What the EU does The EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood encompasses six countries in Eastern Europe and South Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is the eastern dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Launched in 2009, it provides a framework for the EU’s relations with these countries, with a strong focus on strengthening political, economic and security stability along the EU’s eastern borders.The EaP also supports the implementation of global policy objectives, including the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the UN 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development goals.Belarus withdrew from the EaP in 2022. Nevertheless, the EU continues to cooperate with key non-state Belarusian stakeholders, including civil society organisations and democratic forces working towards a democratic Belarus. Areas of actionEastern PartnershipAiming to strengthen relations between the EU and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and UkraineRegional cooperation with eastern partnersAddressing common challenges including democracy, conflict resolution, environmental protection, energy and transportNeighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global EuropeEU funding programme aimed at increasing effectiveness of the EU’s external policiesNeighbourhood Investment PlatformMobilising investment to support infrastructure and private sector developmentGlobal GatewayStrengthening global connections through investments in infrastructure, energy, digital systems and peoplePromoting higher educationDeveloping higher education and academic mobility in partner countries Key achievements Through the Global Gateway, EU funding of €4.3 billion has leveraged an estimated €18.4 billion to support private-sector development and improve energy, transport, digital and green connections and infrastructure.The EU4Business initiative has supported 375,000 small businesses, created 400,000 jobs and sustained more than 3 million jobs since 2020.Thanks to the EaPConnect, 280 research and education institutions – and more than 650,000 students, scientists and researchers – benefit from strengthened digital links with their counterparts in the EU. In focus EU strategy for a secure and connected Black Sea regionIn May 2025, the EU presented a new strategic approach for a stable and secure Black Sea region, strengthening links between Europe, South Caucasus, Central Asia and beyond. It aims to enhance security, stability, and resilience, foster sustainable growth, and support environmental protection and climate change resilience. It also seeks to strengthen the EU’s geopolitical role in the region.In October 2025, a Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda was launched to boost trade, investment and socio-economic development through resilient and efficient transport, energy and digital connections.Learn more Latest news 15 January 2026EIB Group provides EU-backed guarantees to expand finance for war-affected businesses in Ukraine14 January 2026EU and EBRD promote companies’ adoption of environmental and social criteriaSee all Related informationDirectorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood
The EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood encompasses six countries in Eastern Europe and South Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is the eastern dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Launched in 2009, it provides a framework for the EU’s relations with these countries, with a strong focus on strengthening political, economic and security stability along the EU’s eastern borders.The EaP also supports the implementation of global policy objectives, including the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the UN 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development goals.Belarus withdrew from the EaP in 2022. Nevertheless, the EU continues to cooperate with key non-state Belarusian stakeholders, including civil society organisations and democratic forces working towards a democratic Belarus.
Eastern PartnershipAiming to strengthen relations between the EU and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine
Regional cooperation with eastern partnersAddressing common challenges including democracy, conflict resolution, environmental protection, energy and transport
Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global EuropeEU funding programme aimed at increasing effectiveness of the EU’s external policies
Neighbourhood Investment PlatformMobilising investment to support infrastructure and private sector development
Global GatewayStrengthening global connections through investments in infrastructure, energy, digital systems and people
EU strategy for a secure and connected Black Sea regionIn May 2025, the EU presented a new strategic approach for a stable and secure Black Sea region, strengthening links between Europe, South Caucasus, Central Asia and beyond. It aims to enhance security, stability, and resilience, foster sustainable growth, and support environmental protection and climate change resilience. It also seeks to strengthen the EU’s geopolitical role in the region.In October 2025, a Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda was launched to boost trade, investment and socio-economic development through resilient and efficient transport, energy and digital connections.Learn more
15 January 2026EIB Group provides EU-backed guarantees to expand finance for war-affected businesses in Ukraine
