Introduction: The EU and Its Eastern Neighbours – Perceptions and Strategic Dialogue in the Region

Abstract

Relations between Ukraine, Russia and the EU have undergone a dramatic development that influences the relations between all of the countries of the Eastern Partnership – Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan – the EU and Russia. In order to understand the communication and cooperation processes within the region, we have to analyse perceptions. This holds true for individuals, civil society organizations as well as states in the region. This article introduces the Special Issue to the readers and overviews the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Eastern Partnership and EU-Russia relations and identifies the role of images and perceptions in shaping these dialogues. The article offers a novel comprehensive theoretical framework in the study of EU perceptions stressing the relational nature of perceptions and points to several main trends in how the EU is recognized and characterized by its eastern neighbours in a time of major crises and changes in Europe.