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49-473: The European Cybersecurity Challenge (ECSC) is an annual cybersecurity competition organized by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). The event aims to foster young talent in the field of cybersecurity by bringing together teams of young individuals from various European countries to compete in solving cybersecurity-related challenges. The challenge days are usually split between

98-818: A component of the Eastern Partnership, the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly is the inter-parliamentary forum in which members of the European Parliament and the Eastern Partnership participate and forge closer political and economic ties with the EU. The Assembly gathers once a year, meeting locations alternate between an Eastern Partnership country and one of the European Parliament places of work (Brussels, Luxembourg or Strasbourg). In December 2019, following

147-628: A crystal clear difference with Russia. We accept that the different Eastern Partnership nations can go their own way and we accept these different ways." Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb stated that "It is the prerogative and right of every independent and sovereign state to choose which club it wants to belong to." Founded during the Prague Eastern Partnership Summit in 2009, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (CSF)

196-625: A high common level of cybersecurity across Europe. Established in 2004 and strengthened by the EU Cybersecurity Act, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity contributes to EU cyber policy, enhances the trustworthiness of ICT products, services and processes with cybersecurity certification schemes, cooperates with Member States and EU bodies, and helps Europe prepare for the cyber challenges of tomorrow. Through knowledge sharing, capacity building and awareness raising,

245-425: A joint proposal for an Eastern Partnership with Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, with Russia and Belarus participating in some aspects. Eventually, Belarus joined the initiative as a full member, while Russia does not participate at all. The Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski said " We all know the EU has enlargement fatigue. We have to use this time to prepare as much as possible so that when

294-761: A rather remote site was contentious from the outset, particularly since Greece held the EU Council presidency when the agency’s mandate was being negotiated. In addition, the agency has had a liaison office in Athens since October 2009. In 2013, it moved one-third of its staff of then sixty from Crete to Athens. In 2016, the Committee on Budgets backed ENISA’s bid to shut down the Heraklion office. Since 2019, ENISA has two offices in Greece; Its headquarters in Athens and

343-720: A second office in Heraklion, Greece. In June 2021, the European Commission gave their consent to the establishment of an ENISA office in Brussels. In 2019, the agency launched the "EU's Cybersecurity East Project" intended to strengthen cybersecurity in the member states of the EU's Eastern Partnership . On 4 October 2022, the agency hosted a cybersecurity summit with the member states of the EU's Eastern Partnership in Athens. Representatives from Armenia , Azerbaijan , Georgia , Moldova and Ukraine discussed legal frameworks, best practices, and increasing cooperation with

392-456: Is an integral part of the Eastern Partnership program and creates a significant and institutional platform for civil society organisations to monitor and discuss the developments regarding democracy building and human rights development in the six partnership countries. The CSF consists of six national platforms and five thematic working groups, which are represented by an annually elected Steering Committee composed of 13 members. The Secretariat of

441-472: Is not about spheres of influence . The difference is that these countries themselves opted to join", Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt said at the Brussels Forum. The EU's position on Georgia is not 'blackmail' but "is about upholding the principles of the EU and international law , which Russia should also be respecting", he added. In November 2009, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed

490-406: Is of "strategic importance" and the EU has an "interest in developing an increasingly close relationship with its Eastern partners..." The inclusion of Belarus prompts the question whether values or geopolitics are paramount in the initiative. EU diplomats agree that the country's authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko , has done little to merit involvement in the policy at this stage. But

539-529: Is one of six post-Soviet nations to be invited to co-operate with the EU within the new multilateral framework that the Eastern partnership is expected to establish. However, Kyiv pointed out that it remains pessimistic about the "added value" of this initiative. Indeed, Ukraine and the EU have already started the negotiations on new, enhanced political and free-trade agreements (Association and Free-Trade Agreements). Also, there has been some progress in liberalising

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588-576: Is overseen by the executive board and the management board, which are composed of representatives from the EU member states, the EU Commission and other stakeholders. Set up in 2004 as an informal point of reference into the member states, as of 27 June 2019 the National Liaison Officers network has become a statutory body of ENISA. The National Liaison Officers Network facilitates the exchange of information between ENISA and

637-405: The rule of law , and respect for human rights will be at its core, as well as the principles of market economy , sustainable development and good governance ." The Partnership is to provide the foundation for new Association Agreements between the EU and those partners who have made sufficient progress towards the principles and values mentioned. Apart from values, the declaration says the region

