The Eastern Partnership (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus) have had the third meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said that the Eastern Partnership program remains a priority for the European Union.
Representatives of 27 EU states and 6 leaders of the Eastern Partnership members discussed political association and economic integration. Ashton called freedom, democracy, human rights the main elements of the partnership.
The high representative noted progress in liberalization of the visa regime with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said that deals on simplification of the visa regime and readmission would be signed and ratified in the near future. Armenia expects progress in forming a free trade zone and wants to reach the final stage of talks at the summit in Vilnius.
Ukraine is the only state to sign an agreement to simplify the visa regime with the EU. It was signed in Belgium at the third ministerial session of the Eastern Partnership. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Constantine Grishchenko said that the document concerns all citizens of the sides.
Ashton expressed concerns over respect of human rights, laws, democracy and freedom of media in Belarus. She noted that intensive cooperation may start as soon as the political situation in Belarus improves.
Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergey Martynov said that problems with respect of human rights are common in the EU as well. He urged the EU to follow the basic principles of the Eastern Partnership and avoid discrimination. Projects in energy, transport may give a boost to cooperation.
The foreign ministers discussed the road map for realization of agreements reached in Prague (2009) and Warsaw (2011). The new road map would be the main guide until the next session in Vilnius (Lithuania) in autumn 2013.
The program launched in Prague in May 2009 is aimed at political and economic rapprochement of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus.
