Opening Societies on the EU's Periphery

The European Union continues to exert an important power of attraction beyond its borders within Europe. Its enlargement and neighborhood policies aim to drive reform in nearby countries in South and Eastern Europe.

The Open Society Institute–Brussels views EU enlargement and policy towards its neighbors as useful tools for creating more open societies. OSI–Brussels aims to ensure that the EU puts human rights and good governance at the heart of these processes. We bring local voices and expertise into EU policymaking involving countries on its periphery.

South Eastern Europe

EU enlargement continues to be the main driver of democratic transformation in South Eastern Europe. The conditions for membership and the process of preparing to join the EU are successful instruments with which to guide countries in becoming more open societies.

OSI-Brussels advocates a rigorous and fair EU enlargement process. The EU should insist on effective implementation of the laws and policies required for accession, and it should strive to ensure the substantive participation of local civil society in EU policymaking.

OSI-Brussels monitors EU policies towards Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey, and supports local civil society organizations and Soros foundations in conveying their views and recommendations to EU policymakers. We have also long advocated the lifting of EU visa requirements for citizens in enlargement countries.

OSI has collaborated with Transparency International in advocating closer EU scrutiny on corruption matters in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We supported Kosovo Forum 2015 (a joint research and advocacy initiative of Kosovo Foundation for Open Society and RIINVEST Institute to foster debate and research pressing issues) advocacy with policymakers questioning the sustainability of plans for a massive exploitation of lignite power production in Kosovo.

OSI-Brussels assists the Independent Commission on Turkey in advocating EU engagement with Turkey in its transformation process towards EU membership.

Contact Information

EU-Turkey relations: Viorel Ursu

EU relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia: Ann Isabelle von Lingen

Eastern Neighborhood

The EU offers a closer partnership as well as strategic convergence to its Eastern neighbors (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine), although no membership perspective. The Eastern Partnership recently launched by the EU contains some useful tools to strengthen rules-based governance and prosperity in the neighborhood. It provides a development model (through convergence with EU legislation), financial and technical assistance for implementing related reforms, a model and set of incentives for applying the reforms effectively.

OSI-Brussels is, however, concerned that positive EU influence in the neighborhood is limited by the lack of more substantial incentives for integration. This often allows partner governments to ignore EU calls for democratic reforms and respect for human rights. OSI-Brussels advocates that the EU reinforce its toolbox of incentives and conditionality, and offer greater integration for successful reformers.

OSI-Brussels works with the Soros foundations in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to assist local civil society organizations in monitoring the implementation of government commitments. We also provide independent assessment of progress on reforms to EU decision makers, help build capacity on EU issues in the region, support the transfer of knowledge and expertise about the EU from member states to their Eastern neighbors, and advocate adequate EU funding for the implementation of reforms.

OSI-Brussels supports advocacy on topical issues such as media independence, justice reform, governance, transparency, human rights, and respect for minorities, and regularly calls for EU action towards governments in breach of their commitments. Specifically, we brought to attention to the issue of police violence during the April 2009 post-election demonstrations in Moldova, and pushed for a strong EU response and involvement in investigating the violence.