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.
The European Union is drafting its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, to be discussed at a foreign ministers' meeting in May, according to the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The European Council decided on Monday to impose restrictive measures on an additional seven individuals and two entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran, including for the use of the judiciary as a tool for arbitrary detention.
To facilitate Ukraine's access to global markets by ensuring smoother transit through EU countries, the EU and Ukraine have extended their Road Transport Agreement until December 31, 2025.
A new business partnership between the European Union and Ukraine has been launched in Brussels where the EU-Ukraine Business Summit took place from April 10 to 11.
EU President Ursula von der Leyen and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates agreed to launch negotiations on a free trade agreement. Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will soon visit the UAE to take the talks forward.
A deadly attack at a cockfighting venue in coastal Ecuador has left at least 12 dead, with authorities investigating the scene for clues.
Colombia's president has suspended a ceasefire with a FARC offshoot after efforts to extend the truce failed, though peace talks remain on track.
A mob attack on an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi has left one man dead, highlighting ongoing persecution of the minority group.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 16th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The British steel industry is grappling with its most significant crisis in decades, as the government has been forced to intervene in an emergency bid to save the country's last operational blast furnaces at British Steel.
Police in Pakistan have detained nearly 180 people following a series of incidents involving KFC restaurants in several major cities.
The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Central Asian countries will come together on May 5 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, marking a major milestone in relations between the two sides.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman has confirmed that the second round of talks between representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America will be held in Rome this Saturday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to hold talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Moscow.
A deadly attack at a cockfighting venue in coastal Ecuador has left at least 12 dead, with authorities investigating the scene for clues.
Colombia's president has suspended a ceasefire with a FARC offshoot after efforts to extend the truce failed, though peace talks remain on track.
A mob attack on an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi has left one man dead, highlighting ongoing persecution of the minority group.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
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