On 07 May 2009 the Heads of State and Government of the EU-27 and the partner countries in Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus will launch the new initiative of an Eastern Partnership. While the new model to boost up the ENP towards the East is being put alive, major instabilities, including conflicting demonstrations in Moldova as reaction to elections’ results as well as public demands for the resignation of the Georgian president, are taking place. Russia’s voice as well as accession aspirations of our neighbours to NATO are other considerable parameters in the strategic importance of the new Partnership.
How does the new Eastern Partnership actually constitute an effective model for a sustainable and enhanced development of the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan?
How do Eastern Partnership’s strategic approaches differ from Enlargement Policy, the Mediterranean Union, the Black Sea Synergy and cooperation strands towards Central Asia? What is its added value in the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the partner countries? How is civil society strengthening included? Another interesting aspect for the discussion is the role of Central and Eastern European EU Member States in formulating such partnership. Finally, protectionist moves triggered by the actual financial crisis will have its impact on free trade aspirations and visa facilitations.
With this panel discussion Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung strives for contributing to the dialogue on an essential policy initiative towards our Eastern neighbours.

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