The European Parliament recently approved the establishment of new liaison offices in Moldova and Albania in an effort to strengthen its presence in Eastern Europe. This decision comes as concerns rise regarding the European Union’s ties to the region amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. The European Parliament’s administrative body, the bureau, acknowledged challenges in covering countries like Moldova and others in the Eastern Partnership from the antenna office in Kyiv due to the conflict in Ukraine. As a result, new offices in Chisinau and Tirana will be established to support local Parliaments, civil society, and the EU accession process, while increasing visibility of Parliament’s activities and positions, particularly on EU enlargement.
In addition to the new offices in Moldova and Albania, the European Parliament has approved the establishment of a new office in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. This decision is part of a broader reform of the Parliament’s “Directorate General for Parliamentary Democracy Partnerships,” which aims to enhance its engagement with countries in Eastern Europe. The new antenna offices in Kyiv, Chisinau, and Tirana are expected to play a key role in fostering EU relations by supporting local institutions and promoting the EU enlargement process. While the Parliament does not have direct authority over foreign affairs issues, these offices will help bring the institution closer to enlargement processes in the region.
Currently, the European Parliament has liaison offices across the EU and in a few non-EU countries for strategic purposes. These offices serve various functions, such as managing relations with international organizations like the United Nations and regional bodies like the African Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The approval of new offices in Panama to oversee relations with Latin America further demonstrates the Parliament’s commitment to engaging with regions outside the EU. The establishment of these offices in Moldova and Albania reflects the Parliament’s efforts to strengthen ties with Eastern European countries and support their integration into the EU.
The European Union has a network of offices in many countries worldwide, overseen by the European External Action Service (EEAS), which serves as the main EU voice outside the bloc. While the Commission and the Council primarily handle foreign affairs issues for the EU, the Parliament’s new liaison offices aim to enhance its involvement in the enlargement processes in Eastern Europe. By establishing offices in Moldova, Albania, and Ukraine, the Parliament seeks to increase its visibility, support local institutions, and promote EU values and principles in the region. These offices will play a crucial role in advancing the EU’s engagement with Eastern European countries and fostering closer cooperation on key issues such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
The approval of new liaison offices in Moldova and Albania underscores the European Parliament’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Eastern Europe and supporting the enlargement process in the region. By establishing these offices, the Parliament aims to enhance its engagement with local institutions, civil society, and the EU accession process. The new offices in Chisinau, Tirana, and Kyiv represent an important step in deepening the EU’s relations with countries in Eastern Europe and promoting European values and principles in the region. As the EU continues to navigate challenges in its neighborhood, the establishment of these offices highlights the Parliament’s proactive approach to strengthening ties with Eastern European countries and advancing the EU’s broader foreign policy objectives.
