THE IMPACT OF THE EU’S PUBLIC DIPLOMACY, AS AN INSTRUMENT OF SOFT POWER, IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP

This article explaines how the European Union through its instruments and practices of public diplomacy, can change the opinion of the civil society in some of the countries, members of the Eastern Partnership. Taking into account, that EU is considered to be a model of soft power, it is important to specify that public diplomacy plays a crucial role in the European Neighborhood. Due to this fact, the article will examine how the public diplomacy of the EU it is implemented in the external relations of the EU, whose role is to promote European values, culture, political ideals, to influence foreign audiences and to build strong relations. Afterward, it will conclude with a study case, to show the impact of the EU’s public diplomacy in Republic of Moldova, as a member of the European initiative, Eastern Partnership.