This course surveys the development of the EU engagement as an actor in its Eastern neighbourhood. This has as emphasis states of the so​-called post-soviet are: Armenia​, Azerbaijan​, ​Belarus​, ​Georgia​, ​Moldova ​and ​Ukraine​. The course focuses first on various theoretical approaches to the EU as an actor of international relations. Concepts of the EU as a normative power and civilian power as well as the phenomenon of the so-called neighbourhood Europeanization, in particular. Also the decision-making mechanisms in the EU Foreign Policy before and after the Lisbon Treaty will be introduced and explained, with emphasis on the EU Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the Eastern Partnership (EaP) programme. Functioning and instruments of the ENP with the emphasis on the EaP programme and other initiatives will be explained as well.