Conclusions from the conference
On 23 November, an international conference The Baltic States and the EU Neighbourhood Policy took place in Riga. At the conference, representatives from the EU neighbouring countries and other participants exchanged opinions on the future development and streamlining of the European Neighbourhood Policy (hereinafter – ENP).
During the conference, discussions were held on the following subjects:
- the EU membership perspectives for the ENP countries,
- reinforcement of the ENP eastern dimension,
- the establishment of a parliamentary co-operation framework for eastern neighbours,
- EU involvement in the solution of regional conflicts,
- Baltic states contribution of the to ENP implementation.
The EU membership perspectives for the ENP countries
Several representatives from Baltic states emphasized the need for those ENP countries which are interested in the EU membership, to provide a clear answer regarding the prospects of their EU membership. It should be noted that some ENP countries regularly criticize the ENP, maintaining that ENP objectives do not comply with the strategic interests of those countries. The conference underscored that although the enlargement eastwards was not on the present EU agenda, the differentiation between the ENP and the enlargement should not be accentuated.
Reinforcement of the ENP eastern dimension
Conference participants agreed that the eastern dimension should be reinforced but there is no need for competitiveness between the eastern and southern dimension. It was emphasized that the issue of balance between the two dimensions is not a matter of principle – work must be done according to the prevailing circumstances, and mainly on a bilateral basis between the EU and the specific neighbouring state.
Several speakers offered a positive forecast with regard to the Black Sea Synergy initiative. This initiative could derive best-case examples from the co-operation in the Baltic Sea Region. However, other speakers doubted whether the initiative would help to from a more clear-cut outline for the ENP eastern direction.
It was noted again that GUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Armenia, Moldova) as a regional organization could be granted more attention through the establishment of, for example, a GUAM group of friends.
The establishment of a parliamentary co-operation framework for eastern neighbours
This initiative was supported by many speakers, including the parliament members from the Baltic states and the Vice-Speaker of the European Parliament. A framework of this type would provide an opportunity to develop and enhance the political dialogue between the EU and its neighbours that, in its turn, would raise awareness on such important issues as democracy, human rights and market economy principles.
EU involvement in the resolution of long-lasting conflicts
In this endeavour, the EU has so far acted as a soft power actor. One of the recommendations for the reinforcement of the ENP and the gaining of greater trust was for more courageous action by the EU towards the resolution of long-lasting conflicts. This issue was expressly accentuated by those ENP countries that undergo long-lasting conflicts with separatist regions. The European Commission is also of the same opinion.
Baltic state contribution to the ENP implementation
It was unequivocally recognized that the Baltic states which have recently joined the EU can best provide a significant contribution to the ENP through sharing their experience and by assisting the ENP countries to avoid earlier mistakes as well as to understand the reasoning for success. It was also noted that regional co-operation had alleviated the course of the Baltic states towards the EU. A broader European identity helped the Baltic states to sooner overcome their heavy legacy. Today, through active participation in the ENP, the Baltic states can truly acknowledge their adherence to the EU.
