italy and Spain, were biggest con- The Angela Merkel. chancellor, Germany’s was EU member state a large supported was that the invited the Dutch, by of the German representatives, cern been have (this could partners” “European not called were neighbourhood countries membership in the EU) future their ambitions concerning as approving interpreted Ger- to this happened according partners. Additionally, but as the Eastern-European man preferences

the East. tent Germany can support projects promoted by Warsaw in the EU’s policy towards in the EU’s Warsaw can support by Germany tent projects promoted 42 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA rian politics after upcomingrian politicsafter elections vian states andtheCzech Republic. There isalsoachance intheevolution oftheHunga- ted by itsmainpromoters andagroup consisted ofthethree BalticStates, theScandina- the Commonwealth of theglobalfi to convince Turkey role thattheyhave ininfl animportant EU’s neighbourhoodcountries, butasan approved candidate. Poland’s aimshouldbe key withintheEaP. cannotbetreated by Ankara thePolish government asone ofthe state that shouldnotbeturnedintostyle Oblast”“the second Kaliningrad in Transnistria self-proclaimed – apro-Russian soviet- within theEaP(conditioned to thePolish disagreement abouttheestablishmentof it would benaturalto accept the Romanianrole intherealm ofMoldovan projects policy, Synergy, especiallywithintheBlackSea asaPolish acts competitor. Therefore, nia asaclosercooperation partner. For now, Romaniainthefi andforestion isto whatextent how longcanthissituationremain? towards therecent Russiacanchangeafter Russian “gas war” withUkraine. The qu- de pragmatic cooperation intheborder re for theEaPstrategic goals. support However,unting onSlovakian thisdoesnot exclu- has smallpoliticalpotential regardless promising trends intheregional economy. the mainEUcountries for theEaPinitiative. The conclusion unfortunately, istheproject that accompanied thenaissance oftheinitiative of stillamerely declarative support of thereorientation oftheEastern economies towards theEU. fered lessthanRussiaduringthecrisis. This situationmightleadto thereinforcement forare solutionto looking overcome theeconomic collapse intheEU. The EUhassuf- As aresult, theRussianeconomy EaPcountries which to attract haslostitscapability Allies from realising thisscenario inrelation to ourEastern neighbours). the region (thecurrent assignment ofthePolish government isto hinderRussia andRomaniacanbeusedby Russianagentsto paralyse cooperation in Hungary future cooperation withitsneighbours. problemsThe minority amongSlovakia, issuearoundminority the Trianon borders, donotshow promising signs for the In the context of the Black Sea region, it is important to defi region, oftheBlackSea thecontext itisimportant In theaboveIn describedexample, thePolish-Swedish initiative canbestrongly suppor- examiningisthattheEaPhascome intoThe power otherissueworth atthetime One ofthechallengesstandinginfront ofthePolish government isto gainRoma- FicoKeeping thecabinetofSlovak Prime Robert Minister doesnotallow co- The circumstances oftheEaP’s have shown birth thepositive economic context nancial crisis, whichhasbeenmuchmore painfulfor Russiaandfor

of Independent States,of Independent thanfor Poland andtherest oftheEU. , however itstraditionalscope onthenational a next exclavea next oftheRussian Federation). gime issues. Maybe the Slovakian attitude gime issues. attitude Maybe theSlovakian uencing the future of the EaP uencing thefuture oftheEaP ne therightrole for Tur- eld oftheEUEastern THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA43 . 56 uence in Azerbaijan uence and c development initiative, even extended even initiative, c development ered: also a transit country for the Nabucco gas pipeline. also a transit country the Nabucco for eld of common borders control, aiming at set- control, borders eld of common security. eld of energy agship initiatives’: Integrated Border Management Programme; an Management Programme; Border Integrated agship initiatives’: of Turkey form the USA towards Iran and Russia. The extended accession negotiations repel the negotiations repel extendedThe accession Iran and Russia. the USA towards form Turkey of interests. the Polish to is not in favour process This the EU. million people from nation of seventy its infl partner resources, is also a strategic the energy concerning Turkey Turan countries of the Central Asia and it is Asia of the Central countries Turan The EaP in its nature concerns a specifi concerns nature EaP in its The the EU and particular countries covered by the programme by the EU and particular covered countries ting up a visa-free regime for both sides in a long term perspective, but in a short perspective, both sides in a long term for regime ting up a visa-free - liberalisation of the visa systems. term tries. the EU and a particular between Cooperation country should be individualised also be advan- ‘the objectives of the EaP may communication the EC to According

56 political shift has caused a small but noticeable the Iraqi war, by aggravated issue, Kurdish The The nature of the project nature The countries as a Polish, not a Russian, ally. Poland should also convince Turkey that the that Turkey convince also should Poland ally. a Russian, not as a Polish, countries in a position Turkey project of placing the Franco-German scrap to tool EaP is a useful the of ground on the merely with the EU which cooperates neighbour of an eternal of co-decision institutional process the from (everythingexclusion but decisions rule) outside the current frames of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) cooperation Neighbourhood Policy the European frames of outside the current The Armenia and Azerbaijan. Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, with Belarus, programme the that joined of the countries neighbours Eastern the are six mentioned countries The the ENP. by covered the countries selected from and were EU in 2004 and 2007 off within the EaP are remaining countries 1. partner a given between country Agreement and the EU. Association 2. between – DCFTA trade area free comprehensive Establishment of a deep and 3. in the fi enhancement Cooperation 4. in the fi Cooperation 5. EU support The partner of the and social development in the economic coun- thematic platforms: within four and should be developed 1. and stability, good governance Democracy, 2. with EU policies, security, and convergence integration Economic 3. Energy relations. 4. Interpersonal (...) fl through ced

It is probable that Great Britain, as one of the “old” EU Member States, would sup- would Member EU States, “old” the Britain, as one of It that Great is probable

has been in favour of the geographic enlargement of the EU. enlargement of the geographic has been in favour

conducting more realistic policy towards Russia than the other European states, and states, European Russia than the other policy realistic conducting towards more port the EaP. Especially since the Alexander Litvinenko murder, Great Britain has been Britain Great Alexander Litvinenko the since Especially murder, port EaP. the sum of€600mlnexclusively for EaPfor theyears 2010-2013 already includedinto theEaPEuropean Commission decidedto grant additional reach December atotal 2009whenthecountries of€785million in2013.In hadbeen bourhood Policy. However year to to riseevery thisamountisexpected eventually operation withthe “six” EaPcountries withintheframework oftheEuropean Neigh- in fact have in fact beenappointed andnotelected). does notrecognise oftheBelarusian thelegality “parliament” themembersofwhich sting economic linkswould amountto eff if there isagreement thatcommon interests inatopic, geographical proximity orexi-

THE59 EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA The third intheinitiative states onthe may participate 44 A total sumof€450millionwasallocated in2008for fi p.6. Relations Directorate GeneralDirectorate European NeighbourhoodPolicy, 16 December 2009, Vademecum on Financing intheFrame oftheEasternPartnership 57 J. Popielawska, tic platforms. willbedeterminedTheir according formats andparticipants to theneed. theworkfour ofthethema- level onthebaseofpanelssupporting willbeconstructed of senioroffi countries attachedto ayear theGAERC; twice from –meetings theEUandpartner two years; ofForeign annualspringmeetingsofMinisters should beheldevery Aff ganised atfour levels: theEaPsummits(meetingsofHeadsState orGovernment) on prevention of, preparation for, ble energy sources; development energy andcooperation oftheSouthern corridor; promotion markets;energy ofregional effi electricity SME facility; as well aswiththerepresentatives ofBelarusiandemocraticopposition MPs countries –thelatest delegated from by theirnationalparliaments thepartner on theinitiative ofagroup oftheEPP-ED MEPs anditconsists oftheMEPs andthe hood EastParliamentary Assembly 58 euro (mln) Year UriServ.do?uri=CELEX:52008DC0823:EN:NOT en.pdf Structural dialogueplannedasanoperational Structural The inter-parliamentary dialogue structure for EaP – EURO-NEST ( for dialoguestructure EaP–EURO-NEST The inter-parliamentary nership, Brussels, 3.12.2008COM(2008) 823fi Communication from theCommission totheEuropean Parliament andtheCouncil dzie , Natolińskie”,„Analizy nr5(37)2009,p.7. http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/eastern/docs/eap_vademecum_14122009_

onthebasesoffourcials working platforms mentionedabove; the W jakim towarzystwie? Partnerstwo Wschodnie Partnerstwo UEnawscho- na tleinnych towarzystwie? W jakim inicjatyw Table 1.Indicative breakdown ofEaPfi nancing 0021 022013 2012 2011 2010 51015230 175 110 85 ective developmentective ofthecooperation. ) –hasbeencreated too. hasbeensetinmotion It and response to naturalandman-madedisasters.

