Russia was everywhere and nowhere at the recent Eastern Partnership summit in Riga.
What can the European Parliament do?
In his parting speech, Barroso argued that the EU is, ‘now better prepared than we were before to face a crisis, if a crisis like the ones we have seen before should come in the future’.
China is already sitting in Russia’s backyard. Perhaps this might encourage the EU to try a little harder with its Eastern Partnership.
The EU has been right to interpret Russia’s foreign policy as both chaotic and driven by short-sighted or temperamental interests. However, the EU is wrong to view Russia’s foreign policy as a monolithic bloc in the hands of President Putin.
Romania has made vital steps in developing its institutional capabilities to deal with corruption. The way that such institutions have been strengthened raises important questions about the nature of its democratic governance.
