Janice R. Andrews
The European Parliament has approved new liaison offices in Moldova and Albania, aiming to strengthen ties with Eastern Europe as the war in Ukraine disrupts regional stability. The decision, confirmed on Monday (10 March), highlights the EU’s efforts to maintain influence in the Eastern Partnership countries amid growing geopolitical challenges.
According to an internal document obtained by Euronews, the European Parliament’s bureau acknowledged the difficulties in covering Moldova and other Eastern Partnership nations from the planned Kyiv office due to the ongoing war. As a result, alternative solutions, including offices in Chisinau and Tirana, were prioritized.
The new offices are part of a broader reform of the Parliament’s Directorate General for Parliamentary Democracy Partnerships, which also includes the establishment of a Kyiv office, expected to open this spring. These offices aim to support local parliaments, civil society, and the EU accession process while enhancing the visibility of the EU’s activities and positions, particularly on enlargement.
The European Parliament already operates liaison offices across the EU and in strategic non-EU locations, such as New York, Jakarta, and Addis Ababa, with a new office in Panama also in the works. The Chisinau and Tirana offices will focus on fostering closer ties with Moldova and Albania, both of which are candidate countries for EU membership.
While the Parliament does not directly handle foreign affairs—a responsibility of the European Commission and Council—the new offices will play a key role in aligning the institution with the EU’s enlargement agenda. This move underscores the EU’s commitment to supporting Eastern Europe’s democratic and economic integration amid ongoing regional instability.
The European Union External Action Service (EEAS) remains the primary voice for EU foreign policy, but these new offices signify a strategic push to deepen engagement with Eastern Partnership countries during a critical time.
