The Eastern Partnership (EaP) has 6 partner countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

The EaP follows two parallel tracks: bilateral and multilateral. The bilateral dimension supports closer bilateral relations between EU and each Eastern partner country. The multilateral dimension provides a forum for dialogue and exchange. This is done via thematic platforms and flagship initiatives and strengthens activities in support of the EU bilateral relationship with each individual partner. Partnership with civil society and other stakeholders is also a key priority of the EaP.

Cooperation on research and innovation is addressed in a dedicated panel within the regional level multilateral policy platform 'contacts between people'. This platform also covers education, youth, culture and ICT.

Among the six EaP countries, Ukraine is the only country with a bilateral science and technology agreement with the EU.

Priorities for future cooperation

• health, demographic change and wellbeing
• climate action and environment
• secure, clean and efficient energy
• cross-cutting issues to improve cooperation framework conditions: sharing best practices, technical assistance and training, researcher mobility and common use of research infrastructures, and linking state-of-the-art EU initiatives with similar structures in EaP countries