Perspectives and limits of the Eastern Partnership policy and the EU crisis and conflict management. Case study of Moldova + Position paper 3 (20 March 2023)
In this lecture and seminar
the prospects and limits of the EU Neighbourhood and Eastern Partnership Policy
will be further critically discussed, with the emphasis on the particular case
of Moldova.
In the context of the Eastern Partnership policy, the EU has had to face a number of challenges, including frozen conflicts, the problem of the competing influence of other actors, especially Russia, a complicated internal political situation, divided public opinion as to the country's foreign policy orientation, etc. Moldova and the conflict situation (not only) in Transnistria may serve as an example of this phenomena. Internal developments in the country, including the role of the various political actors have also represented important imfluencing factors. The context of the current situation, the conflict in Ukraine, the issue of war refugees and the complex security situation of the country, which is endangered by a number of factors related to the current conflict, should also be taken into account.
Questions for discussion: To what extent has the EU's engagement with Moldova been successful? What are the most important issues in the current context and what could be the prospects for the country's development in relation to the EU? What role does the Russian factor play (in various contexts)? What should be the EU policy towards Moldova? What are the solutions and perspectives for the situation in Transnistria (in your opinion)?
Readings:
(2021) Going back and forth: European Union resilience-building in Moldova between 2014 and 2020, Journal of Contemporary European Studies, DOI: 10.1080/14782804.2021.1989388
John Beyer & Stefan Wolff (2016) Linkage and leverage effects on Moldova's Transnistria problem, East European Politics, 32:3, 335-354.
Recommended:
Danii, O., Mascauteanu, M. (2012): Moldova Under the European Neighbourhood Policy: „Falling Between Stools“. In: Korosteleva (ed.; 2012): s. 101 – 121.
Korosteleva, E. (2012): The European Union and its Eastern Neighbours. Towards a more ambitious partnership? London: Routledge, s. 104 – 124.
Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova (n.d.): https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/moldova_en
Position paper 3
Supporting literature: See Readings above
+
Remler, Philip (2022): Transnistria, Moldova and Russia´s War in Ukraine. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. August 02, 2022. On-line: https://carnegieendowment.org/2022/08/02/transdniestria-moldova-and-russia-s-war-in-ukraine-pub-87609
The texts assigned for this position paper touch upon 3 important issues:
1) the issue of frozen conflicts, separatist territories and the possibilities (and limits) of the EU to act as an actor in such a situation; this issue is currently closely linked to the problem of the Ukrainian conflict and the security threats that may also affect Moldova itself
2) the issue of migration, which in the context of the Eastern Dimension of the ENP has interesting specifics and implications for the situation in the country concerned (here Moldova)
3) complicated internal political developments in the country, which are closely related to its foreign policy orientation and which have also influenced the EU-Moldova relations
It is not necessary to cover all topics, choose the exact focus of your paper on one of the issues (in the context of EU-Moldova relations).
DEADLINE: Position paper must be uploaded to the particular folders no later than 5 p.m. of the day before the seminar for which the position paper is written, i.e. March 19, 2023, 5 p.m.
PRESENTATION: