European Expert Association participated in the Europe – Ukraine Forum, which took place on February 4-5 in Polish Rzeszow. The motto of the Forum – “Europe and Ukraine in 2020 – New Opportunities, Old Threats” is not coincidental, since participants discussed the place of the countries of Eastern and Central Europe on the political and economic map of Europe.
Europe – Ukraine Forum has a long tradition. It is organized by the Institute for Eastern Studies.

High-level experts, ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, representatives of well- known think tanks and non-governmental organizations, scholars and journalists participated at the Forum. In total, more than 800 participants from Central and Eastern European countries.

During the international politics panel participants discussed whether the EU could be further enlarged, how to restore respect for international law in the world, how to counter threats from Russia and counter Russian propaganda. Discussions were held on the future of Ukrainian Donbass and Crimea.

NATO’s regional military cooperation in the Eastern flank, security in the Black Sea region were also the subject of debate. Equally important was the discussion of the question – did the European Union and the United States make every effort to achieve peace in eastern Ukraine? Was the sanctions policy of the Western countries against the Russian aggressor effective enough.

In the economic block of the Forum, the most interesting discussions were related to the results of the Association and Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, energy security, prospects of further reduction of barriers and restrictions in economic cooperation. Building an innovative economy, prospects for increasing foreign investment in Ukraine were also debated.