Poland’s Positions and Interests Concerning the Eastern Partnership

Abstrakt

The article seeks to assess the degree to which Poland exercises power and influence in the Eastern policy of the European Union (EU) from the early 21^st century until now, focusing on the attributes of Poland’s latest contribution to the EU policies – the Eastern Partnership (EaP). It aims to achieve these objectives to determine challenges from Poland in Eastern Europe and to consider discussion on Polish strategy towards its Eastern neighboursneighbors.

Poland particularly wants to get involved in the shaping of the eastern dimension of the EU, mainly through active participation in the Eastern Dimension. Poles especially wish to prevent new barriers and divisions at the EU’s eastern border from being built. This experience made Poland more aware of the problems faced by the eastern neighbours in the process of transformations suggested by the EU. The fact that Poland understands the situation of the neighbouring states encourages it to adopt an active role in the Eastern policy. Understanding the problems of these states can help the EU offer more concrete action plans and further help.

Poland, as the largest border country in the eastern part of the EU, has naturally become the representative of EU’s eastern policy. Particular stress has been put on relations with Ukraine, which is a new neighbor for the EU, but a traditional partner for Poland, with which it collaborates in many areas. However, this does not mean that Poland does not feel responsible for shaping the EU’s relations with its other eastern partners, e.g. Russia and Belarus, which sometimes proves difficult.