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/Lex- nal, instrument oftheprogramme isor- nancing oftheentire co- case by case , European Commission External 58 59 . principle and principleand ciency ciency and renewa- 57 . (The EU EU . (The EU-Neighbour- , Eastern Part- Total 600 airs airs THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA45 cult provide provide

would rst EaP summit cation of the EU policycation to- modus operandi modus operandi diversifi – uence of the West”. the of uence ects Polish priorities. Furthermore, the Furthermore, priorities. ects Polish al (cooperation on the expertal (cooperation and tech- er within the EaP. Polish accession to the to accession Polish er within the EaP. ts (the Swedish have more experience in oper- experience more have ts (the Swedish eld of the EU approach, and strongly declares its European ambitions, ambitions, its European declares and strongly eld of the EU approach, The conditionality rule understood as the conditionality understood rule The The geographic scope of the project of refl scope geographic The The EaP was supported not only by Poland but also by neutral Sweden, which neutral Sweden, but also by EaP was supportedThe Poland not only by A perspective of a visa-free regime between the EU and the EaP countries is the the EaP countries the EU and between regime A perspective of a visa-free Advantages reservation be natur Belarus seems to about of until the collapse changed – meaning: will be until political conditions nical level there). the dictatorial regime ating in the EU institutions and comparing to Poland, a more developed public ad- developed a more Poland, to ating in the EU institutions and comparing which character of the EaP initiative ministration), also emphasises the European factThis re- EU institutions. of the agenda within the top it to bringing facilitates the EaP and the between competiveness over concerns Scandinavian peals eventual as the as well in the EaP, interest Presidency Czech The Northern Dimension of the EU. has Sweden, by fact 2009 the EU leadership was taken over half of that in the second an opportunity EaP project of the as a leading the development created promote to lead the fi Czechs The the year. priority throughout of the Presidency apart benefi an administrative from which also correspond to Polish interests. However, there is a need to abolish the abolish is a need to there However, interests. Polish to which also correspond sustaining this because Belarus, conditionality rule for wards particular countries, determined by their ambitions and expressed will to co- will to their ambitions and expressed particular by determined wards countries, in the East- included that was already postulate the Polish through follows operate, Ukraine project promotes as the most advancedThe ern Dimension project in 2003. fi in the state iso- increase with Brussels or to relations Lukashenka improve to with major initiative infl negative “a from lation of his fellow-citizens Unfortunately, crisis. it was held at the time of the government however in Prague, Stockholm has not undertaken important any activities support to of the the process co-authors. was one of the EaP’s the factEaP implementation, despite that Sweden most important off and the most concrete It neighbours. Eastern Poland’s for EU implied the introduction of visa requirements Ukrainians Belaru- €35 for and €60 for barrier (the visa costs became an expensive Belarus and for travel of conditions procedures, this complicated sians) and due to factThis po- was contradictory the Polish to deteriorated. Ukraine Poland to citizens contacts interpersonal with for not closing, the opening, that require litical interests diffi situation when it is more the cannot accept Poland neighbours. the Eastern espe- the Russian citizens, than for of the EaP countries, citizens the EU for to travel to Ossetians, to cially in the light of the Russian activities Russian citizenship of granting EU has adopted The Abkhazians in Ukraine. and Crimeans and Armenians in Georgia be treated asjustthewording process ofgiving uptheproject. which is “mission impossible” considering theavailable moneyandtherefore should gastransitnetwork from theEaP budget costs ofthemodernisationUkrainian EU resigned from gasmeters installationby autumn2009anddecidedto cover the Polish to to are implementtheproject thepublicand known diplomaticactivity task apparently hasnotbeenfulfi cause suchfavourable conditions would nolongerrepeat that again.Unfortunately Polish shouldhave ensured diplomacy theimplementationofthesedecisionsbe- border. installationofgasmeters ontheUkraine-Russia sit network andto support the EUcommitted itself to co-fi es ofthe “gas war”. March used. 2009, In Suchasituationhasalready beenpartially EaP oftheCzech andSwedish Presidencies, psychological andactual consequenc- isatop issueontheagenda,especiallyduetosecurity thepositive approach to the states. The soonersuchanenergy dimensionwould beintroduced thebetter. Energy turning toandincludingthealready direction theBlack-Sea-Caspian mentioned ing to takerisks, anattempt shouldbemadeto addanenergy dimensionto theEaP, ful for isslow promoting andunwill- thattheEUbureaucracy them.Despite thefact cannot beatool for therealisation ofenergy investments, butcanbepoliticallyuse- and Kazakhstan Turkmenistan. Unfortunately, dueto low fi foropens possibility cooperation with Turkey, andintheenergy even context with within theEaP. prognosis andaprecedent andcanbeusedby Poland to force analogical solutions 46 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA The EaPallows intheprogramme countries which outside theEUto takepart weakened apositive interpretation thePolish oftheEaPmadeby Sikorski, Radosław dimensionoftheENP,and Southern shouldbetreated equally, whichinpractice ment. Moreover, according to BenitaFerrero-Waldner, theformer EUcommissioner integration. However, thisdichotomy hasnotbeenpresented inany offi mer group concerning withany theleadto thefi opportunities European neighbours 60 responsible for Disadvantages a road mapconcerning avisa-free regime for Bosnia-Herzegovina According to Polish plans, aimsto theproject dividetheENPcountries into the rence=IP/08/792&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 2008, IP/08/792,Europa Press http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?refe- ReleasedRapid, Commission on visa free launches dialoguewithBosniaandHerzegovina travel

External RelationsandEuropeanExternal NeighbourhoodPolicy –Eastern andthe gastran- nance themodernisationofUkrainian lledby thePolish government. Noevidence ofthe neighbours ofEurope andto remain openfor thefor- nancialresources theEaP 60 which is a good whichisagood nal stageoftheEU , Brussels, 26 May cial EU docu- THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA47 cult (DCFTA) (DCFTA) , which is 61 in the years . Therefore, for those for Therefore, . 62 per annum Poland and Hungary:Poland As- rather than initiatives”), agship budget, still that money are avail- are budget, still that money ) received about €3,9 billion ) received ogramme”. Especially, supposing that the Especially, ogramme”. deep and comprehensive free trade area trade free deep and comprehensive are of the EaP six countries the for nancial resources airs. This negative assessment was proved by decisions made decisions by was proved assessment negative This airs. a sig- nancial support will not have the EaP countries for ght against illegal immigration to the EU, or for environ- or for the EU, to immigration ght against illegal nancial resources, compared to its great number of tasks, are far too are number of tasks, its great to compared nancial resources, ective fi ective – the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, http://www.dsc.kprm.gov.pl/strona.php?i- – the Chancellery Minister, of the Prime Neighbourhood Investment Facility Neighbourhood Investment PHARE d=48&id2=23 The EaP fi The

nancing it”. At the moment, the described disadvantage of the EaP is diffi the moment, the described disadvantage At nancing it”.

