Five years after the Orange Revolution put Ukraine on the path towards a European-style government, where will a newly elected president direct the country? With critical gas pipelines running across Ukraine to supply the EU, how will government policies affect the EU’s long term energy security?

Two presidential elections and three gas cut-offs later, this five-day intensive workshop will enable 15 European journalists to take a look at the progress of Ukraine’s political and economic reforms as well as its implications for the future of European gas consumption. A quarter of Europe's gas is supplied by Russia and 80% of it transits through Ukraine.

To guarantee its citizens and economy continuous supplies, the EU has backed the restructuring of Ukraine’s gas transit system. Burdened with an under-reformed economy badly hit by the financial crisis, Ukraine is also deeply divided between a Russian speaking east loyal to Moscow and its western part eying the EU.

This briefing is part of a European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) series of eight events organised with the financial support of European Commission’s DG External Relations.

Developed in 2004, the ENP provides a framework for the EU to work with neighbouring countries by offering support and financial assistance in exchange for the undertaking of reforms in line with European values. The hope is that these reforms lead to closer political and economic integration between the neighbouring state and the EU, contributing to a safe and stable European neighbourhood.

This workshop includes a one-day programme in Brussels followed by an intensive study tour to Ukraine. The briefing will examine the ENP’s state of play, the EU’s relations with Ukraine, as well as its political and economic dynamics through meetings, panel discussions, lectures and field visits. Participating reporters will be briefed by a wide range of sources featuring EU officials, diplomats, local authorities, civil society organisations, independent experts, NGOs and journalists.

Applications are open to EU professional working journalists

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