Perceptions of, and Attitudes towards the Eastern Partnership amongst the Partner Countries’ Political Elites
Perceptions of, and Attitudes towards the Eastern Partnership amongst the Partner Countries’ Political Elites

Author(s): Kataryna Wolczuk
Subject(s): Governance, International relations/trade, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development
Published by: ECEAP Estonian Center of Eastern Partnership
Keywords: Eastern Partnership; political will; political elites;
Summary/Abstract: While the EaP aims to accelerate the process of convergence using the acquis as a template for reforms, this objective does not resonate strongly with the political elites in the partner countries. Rather, their perceptions of, and attitudes towards, the Partnership are conditioned by geopolitical considerations, including any membership aspirations (or a lack of them). This results in a considerable mismatch between the agenda of the EU and that of the partner countries’ elites. Nevertheless, even if only for the sake of maintaining EU’s engagement with their countries, the elites continue to declare interest in the EaP and pursuing convergence. Therefore, the EU can and should exploit the geopolitical significance of the EaP amongst the eastern neighbours to push forward key domestic reforms. Progression to different stages of relations could be deployed in a strategic fashion to »focus the minds« of the elites on domestic preconditions. This requires purposeful planning, single-mindedness and sufficient resources from the EU to be able nudge the eastern partners along the reform path.

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