ORB International’s Post

📰 In her latest #EPCDiscussionPaper, Berta López Domènech argues that the EU should work on rebuilding the credibility of its EU membership promise to the enlargement countries. Read the entire publication here 👇

Thank you SIEPS, The Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies, for organising an excellent one-day conference on EU #enlargement in Stockholm last Friday. I was happy to participate together with colleagues from the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies (SCEEUS).   Some of my own thoughts after the conference concerned the narratives about, and the legitimacy of, the EU enlargement agenda.   To ensure public support for enlargement, there is a need for: 🌻discussing enlargement more widely, 🌻countering Russian narratives that enlargement is equal to war and instability, 🌻convincingly answering questions about why enlargement is necessary and in the EU’s core security interests, 🌻spelling out the costs of non-enlargement more clearly, 🌻better explaining how enlargement is linked to the EU mission of delivering prosperity to its citizens. 

Last week, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán received the Order of the Republika Srpska – highest decoration of the Bosnian Serb entity – from President Milorad Dodik, evincing the rapprochement between the two leaders. Over the past years, in parallel to its illiberal transformation, Hungary has increased its presence in the Western Balkans. Orbán’s plan found a fertile ground in the EU’s misguided policy of prioritising stability over democracy, a strategy that has proven wrong. Ultimately, Orbán’s ideological incursion in EU aspiring countries and his rapprochement with Balkan autocrats have proven problematic for the Union and for the candidates’ EU accession processes. Looking ahead, in order reverse democratic backsliding in the Balkans and trigger reforms to advance in the EU path, the EU should rebuild the credibility of the EU membership perspective - by preparing itself internally for enlargement and delivering when candidates show progress. At the same time, the EU should no longer prioritise stability at the expense of democracy, be more vocal against rule of law attacks (both in EU candidates and member states), support reform-oriented civic and political forces and ensure that the process is driven by conditionality, preventing member states from boycotting the it. ✍🏼 European Policy Centre

Deep preparation, networks of cooperation, and active utilization of new technology "have allowed civil society organizations and governments in Ukraine and Central and Eastern Europe to build trust and tell Ukraine’s story." https://lnkd.in/eaYkQSE5

I recently published an article on the Kennan Institute discussing the harsh realities faced by Ukrainians under Russian occupation. It highlights the systematic efforts by Russia to exert political control over occupied territories, including forced passportization, the imposition of Russian governance, and the indoctrination of youth. The article also sheds light on the deteriorating human rights situation, the impact on healthcare and the ecosystem, and the ongoing cultural erasure of Ukrainian identity. Read more to understand the complex challenges and resilience of Ukrainians in these occupied regions. https://lnkd.in/edu839yz

Kateryna Odarchenko recently published an article on the Kennan Institute discussing the harsh realities faced by Ukrainians under Russian occupation. It highlights the systematic efforts by Russia to exert political control over occupied territories, including forced passportization, the imposition of Russian governance, and the indoctrination of youth. The article also sheds light on the deteriorating human rights situation, the impact on healthcare and the ecosystem, and the ongoing cultural erasure of Ukrainian identity. Read more to understand the complex challenges and resilience of Ukrainians in these occupied regions. https://lnkd.in/e4qDjsZU

📣 For Georgians living in the EU - Share YOUR ideas, How can the EU support democracy and human rights in countries close to its eastern borders? Do you think the EU should get involved? If so, how? If not, why? Join our group discussion and share your ideas with other EU citizens on the best ways for the EU to make a positive impact in its neighbouring regions. Your insights will help shape a deeper understanding of the EU's role in promoting democratic values and human rights in its eastern neighbourhood. Debating Europe Friends of Europe

My latest publication: “Moldova’s handling of Russian disinformation: building new tools and uprooting old patterns” for Eastern Europe Studies Centre #russia #disinformation #moldova

#Article 📰 | Explore the dynamics of the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood with Lorenzo Corda's insightful article in our latest edition! On page 11, Corda investigates whether there's room for EU strategic autonomy in these regions, examining the current challenges and potential pathways forward. ➡ https://lnkd.in/dG53UGxx 💡 We're eager to hear your thoughts! You can contribute to our future editions. Send your articles to europeanstudiesreview@gmail.com. 📩 Please review our submission guidelines ➡ https://lnkd.in/et2gqMS #EU #StrategicAutonomy #EasternNeighbourhood #SouthernNeighbourhood #PolicyAnalysis #EuropeanUnion #InternationalRelations #DefensePolicy #SecurityChallenges #StrategicAnalysis #Journal

South Africa's case against Israel in the International Court of Justice has raised questions about Cape Town's earlier eager search for potential alternatives to the rules-based global order. However, as noted by CSD colleagues, the EU's rule of law and values-based model remains the most viable peace and development project globally. Check out this insightful read on the BRICS conundrum and why it's time for the EU to rise to the challenge (again): https://lnkd.in/dfWXidRE #eu2024be #europeanunion #softpower #ruleoflaw