About: Association agreement

Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine: A higher EU ambition

The foreign ministers of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine are together in Brussels on Thursday (24 June) for their first joint visit to the EU since the three countries formalised the format of ‘Associated Trio’ last May. This exclusive opinion by David Zalkaliani, Aureliu Ciocoim and Dmytro Kuleba highlights their countries’ higher EU ambition.

Independence Day of Georgia – a story of freedom lost and regained

On 26 May, when Georgia celebrates its Independence Day, David Zalkaliani, the country's vice prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, describes what this day means for his compatriots.

The EU must draw Georgia into its arms

EU institutions must continue to ensure that countries such pro-European as Georgia see the European Union as their ultimate goal, writes Paul L. Vandoren.

Future of the Eastern Partnership: The Polish view

An “Association Agreements plus” with a secretariat, a rotating presidency, and the creation of a regional economic area. These could be the next steps for the "Eastern Partnership" (EaP) launched 10 years ago, writes Prof. Jacek Czaputowicz.

A revised Political Declaration could prevent hard Brexit

In time for Theresa May's visit to Brussels this week, Andrew Duff has written an improved version of the Political Declaration accompanying the Withdrawal Agreement, as a basis to prevent a hard Brexit.

Georgia’s European way: What next?

The offer by the European Commission to let the College meet on an annual basis with Georgia’s leadership is unique when comparing it to relations between the EU and other third countries, writes Steven Blockmans.

An invitation to invest in Moldova’s media market

Ensuring a more diverse media landscape is key, and Western media are invited to invest in Moldova, writes Pavel Filip, the prime minister of Moldova.

Tangible results on the road to reform in Ukraine

In signing four projects with Ukrainian officials in Brussels today, EIB will have fulfilled its €3 billion obligation to Ukraine. Instead of providing general aid, the EIB supports very specific projects, writes Vazil Hudák.

Georgia persists in its bid to join the EU

The Brexit vote has fuelled discussions in Georgia about the country’s hopes of joining the EU. Tbilisi has consistently assured the bloc that the country’s European choice is irreversible. But Georgia’s European bid still faces serious exams, writes Zaal Anjaparidze.

Why not Belarus?

Belarus has shown signs of wanting to set aside its political differences with the EU and work towards an Association Agreement. Now it is up to the EU to act, writes Viktor Yengibaryan.

Lifting the visa barrier for Georgians should be the EU response to Russia’s bullying tactics

A first and immediate step to respond to Russia’s objective to annex the territory of the former Soviet Union is visa liberalisation, writes David Bakradze.

MEP vote for EU accord with Georgia will unleash mutual benefits

The benefits for Georgia of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement are beyond doubt. But the Union has also a lot to gain from this step, writes Tamar Beruchashvili.

How Tolstoy might have portrayed the legacies of Yanukovich and Putin

The Kremlin has privileged politico-military-territorial objectives in Ukraine, while ignoring the economic consequences, and this begins to look like a strategic miscalculation, or Tolstoy’s “ill-directed will of one individual, and usurpation of power”, writes Michael Emerson.

EU communication versus Russian propaganda

Russian propaganda is taking the EU off-guard. Some who still remember the Communist days say it is reaching heights unknown, since the end of the Cold War. Thirty years ago, this propaganda was on the defensive, while now Moscow is on the offensive, writes Georgi Gotev.

“Whatever it takes” in Ukraine

European policymakers have the tools and the intelligence to retain influence in Ukraine, but they would need to look to Mr Mario Draghi to find the right model for deploying them, write Jorge Mariscal and Nick Rice.

EU must prepare for membership of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia

Europe will soon be a dwarf lacking the leverage to weigh in world affairs. It is in the European interest to work on a long-term membership deal for the three, now associated, countries south of Russia, writes Eberhard Rhein.

Association with Georgia stands to boost EU role in region, growth and security

Georgia can help pioneer a new, stronger, and healthier relationship between the countries of the region and the EU, writes Alex Petriashvili.

What the Association Agreement means for Ukraine’s reform agenda

On Friday (21 March) the political parts of the association agreement were signed between Ukraine and the EU. What does this mean, asks Dominik Tolksdorf: is the EU ready to put forward criteria for a reform in the country, and will Ukraine kick off such a reform agenda?

The heart of the ‘Euromaidan’ faced with Ukraine’s geopolitical limbo

The political turmoil in Ukraine, which some analysts call a revolution, bears the support of a great part of popular opinion, which sees the protest movement as "justified and good". But the composition of what Western media still like to call “Euromaidan” is very heterogeneous, write Justina Vitkauskaite Bernard and Vira Ratsiborynska.

Is the EU ready for Ukraine membership?

When the scar-faced Viktor Yushchenko emerged from the bowels of the Orange revolution as the new president of Ukraine in 2005, it seemed like Europe was at his feet. Today, Ukraine is standing at the geopolitical crossroads again, writes Ainius Lasas.

EU and Ukrainian business: Double standards?

The same European politicians who try to boost their image by appearing at the pro-European protests in Kyiv deliberately ignore the Ukrainian interest in economic relations, writes Boris Kushniruk.

Ukraine makes a deal with Russia: why did that happen?

The approach so far of the EU towards Ukraine has been unbalanced, with too many political requirements and too little economic support. It is not surprising that Russia took advantage and made a more attractive financial and economic offer, writes Volodymyr Tsybulko.

Ukraine made its choice

The regime in Ukraine may be tempted to declare state of emergency and use force, but this scenario is highly undesirable as it may lead to the split of Ukraine and the loss of its statehood. Here the role of the Ukrainian opposition is extremely important, as it has received a carte blanche from the Ukrainian society, writes Vadym Omelchenko

Vilnius summit: Ukraine and the Russian factor

The way out for Ukraine, who risks default, is only in the search of a compromise and coordinated position both with Europe, and with the Russian Federation writes Yuriy Kochevenko.