Prospects of Eastern Partnership: A Closer Look at Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine

Grigolia Teona (2020) Prospects of Eastern Partnership: A Closer Look at Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Külkereskedelmi Kar.

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Absztrakt (kivonat)

The main goal of the thesis was to identify factors influencing the Euro-integration plans of the Eastern Partner states - Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine; to examine the effectiveness of the EU bilateral cooperation with the three aforementioned Eastern Partners; and to investigate the impact of Russia's role in European integration processes of the above-mentioned states. Most importantly, the thesis has studied the regional identity of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine - whether they subscribe to pro-European or Eurasian identity, which is important for understanding the challenges these countries meet while trying to implement their foreign policy strategies.  At the end of the research the likelihood of membership prospects for EaP trio was assessed. Despite the fact that the Eastern Partnership includes six states the research has explored only three cases Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine because these are the frontrunners of the EaP in terms of achievements in European Integration processes. They signed an Association Agreement with the EU, joined the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, and the citizens of these respective countries can travel to Europe without visas. These three states are strong aspirants for EU membership as well. The other three states – Azerbaijan, Armenia and Belarus were not discussed in the paper because they are on different tracks - Armenia and Belarus joined the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union, whereas Azerbaijan remains skeptical and uncertain about entering any union. As regards the basic design used at the time of the study the qualitative research method was selected for making an in-depth analysis. The research questions are aimed at finding a causal relationship between the different factors. The secondary data was collected through the online desk research method. The ongoing issues around the Eastern Partnership were analyzed with the help of a liberal/neorealist understanding of security and democratic peace theory. The study has shown that the Eastern Partnership states, particularly, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, are the battlefield for the geopolitical competition of the liberal EU and neo-realist Russia. To put it in another way, the EU is using soft power tools while promoting democracy, liberal values, or assisting financially. Russia, on the other hand, is boldly using its hard and sharp power mechanisms such as military intervention, economic embargo, spreading disinformation and fake news. Liberal EU in Eastern Partner states are associated with the Europeanness, whereas neo-realist Russia represents Eurasianist power willing to incorporate neighboring countries, which were once part of the Soviet Union, under its sphere of influence. As for Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, they are the countries that chose a liberal model of state development, bringing them closer to the EU than Russia. Thus, referring to the main research question of my thesis why Russia’s Eurasianism cannot win over pro-Europeanism in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine we can say that based on the comparison, these countries chose their pro-European identity due to the risks of Russia threatening their sovereignty by using force. The above-mentioned statement about the logical reasoning why the EaP trio chose European identity coincides with my hypothesis. Although the hypothesis did not mention another reason for these countries choosing Europeanism, particularly, their historical experience. As a result of exploring the past of these states it is clear that after gaining independence they could finally explore their identity and roots of Europeanness embodied in their history. These states believe that they were isolated and distanced from their original fate by historical consequences of them being forcefully integrated into the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union. The research also identified Russia's strategic toolbox in the near abroad. In particular, Russia is bold enough to engage in not only military campaigns but in information warfare, using the so-called hybrid tactics to destabilize other target states. On the example of the three case studies it occurs by using media outlets, fake accounts, or hacking to spread misleading information about its rival. Their target population is mostly those who are Russian-speaking minorities in its neighboring countries. The research also highlighted the role of the post-Soviet mentality in the transition to democracy. Democratization has been challenged by different factors since the 1990s, more explicitly, weak state institutions being unable to fight against corruption, nepotism and high rate of crime, lack of good governance. Many connect these features with the post-Soviet mentality. Despite some positive changes after the revolutions in Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, still, there is a need for reforms in different areas because the post-Soviet mentality has not disappeared at all. Additionally, the study found a correlation between the energy dependency of the EU with Russia and its level of engagement with the EaP trio. Based on the given data the EU’s active involvement in the common vicinity is limited by its disability to find alternative energy resources, which also explains the absence of the EU’s common position regarding the neighborhood. Besides, not only energy resources and Russia but other internal problems of the EU dismantle the EU member states' opinions, particularly, the migration crisis, BREXIT, and lack of institutional capacity to accept new member states, especially those, which will cause antagonism with Russia. To evaluate the facts, the prospects of membership of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to the EU is less possible now on the background of Russia-EU geopolitical rivalry in the shared vicinity, EU’s internal crisis and energy dependence, non-readiness of the EaP trio to join the EU in all aspects including, democratic performance, economic development, and institutional changes.

Intézmény

Budapesti Gazdasági Egyetem

Kar

Külkereskedelmi Kar

Tanszék

Nemzetközi Kapcsolatok Tanszék

Tudományterület/tudományág

NEM RÉSZLETEZETT

Szak

Nemzetközi Tanulmányok

Konzulens(ek)

Mű típusa:	diplomadolgozat (NEM RÉSZLETEZETT)
Kulcsszavak:	Georgia, Keleti Partnerség, Moldova, Ukrajna, európai integráció
SWORD Depositor:	Archive User
Felhasználói azonosító szám (ID):	Archive User
Rekord készítés dátuma:	2020. Nov. 29. 19:44
Utolsó módosítás:	2022. Okt. 06. 12:41

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