EU policy towards the eastern neighbourhood

What can the European Parliament do to further the EU's relations with the countries on the EU's eastern borders.

The crisis in Ukraine has underscored the limits of the European Union’s ability to foster stability in the post-Soviet space. Russia’s annexation of Crimea or its support for the rebels in the eastern part of Ukraine left the EU hesitant, incoherent and divided.

Although it does not possess too many formal powers in foreign policy, during this period the European Parliament has articulated very clearly its position calling for more a decisive and stronger EU presence in its eastern neighbourhood. Throughout the seventh term (2009-2014) the EP consistently pushed for the EU to involve itself in the frozen conflicts in the region and keep its eastern neighbours at bay from Russian pressures. While with every new term the EP changes its overall approach, it is very likely that the newly elected MEPs will also aim to carve a greater role for the Parliament in shaping the way the EU acts in the post-Soviet space. Moreover, the new EP features a series of key figures (such as the EP’s president Martin Schulz) who have a record of being very active in the eastern neighbourhood.