Experts give evidence on European Neighbourhood Policy
2 November 2015
On Thursday 5 November, the House of Lords EU External Affairs Sub-Committee takes evidence from Dr James Ker-Lindsay, LSE, Professor Adam Fagan, Queen Mary, University of London, and Matthew Rojansky, Kennan Institute, Wilson Center.
- Parliament TV: Strategic review of the EU's foreign and security policy
- Inquiry: Strategic review of the EU's foreign and security policy
- High Representative's Report: The European Union in a changing global environment (PDF)
- EU External Affairs Sub-Committee
Witnesses
The evidence sessions take place on Thursday 15 October in Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster.
At 10.05am:
- Dr James Ker-Lindsay, Eurobank EFG Senior Research Fellow on the Politics of South East Europe, LSE
- Professor Adam Fagan, Professor of European Politics and Head of School, Queen Mary, University of London
At 11.05am (by video conference):
- Matthew Rojansky, Director, Kennan Institute, Wilson Center
Likely areas of discussion
The Committee discusses the EU's relations with Russia, the Balkans and Turkey and considers the European Neighbourhood Policy and its effectiveness as an approach to the EU's eastern neighbours.
Possible questions
Questions the Committee is likely to put to the witnesses include:
- What are the EU and Member States' security interests and States' foreign policy priorities in the eastern neighbourhood?
- The Committee has heard evidence that Germany is increasingly taking a leadership role on EU internal affairs, as well as on some foreign policy dossiers. Do you see evidence of German leadership in the EU's Neighbourhood Policy?
- How do Member States divide on the issue of further enlargement? What has been the response in the partner countries to this discussion within the EU, and does the prospect still give the EU leverage?
- What is your assessment of EU policy towards Turkish membership of the Union? How should the EU restructure its relations with Turkey going forward? What would Turkey view as an attractive deal?
- EU action in the post-Soviet states (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) has prompted a negative response by Russian policy-makers, who have become more assertive in claiming this as their exclusive 'sphere of influence'. How should the EU approach relations with countries in areas of the neighbourhood where Russia considers it has security and economic interests?
- Political divisions between the EU and Russia are likely to remain for a long time. Do you see any evidence that Member States are perhaps softening their stance, particularly in light of Russian action in Syria?
Further information
Image: PA