The EU has laid out its strategy at the Eastern Partnership summit

In light of the threat of Russian aggression looming over the world and stability in the east, the EU needs to work on strengthening ties and cooperation with its eastern partners.

In just a few days (May 21-22), the fourth Eastern Partnership (EaP) summit will kick off at the highest level in the capital of Latvia, Riga. This summit will be an opportunity to discuss the issues that the EU faces along its eastern edge; strategic debates are planned between the 28 EU member states and six Eastern European partners - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

The EU has repeatedly emphasized its interest in the prosperity and stability along its borders from Morocco to Belarus. European citizens are well aware of the failed and painful stabilization process in North Africa and have already become accustomed to migrants from the region trying to reach European shores. The recent events in Eastern Ukraine have proven that peace in the eastern neighborhood cannot be taken for granted.

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Change in the East

Since the last Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in 2013, Eastern Europe has changed. The illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by the Russian Federation - a sovereign part of Ukraine - has created an unprecedented violation of international security.

The situation in Eastern Ukraine remains fragile and unstable, and the shelling along the line of contact between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh poses the risk of escalating into a 'hot conflict'.

Meanwhile, the Russian Federation has signed so-called strategic partnership agreements with de facto Abkhazia and South Ossetia, regions that the international community recognizes as part of Georgia. The EU needs to be realistic and acknowledge that Moscow views these issues from an entirely different perspective. This is unlikely to change after the Riga summit. Brussels is now left to wonder how to approach its eastern neighborhood policy and what to expect from the upcoming negotiations.

Strategic Approach

Europe must maintain a strategic approach to creating a stable, prosperous, and secure society. The EU's vision of the 'Eastern Partnership' is well-founded, and its policy on this matter has been supported by all member states.

It is important to always keep in mind that the EU's policy towards its eastern partners is an integral neighborhood policy that is inclusive and non-confrontational. The EU is ready to work constructively with all interested partners to avoid dividing lines on the continent.

Russia is and will remain a neighbor to Europe, but it will never have a veto right when it comes to the free and sovereign political decisions of the six eastern partner countries of Europe. The EU is ready to respond to the challenges of individual eastern partners for a differentiated and individualized approach in relations with these countries. The EU is open to cooperation with third-country partners that share its vision for Eastern Europe, and the EU needs support in stabilizing the situation in Ukraine.

With this in mind, one can expect a number of specific and practical results from the summit in Riga.

Sending a Clear Signal

The summit should express support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the six partner countries. A clear signal of support for the implementation of association agreements with Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine will also be sent.

At the same time, the partner countries of the EaP will be encouraged to continue their necessary reforms to meet this ambitious goal. The summit declaration should reflect the forecasts of these countries' further aspirations regarding their relations with the EU.

The EU also welcomes the efforts and willingness of Belarus to find its rightful place in the 'Eastern Partnership' policy. The summit will take note of the significant progress achieved in Georgia and Ukraine towards establishing a visa-free regime for citizens of these countries in the foreseeable future.

The EU will also emphasize the long-term importance of strengthening multilateral and sectoral cooperation that is of interest to the EU and all six partner countries. Three meetings of ministers for justice and internal affairs, trade and economy will also take place in Latvia, highlighting the potential of relations in these areas.

The first Eastern Partnership summit took place six years ago in Prague. At the fourth summit, the EU does not need to reinvent the wheel - it just needs to maintain its commitment to what was promised to its partners and what serves their interests.