Samadashvili, S. (2014) The magnetic pull of Europe’s soft power, EU Observer, Opinion Article, 27 June.
As Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine finalise association and free trade (DCFTA) agreements with Europe today (27 June), these Eastern Partners, together with the EU, are proving that while geography is destiny, history does not have to be so.
The EU’s Eastern Partnership policy is the bridge which connects Europe to countries which were left out of the cycle of peaceful development brought to post-WWII by the European project.
Even as the voice of increased scepticism towards the EU rang loud and clear in the latest European elections, the citizens of these advanced Eastern partners still believe the European project offers them the best way forward.
They have proven ready to pay a heavy price for their European choice, in the knowledge that no sacrifice is too great for the sake of freedom.
Relevant posts:
- Stiglitz, J. (2014) “Creating an Innovation Society“, Social Europe Journal, 04 June.
- Economist (2014) “Who is exceeding their powers?“, The Economist- Free exchange, 7 February.
- European Commission (2013) “Powering European Sector Innovation: Towards a New Architecture“, Report of the Expert Group on Public Sector Innovation.