sistance for Restructuring Economies their for sistance 61 62 p.8. op.cit., Popielawska, J. Minister of Foreign Aff Minister of Foreign ( programme the Phare within Poland compare, To low. under German pressure at the Prague summit. at the Prague pressure under German

The idea of the establishment of a The It results from the main problem of the EU dimension of the Polish Eastern policy, policy, Eastern of the EU dimension of the Polish the main problem It from results cant impact on “the occidentalisation pr “the occidentalisation cant impact on

instruments of solving it.

not the political decision on its adoption. The EaP does not include any of the new EaP does not include any The not the political decision on its adoption.

was signed in the 1990s. The problem is to carry is to problem The out the project implementation – in the 1990s. was signed

This proposal was included in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which Agreement and Cooperation was included in the Partnership proposal This

to overcome. to countries. the EaP to the majority of the invited for value” “added an does not have

tion in fi

a contrary rule: “We have an idea and furthermore, we declare remarkable participa- declare an idea and furthermore, we have “We a contrary rule:

rule cannot be changed within the next 15-20 years and it cannot be replaced by rule cannot be changed within the next and it cannot be replaced 15-20 years

tude reduces capability to force through Polish political ideas on the EU agenda. This political ideas on the EU agenda. Polish through capability force to tude reduces

a relatively weak economic potential and nature of Polish – European policy. The atti- The policy. – European of Polish and nature potential economic weak a relatively

the EU budget) should pay for its implementation”. This attitude is a consequence of attitude is a consequence This its implementation”. for the EU budget) should pay

which currently is based on a rule: “We (Poland) have an idea, and you (net payers to payers (net an idea, and you have (Poland) “We is based on a rule: which currently

does not have the necessary tools for correcting this defect. the necessary correcting for does not have tools

these countries to the West. That situation will not change in the future and Poland and Poland will not change in the future situation That West. the to these countries

mental purposes. Obviously, this is not a step towards any political rapprochement of political rapprochement any towards this is not a step Obviously, mental purposes.

ture enabling an eff ture

reasons, the scale of the EU fi reasons, nifi on the EU priorities (“the fl UE money will be allocated infrastruc- of border development on the i.e. objectives, on the partnership countries’

tives within the within tives

EC exclusively for the EaP. There will be as well €700 mln available for the EaP initia- for available €700 mln will be as well There the EaP. for EC exclusively

about €300 million yearly, while fi million yearly, about €300 – €785 million €450 million of between level at the allocated budget of the ENP plus extra the by €600 mln allocated overall 2008-2013 within the

pete for them with the Mediterranean neighbours of Europe them with the for pete able for all the countries covered by the ENP and the EaP partners com- the ENP to by have will covered all the countries able for THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE oftheEaPcountries,majority thealready accepted ruleseemsto beastonishing. programme. Keepinginmindthepresidential ofpoliticalsystems character inthe CONTEXTStates’s presidencies mightcome across theEaP obstaclesandbeunableto activate oftheEaPsummits.ing character Therefore, Polish andSwedish orany oftheBaltic resulting offrequency shows inratherceremonial ahugedisproportion thanwork- two years) ayear thantheEU-Russiasummits(twice –once for eachpresidency). This low eff OF in favour ofRussia. THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA 48 withRussia partnership many, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, andBulgaria Slovakia, be treated asinevitable. Still, itcanbeusedby the “Russian friendsclub” (France, Ger- A slow pace of a structural dialogue with the EaP partner countries implies its countries implies its dialoguewiththeEaPpartner A slow pace ofastructural that willfulfi thatwantsto haveUkraine for aclearperspective thefuture accession ofcountries by Gasprom)dictated fromstructure itstakeover, resulting from “debts” increased dueto excessive price March 2009,Brusselshasbeeninterested gastransitinfra- indefending Ukrainian wascovered thecountry blem despite thefact by theEaP. (On theothersidesince war” showed theEUlackofinterest inthesolution ofUkraine’s pro- energy security 2009theRussian-Ukrainian scale ofsuchanambitiousprogramme. January In “gas ergy suppliesandtransitsystem diversifi of Electricity ( andMoldova withtheUCTE Ukraine It isanunrealistic assumptionto implementtheEaP,It simultaneouslywiththeEU 65 theEuropean In Commission’s statement iswritten: Eastern Partnership willbepursuedin “The 64 government The declarationconcer Ukrainian 63 ectiveness. The EU-EaPcountries summitsare heldlessfrequently (once every 2008, http://www.mfa.gov.ua/eu/en/news/detail/13105.htm The goalsoftheEaP, astheyhave beendeclared, are beneaththeambitionsof Russian club”. ests ofMoscow. willleave probably alsoHungary elections After theforthcoming “the for ofthedeclarationconcerning integration The theEUsupport of importance sian policiesofthese countries. Cutting off COM(2008) 823fi the Commission totheEuropean Parliament andtheCouncil parallel withtheEU’s withRussia”. strategic partnership oftheEuropeanRegarding oftheEasternDimension theDevelopment UnionForeign Policy concrete andtangible achievements.” actions neighbours oftheEUwhocandemonstrate seriousnessoftheirEuropean ambitionsthrough the ‘Eastern partnership’ shouldenvisage to aclear EUmembershipperspective thoseEuropean ) and help with implementation of infrastructural projects concerning projects en- ) andhelpwithimplementationofinfrastructural l theappropriate criteria (in January 2009) gas supplies to Slovakia andBulgariacanchange pro-Rus- 2009)gassupplies to Slovakia (inJanuary nal 64 . However, due to politicalcorrectness suchastatement can

In recentIn years inaccordance theyacted withtheinter- 63 . Union for the Co-ordination oftheTransmissionUnion fortheCo-ordination cation iscontested dueto thesmall fi Statement of the Ministry ofForeign StatementoftheMinistry Aff ning theEaPstates: “We believe thattheinitiative of 65 ) to blockinitiatives whichare not EasternPartnership , {SEC(2008)2974}.Brussels, 3.12.2008, , Communication from

May 26, airs ofUkraine nancial nancial , THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA49 nan- nancial commitments indispensablecommitments nancial uence) and Georgia (due to the action (due to of granting and Georgia uence) in those states. supportnancial and political reforms for Russian citizenship not only in South Ossetia and Abkhazia,Russian citizenship but also in Javakheti, majority). the local representing Armenians, settled by the idea promote to and a tool weakness of the economic of the initiative) (in spite with the EaP countries. of the EU in cooperation problems of solving energy (Socrates-Erasmus). grammes heritage monuments in the EaP countries. between relations economic strengthening for ration of the Russian economy) the go- task should be the main priorityThis for and the EaP countries. Poland implementation during the for be ready experts, to economic in order vernment in 2011. Presidency Polish oppose the helping to used as tool cannot be In the EaP programme contrast, In the light of such conditions, Poland should concentrate on: should concentrate Poland Inthe light of such conditions, Ukraine partnership the especially for visa abolishment for ading to countries, breaking its importance), an isolation of its(due to a need for Belarus (due to infl Western the from citizens The Eastern Partnership initiative is a programme dedicated to a long-term ef- a long-term to dedicated is a programme initiative Partnership Eastern The There is a disproportion EaP coun- the EU expectations between to There addressed Conclusions 2. security on the energy discussion of the region Making for the EaP a political forum 3. participation in the EU education pro- and scientists of the local youth Promoting 4. and conservation reconstruction cultural Directing EU funds for of the European 5. (in the context of deterio- Analyzing the possibility of using the EaP programme other partner Ne- or on any country. Russian military on Georgia, directed pressure the impor- replace the EU cannot activity, other nor within any ither within the EaP, in- work slogan concerning The in the region. power of the USA – the hard tance cial resources and political incentive (no clear perspective for these countries future these countries (no clear perspective for political incentive and cial resources the Polish mistakes made by from practiceThis not result does EU). the to accession the EU weaknesses itself. but from of the initiative, at the planning stage government and fi political real accept Brussels is unable to a major EaP displays the Therefore East. in the emerge meet the challenges that to Eastern the to the activities targeted for tool of the main the role playing weakness, instrument of the occi- as a principal be treated it cannot Consequently countries. in question. dentalisation of the region 1. le- regime, a maximal liberalisation of visa-free through the EaP in forcing Using fect of the EU countries of its Eastern neighbourhood with minimum use of fi neighbourhood Eastern of its of the EU countries fect tries (adoption of the EU economic and political regulations) and the EU readiness to and the EU readiness and political regulations) of the EU economic tries (adoption the fi demonstrate 50 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA instruments ofthePolish infl on regional coalitions –i.e. theGeorgia crisiscase–have beenthemostimportant formed withtheEastern basedonbilateral neighbours. relations Suchactivities or velopment shouldnotbeaPolish per- excuse to avoid independentundertakings could beused inotherfi form for politicalconsolidation oftheEaPcountries. Consolidation, once achieved, Presidential Administration). theEUarena, Poland In shouldtreat theEaPasaplat- according to thereduced possibilitiesthatare off States, theCzech Republic, Romania,and Turkey) andin Washington (unfortunately oftheEaPcountries, countries from support should gaintheactive the region (Baltic oftheEaPcountriesmake theconsiderable towards politicalshift the West, Poland is beingdemonstrated butnotdecisive. ontheEUforum, order are to In important Thus, Polish incentives for bringing itsEastern neighbourscloserto the West, which account. The current shapeoftheEaPhasbeenformed for alongterm perspective. would bemuchmore diffi NATO, openedfor countries whichwanted to follow it.Asimilarevolution oftheEaP the region, thePartnership for Peace wastransformed into apathtowards joining an countries. However, dueto Polish eff diplomacy substitute off veloped inaccordance thatNATO’s withthefact Partnership for Peace wasbuiltasa of Polish Eastern policy. This tool isuseful, yet insuffi planned budget. expensive investmentsvery ininfrastructure, itcannotbefi become theleadingtool promotion ofenergy security intheregion. As itrequires at thetimeofcrisis, but ratherinalongterm perspective. Moreover, theEaPwillnot economic cooperation programmes, becausetheirresults cannotbedemonstrated crisiscannotbesolved bysimilar challenges.ofpoliticaland introduction Amilitary There have EaPmechanismsthatare notbeenconstructed specifi in thelightofRussianinvasion onGeorgia, itturnsoutto beamisunderstanding. tensifi The Eastern Partnership inthecurrent shapecannotbetreated asthemaintool cation withintheEaP, whichhasbeenrepeated since August 2008,however er whichenabledto avoid fullNATO membershipoftheCentral Europe- elds oftheEUpolicy, alsointheforeign one. The EaPde- cult to carry out,butsuchascenario hasto betakeninto cultto carry uence ontheregion. ered by thenewBarackObama’s orts andtheothercountries from orts cient. Therefore, itshouldbede- nanced from thealready cally builtto face THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA51 es particu- of the Republic airs ce of the Committee for for ce of the Committee erent variants – to simpli- variants – to erent – PhD in political science, science, in political – PhD “centers of integration”, which would of integration”, “centers uence on the EU’s international environment. international on the EU’s uence uence of the Community’s political processes will political processes of the Community’s uence Krzysztof Szczerski Vice-director Science and of the Institute of Political International University, Jagiellonian Relations of the expert of the Kosciuszko Under-Secretary Institute. of Aﬀ at the MinistryState of Foreign of Poland (2007) and in the Oﬃ of Poland Integration (2007/2008). European ned as – “functional regionalization” of the EU. This idea identifi This of the EU. “functional regionalization” ned as –

The EU Member States’ hierarchy can evolve into diff into can evolve hierarchy EU MemberThe States’ There are at least three main reasons why the EU’s Eastern Policy, especially its Policy, Eastern the EU’s why main reasons three at least are There of subjectivity” “lever can be a policy, of the EU’s dimension the Eastern Firstly, from the European policy, non-egoistic agreements like i.e. the Visegrad Group, Group, Visegrad the non-egoistic like i.e. agreements policy, the European from

