Eastbook – blog on EU Eastern Partnership

Opinions: The Ball Is In The Partner States’ Court

Paweł Lickiewicz @ 19:30, 25.01.2012

Actually, the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union makes no difference to the Eastern Partnership. Poland, during its half-year Presidency, did as much as it could, yet the results are not impressive. But let’s remember that the offer from Brussels is clear: more for more. Now the ball is in the court of the Partnership states.

Copenhagen; Not our fault, author: GudikFoto, source: flickr.com

It comes as no surprise that the European Union is currently focused more on the crisis reigning in the Euro zone than on Belarusian hyperinflation. Probably the EaP will not reach a high position on the European agenda, but that will not ruin the future of the programme. The number of meetings and lavish receptions does not necessarily translate into desired outcome regarding the eastern dimension of EU foreign policy. Sure enough, it is better to meet and discuss than to do nothing at all. The Polish Presidency period was full of such events –debates on the EaP initiative; however, it did nothing to protect the former PM of Ukraine from a politically motivated trial, which, in consequence, blocked signing of the Association Agreement. Those discussions also made minimal positive impact upon conditions under which Belarusian opposition is functioning. The Polish Presidency produced no miracle. Nevertheless, the Danish one is not going to entirely wreck the programme.

The political offer on the table

The political offer of the EU has been already formed – more for more is a workable solution, for it is favourable towards those who are truly dedicated to integration with the Union structures. But one problem remains: hardly anyone really wants to. For instance, Ukraine has everything on a silver platter. It is nobody’s fault – not Brussels, Warsaw or Copenhagen – that some bulldoze through rather than act properly in certain situations. The EU has proposed cooperation. Now, the ball is in the court of the EaP states. But who is likely to throw it back? Perhaps Belarus, yet Bat’ka says net’, so its society is hesitating between “no” and “I don’t know”. Azerbaijan? No, thank you, it already has oil and gas, and the EU offer simply does not seem attractive. Armenia wants to retain Nagorno-Karabakh and cast-iron safe guarantees, which ENPI and EaP do not provide. Moldova is quite willing, but first it must elect its head of state,

The true power of the EaP programme should be projects on a smaller scale and direct connections – local border traffic, students exchange and study tours, but not necessarily grand scholarship programmes, because those who go abroad for a longer time seldom come back. Less pomp and publicity could bring better results. Less political fuss means positive influence on cultural exchange. Culture dislikes politically motivated actions. However, it does not mean politicians sitting on their hands. Let’s do our job. Our Partners, sooner or later, will join us.

Translated by KD

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