686-554: The Agency works together with its key stakeholders to strengthen trust in the connected economy, to boost resilience of the Union’s infrastructure, and, ultimately, to keep Europe’s society and citizens digitally secure. ENISA is managed by the executive director and supported by a staff composed of experts representing stakeholders such as the information and communication technologies industry, consumer groups and academic experts. The agency

735-976: The Commission and EEAS details the objectives across the five priority areas of cooperation agreed at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga in 2015: The EC earmarked €600 million for the six partner countries for the period 2010–13 as part of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument , constituting about a quarter of the total funding available to the Eastern Partnership countries in that period. The programme had three main purposes: Comprehensive Institution Building programmes, aimed at supporting reforms (approximately €175 million); Pilot regional development programmes, aimed at addressing regional economic and social disparities (approximately €75 million); and Implementation of

784-683: The EPP, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin stated that due to the economic crisis in the EU, Ukraine would probably not join the EU. Instead of joining the EU, Putin offered a Russia – Ukraine relationship which he said would provide a more competitive and productive economic process. In May 2015, President of the European Council Donald Tusk stated that Russia was "[compensating for] its shortcomings by destructive, aggressive and bullying tactics against its neighbours" while German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that "the EU makes

833-644: The EU and partner countries within the framework of the Eastern Partnership. As of 2014, the Forum supported two flagship initiatives including the Eastern Partnership Media Freedom Index and the Eastern Partnership Integration Index. In terms of its past advocacy work, the Forum has successfully secured greater funding for civil society in the Eastern Partnership and contributed to the design of

882-523: The EU fears Russia will strengthen its grip on Minsk if it is left out. There are plans to model the concept on the Stabilisation and Association Process used by the EU in the Balkans , including a possible free trade area encompassing the countries in the region, similar to BAFTA or CEFTA . A future membership perspective is not ruled out, either. The key focus of the EU engagement within

931-546: The EU mean that the CSF provides a framework for transmitting European values and norms. As a result, some scholars have attributed a socialisation function to the Forum, whereby norms sponsored by the European Union are internalised by participating civil society organisations. Although the Eastern Partnership was inaugurated on 7 May 2009, academic research critically analysing the policy became available by early 2010 with

980-601: The EU's eastern neighbours, while avoiding the controversial topic of accession to the European Union . Its geographical scope consists of Armenia , Azerbaijan , Belarus , Georgia , Moldova , and Ukraine . Unlike the Union for the Mediterranean, the Eastern Partnership does not have its own secretariat, but is controlled directly by the European Commission . In May 2008, Poland and Sweden put forward

1029-440: The EU's relationship with the post-Soviet states of Armenia , Azerbaijan , Belarus , Georgia , Moldova , and Ukraine . The EaP is intended to provide a forum for discussions regarding trade, economic strategy, travel agreements, and other issues between the EU and its Eastern European neighbours. It also aims at building a common area of shared values of democracy, prosperity, stability, and increased cooperation. The project

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1078-625: The EU's roadmap for the Eastern Partnership Vilnius Summit in 2013. As of 2014, the Forum was actively campaigning for an EU response to the human rights situation in Azerbaijan. It is also preparing to monitor the implementation of Association Agreements between the European Union and Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The linkages between civil society organisations in the Eastern Partnership and

1127-669: The EU. Since 2022 the agency has held a cybersecurity competition, known as the International Cybersecurity Challenge . The agency has also been involved in organizing the European Cybersecurity Challenge . Eastern Partnership The Eastern Partnership ( EaP ) is a joint initiative of the European Union , together with its member states, and six Eastern European countries. The EaP framework governs

1176-811: The EaP CSF is based in Brussels. The CSF meets annually to discuss the latest developments and to set their working program. The first meeting took place in Brussels in 2009. The last Annual Assembly meeting took place in Prague in December 2022. It was hosted by the EaP CSF Secretariat and partly took place in the Czech Chamber of Deputies. Previous meetings took place in Batumi in 2014, Chisinau in 2013 and Stockholm in 2012. The Forum contributes to