OF THE VISEGRAD VISEGRAD THE OF GROUP THE EU’S EASTERN POLICY AND THE STRATEGY THE AND POLICY EASTERN EU’S THE fy this issue, one can point out only extreme issues related to the V4 interests. The V4 interests. the to only extreme one can point out issues related fy this issue, of formula unfavorable can follow hierarchy and infl power mean that the real of a role will play They of the most important group on a limited players. be focused be able t inc- they would their interests to and according of integration” “distributors variantThis process. deepening of the integration from states weaker lude or exclude can be an important of solidarity abandonment mechanisms of the for argument It also system. would competiveness establishment of internal and for policies, EU’s their small size, due to Such states periphery. to countries mostly weaker sentence in the number of votes by poverty (expressed and secondaryrelative power formal them involvement not guarantee which does small political potential, have Council) wash such situation like tsunami, would Consequently compromises in the European off shape. in its current of existence also undermine its sense would and consequently hierar- the internal towards approach positive is also more there On the other hand, defi chy, new tool – the Eastern Partnership (EaP), plays an important an plays (EaP), in the context Partnership of – the Eastern role new tool (V4). Group Visegrad directions of the strategic important is connected with two in the Eu- This occurring processes of our region. which the EU Member between States, hierarchy internal 1.forming system: ropean of “externalization of and 2. process accessions of constant is a natural consequence of infl is a tool which policies”, the EU’s 52 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA to the externalization phenomenon oftheEU’sto theexternalization policies, the V4 countries shouldbe proach to theUEintegration andisnotananswer for real accession challenges. Due eff States, andwouldEU Member energy-consuming causeanadverse itwould bevery loped according to internal interests withintheEuropean orbetween bureaucracy Onthe otherhand, isnotwell ifexternalization planned,te country). andisdeve- ofcostsral consequence are ofjoining thesystem transferred (part into acandida- allows to introduce Community’s regulations withoutsharingresources –thenatu- environmentthod ofarranging theexternal oftheEUcanbeeff requirements, longbefore thesecountries would beoffi countries (whichare preparing to theEUaccession) standards andthe Community’s ners whohave diff EU develops system andcooperation withkeypart- ofagreements onpartnership tory, however itwillbediscussedlater) –are goodsexamples. At thesametime, the gy orthecurrent shapeoftheEaP(inlong-term approach, itshouldnotbesatisfac- – amembershipcountry. Unionforcountry Syner- theBlackSea theMediterranean, EU. –anassociated scheme:athird country These forms from extend three-element tries to theEUmembership, basedonoff European Economic Area, orfi shment, withintheEU’s NeighbourhoodPolicy, ofthe activities tightpartnerships, issues. geographically chosen,globalpolicy The fi the European regime, regulatory whichinfl for locatingEUinthe world order. The phenomenonconcerns gradual “spillover” of determining evolutionfactor oftheEuropean policy, resulting from globalstrategy lization oftheEU’s isanimportant policies, whichfrom ofsubjectivity aperspective ofregional integration.jectivity This issueisrelated to thephenomenonofexterna- which canbeusedwhilecompeting for politicalposition,orasanargument for sub- EaP withintheEU’s role Eastern Policy of canplay animportant “bargaining counter”, own potential. Both,inthefi for the portunity V4 countries to gatherwithinonegroup andjointlyreinforce their byfor for onecountry regional groups ofcountries. Suchvariantwould beanop- ornumberofseatsintheEuropean Parliament Service in theExternal –allocated not cing voting weight Commissioners, intheCouncil, positions positionsofimportant ofthisideawouldone canconsider thatsomefactors beinstitutionalized by balan- to fi ber States try positionsintheEU’snominations for themostimportant institutionsinwhichMem- idea hasalready beenusedi.e. whileestablishingpersonalcompromises concerning bycharacterized theircompetences, interests, andtools ofinfl ofpoliticalspecializationEuropean macroregionslar kind composed of countries ect – transfer unimportant, very specifi very –transfer unimportant, ect nd geographical andpoliticalbalance. thefar-reaching context In erent for perspectives accession, andtriesto transfer to thethird rst – negative andinthesecond –positive variant,the nally, strategy for buff c regulations which do not support real ap- c regulations which donotsupport ering otherforms ofcooperation withthe uences EU’s both,direct environment and rst process is supported byrst process establi- issupported ering path of the partner coun- eringpathofthepartner cial EUMembers. Suchme- uence; moreover, such ective, because it THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA53 ectiveness uencing eff airs and Security Policy. vast majority of the EU’s countries and countries vast majority of the EU’s international scale, or the question can be the scale, international gures – President of the European Council and Council of the European – President gures eld of pragmatic approach, the key element, infl approach, eld of pragmatic Particular important role can be assigned to the Polish Presidency of the EU. It is of the EU. Presidency importantParticular Polish the to can be assigned role Secondly, the EU’s Eastern Policy and the EaP within its framework, are important EaP within its framework, and the are Policy Eastern the EU’s Secondly, In the fi lled by a Pole function of the EP President and by a Czech – Commissioner for En- for – Commissioner a Czech and by function of the EP President a Pole lled by explained by the fact that Poland, within the Presidency trio, will play a role of a “big of a a role will play trio, within the Presidency the factexplained by that Poland, should be a natural connector an informal between meaning that Poland country”, Spa- Britain, Italy, Great France, – Germany, Six” of the EU (“Big of main players group One should also states. of three consisted Presidency and a collective in, and Poland) and the status of our Presidency of the Polish that in 2011, the political power hope, dominant pole for and probable a real become enough to will be strong country, setting activities in the context especially of crucial agre- within external relations, political fi ements with the new EU’s capable to join their interests within common mechanisms, in order to include in the include to in order mechanisms, common within interests join their to capable a particular to a package targeted component neighbourhood of our interests EU’s the is conducted by Such strategy country. structuralThe dimension includes Neighbourhood Policy. and European largement coun- Visegrad the two a fact held by of the EU will be the Presidency that in 2011, that 2011 should be a decisive means, Such accumulation tries: Hungary and Poland. as they will conduct EU institutions re- their talks with the our neighbours, for year the Com- –the EP President, states partners European by the Central presented from challenge it is a great the same time, At representatives. missioner and the Council There- years. many for will happen once because such chance V4 countries, the for but also bearing in organized, be well not only should strategy Visegrad’s the fore, should do everything we we Presidencies, Swedish and Czech mind heritage of the with an countries the EaP which will provide level, a special raise the EaP to can, to perspective. accession targeted to regions of their special interests. special interests. of their regions to targeted system, political in the EU’s which is placed a perspective system, of institutional from dimension includes personal The its personal and structuralboth, within dimension. fulfi Aff Foreign of the Union for the High Representative of the EaP promotion during the Polish and Hungarian Presidencies, will be the al- and Hungarian Presidencies, during the Polish of the EaP promotion question The shaped practice functioning of ready new institutions. of these two the Member by political will accepted to subordinated is whether they will remain which has an important country, of a Presidency and will respect the role States and repre- external relations directions of the EU’s concerning in a debate voice on an interests sentation of the EU’s – the practice that when a country will show round other way holding a Presiden- and policies will be marginal in these EU’s its role cy or passive, of the EU is weak the stron- led by (informally supranational level to will be transferred the power 54 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA policy, forced by thewealthiest EUcountries. as a “coalition ofinsolvents”, expensive whofocus likeclimate projects onblocking to develop off fectiveness, butalsoasastep forward politicalmaturity, closerelations, andability political priority, canbetreated noonlyasacrucialcondition for the Visegrad’s ef- sion ofthe Visegrad Group. Mutualandloyal attitudetowards theEaPas V4’s been already done, canbeworried. ofthePresidencymade andsoftening content by thePolish government, whichhas and anaturaldevelopment ofthePartnership idea.However suchwillhasnot been the 2011politicalpriority, anopenpathto theEU’s accession for theEaPcountries, willbemarginalized) thewholeproject such actions andpoliticalwillto establish,as apply for positionsofthe “EU’s ambassadors” intheEaPcountries, becausewithout (Poland Service andtheother Action External Visegrad countries shouldeff informal network infl tomination ofPoland buildtheirstatusintheEUandformal and andHungary two years.next There are afew fi crucialfactors: guarantee success neitheramajorbreakthrough intheEastern Partnership, inthe structure, willbeshaped. tion willbetakenby Czech), whichhasmuchlower positionsintheCommission’s the Commissioner ofEnlargement andEuropean NeighbourhoodPolicy (thisposi- Commission, Representative between theHigh (as Vice-President and oftheEC) gest players). Furthermore, how relations withintheEuropean itwillbeimportant, also theirinterests. We willfocus oncountries holding2009-2011 Presidencies, rather group,med assupportive andconsists of countries whichagree thattheEaPrealizes obstacles to develop oftheEU’s newdirection policies. The third group canbena- small international potential, donothave theirown strategic preferences orseeno mining theEU’s Eastern Policy. The second group consist ofstates whichdueto their or thosestates whichprefer “UE-Russia relations fi meansunderminingcurrent goals, policy that settingnewprioritiesoftheexternal those states whosegeographic preferences are located inotherregions, andbelieve into three categories: opposing, neutral, andsupportive. The fi towards(assuming fullloyalty theEaPwithin V4), onecandivideEUcountries from oftheEastern aperspective Policy andthe Visegrad’s, butnotonlyPolish, policy by allEUcountries.which iscommonly andequallysupported Analyzingthe EaP toence realize possibility assumedby theEaPgoals. At thesametimeoneshouldbearinmindnumerous conditions, whichcaninfl Thirdly, tests theEastern for Policy andtheEaPare astrategic important dimen- seemsto that thepersonalstructure bepromising,Despite thefact itdoesnot First ofall, oneshouldbearinmindthattheEastern Partnership isnotaproject ensive positionwithintheEUpolicy. Thus the V4 shouldnotbeseen uence, positionsintheEuropean secondly to obtainimportant rstly, and deter- courageous actions rst” approach deter- –as afactor rst category consists of consists of rst category ectively ectively u- THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA55 Czech Poland Sweden Hungary eld of specialization. lled earlier. lled with bilateral relations, and relative relative and relations, with bilateral Belgium Denmark Spain Cyprus Opponents Neutral Allies

