Within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU managed only partially to stabilize sustainably the democratic processes in the Eastern neighboring countries where the lack of incentives such as a perspective of accession, as well as the lack of progress in the democratization processes were criticized.

The conflict in the Caucasus has shown that in case of regional conflicts, the EU cannot avoid the pressure to act. A common position of the EU towards the Eastern neighboring countries, which has often failed due to different interests of the singular EU states so far, is a basic condition for its capacity to act.

This being the situation, the creation of the Eastern Partnership and the coming into force of the Treaty of Lisbon are welcome as new conditions that can positively contribute to the shaping of the relations between the EU and its Eastern neighbors.

After the initiation of the EU top authorities one should assume that the creation of the common EU policy towards the Eastern neighbors will be strengthened.

Poland that has been more and more efficiently engaged in the determining EU relations with its Eastern neighbors (for example, within its Eastern Partnership initiative) since its joining the EU, wants to make use of its Council Presidency in 2011 in order to strengthen the Eastern dimension of the neighborhood policy.

The division of competences between the offices and the rotating EU Council Presidencies has been only roughly outlined and, thus, is still unclear to some extent. Spain that took over the Presidency of the Council on the 1st of January is making its first experience in this area.

How does Poland define its role in the process of shaping the relations between the EU and the Eastern neighbors on the EU level? Which priorities does Poland want to set in this area during its Presidency in the European Council? Which aims should be reached? What kind of new possibilities for the development of the common Eastern Policy of the EU have been created since the Treaty of Lisbon came into force? What kind of signals for the cooperation between the top EU authorities and the rotating Presidencies have been sent during the first months of the Spanish EU Council Presidency?

Eastern dimension of the EU policy. Challenges for the Polish EU Council Presidency
6.00 – 8.00 p.m
Opening: Agnieszka Rochon – Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Warsaw
Keynote speech:  Mikołaj Dowgielewicz – Minister for EU Affairs, Poland
Comment: Pirrka Tapiola – General Secretariat of the EU Council, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Unit
Chair: Adam Balcer – demosEUROPA, Poland

Discussion will be held in Polish and English with simultaneous interpreting.
After the event, we invite you to join us for a glass of wine.

The debate is a part of an experts' conference European Union and its Eastern Neighbours. Challenges and new chances of policy shaping organized by Heinrich Böll Stiftung in co-operation with Bertelsmann Stiftung and demosEuropa on March 18-19, 2010, in Warsaw.