De facto states, EU strategy, development, European Neighbourhood Policy, Post-Soviet area

Current EU strategy toward unrecognized states is based on strict emphasis on the territorial integrity of Georgia, Moldova and Azerbaijan. This is expressed not only in public statements by leaders of the EU member states, but also in the absence of European Neighbourhood Policy Action plans for de facto states. Based on secondary literature and field research I claim, this policy leads to low level of development opportunities of de facto states through foreign direct investments, international trade, development aid or remittances. These external factors of development should play an important role in fulfilling EU desired goals. It is worth considering, if the current EU strategy towards de facto states in post-Soviet space is appropriate and if it would not be better to replace it by another one, which would more likely contribute to peace negotiations of protracted conflicts and which would be more suitable for promoting EU values and interests in this part of the world.