Samenvatting

The EaP was implemented in 2009 and focuses on fostering a political dialogue between the EU and its Eastern Partner countries, in order to draw them closer to European Integration and values. It does so through the ‘more for more’ approach, a reformulation of EU conditionality, which grants incentives to partner countries that successfully achieve the demanded reforms. One of the roles of the EaP is to bring a lasting political message of solidarity, yet this term is not defined clearly in the framework of the EaP. The goal of this research is to determine whether solidarity between the EU and two of the EU’s partner countries, Moldova and Georgia, has been increased after the establishment of the EaP.
In order to come closer to a definition of solidarity within the EaP, the literature review firstly examines the interpretation of solidarity as understood by various scholars and throughout different times. The sociological perspective of classical thinkers is provided, disclosing the interpretation of solidarity as a common responsibility in the context of social relations, while the political perspective reveals an interpretation of solidarity as the unification of individuals in opposing adverse forces. This leads to look at solidarity in the field of foreign policies of the EU, in which it is fostered through identity – more specifically the political and historical self of a state. Solidarity is also cultivated through the politics of identity, a concept which relates to the positive identification of states with each other, so as to ensure a cooperative security system. Solidarity has in that sense become a fundamental value of the EU and can be understood as the recognition of one’s own identity in others or as a form of social solidarity which induces social responsibility – such as the right to participate in a democracy. Solidarity in the EaP can in turn be defined as the conveyance of normative values to partner countries, which will result profitable to both the EU and its partner countries.
In determining the aims of the EaP, the identification of variables was made possible, regrouping the pace of implemented democratic, corruption and economic reforms. These were selected as they were the most emphasised upon and highlighted the action of boosting reciprocal solidarity. The research methods, whereby a qualitative research method is mainly used, are subsequently outlined, in which the measurement of solidarity is explained. This is done through the evaluation of the aforementioned variables for both Moldova and Georgia respectively. Key findings are presented, indicating overall limited performances and the slow implementation of reforms for all three criteria. This might be explained by inadequate advice and instructions from the EU to Moldova and Georgia, as well a tendency to fixate on the transposition of EU norms and regulations, which are not naturally in compliance with Moldova and Georgia’s political situation. Although the theory obtained from the literature demonstrates the presence of solidarity under certain forms, this study finds that an increase in solidarity cannot be confirmed.