Ahead of the 6th Eastern Partnership Summit (December 15-16, 2021), the 13th EaP CSF Annual Assembly will bring together more than 200 CSOs, as well as EaP and EU decision-makers to discuss the last steps and challenges ahead of this major event, and also the ambitions and policy objectives set out in the new policy documents. The road to successful recovery from the several unprecedented crises that have continued to grip the region in the course of 2021 has to be just, inclusive and in line with the core values that are at the basis of the Eastern Partnership. Building on messages from civil society voiced in the run-up to the EaP Summit, the debate on how best to put into practice the new EaP agenda, new single financial instrument ‘Global Europe - NDICI’ and new EaP architecture, in order to foster reform and resilience, will focus on security challenges, accountability as well as meaningful civil society involvement.
The EU’s intention to assist in leveraging the EaP countries’ economic power, enhanced by the economic and investment pillar of the new agenda as outlined in the Joint Staff Working Document (JSWD) - Recovery, resilience, reforms, is at the core of the new EaP policy. The collaboration on economic recovery has to be multi-stakeholder in nature so that it can deliver and also effectively address the global challenges arising from the climate crisis and support a digital transformation that will leave nobody behind, incorporating the lessons learned from the pandemic in these areas.
Building resilience in the EaP region has to be linked to core values. Joint implementation and delivery on the targets set out in the new governance pillar of the EaP agenda is interlinked with the success of the economic pillar. Respect to human rights, rule of law and democratic accountability are at the basis of successful recovery and post-crisis transformation. Focusing on how to better monitor the governance pillar targets and introduce joint accountability for joint delivery, civil society will discuss best practices with stakeholders.
Focusing on Belarus - the summer of 2021 marked two important events. First, one year since the fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus. Second, the regime’s announcement that the country is suspending its participation in both the Eastern Partnership policy and the Readmission Agreement. Belarus’ further descent along the path of authoritarianism brought about unprecedented challenges for Belarusian civil society. Representing the voice of Belarusian citizens ahead of the EaP Summit and within the implementation of the new EaP policy and newly-revised EaP architecture is one of the key guiding principles of the event.
The Eastern Partnership Index 2021 and its recommendations, drawn up by experts from all six EaP countries, will provide a backdrop against which the new EaP policy targets and objectives can be assessed. The complex civil society monitoring of major trends will traditionally inform policy decisions and contribute to building stronger capacity in policy analysis and advocacy on the ground.
The 2021 Annual Assembly will also conclude the work of the delegates of the first two-year cycle of the Forum’s history and take stock of the fitness of the EaP CSF WGs for the new EaP policy and updated multilateral architecture. The event will also provide a space to discuss the Forum’s draft Strategy for 2022-2030 and prepare the ground for its validation and adoption. Traditionally, it will also celebrate the courage and inspiring achievements of journalists who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in the field of media freedom and freedom of expression, by presenting the Pavel Sheremet Award.