In person event
By granting candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, the EU has rejected a Russian sphere of influence and instead determined where its future borders should lie. It has been more difficult, however, to change policies in order to effectively respond to an evolving geopolitical context, which also sees China and other state actors competing for influence.
Throughout the accession process , existing procedural structures have already been pushed to their limits. Challenges include, among other things, the obstructionism by certain Member States that is linked to the divisive issue of EU internal reform. This issue has cost the EU a significant amount of credibility in the Western Balkans and will take years to resolve.
This event will kick-off REUNIR’s investigation into foreign threats to the military, socio-economic and democratic resilience of nine neighbouring countries. We will identify capability shortfalls, gauge local perceptions of the EU’s support, and gain insights into political perspectives inside the EU on neighbourhood relations.
Outlining scenarios up to 2035, REUNIR will offer evidence-based policy recommendations to mitigate malign foreign interference and strengthen the EU’s external action.
