Publication

The EU needs to assert its role and mission in the Eastern neighborhood with more vigor. To do this the Eastern Partnership (EaP) needs to focus on the job of building up the rule of law and democracy in Eastern Europe. Though much has been achieved over the past two years, in terms of creating the institutional framework for EaP, the reality is that democracy is back sliding in the region, corruption is endemic and the social and economic catch-up of EaP countries towards EU levels is uncertain. Without fuller democratization and promotion of the rule of law in the neighborhood the implementation of EaP will be stunted.