THE EUROPEAN – SECURITY AND DEFENCE UNION
Speed up progress and help countries modernise
photo: © 2022 Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock
How to help the EU’s eastern neighbours solve major challenges in peace and security
by Teresa Czerwińska, Vice-President, European Investment Bank (EIB), Luxembourg
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or the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), the countries to our east are important partners and friends. Some of them are busy changing their societies and economies in hopes of joining the EU. As these countries carry out a lot of work to integrate and cooperate, they face major challenges related to security and peace in the region.
Threats to democracy and peace The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to threaten democracy and drive millions of people from their homes. It has created a large humanitarian and geopolitical crisis. The many new problems related to rising energy prices and fewer food supplies came as many economies around the world were beginning to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. In Belarus, there is also a bitter democratic struggle that has been intensifying since a disputed election in 2020 led to large demonstrations and violent tactics by the police and security forces. Europe’s message when there are threats to democracy or peace is simple - we will always support people in Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia who want to help us build a better world based on cooperation, mutual respect, fairness, democracy and human rights.
humbled especially by the people of Ukraine, who are paying the ultimate price right now to defend their right to live in peace and freedom. The war in Ukraine has highlighted how important it is to protect energy and food security, as well as human rights in the EU and the eastern neighbourhood. The core mission of the EIB is to support the goals and policies of the EU. This includes strengthening economies and supporting reforms that help neighbouring countries meet EU standards. We do this by financing projects that create sustainable societies and build economic growth. Russia’s brutal invasion is a test of European unity and solidarity. Unanimous support for sanctions and less reliance on Russian fuel are a necessity. This could hurt our economies, but we must work together to counter the new threat to some EU members and neighbouring states. The six neighbouring countries are similar to each other when it comes to challenges from their past. They were part of the Soviet Union just 30 years ago and had planned economies, where production
Teresa Czerwińska was appointed Vice President of the European Investment Bank in March 2020. Alongside looking after the constituency countries (Poland, Hungary, Croatia) she is
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The EIB’s support to European policies
responsible for Eastern Partnership countries as well as
The key aims of the EU are peace, freedom, security and the well-being of its citizens. The EIB is proud to follow these goals in each country around the world where it does business. Every investment we make must meet strict social and environmental guidelines that ensure that everyone is treated fairly. There are many people in all six countries of the EU Eastern Neighbourhood who share these same values. We are amazed and
for Central Asia, China and Mongolia. She also oversees science, education, innovation, digital economy, and the InvestEU programme. Prior to becoming EIB Vice-President, Mrs Czerwińska was a member of the management board of the National Bank of Poland, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Poland, when she was also a Governor of the European Investment Bank.
