Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine has changed the balance of power and the geopolitical context in the Neighbourhood East. As Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are looking at diversifying partnerships, China, Türkiye, and Iran are increasingly present in the region. The EU is repositioning itself in this new geopolitical landscape, not just as a normative actor but also as a geopolitical one. As a result, connectivity with Central Asia through the South Caucasus and Türkiye has gained more importance in recent years – in line with the Global Gateway Strategy and as a pillar of the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea region. Linked to this, security in the Black Sea region is an essential factor that also plays an increasing role in EU policies. The EU’s main challenge is to develop its capacity to act to respond to current challenges while maintaining its normative approach.
The discussions will focus on the following questions:
1. How can connectivity policy in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood be shaped in times of growing geopolitical and security challenges?
2. How can the EU increase its role as a relevant and strategic geopolitical actor in the region?
3. How should the EU engage with other international actors considering the roles they play in the region?
The event will bring EU institutions (European Commission, EEAS) together with representatives from EU Member States and think tanks from both EU and Neighbourhood East countries. This high-level meeting is part of the Eastern Partnership Think Tank Network project organized by DGAP and supported by the Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST). It comes at a moment when the geopolitical context in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood is being reshaped.
Please find the agenda below. The discussions will be held in English. Please register here.
For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Anastasia Pociumban (pociumban@dgap.org). For logistical questions, please reach out to Eleni Fedorova from Cecoforma (eleni.fedorova@cecoforma.com).
AGENDA
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08:00–09:00
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Registration
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09:00–09:05
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Welcoming remarks by Stefan Meister, Head of the Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, DGAP
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| 09:05–10:30 | High-level panel |
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“Outlining the EU’s Connectivity Agenda in the New Geopolitical Context”
Moderator: Stefan Meister, Head of the Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, DGAP Key questions:
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| 10:30–11:00 |
Coffee break |
| 11:00–12:30 | “Connectivity as a Policy for Regional Cooperation Beyond the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood” |
Moderator: Anastasia Pociumban, Research Fellow, DGAP Key questions:
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12:30–12:45
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Closing remarks by Diana Jablonska, Head of Unit, Regional Strategy & Investment, DG ENEST
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12:45
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Lunch
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