Conference Agenda

The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has irrevocably transformed the post-Cold War European order. For the countries situated in the “shared neighbourhood” between the EU and Russia, strategic choices about regional integration have acquired new urgency and existential meanings. This shift is exemplified by the swift EU membership applications of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, and by Armenia’s reassessment of its foreign policy following Russia’s failure to act as a reliable security partner during its recent war with Azerbaijan. To systematically describe and explain the shifting foreign and security policies of these four countries over the past thirty years, this paper applies the concept of liminality - a condition of being in a transitional or in-between state vis-à-vis dominant social structures. Applications of the concept of liminality to International Relations resulted in accounting for multiple ways in which liminal states interact with the dominant order of international politics – from self-domestication to hybridization and even subversion. The main aim of this paper is to analyze how the countries in the EU-Russia neighbourhood interact with their regional order increasingly defined by conflict and contestation. By conducting a comparative study, this paper asks whether and how major security threats and their perception, domestically as well as internationally, lead liminal states to choose some of these strategies over others. Theoretically, it contributes to the discussion about the dialogic and mutually constitutive relationship in which the structure confronts liminality as much as liminality affects the structure.

This study aims to understand two crises on the periphery of Europe (Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Syrian Civil War and the subsequent normalization process) through the concepts of 'geopolitics' and 'migration', and how these two concepts are used in the context of the current border-drawing practice of the European Union (EU). Thus, the study, on the one hand, compares the policies and political discourses developed by the EU vis-a-vis the Syrian and Ukrainian migration waves by looking at how the EU's "re-bordering" practices have changed in these two crises within the shifting geopolitical context, while on the other, aims to explore the EU's prospective role in the future of those two cases in the light of relevant geopolitical and migration-related developments.

The Republic of Moldova’s European integration process has gained significant momentum in recent years, particularly after receiving EU candidate status in June 2022. However, the country faces numerous political, economic, and security-related obstacles, many of which have been exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has had profound consequences on Moldova’s stability, security policy, and strategic direction, making the European integration process more complex. This paper examines the main challenges Moldova encounters on its path to EU membership, with a specific focus on the impact of the regional conflict.

One of the primary concerns in Moldova’s EU accession process is the geopolitical dimension. As a country with a complicated historical relationship with Russia, Moldova remains vulnerable to external pressure. Moscow continues to exert influence through economic levers, energy dependence, and the presence of Russian troops in the breakaway region of Transnistria. The war in Ukraine has heightened fears that Moldova could become the next target of hybrid threats, further complicating its European ambitions. The country must navigate this delicate geopolitical situation while ensuring alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policies.

Economic challenges also play a significant role in Moldova’s integration efforts. The country remains one of the poorest in Europe, with a fragile economy heavily reliant on remittances. The war in Ukraine has disrupted trade routes, increased inflation, and placed additional strain on Moldova’s already weak infrastructure. Although the EU has provided substantial financial and technical assistance, Moldova must implement extensive reforms to strengthen its economic resilience and meet EU standards.

Additionally, Moldova faces internal political and institutional challenges. While the current pro-European government is committed to reforms, deep-seated corruption, weak institutions, and political instability continue to hinder progress. The influence of pro-Russian political factions and disinformation campaigns further complicates the domestic political landscape. A key issue remains the reintegration of Transnistria, which is not under the control of the central government and poses a significant challenge to Moldova’s sovereignty and EU accession process.

Despite these difficulties, Moldova’s European integration remains a strategic priority. The EU’s increased engagement, particularly through financial aid, energy security cooperation, and the liberalization of trade, has strengthened Moldova’s position. However, the path to full membership will require overcoming persistent challenges while ensuring stability in a highly volatile regional context.