On the latest episode of Inclusive Plug powered by RECONOMY, Anatoly Motkin, President of StrategEast, joined a discussion on the future of the Eastern Partnership countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine – at a time of war, energy crises, and shifting geopolitics.
In a conversation moderated by Sabin Selimi, Mr. Motkin highlighted how digital transformation is reshaping governance, startups, and economic modernization across the region. He also emphasized the importance of aligning modernization with climate goals, green economic development, and the European Union’s role in driving integration and reforms.
Mr. Motkin underscored that StrategEast examines the “degree of westernization” not only in the Eastern Partnership but also across Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Caucasus – what the organizations calls the post-Soviet non-Russian space. “If I try to define in brief what westernization is for this region it’s a combination of modernization with Western values – transparency, accountability, rule of law, and many other principles important for the middle class to be independent,” he said. He cautioned that modernization without values risks replicating authoritarian models.
The discussion provided insights into how international development actors can best support transformation where it is needed most, offering hope that despite headwinds, the region can chart a more modern and prosperous future.
The video recording of the conversation is available here.
