It was chiefly Poland and Sweden that initiated the EaP as a structured policy to support regional cooperation and facilitate closer relations between the EU and Eastern European partners. Presented at the European Council summit in June 2008, the initiative met with support from the European Commission and EU Member States. The programme was officially launched on 7 May 2009 in Prague at a summit of heads of state and government from the EU and Partner countries. In 2024, the Eastern Partnership policy turns fifteen and it is now facing new challenges resulting chiefly from ongoing Russian attack on Ukraine. Another new factor is growing diversity among the „6” with respect to their  integration with the EU. The biggest progress was achieved by Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. The decisions of the European Council of December 2023 to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and on granting candidate status to Georgia were also possible due to involvement of these countries in the work of the EaP. During its presidency of the Council of the European Council (first half of 2025) Poland is going to stimulate the debate about the future of the EaP in order to better define its role in a new geopolitical situation. We attach particular attention to the development of civil society and to the dialogue with NGOs.

Strengthening state institutions and good governance

The aim of this pillar is to improve the quality of state institutions through supporting reforms in the public administration, civil service, and judiciary, as well as to fight corruption. It furthermore incorporates collaboration in the area of the Common Security and Defence Policy.

Economic development — taking advantage of market opportunities

This pillar will ensure macroeconomic stability across the region by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, ensuring equal labour market opportunities, bridging development gaps between regions, as well as developing the digital market. The deep and comprehensive free trade area agreements signed with Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine are the main tools here. Their implementation is one of the most important tasks facing the Partner countries.

Expanding connectivity; energy and environment issues

This includes the expansion of both hard connectivity (transport, energy, digital, and people-to people links) and soft connectivity (standards, good practices, etc.). This will lead to lasting connections between the EU and EaP countries in terms of law and infrastructure, which will be reflected in closer cooperation at the level of societies, economies, and politics. 

Better mobility and people-to-people contacts

Visa facilitation as well as the strengthening of communications infrastructure (digitisation, elimination of roaming, network investments) is intended to increase the number of visits to the EU by citizens of the Eastern Neighbourhood and thus to facilitate their direct contacts with EU citizens. More robust youth exchange programmes will lead to closer people-to-people contacts.