The second condition concerns the quality of the Visegrad Group. The V4 is in The Group. Visegrad the quality of the concerns condition second The According to a draft characteristic describing environment of our activities, is it a draft to characteristic describing environment According it should be explained that the mentioned conditions, will identify we Before

nd a new “fuel” to conduct these activities. Undoubtedly, joint setting up priori- conduct to these activities. Undoubtedly, “fuel” a new nd

than analyze policies of all EU Member States. According to the already described the already to According Member of all EU policies States. analyze than follows: look as would the division categorization, main, strategic partnermain, strategic in the East – Russia or Ukraine?”. precise its goals in the Eastern policy and answer a fundamental question “who is the“who is policy its goals in the Eastern a fundamental question precise and answer have a chance to play an important role within it. However, previously, the V4 should the previously, an important play to within it. However, a chance role have to overcome internal limitations and actively take part in the EU’s forum, it would forum, limitations and actively take part internal in the EU’s overcome to V4 countries realize policy according to a saying “our home aside”. If the V4 was able If the home aside”. “our a saying to policy realize according V4 countries to fi V4, a natural fi the be for would Policy, Eastern ties of the EU’s clashes internal engagement of some countries, Some of the countries. of the biggest EU’s mostly is not in line with interests policies, a phase of looking for its new identity and a role in the European policy, thus it needs policy, a phase of looking in the European its new identity and a role for lack of of countries, impossibility potential unequal and breaking caused by current which subjectivity so called new Member States, was established by the EU within However such situation is possible only under condition of internal – V4 harmony V4 harmony – of internal condition such situation is possible only under However V4 the fact from that the results last argument The V4 within the EU. weakness of the player in this project. player introduce strategic dimension of the V4), then HungaryV4), then an important will become dimension of the strategic introduce region, as well as an improvement in relations with Slovakia enable to in relations (this would as an improvement as well region, ports Ukraine and the EaP, and treats it as a potential for development of the whole development for as a potential it and treats ports Ukraine and the EaP, gary, under the current rule, is one of such countries. If the Hungarian policy of such countries. is one sup- rule, under the current gary, especially in the EU countries which are open for such arguments. It seems that Hun- such arguments. open for which are especially in the EU countries UE-Ukraine approach unfavorably, undoubtedly it will try undoubtedly undermine this process, to UE-Ukraine unfavorably, approach inter-EU neighbourhood relations between Hungary between neighbourhood relations inter-EU and Slovakia. If Russia perceives rather to the Hungarian attitude towards this relation in the context of Russian and this relation Hungarian attitude towards the rather to icy of the EU, however certain should be fulfi conditions however icy of the EU, Ukraine, but policy towards i.e. the EU’s policy not to related clear goals of its foreign evident, that there is a strong potential for development of the coherent Eastern Pol- Eastern of the coherent development for potential is a strong evident, that there countryThis has un- Hungary. by particularly is played important role, and decisive ral cooperation. This optionconsists oftheother partners. Synergy) andcanbeaneff to implementwithintheEU, iscommonly used(i.e. lastproposition oftheBlackSea ted withco-fi for ordevelopmentsponsibility security withtheneighbourhoodcountries, connec- States interestsMember to neighbourhoodarea, theirdirect guarantee to share re- gic consequences, butratherisusedby theEUto stabilize itsenvironment, transfer ment projects, free tradeetc. ofpoliticalmodel,This type doesnotleadto any strate- policies i.e. environmental netwo policy, transport concerning EU’s undertakings same time, cooperation willincludeparticular sectoral of countries, interested shouldsubmitaccession proposal. andevery country At the we creates proposition for cooperation withinoneEU’s targeted to policy agroup

56 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OFration Principle ofcoope- THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA The (defi second possibility The fi As we cansee, there are four possibleways ofcooperation withtheEU’s Eastern which shouldbeachieved by theEastern policy. to pointouttwo maintensionsEastern concerning dimension,itisworth goals approved ofcommon interests. asapart infl other keyplayers, andconsequently reach criticalmass–numberandstrength of diff Policy basedontheEaP, requires inbehaving great intheEU’s skills reality, playing should ithave strategic leadingto theEU’s character accession? “light” meaning thatitwillconc character promote individualprograms for EUapproach?; secondly, shouldcooperation have proposition cooperation for structural uence enablingto formulate strategy inlinewithourinterests, whichshouldbe erent pianos, anddeveloping “small steps” strategy, whichwillenableto convince These two, unanswered, fundamentalquestionsregard: fi Bearing inmindpoliticalandinstitutionalconditions ofthe oftheintroduction As itfollows from theabove, analysis, Eastern draft oftheextended introduction A) hasmultilateralrst variant(type nancing of such activities. nancing ofsuchactivities. This istheeasiestvariant oftheEastern Policy rcia oiisType A:theBlackSea Practical policies taei oiisType B:theEastern Strategic policies ective toolective for theinterested countries. ned in a table as type B) concerns nedinatableastype strategic multilate- Synergy Partnership? tutrlmliaea Individual multilateral Structural (based onmultilateral mechanisms),ordowe and practical character.and practical meansthat It ern practical issuesoftheEU’sern practical policies, or fi rks, culturalexchange, jointinvest- nalité Form ofcooperation colonies Type C:cooperation withformer cooperation region intheBalkan Type D:Agreements onstabilization and of theEU’s policiesrealized rstly, dowe build THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP er IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA57 ered cation proce- cation uence. It seemsuence. er, or innovative innovative or er, nancial factor). On the other Balkan with clear to ered states, elated to a practical to coope-elated multilateral each countryed to tools. er of practical can cooperation multilateral covered of countries scope ne a geographic rst typerst includes a wide variety of countries, ic cooperation assumes stricter ic cooperation qualifi The last variant (type D) concerns strategic agreements with individual Eastern agreements strategic (type last variant concerns The D) Also here we can deal with practical we variant of such typeAlso here of policy (type C), which Therefore, one should take into account pressure from the Eastern partners the Eastern from re- to pressure account should take into one Therefore, In both variants, it is importantIn both variants, defi to that this type of variant can be used towards countries with long-term perspective with long-term countries that this type towards of variant can be used important are political reasons partners but due to Central accession, future (i.e. for supplies). and issues of energy Asia off agreements be similar to which would countries, shape is similar to a policy targeted to natural areas of the EU’s infl of the EU’s natural areas a policy to shape is similar to targeted dure for strategic candidate countries. Undoubtedly according to the Polish interests interests the Polish to according Undoubtedly countries. candidate strategic for dure such countries should cover Policy on each variant, the Eastern and independently might arise when all men- problem The Moldova. and Belarus, as: Ukraine, Georgia, It of cooperation. can be easily in this form will not be interested tioned countries not r are that Ukrainianimagined preferences partnership (Ukraine strategic clearly inclined to accession leading to ration, but are at the discussion about the new EU-Ukraine Also its approach agreement). proved (Belarus is only a po- accession ambitions for have other of the mentioned countries situation its internal from the UE, results to because its approach candidate, tential an off Therefore and type of government). as unimportant, can be rejected or even harm- or even only temporally, be adopted of the partnership interests long-term countries. ful for Partnership within the Eastern cooperation multilateral ject concerning proposition particular to targeted coun- paths” “individual variants of of the EU and change it to policy the Eastern of basing whole concept undermine the Such solution would tries. (including fi on the ENP mechanisms and instruments of a new policy development – adju- for hand it will open up much wider possibilities particular to sted modifi needs and consisting by such multilateral cooperation. The fi The cooperation. such multilateral by and blur- same time weak at the be an open variant (however, it assumes to therefore strateg while the multilateral red), formula for cooperation (i.e. selective membership) or association. Therefore, accor- Therefore, selectiveor association. membership) (i.e. cooperation for formula policy Eastern be an off the aim of such multilateral would its assumptions, ding to that which do not envisage and cooperation standards, the EU to of an approach partnership outside the a predictable will permanently (in perspective) stay countries conducting by but rather that joint undertakings,EU, will maximally shorten time to which should be off it is EU membership, (in this case formula the targeted reach at the very cooperation). of beginning within particular region, leading to total approach of the partnership of the approach the particularwithin total to to leading countries region, off membership either through be achieved could approach The EU. 58 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA

