On Thursday 25 September, 2025, a new report was released highlighting the importance of the European Union (EU) leveraging its economic relations in its neighbourhood to remain competitive with major global powers such as China, Russia, and the United States. The report, called the Geoeconomic Interconnectivity Index (GEOII), measures the level of interconnectivity in the areas of trade, finance, and economic policy between the EU and its neighbouring countries.
The GEOII was developed by the Bertelsmann Stiftung in cooperation with the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) and the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE). According to the index, the EU is currently the strongest economic power in its neighbourhood, but its rivals are catching up in key regions. The report compares the level of interconnectivity between 2010 and 2023 between the EU and the three major global powers.
The findings of the report are intended to help the EU fine-tune its neighbourhood strategies. With the return of power politics, it has become clear that economic interdependence is not something that Europe can take for granted, but rather a strategic tool that can ensure stability and influence. “Europe remains the most important partner in its neighbourhood,” states Daniela Schwarzer, member of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Executive Board. “However, the EU has lost relative importance since 2001, while China has systematically gained ground. At the same time, the US is withdrawing economically from the region, except for Israel.”
The report also highlights that even close economic ties with the EU may not deter Russia from using military force or destabilization tactics. This emphasizes the need for the EU to strategically leverage its economic power and relationships to promote stability and partnerships in its neighbourhood. The report suggests various strategies for the EU to achieve this, including updating its accession policy for the Western Balkans, modernizing its customs union with Turkey, and expanding its own strategic infrastructure initiative called the Global Gateway.
The GEOII report will be presented at an online launch event on October 1, 2025, where the main findings will be discussed and the implications for the EU’s neighbourhood policy will be explored. Interested parties can register for the event at the provided link.
For further information or inquiries, please contact Etienne Höra at +49 52 41 8181-197 or etienne.hoera@bertelsmann-stiftung.de.
This report has been distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
