EESC urges dedicated EU strategy for eastern border regions, warns of rising pressure

The European Economic and Social Committee is calling on the European Union to adopt a long-term, dedicated strategy and increase funding for its eastern border regions, warning that they face security, economic and demographic pressures that exceed the scope of existing policy tools.

A key recommendation from the opinion on the Strategy for eastern border regions, adopted at the EESC's June plenary, is that regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine should be treated as strategic frontlines rather than peripheral areas.

'Their resilience is Europe’s resilience. We cannot ask these regions to withstand security threats, economic pressure and demographic decline with tools that were not designed for this reality,' said EESC President Seamus Boland during the adoption debate.

The discussion followed the European Commission's communication on Strong eastern regions for a safe Europe. It brought together Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Finance Neringa Rinkevičiūtė-Laurinaitienė, and European Commission regional policy (REGIO) Deputy Director-General Hugo Sobral.

Ms. Tsikhanouskaya stressed that 'resilience is not only about infrastructure or defence capabilities, but also about people, democratic values and the courage of civil society'. She argued that, despite severe repression and growing Russian influence, many Belarusians continue to organise, build connections and work for democratic change. 'By supporting Ukraine, you also support Belarus,' she said, linking the future of Belarus to Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression.

Ms. Rinkevičiūtė-Laurinaitienė noted that eastern border regions are 'places where people live, work and raise their families'. While jobs, public services and economic opportunities remain important, she noted that 'security has become an increasingly decisive factor in people's choices about where to build their future'. She pointed to Lithuania's experience on the EU's eastern border, where the country faces hybrid threats, pressure at its borders, cyber risks and the economic consequences of geopolitical tensions.

Mr. Sobral said that Europe’s eastern frontier must not become a division but remain a gateway to Europe. 'These regions now carry a strategic responsibility for all of us, as guardians of our security and resilience. The Commission’s vision must now be translated into delivery, into practical measures, adequate resources and long-term investment.'

The EESC opinion highlights overlapping pressures on eastern border regions, including hybrid threats, cyberattacks, infrastructure sabotage and disinformation, alongside the economic and social impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine. It also points to long-term demographic decline and weakening local economies.

The EESC says EU cohesion policy alone is not sufficient and called for a more geopolitical, place-based approach to regional development.

Key recommendations

The EESC urges EU legislators to:

• create a dedicated strategy and funding stream for eastern border regions, backed by new resources in the 2028–2034 EU budget cycle;
• introduce targeted competitiveness tools, including under the future European Competitiveness Fund, supported by EU guarantees to attract private investment;
• develop a demographic recovery strategy focused on jobs, housing, skills and youth retention;
• accelerate investment in transport, energy and digital connectivity, including TEN-T completion and stronger links with Ukraine and Moldova;
• ensure an integrated approach to security and development, linking defence-related investment with local economic benefits;
• strengthen the role of local authorities, civil society and social partners in EU policymaking;
• improve governance through an annual political dialogue and dedicated coverage in future Cohesion Reports.

'The challenges require more than incremental reform and call for a long-term strategic framework beyond the current budget cycle', explained rapporteur Katrina Zarina. Co-rapporteur Ionut Sibian added: 'Eastern border regions are strategic assets whose resilience underpins EU security, cohesion and long-term prosperity, making support for them a strategic choice for the Union’s future direction.'

During the debate, EESC members offered complementary perspectives on strengthening the EU's eastern border regions. Some called for dedicated MFF funding and more flexible State aid rules to enable targeted investment in infrastructure, businesses and resilience. Others stressed that security extends beyond physical protection, highlighting the need to strengthen civil society, local communities and self-help networks, alongside social cohesion and local capacity to respond to crises.