The EU’s New Frontier

Russia Profile - The EU’s New Frontier

"The EU’s New Frontier By Oksana Antonenko Special to Russia Profile

Europe Takes a New Interest in the South Caucasus

According to Ambassador Peter Semneby, the EU Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus, the importance of the South Caucasus for the EU is growing. Semneby, a senior Swedish diplomat, is the second EUSR for the region. His predecessor Heikki Talvitie, a former Finnish Ambassador to Russia, was the first to carry the EU’s message to the region in 2003-2005. Since that time, the pace and ambition of the EU’s engagement has grown exponentially. It is now hard to imagine any strategic issue in the region—from conflict resolution to border security, rule of law and regional co-operation—where the EU is not involved or has not made a contribution either as a political actor, a donor, or an adviser. The expansion of the EUSR’s mandate is not only a reflection of Semneby’s own commitment, but is also an expression of common political will from the larger European Union, which now comprises a strong group of states who want to see this engagement grow further."