17 May 2022
MEPs in the Foreign Affairs Committee have adopted ECR Rapporteur Witold Waszczykowski’s own-initiative report that urges the EU and Member States to deepen their engagement with Eastern Partnership countries (EaP) in combatting Russian aggression.
“Putin is not only fighting in Ukraine. The Russian dictator is also waging a constant hybrid war against the Eastern Partnership countries. Time and time again, he uses the threat of force to destabilise the entire region and bring former Soviet territories back into Moscow’s sphere of influence. Enormous pressure is exerted on Eastern Partnership countries afraid to choose their own alliances”, Waszczykowski said, following the committee vote.
“Russia rejects any EU or NATO aspirations in former Soviet territories and is determined to contest any attempts to aid democratic development in a region which it considers its near abroad”, he added.
In the report, European lawmakers encourage Member States to deploy personnel to Common Security and Defense Policy missions (CSDP) in the region and demand greater effort to train and equip host countries in combatting hybrid warfare. The future Strategic Compass should also pay close attention to Eastern Partnership countries and be closely aligned with NATO’s upcoming Strategic Concept 2022, particularly in the areas of cyber defense and in countering hybrid warfare, MEPs demand.
“We call for the provision of equipment to EaP countries according to their needs and avoiding duplications with NATO’s strategic planning. Success of any mission depends on the level of political will and cohesion, as well as the willingness of Member States to invest their expertise and resources.
“To make future Common Security and Defense Policy missions more effective, revised mandates are needed, with a focus on addressing emerging and disruptive technologies.
“The advisory mandates, for example, should be adjusted and include specialised training in combating hybrid warfare activities, cyber warfare and Open Source Intelligence analysis (OSINT)”, Waszczykowski added.
The Eastern Partnership is part of the EU’s approach to security designed to bolster relationships with the countries; Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, to help promote peace and stability on the EU’s eastern flank.
The plenary vote will take place at the June Session.