As provided for in the CARDS regulation, the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) provides the strategic framework in which EC assistance will be provided in the period 2000-2006. It sets out EU co-operation objectives, policy response, and priority fields of co-operation based on a thorough assessment...

This evaluation assesses the European Commission’s (EC) cooperation with Ukraine over the period 2002-2009. It aims at providing an overall independent assessment of the entire EC cooperation strategy and support for the country and to provide key lessons for improving current and future EC...

This report examines the development of the electoral system in Russia, with a particular emphasis on the evolution of political parties, after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It analyses changes during the Russian Federation’s three presidential administrations (Yeltsin, Putin,...

This study examines the triangular relationship between fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law in the EU and the challenges that arise in reflecting on ways to strengthen EU competences in these terrains. It analyses the current ‘state of play’ and provides a map of EU-level...

Founded in 1992, Sussex European Institute (SEI) is the leading research and postgraduate training centre on contemporary European issues. SEI has a distinctive philosophy built on interdisciplinarity, a broad and inclusive approach to Europe, policy-relevance at the academic cutting edge, and...

Please note that the EPERN was originally launched as the Opposing Europe Research Network (OERN) but in August 2003 the Network was retitled to reflect a broadening out of the Network's research focus. EPERN Working Papers are therefore a continuation of the original OERN Working Paper Series.