Andrea Gawrich - Eastern Partnership Perspectives on Ukrainian EU Integration

Join us for the Ukraine Lecture Series from 6 to 8 P.M. with speaker Andrea Gawrich (Justus Liebig University Gießen) to the topic: Eastern Partnership perspectives on Ukrainian EU integration As the liberal international order – underpinned by effective multilateralism, democracy, liberal values, and free trade – begins to show signs of decline, the focus of enlargement has shifted from highlighting the transformative potential of enlargement negotiations to viewing enlargement as a strategic investment. The EU membership application raised by Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia against the background of Russia’s full-scale invasion into Ukraine has not only opened up the possibility of accession for previously excluded Eastern Partnership countries, but has also shed light on so far not successful accession procedures with the Western Balkan countries. Various models of gradual integration are currently being discussed as the EU seeks to make the benefits of membership more tangible for candidate countries and to stimulate momentum for further reforms. Nevertheless, despite the EU's increased efforts, the European perspective remains contested in candidate countries as also within the EU. This domestic contestation provides fertile ground for strategic competitors outside the EU.  Hence, EU conditionality takes place in a new era of inside and outside contestation.