The article focuses on the relationship between the EU and other states situated on the European continent. The EU has to deal with various groups of states, which are characterised by different attitudes towards the Union. Some of them seek membership in the future, whereas others do not need it, but would like to engage in closer economic cooperation. Besides, growing regional powers aspire to play a significant role in Europe’s development, which is why they strive for equal partnership with the EU. The mail goal of the paper is to find the best models of cooperation between the EU with the aforementioned groups of European countries.