To what extent does the European Union promote the Rule of Law in the Eastern Partnership: case studies of Moldova and Georgia

Abstract

This dissertation aims at assessing to what extent the European Union promotes the rule
of law in the Eastern Partnership countries. The study is developed under the Most
Similar Systems Design in order to observe how and why one policy has different
outcomes in two countries. Firstly it overviews the EU role in exporting values to the
neighbouring states and examines what instruments and mechanisms it uses.
Subsequently, Chapter 2 provides case studies of Moldova and Georgia, and examines
the progress achieved in the rule of law in legislative, executive and judiciary sectors.
The results indicate that the advance has been relatively limited and that while a number
of laws have been adopted, their implementation remains doubtful. The main reasons for
such an outcome are the asymmetrical relationship between the EU and the partner
countries, the dominating top-bottom approach and still relevant presence of Russia. In
order achieve more positive results in the future, this dissertation recommends the EU
taking a more pluralist approach towards the partner states and becoming more
geopolitically strategic.