EU’s increasing focus on connectivity — not only within the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region but extending towards Central Asia and Türkiye was a key message throughout the Business Forum held in Warsaw under the Polish EU Council Presidency.
At a crucial moment for the region, the European Commission reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to deeper economic cooperation and strategic connectivity during the Eastern Partnership Business Forum 2025.
The aim of the event is to discuss broad economic cooperation between the EU and the partner countries, as well as to exchange experiences, establish business contacts and discuss investment opportunities and joint projects between entrepreneurs and governments within the EaP.
Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Ms Katarzyna Smyk, Head of the Commission Representation in Poland, emphasised the enduring value and adaptability of the Eastern Partnership: “Over the past decade, we have seen the tangible benefits of our cooperation — from free trade agreements and visa liberalisation to major infrastructure and investment projects. Our partnership is a win-win. But we must also adapt it to meet today’s geopolitical and economic challenges.”
She noted that "our response to uncertain times is to strengthen cooperation - better connections and connections in the region is one of the possible priorities to address challenges more effectively."
Key achievements of the Eastern Partnership to date were noted, including:
- A doubling of EU–EaP trade volumes (2017–2023)
- EUR 15.4 billion mobilised under the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan in support of access to finance for over 100,000 SMEs
- Major infrastructure projects like the East-West Highway in Georgia and Solidarity Lanes connecting Ukraine and Moldova to EU markets.
The session on Ukraine’s reconstruction, attended by Deputy Head of State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine, Roman Komendant, underscored priorities such as infrastructure rebuilding, support for war-affected communities, and expanded SME financing. Throughout this, the European Commission reaffirmed its commitment to a sustainable recovery fully aligned with Ukraine’s EU accession path.
In closing, a panel of public and private actors — including the EIB, EBRD, BGK, Ukrainian ECA, and CRH Poland — explored de-risking strategies and new public-private investment partnerships for the region.
Bringing together over 200 high-level delegates, including Deputy Ministers from Poland, Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine, the event served as a critical platform for advancing dialogue on investment, resilience, and regional integration.
Experts from EU Member States and Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, independent Belarusian businessmen) along with representatives from the European Commission, the OECD, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Polish Development Bank (BGK) also participated.
EU foreign ministers will convene in Brussels on 20th May. The upcoming Foreign Affairs Council will be chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
Foreign Secretary heads to EU Foreign Ministers meeting to highlight the need for a new, ambitious security relationship. David Lammy will attend attends high-level Gymnich EU talks in Poland.
The European Commission has presented a roadmap to ensure the EU fully ends its dependency on Russian energy, while ensuring stable energy supplies and prices across the EU.
In a boost for the green transition in the Middle East and North Africa, a joint guarantee agreement worth €300 million to facilitate the green transformation of urban areas and support the development of green hydrogen market in the Middle East and North Africa has been signed.
The European Commission has announced the allocation of EUR 52 million in funding support through the EU Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism (RENEWFM) to nine renewable energy projects in Finland and Estonia.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
In Malaysia, rivers are under threat from invasive fish species that have spread widely, harming native wildlife and local ecosystems.
China has openly supported Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland following renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in acquiring the autonomous Danish territory.
The US State Department has announced visa bans on owners, executives, and senior officials of India-based travel agencies accused of helping people enter the United States illegally.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
Armenia has proposed elevating its cooperation with Cyprus to the level of a strategic partnership, a move positively received by Cypriot officials.
Iran hosted the Tehran Dialogue Forum on May 18–19 with 200 delegates from 53 countries, showcasing its soft power through diplomacy while also highlighting military strength—an approach echoing the "smart power" concept of balancing dialogue and deterrence.
Negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia could soon advance to a new level, with discussions possibly involving the heads of state, according to Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan.
Azerbaijani presidential climate envoy Mukhtar Babayev is set to participate in the Astana International Forum 2025, focusing on global challenges and future cooperation.
Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London to discuss strengthening bilateral relations, covering trade, investment, culture, and global challenges. Both sides signed a Cooperation Program for 2025-2026 to deepen their partnership.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
In Malaysia, rivers are under threat from invasive fish species that have spread widely, harming native wildlife and local ecosystems.
China has openly supported Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland following renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in acquiring the autonomous Danish territory.
The US State Department has announced visa bans on owners, executives, and senior officials of India-based travel agencies accused of helping people enter the United States illegally.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment