Publication

This paper takes a look at the overall and specific challenges that the EU faces in dealing with the Black Sea region. The first section analyzes the lack of a European and a regional strategy for the Black Sea states and discusses the competing cognitive labels that frame the Black Sea region's politics. The second section examines the development of risks to stateness, democracy and economic prosperity in the region. Drawing on both analyses, the authors conclude by drafting suggestions for EU policy to strengthen a pro-European regional identity as well as hedge against risks for the Black Sea region.