Europe

Moldova, the former frontrunner of European rapprochement, has become a main concern. Vested interests and deep-rooted corruption are the main obstacle to substantial reforms in the country’s political, social and economic spheres. The new president, Igor Dodon, even questions the effectiveness of the Association Agreement with the EU signed in 2016. He openly argues for the alternative: joining the Russia-sponsored Eurasian Union.

Former US ambassador Alexander “Sandy” Vershbow discussing security issues with Olaf Böhnke of Rasmussen Global and the DGAP’s Stefan Meister and Daniela Schwarzer, followed by an audio interview in our podcast series Perspectives.

On November 9, the European Commission published its 2016 Progress Report on the status of the enlargement process with Turkey, including an assessment of the country’s process of political reform. The next day Patrick Paquet presented the report results at the DGAP and discussed with panelists the state of EU-Turkey relations in light of the developments after July’s attempted military coup in Turkey, the EU-Turkey Agreement on Refugees, and Turkey’s role as regional actor.

The symbiotic relationship between power and state-dominated business is fundamental to Vladimir Putin’s Russia. While the loyalty of administrative elites to the regime is achieved in exchange for rent-seeking opportunities, many elites are also involved in criminal cases, corruption, and nepotism. This event presents two fresh reports on the topic.