The European Commission has presented a new support strategy for regions on the eastern flank of the European Union. The project, introduced by Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, involves the creation of the EastInvest fund and the Eastern Flank Watch initiative. These measures aim to counteract depopulation in border areas, stimulate economic growth, and enhance security in the face of hybrid threats from Russia and Belarus, as well as the consequences of the war in Ukraine.

EastInvest Investment Platform

The new financial instrument EastInvest will provide entrepreneurs from nine countries with easier access to loans and advisory support from international financial institutions.

Eastern Counter-Drone Shield

The Eastern Flank Watch initiative will focus on securing airspace and developing drone neutralization systems along the eastern border.

Development of Corridor VIII

Balkan countries and Italy are strengthening cooperation on the strategic transport corridor linking East and West, crucial for the TEN-T network.

The European Commission has launched a comprehensive strategy aimed at economic revitalization and strengthening the security of regions bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. The program, presented by Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, focuses on areas particularly affected by the consequences of Russian aggression, such as Finland, the Baltic states, Poland, Slovakia, as well as Romania and Bulgaria. The key financial component is the EastInvest platform, which will facilitate access to loans and advisory services for local businesses struggling with a decline in tourism and the collapse of cross-border trade. In the security sphere, the "Eastern Flank Watch" initiative will play a crucial role, being an integrated air defense and surveillance system with a particular focus on counter-drone technology. Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the stability of the entire community depends on the resilience of its eastern frontiers, which are currently grappling with demographic pressure and the instrumentalization of migration. „Supporting these regions is not just a technical matter but a political responsibility, as these are not just national borders but European ones.” — Raffaele Fitto Since 2014, following Russia's annexation of Crimea, European Union and NATO member states have been successively increasing investments in defense and civilian infrastructure along the eastern borders, aiming to reduce development disparities between the center and the periphery of the community.Simultaneously, Balkan countries are seeking to better connect the region through Corridor VIII, linking the Adriatic Sea with the Black Sea. The foreign ministers of Albania, Bulgaria, Italy, North Macedonia, and Romania have signed a joint declaration regarding this strategic transport axis. This investment is considered crucial for the integration of the Western Balkans with the European Union and for ensuring stability in southeastern Europe. The new financial framework is set to be formally launched this coming Thursday. 5000 km — is the total length of the EU's border with Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine Liberal media emphasize European solidarity, humanitarian aid for border regions, and the importance of integrating the Balkans with the EU. | Conservative media highlight the need for strong border defense, combating hybrid threats, and the military aspect of the counter-drone initiative.

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