Eastern Partnership: Narrowing the perceptions gap – views from Bucharest and Kyiv

Policy Memo, No.31 December 2011

Author: Tudor Cojocariu, Bianca Toma

Romanian Center for European Policies and the Institute of World Policy (Ukraine) are launching the report “Narrowing the perceptions gap – views from Kyiv and Bucharest” which identifies and explains a number of negative perceptions and gives details about possible solutions diplomats of the two capitals should take into account in order to move to a consistent bilateral agenda and to build a partnership based on strategic objectives.

Romania pays more attention to the relationship with Russia and seems to ignore its nearest neighbor, Ukraine, with which it shares common strategic interests. Unfortunately, the relationship between Romania and Ukraine seems to have remained captive to certain common misunderstandings, despite the strong strategic interests shared by the two parties.

Romanian Center for European Policies and the Institute of World Policy (Ukraine) organized in Bucharest, the Romania – Ukraine Civic Forum (May 2012), the first opportunity for Romanian and Ukrainian experts to look beyond the negative stereotypes, misperceptions and historical disputes and seek concrete proposals and areas of cooperation for Bucharest and Kiev.

Deepening relations between the two countries, overcoming or correcting negative perceptions, building or developing other dimensions of existing partnerships are some of the directions diplomats, experts and authorities in the two countries will have to build.

Full version of the report here