Boosting the EU’s soft power in Eastern Partnership countries

Michael Gahler

doi:10.1177/1781685821999847

Abstract

In 2009 the Eastern Partnership (EaP) was established, through which the EU formalised its relationships with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. The EU’s objective was to deepen cooperation; contribute to these countries’ economic, political and social development; and improve stability in the region. In the past decade the EU has achieved varying degrees of closer cooperation as well as seeing considerable progress in terms of development in the EaP countries. At the same time, Russia, considering the EaP countries to be within its sphere of influence, has tried to undermine the partnership through means of disinformation and hybrid warfare. This requires the EU to further boost its soft power to counter Russia’s destabilising policy in the region. This article outlines the development of the EaP and its achievements, examines Russian influence and disinformation in the region, and finally, points out possible measures to boost EU soft power to address the Russian challenge.

Highlights

European integration, culminating in the establishment of the EU, is a direct result of a very costly historical lesson learnt by the European nations: after centuries of focusing on national interests at all costs, even war, in the competition for power, the European states and their people understood that in the long run only cooperation can create a lasting win–win situation for all
The EU’s neighbours are drawn towards cooperation due to the EU’s success, and it is from this that the EU’s soft power is derived, notably in the economic field. This is especially the case with regard to the Eastern neighbourhood and the former Soviet republics. This interest in closer cooperation from both sides meets within the Eastern Partnership (EaP), which was initiated in 2009 to strengthen relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova
EU soft power has a positive influence on the EaP countries: this is illustrated by attitudes towards the EU in the region: 49% of EaP citizens have a positive impression of the EU, with Moldovans being the most positive (61%) and Azerbaijanis being the least (44%)

Summary

Introduction

European integration, culminating in the establishment of the EU, is a direct result of a very costly historical lesson learnt by the European nations: after centuries of focusing on national interests at all costs, even war, in the competition for power, the European states and their people understood that in the long run only cooperation can create a lasting win–win situation for all Has this conviction made the EU the most successful peace project in history but it laid the foundation for the EU’s economic success, through which it has generated prosperity for its 450 million citizens. The EU’s neighbours are drawn towards cooperation due to the EU’s success, and it is from this that the EU’s soft power is derived, notably in the economic field This is especially the case with regard to the Eastern neighbourhood and the former Soviet republics. The article points out that the EU needs to complement its efforts to develop EaP countries with measures to support the resilience of these countries in order to counter Russia’s disinformation campaigns and destabilising influence in the region

Elements and achievements of EU soft power in EaP countries

The Russian challenge in EaP countries

Addressing the Russian challenge

Findings

Author biography