Strengthening resilience in the eastern neighbourhood

On 25 April, the Institute convened a closed-door event in Brussels, bringing together independent experts and EU policymakers to engage in a strategic discussion on how the EU can further support resilience in three partner countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood: Moldova, Georgia and Armenia.

The task at hand was to collectively ascertain how the EU can help local communities in these countries to absorb the evolving risks, strengthen the capacity of governmental institutions to continue functioning during future crises, and adapt to the deteriorating security environment.

The concept of resilience anchored in the ideas and values of a “good life” was discussed, as well as the importance of building resilience with the Eastern partners through a collaborative approach, paying close attention to the realities shaping how local communities on the ground respond to demanding and destabilising moments. Immediate challenges such as Russia’s electoral interference in Moldova, democratic backsliding in Georgia or the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the latter’s deep economic dependence on Russia were also discussed.

Experts from Europe and the Eastern Neighbourhood included: 

• Thomas DE WAAL (Senior Fellow, Carnegie Europe)
• Elena KOROSTELEVA (Jean Monnet Chair of European Politics, University of Warwick)
• Vincenc KOPEČEK (Associate Professor, University of Ostrava)
• Mihai MOGILDEA (Deputy Director, IPRE Moldova)