South Caucasus states made another step towards European integration. The European Commission decided to back the initiative of "Eastern Partnership", which presupposes closer cooperation with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and the Ukraine. According to Jose Manuel Barroso, the Commission president, only with strong political will and commitment on both sides will the Eastern Partnership achieve its objective of political association and economic integration. "We need to make an even greater investment in mutual stability and prosperity. This will be quickly compensated by important political and economic benefits and will lead to more stability and security both for the EU and for our Eastern partners," Barroso stated.