European Union

Die Unterzeichnung eines Assoziierungsabkommens zwischen der EU und der Ukraine in Vilnius ist abgesagt. Es sollte die Ukraine politisch und wirtschaftlich enger an die EU anbinden. Den Gesprächsfaden aber will keine Seite abreißen lassen. Eine Woche vor dem Gipfel der EU mit ihren östlichen Partnern präsentierte eine deutsch-polnische Task Force in der DGAP ein Memorandum, in dem sie ihre Regierungen auffordern, ihr Engagement für die die östliche Nachbarschaftspolitik der EU zu verstärken.

From November 10 to 14, 2013, twelve think tank representatives from different EU candidate countries as well as the new member state Croatia paid a visit to Brussels to discuss the current challenges of the EU’s enlargement policy. The participants flagged issues of particular concern in the reform and accession processes of their respective countries and the region as a whole.

At the European Council in December 2013, the heads of state and government will take stock of their ambitions to develop a joint approach to security and defense issues for the first time in five years. At the DGAP, Daniel Keohane, Conrad Häßler, and Henning Riecke discussed the proposals that have been put forward so far by the EU and its member states as well as the potential impact of the summit on the EU’s common and security policy (CSDP).

President Jahjaga emphasized Kosovo’s desire to join the EU: “Our identity is European.” Indeed, the membership route is the only feasible option for the young country’s future development. To this end, Kosovars are in the midst of extensive reform efforts. In her speech at the DGAP, and in discussion with Paul Freiherr von Maltzahn and guests, Jahjaga urged the EU to loosen its visa policy. She also called on Serbia to buttress the dialogue it began with Kosovo in 2011 with concrete action.