The Eastern Partnership (EaP), launched in 2009, represents a vital dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), aimed at fostering closer political and economic ties between the European Union (EU), its Member States, and six Eastern European and South Caucasus countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
Through the EaP, the EU seeks to promote mutual cooperation, shared prosperity, and sustainable development across the region.
At its core, the EaP is designed to deepen integration and strengthen relationships between the EU and its neighbors, while addressing common challenges. It provides an avenue for enhanced dialogue, reforms, and collaboration in areas such as governance, economy, security, climate action, and societal development.
Global Contributions and Shared Goals
The EaP plays a significant role in advancing key international objectives. Its initiatives are aligned with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, underlining a commitment to environmental sustainability, and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting broader ambitions for global progress.
By improving governance and promoting economic growth, the EaP contributes to the overarching EU strategy of fostering stability, resilience, and prosperity in its neighboring regions.
This framework also complements the EU Global Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy, emphasizing the importance of resilient societies and sustainable economic partnerships. By addressing shared concerns, such as climate change, cybersecurity, and energy security, the EaP strengthens the ties between the EU and its partner nations while promoting regional stability.
Strengthening Regional Resilience
The Eastern Partnership has continuously evolved to meet new challenges. Over the years, it has introduced innovative reforms and strategies to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. Initiatives under the EaP framework promote stronger institutions, better governance, and inclusive societies, fostering trust and stability in participating nations.
As the EaP looks beyond 2020, resilience remains a key priority. By supporting integrated economies, accountable institutions, environmental sustainability, digital transformation, and gender equality, the EaP aims to create a framework where no one is left behind.
A Path to Shared Prosperity
Through its strategic focus and regional cooperation, the EaP not only enhances the EU’s global influence but also empowers its partner countries to achieve their developmental aspirations. By working together, the EU and its neighbours pave the way for a more secure, connected, and sustainable future.
The EU, its Member States and the partner countries will work together on the following Eastern Partnership objectives:
- together for resilient, sustainable and integrated economies;
- together for accountable institutions, the rule of law and security;
- together towards environmental and climate resilience;
- together for a resilient digital transformation;
- together for resilient, gender-equal, fair and inclusive societies.
Top ten targets for 2025
As part of the agenda, a selection of top ten targets for 2025 have been identified as future priority actions:
- Investing in competitive and innovative economies – 500,000 SMEs supported
- Investing in the rule of law – All high level officials declare their economic assets and these declarations are verified
- Investing in sustainable and smart connectivity – 3,000 km of priority roads and railways built or upgraded
- Investing in people and knowledge societies – 70,000 individual mobility opportunities for students and staff, researchers, young people and youth workers
- Investing in security and cyber resilience – A strengthened framework in place for identifying and addressing hybrid threats; strengthened partners’ capacities to increase cyber resilience and tackle cyber crime
- Investing in sustainable energy – 250,000 households reduce energy consumption by at least 20%
- Investing in environment & climate – Another 3 million people gain access to safe water services; air quality monitored and improved in 300 cities
- Investing in health resilience – 850,000 health workers vaccinated and benefit from improved therapeutics, equipment and working conditions
- Investing in inclusive, gender equal and diverse societies, and strategic communication – 2,500 local civil society organisations, 120 independent media outlets and 2,000 journalists supported
- Investing in digital transformation – 80% of households have affordable access to high speed internet.
