ABSTRACT
Legislative approximation and the application of shared norms and values is a key objective of the EUs relations with its East European neighbours. What started on the basis of vaguely formulated approximation clauses in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (PCAs) gradually but surely developed into one of the most important dimensions of the EUs external action. Obviously inspired by the methodology of the pre-accession strategy, the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and, more specifically, the Eastern Partnership (EaP) essentially aim at the export of the EU acquis in order to create prosperity, stability and security on the entire European continent. Also with Russia, which does not take part in the ENP and EaP, legislative approximation and regulatory convergence occupies a crucial place within the bilateral Strategic Partnership defined around four Common Spaces. EU law hardly plays a role in the interpretation of national legislation in Belarus or Azerbaijan whereas it is considered a persuasive source of reference in Ukraine and Moldova.