include specifi lies, whowillhelpusto achieve ourgoals. The EUpuzzlesare multidimensional, and towards ofourEastern us. partners expectations Answers willidentifyourpossibleal- course we have andwhatare Of to besure whichvariantisthebestopportunity favorable variant,ourdiplomaciesshouldanswer allquestionsraised inthepaper. ded inthispaper. Russia intheEastern Policy, however it isaseparated issue, thusitwillnotbeinclu- nitely rejected by someoftheEUcountries, thusisthemostdiffi determination shouldbecarefully examined. At thesametime, thisvariantisdefi forperspective seemsto accession. beinfavor Ukraine ofsuchsolution,therefore its Before to convinceVisegrad battlewithitsEUpartners themto Group willstart course,Of inthebackground ofouranalysis, we shouldkeepinmindtherole of

c character oftheEUpolicies,c character whichwe shouldlearn. cult to implement. - THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA59 political and analy- erent High Representative ofHigh Representative - PhD, graduated the Institute the of graduated - PhD, Agnieszka Legucka Legucka Agnieszka International at the Studies and East European Relation of at the National Academy Works University. Warsaw the Institute and of International Warsaw in Defence Relations at the University and Sciences, of Humanities Trybulnalski. Instructor of a SENSE branch in Piotrków Economic Needs and Security (Strategic Programme the countries during for by the MFA organized Exercise) the transformation. airs and Security Policy. As a result, the concepts of the concepts a result, As airs and Security Policy. erences between the V4 member states concern the opinions about concern states V4 member the between erences

eld it is important to mention Poland, the Baltic States, Germany, France, and France, Germany, the Baltic States, eld it is important mention Poland, to

is trying a leader in su- become Russia. Poland to towards political strategy erent At the Visegrad Group forum, Poland is the most dedicated country is the most dedicated in the Eastern Poland forum, Group Visegrad the At The EU Eastern policy EU Eastern The (as every external EU policy) is a product of the actions un- The EU enlargement perspective and development of closer relations with the of closer relations perspective development and EU enlargement The the ideas of demo- which include propagating objectives, the general Within erent needs and interests. For instance, Poland, Germany and Slovakia adopted Germany Poland, instance, For needs and interests. erent

CONCEPTS COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EU EASTERN POLICY POLICY EASTERN EU THE ON STUDY COMPARATIVE the Union for Foreign Aff Foreign the Union for EU Eastern policy were formulated within the frames of diff within the formulated policyEU Eastern were tical circles in Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Among the most active Among countries Europe. and Eastern Central Western, in tical circles in this fi and Sweden. Finland countries: the Scandinavian The region. diff chose the Eastern Poland should follow. EU enlargement the directions which future dertaken by the individual countries and EU institutions, mainly The European Com- European The mainly dertaken institutions, and EU the individual countries by the position of the over mission and a mechanism created staining partnership Hungary with the East, whereas Republic see the and the Czech and frequently that is held on the EU forum the general debate through CIS region partners. of the Eastern problems the from keep their distance Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) stimulated debate on the Eastern Ne-on the Eastern debate stimulated of Independent (CIS) States Commonwealth negotiation panels with the the accession During ighbourhood at end of the 1990s. (V4), Group Visegrad on the aims, the questions appeared of the member countries policy. EU Eastern means and methods of building the future The policy the EU Eastern unchanged. trade and human rights, remains free cracy, particular concerns from countries aims resulting among European dispute internal diff a diff 60 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA tive was brought onthe agendaby thePrime ofGreat Ministers BritainandSweden countries: Belarus andMoldova, asfuture Ukraine, neighbours. EU direct The Initia- 1. NNI–NewNeighboursInitiative Source: study Self force. ofthemechanismsthankstoas well whichtheywere asintheaspect to come into where ofEUcooperation itwasto withitsEastern beapplied;thecharacter partners; The European NeighbourhoodPolicy, May-June 2004 4. The Wider Europe, March 2003 3. The Eastern DimensionoftheEU, 2003 January 2. The NewNeighbours Initiative, 2002 October 1. towards EUEastern enlargement. CIS shouldbetreated withaconsiderable concern andtherefore keepsitsdistance andMontenegro; decidedthattheRussianpositionwithin Serbia andSlovakia andBelarus;Czechs scope: andHungarians–theSouthern Croatia, scope: Ukraine (2002) INITIATIVE NEIGHBOURS NEW (1998 –2003) THE EU DIMENSION OF THE EASTERN (2003) EUROPE THE WIDER POLICY (2004) NEIGHBOURHOOD EUROPEAN NNI wastheconcept ofdealingwithmore institutionalized relations withthree Each programme diff Until now, concepts for themostimportant EUEastern policieswere: Concept Territorial Authors area Moldavia Belarus Ukraine Russia Moldavia Belarus Ukraine uthern neighbours Eastern +So- Southern CaucasusSouthern bours + neigh- Southern Eastern and Table 1.Comparative studyonEUEastern concepts Policy ofgeographicalers from area anotheroneintheaspects Sweden Great Britain oad Integration forthe Poland Commission The European Commission The European atesi TACIS Partnership ducting reformsducting countries incon- most advanced ship perspectives Lack ofmember- ship perspectives Lack ofmember- Relation to partners EU policy EU policy asexternal get ; TACIS +UEbud- TACIS for Russia EISP (2007)Open Financial resource THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA61 ned ned: the URL: nancial Europe). Po- c instru- ). Eastern cation at that time, within that time, cation at www.msz.gov.pl >, March 2007) >, March for the South ”, (source: (source: ”, lling the conditions of accession. of accession. lling the conditions . 67 Stability Pact , Draft Council conclusions, Brussels, 12 November 2002, (source 2002, (source 12 November Brussels, , Draft conclusions, Council Dimension of of the Eastern the creation for nal proposition The Bulletin of the European Union The Bulletin of the European , „ . The fact of choosing these Eastern countries, as the direction for direction as the for fact countries, The these Eastern choosing of . 66 Non-paper with Polish propositions concerning the future shape of the enlarged the future concerning propositions Non-paper with Polish

cult. Such requirements demanded the establishment of specifi demanded the establishment cult. Such requirements NEW NEIGHBOURS INITIATIVE

66 2. The Eastern Dimension Eastern of the EU The 2. in October 2002

the framework of which the regions of the EU particular interest were defi of the EU particular were which the regions of interest the framework North (Northern Pro- Bologna of the Dimension), the South (within the framework and the Balkans the cess) by (realised hood was put forward by the Polish delegation during its accession negotiations in delegation during its accession the Polish by hood was put forward the in sustaining of experience advantage of its historic take to wanted Warsaw 1998. politicala strong and building regions Eastern the contacts from with the countries Dimension proposi- the Eastern in the East. Simultaneously, position in the EU and with the EU external policy specifi tion was in accordance the EU was presented. It was a programme prepared by the Polish Foreign Ministry Foreign the Polish by It prepared was a programme the EU was presented. entitled: EU politics towards the new Eastern neighbours EU politics towards land decided to strengthen an Eastern direction in the external an Eastern EU policy. strengthen land decided to The pivotal element of the ED was a promise of EU membership for the most of EU membership for element of the ED was a promise pivotal The