1225-479: The Eastern Partnership as useless: "Frankly speaking, I don't see any special use (in the program) and all the participants of this partnership are confirming this to me". However a few days later Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia does not rule out joining the EU's Eastern Partnership programme. Russia maintained its opposition towards the EPP. For instance, after the Warsaw Summit 2011 of

1274-425: The Eastern Partnership includes the achievement of tangible results for the citizens in the partner countries. The pursuit of tangible outcomes has resulted in 20 deliverables of Eastern Partnership cooperation for 2020. They were developed in close consultation with the stakeholders, and include the following: A joint working document "Eastern Partnership – focusing on key priorities and deliverables" drafted by

1323-679: The Eastern Partnership was held on 8 December 2009 in Brussels. The Eastern Partnership (EaP) was established as a specific Eastern dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy , which contains both a bilateral and multilateral track. The Eastern Partnership complements the Northern Dimension and the Union for the Mediterranean by providing an institutionalised forum for discussing visa agreements, free trade deals, and strategic partnership agreements with

1372-479: The Eastern Partnership, focusing on democracy, governance and stability, economic integration and convergence with EU policies, energy security, and contacts between people with the aim of bringing the partners closer to the EU (approximately €350 million). In December 2010, the European Investment Bank established the ″Eastern Partnership Technical Assistance Trust Fund″ (EPTATF). It includes

1421-760: The European Commission wanted a reinforced agency. The agency mandate was extended up to 2012 with an annual budget of €8 million, under the leadership of Dr. Udo Helmbrecht. The last extension of ENISA's mandate before it became permanent was done by the EU Regulation 526/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013, repealing Regulation (EC) 460/2004. As of 27 June 2019, ENISA has been established for an indefinite period. ENISA headquarters, including its administration and support functions, were originally based in Heraklion , Greece. The choice of

1470-583: The above members, except Belarus, further participate in the Council of Europe and the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly in which these states forge closer political and economic ties with the European Union. The participation of Belarus in the Eastern Partnership and their President Lukashenko, who has been described as authoritarian, at a summit in 2009 was the subject of debate. On 30 September 2011 Belarus seemingly withdrew from

1519-450: The agency employs a number of other employees including seconded national experts, trainees and interim agents. There are plans for additional experts to be integrated into the agency following the entering into force of Regulation 2019/881. In 2007, European Commissioner Viviane Reding proposed that ENISA be folded into a new European Electronic Communications Market Authority (EECMA). By 2010, Commissioner Neelie Kroes signalled that

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1568-418: The border. Up to 1.5 million people may benefit from this agreement which took effect on 1 July 2009. Russia has expressed strong concerns over the Eastern Partnership, seeing it as an attempt to expand the European Union 's " sphere of influence ". Russia has also expressed concerns that the EU is putting undue pressure on Belarus by suggesting it might be marginalised if it follows Russia in recognising

1617-413: The creation of a common economic space between the EU and the six members of the Eastern Partnership, as part of a process of gradual integration into the EU. The European Parliament passed the motion which was supported by 507 MEPs , with 119 voting against and 37 abstaining. The motion also confirmed that the Eastern Partnership policy can facilitate a process of gradual integration into the EU. Ukraine

1666-466: The economic situation in the East. Russia accused the EU of trying to carve out a new sphere of influence , which the EU denied, stating that they were "responding to the demands of these countries...and the economic reality is that most of their trade is done with the EU". The Eastern Partnership consists of the following 27 EU member states and the 6 Eastern European post-Soviet states : In addition,

1715-410: The eighth Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, a resolution was passed by all members outlining various EU integration goals to be achieved by 2030. The resolution affirms that the process of EU enlargement is open to Eastern Partnership member states and that future enlargement of the EU will be mutually beneficial for both the EU and Eastern Partnership members. In June 2020, European lawmakers called for

1764-752: The fatigue passes, membership becomes something natural " It was discussed at the European Council on 19 and 20 June 2008, along with the Union for the Mediterranean. The Czech Republic endorsed the proposal completely, while Bulgaria and Romania were cautious, fearing that the Black Sea Forum for Partnership and Dialogue and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation could be undermined. Meanwhile, Germany, France, and others were not happy with

1813-526: The findings from a UK research project, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council , examining the EU's relations with three Eastern Partnership member states, Belarus , Ukraine , and Moldova notes both conceptual and empirical dilemmas. First, conceptually the EU has limited uniform awareness of what it is trying to promote in its eastern neighbourhood under the aegis of 'shared values', 'collective norms' and 'joint ownership'. Secondly, empirically,

1862-411: The implementation of flagship projects that monitor and facilitate democratic transition in the Eastern Partnership region and provides direct input and submission of written opinions and recommendations in the early stages of policy-making both in the Eastern Partnership and the EU, conducts advocacy campaigns at critical junctures, and monitors the implementation of commitments and agreements made between

1911-505: The independence of the Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia . "Is this promoting democracy or is it blackmail? It's about pulling countries from the positions they want to take as sovereign states", Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has stated. Sweden , the co-author of the Eastern Partnership project together with Poland , rejected Mr Lavrov's position as "completely unacceptable". "The Eastern Partnership

1960-487: The initiative because of: "unprecedented discrimination" and a "substitution" of the principles on which it was built two years ago. However three days later Foreign Minister of Belarus Sergei Martynov refuted this. On 28 June 2021, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Belarus would suspend its membership in the Eastern Partnership. The Eastern Partnership is a forum aiming to improve

2009-508: The member states. The agency is also assisted by the Advisory Group which is composed of “nominated members” and members appointed “ad personam”, all in total 33 members from all over Europe. The advisory group focuses on issues relevant to stakeholders and brings them to the attention of ENISA. In order to carry out its tasks, the agency had a budget of nearly €17 million for the year 2019 and 109 statutory staff members. In addition,

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2058-497: The name of European Network and Information Security Agency . ENISA's Regulation is the EU Regulation No 2019/881 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on ENISA (the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity ) and on information and communications technology cybersecurity certification and repealing EU Regulation No 526/2013 (Cybersecurity Act). ENISA, is the Union’s agency dedicated to achieving

2107-470: The political and economic trade-relations of the six Post-Soviet states of "strategic importance" – Armenia , Azerbaijan , Belarus , Georgia , Moldova , Ukraine with the European Union . Promotion of human rights and rule of law in former Soviet states has been reported to form the "core" of the policy of the Eastern Partnership. The EU draft of the EaP states that: "Shared values including democracy,

2156-519: The possibility that the Eastern Partnership could be seen as a stepping stone to membership (especially for Ukraine ), while Poland and other Eastern states have explicitly welcomed this effect. The Eastern Partnership was officially launched in May 2009 when the Czech Republic invited the leaders of the six members of the initiative. Meanwhile, Germany attended the summit to signal their alarm at

2205-405: The project. Ukraine deputy premier Hryhoriy Nemyria said that the project is the way to modernise the country and that they welcome the Eastern Partnership policy, because it uses 'de facto' the same instruments as for EU candidates . Under the Eastern Partnership, Poland and Ukraine have reached a new agreement replacing visas with simplified permits for Ukrainians residing within 30 km of

2254-467: The two popular CTF formats: jeopardy and attack-defense. Teams consist of 10 players under the age of 25 including 5 under the age of 20. Each country runs national qualifiers and competitions as part of the selection process. It has been described as "the Eurovision of cybersecurity". European Union Agency for Cybersecurity ENISA was created in 2004 by EU Regulation No 460/2004 under

2303-848: The visa regime despite persistent problems in the EU Member States' visa approach towards Ukrainians. That is why Ukraine has a specific view of the Eastern Partnership Project. According to the Ukrainian presidency, it should correspond, in case of his country, to the strategic foreign policy objective, i.e. the integration with the EU. Yet, the Eastern Partnership documents (the European Council Declaration of May 2009) do not confirm such priorities as political and economic integration or lifting visas. Ukraine has expressed enthusiasm about

2352-433: The ″Eastern Partnership Internship Programme″ which is open to students who are nationals of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, or Ukraine. In 2021, a new aid package was given to the EU's six Eastern Partnership countries, where Ukraine received €1.9 billion, Azerbaijan €140 million, and Armenia €2.6 billion. In particular, the aid package to Armenia was 62 percent more than previously promised. Established in 2011 as

2401-456: Was initiated by Poland and a subsequent proposal was prepared in co-operation with Sweden. It was presented by the foreign ministers of Poland and Sweden at the EU's General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on 26 May 2008. The Eastern Partnership was inaugurated by the EU in Prague , Czech Republic on 7 May 2009. The first meeting of foreign ministers in the framework of

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