Normative Power agenda of the EU in Eastern Partnership countries versus Realpolitik

Abstract

The European Union (EU), considering its discourses and policies along with some of the features attributed to it, appears in the literature with various definitions such as normative, civil and civilizing power. The normative role of the EU will be studied in the context of the EU and Eastern Partnership Countries in comparison with realpolitik. In this context, firstly, the concept of normative power and various definitions of power are discussed. This study aims to examine the relations of the European Union with its Eastern Neighbors, within the scope of the European Neighborhood Policy, which was launched in 2004. The main purpose of the European Neighborhood Policy is to contribute to the democratic transformation and economic development by ensuring stability in the surrounding countries. The EU established the Eastern Partnership initiative in 2009 to bring functionality to the policy and to improve cooperation with its Eastern neighbors. This initiative was a turning point in terms of deepening the economic and political cooperation between the partners. In the study, European Union‘s endeavors to exist as a normative power and permeate democratic principles into the international system will also be elaborated. Since the implementation of EaP there had been some reviews and adjustments and specifically in ―Twenty deliverables for 2020‖ there was an emphasis on ―resilience‖ and ―reforms‖ alongside the realpolitik elements. This research shows the ways of understanding the EU‘s normative behavior and power, and some examples of Realpolitik behavior.