The geographic area of the Eastern Dimension (ED) encompassed four countries: four encompassed Dimension (ED) of the Eastern area geographic The

with its biggest Eastern neighbour, the Russian Federation, were unclearly defi unclearly were the Russian Federation, neighbour, Eastern with its biggest ted this situation as a promise for future Eastern accession. Furthermore, EU relations EU relations Furthermore, accession. Eastern future for as a promise this situation ted France and Spain which prefer cooperation with the South with the cooperation and they also interpre- which prefer and Spain France initiating EU future partnership, provoked a wide discussion among the countries like the countries a wide discussion among partnership, provoked future initiating EU further controversy. it provoked and as a result the new Eastern neighbours Non-paper with Polish propositions concerning the future shape of the enlarged EU politics towards towards EU politics shape of the enlarged the future concerning propositions Non-paper with Polish

more diffi more and political instruments adjusted to Russian and Belarusian conditions was much Russian and Belarusian conditions to and political instruments adjusted

which declared the will for integration with the EU. In building fi contrast, with the EU. integration the will for which declared advanced countries in passing EU reforms and fulfi in passing EU reforms countries advanced perspective was particularlySuch a European Ukraine attractive for and Moldova

from its enlargement. from dinate EU activities in the region and overcome the separation of Europe resulting of Europe the separation and overcome EU activitiesdinate in the region towards new EU neighbours on the East. The objective of this concept was to coor- was to objective of this concept The new EU neighbours on the East. towards Ukraine, Belarus, Moldavia and Russia. It was designed as a regional action and Russia. It Moldavia Ukraine, strategy as a regional Belarus, was designed 67 sed theneedfor thescope ofaidprogrammes. extending The Commission suggested uring countries, thechance for theriseoffl European Commission declared reforms itsreadiness for intheneighbo- supporting bourhood: ANewFramework Neighbours forRelationswithourEasternandSouthern concessions for themostadvanced countries inthisprocess. In stimulate neighbourcountries towards passing reforms, theEUproposed anumberof singlestateto signing benegotiated theagreement. individuallywithevery order to In interests anddialogue. For thesereasons, theEUproposed Planswhichwere theAction and Jordan, butitwishedto create anewframework for cooperation basedonmutual or Association Agreement withMorocco, Tunisia, Israel, Palestinian NationalAuthority, ady signed thePartnership andCooperation Agreement Moldova, with Russia,Ukraine, amongallneighbours.by promoting equalrightsandopportunities The EUhasalre- the concept of Wider Europe, theEUwishedto buildastablemodelofcooperation 62 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA 69 the interests ofneighboursfrom theEastaswell asfrom theSouth concept wasofagreat diff licies inrelation to thestates thatare notyet invited to jointheEUstructures. This Neighbours Europe –Neighbourhood: ANewFramework forRelationswithourEasternandSouthern wasproposed by2003. It theEuropean Commission inaform ofadocument 68 3. TheEurope Wider formation. theprocessues through oftrans- thetransfer essentialto undertake ofknowledge country. These Funds were meantto be aid programmes managedby single thenon-governmental organizations inevery Fund ortheEuropean Freedom Fund, whichwould enabletheaccomplishment of itable way. Polish propositions includedthecreation oftheEuropean Democratic coordinated. Additionally, theaccessible resources hadto beusedinamore prof- thermore, two otherprogrammes: TACIS CBCandINTERREGhadto beadapted and as facilitatingtheachievement oftheabove mentionedaimsinthosecountries. Fur- aswell activities, ments suchastechnical helpandcoordination ofEUsupporting bours Wider Europe –Neighbourhood: ANewFramework Neigh- forRelationswithourEastern andSouthern Above changedandtook into all, consideration ofthispolicy theterritorial aspect pdf/com03_104_en.pdf The pivotal concept supporting the shape of EU Eastern policy appeared The inMarch theshapeofEUEastern pivotal policy concept supporting bours Wider Europe –Neighbourhood:ANewFramework Neigh- forRelationswithourEasternandSouthern , op. cit. , Brussels, 11.3.2003,COM (2003)104fi 68 . This documentaimedto beacomprehensive visionpresenting EUpo- ),(September2007) erence to thePolish concept oftheEastern Dimension. exibility inthevisaregimesexibility andalsoaddres- created inorder to promote democraticval- nal, (source URL: http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/ Wider Europe –Neigh- 69 . By the means of . Bythemeansof the the Wider Wider THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA63 http://www.con- , November 2007). , November . Russia was not interested not interested . Russia was 70 http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/pdf/ , COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION, THE COMMISSION, FROM , COMMUNICATION nancial instrument advantageous alsonancial instrument advantageous nancial assistance for EU neighbours. Sin- EU neighbours. for nancial assistance n Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Geor- n Caucasus: nal, (source, URL < (source, nal, nding its previous achievement in partnership in achievement nding its previous >, September 2007). cient and underlining an individual Russian approach to- Russian approach underlining an individual cient and – Brussels, 17 – 18 June 2004, 10679/04, (source URL: 17 – 18 June 2004, 10679/04, (source – Brussels, , op.cit. Wider Europe – Neighbourhood: a New Framework for Relations with our Eastern and Southern Neigh- – Neighbourhood: a New Framework Europe Wider bours European Neighbourhood Policy STRATEGY PAPER STRATEGY Neighbourhood Policy European 373 fi 12.5.2004, COM(2004) Brussels, strategy/ strategy_paper_en.pdf strategy/ After having carried out a comparative study of the above mentioned Eastern po- mentioned Eastern study of the above carried out a comparative having After In principle, the European Neighbourhood Policy is based on inter-pillar coopera- is based on inter-pillar Policy Neighbourhood the European In principle, In 2004, several days after EU enlargement with Central and Eastern Europe, the Europe, and Eastern with Central after EU enlargement In days 2004, several silium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/PL/ec/81052.pdf Presidency Conclusions Presidency nal concept on the EU policy towards the new neighbours was published. On the new neighbours was published. the policy on the EU nal concept towards 70 *** 4. The European Neighbourhood Policy Neighbourhood (ENP) European The 4. the actions which would gradually help to move forward the process of integration of of integration process the forward move help to the actions gradually which would to Single Market, particularly the European with countries neighbour with reference as a key partner Union of the European Russia, recognized 71 licy concepts, one may conclude that the ENP occurs on two platforms. Within the Within platforms. on two that the ENP occurs conclude may one licy concepts, gia – territories of Russian vital interests, were joined to the European Neighbourho- the European joined to were of Russian vital interests, – territories gia group). (the Southern and Eastern od Policy participation with determined member states. the EU institutions, tion between from in the involved the Action with countries Plans the EU negotiates Every single time, pass wanting to every to neighbour country, accorded Among the concessions ENP. the in- to and access softening restrictions in the visa regimes were: reforms, internal fi passed over were market. Reforms ternal Januaryce a new fi 2007, the EU has adopted Instrument and Partnership Neighbourhood (ENPI). Russia Russia – the European for of the EU. partner” “strategic but is a does not take advantage of the ENP, fi Neighbourhood Po- European presented Commission 2004 the European 12th May (17-18 June Council the European by Itlicy then approved was Paper71. Strategy the Souther from countries The 2004)72.

be treated as one of the EU neighbours. as be treated with the EU within the framework of “EU-Russia Common Spaces” and does not want to and does Spaces” Common “EU-Russia of framework with the EU within the in the EU neighbourhood proposition, fi proposition, in the EU neighbourhood as perfectlywith the EU suffi partnership” strategic “a has been building 2003, Russia Since organization. the wards 64 THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY AND V4 AGENDA Eastern neighbours. partnership,howevermultifunctional withoutpromising membershipfor any ofthe on thecooperation withinborderland. Moreover, EUisready for along-term and undergoing theEUtransformation theprogrammes process focused andsupports the EUNeighbourhoodPolicy principles. EUoff second platform refers which are to relations basedon withotherEastern partners fi rst, EU holds particular relations remain withRussiawhichinpractice lessclear.rst, EUholdsparticular The ers itsassistance for thosecountries The publication Eastern Partnership in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy and V4 agenda aims to conclude Polish, Czech and Hungarian efforts into the Eastern Partnership inauguration as well as presenting future objectives of the Hungarian and Polish EU Presidency in 2011 in the matter of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU Enlargement Policy and cooperation within the Eastern Partnership.

Translation: Magdalena Grajny, Magdalena Matyjaszek-Beauchamp

Proofreading: John Beauchamp

Cover and graphic design: QLCO. Agencja Reklamowo-Wydawnicza. Quick Lopez Co.

Printing: Dante-Media. Agencja reklamowa. Baran G., Fugiel G.

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