Intensification of relations with Eastern countries is in the EU's vital interest

PanARMENIAN.Net - Eastern Partnership Summit to strengthen EU links with Eastern Europe and South Caucasus

The first Eastern Partnership (EP) summit in Prague on 7 May will gather leaders from the EU Member States, EU institutions and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to launch this new framework of reinforced bilateral and multilateral cooperation. This ambitious initiative will lead to deepening of political and economic relations, more energy security, increased mobility and will give an additional boost to pro-democratic and market oriented reforms in partner countries.



President Jose' Manuel Barroso will represent the European Commission, accompanied by Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner. The Summit will be hosted by Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek representing the rotating EU Presidency.



"The time has come for a visible step change in relations with our East European neighbors" - said President Barroso. "It's in the EU's vital interest to intensify relations with these countries aiming for political association and economic integration in order to promote more stability and security on the EU's Eastern border. Through the Eastern Partnership the EU also shows its solidarity with the partners so deeply affected by the consequences of the current financial and economic crisis," Euro Committee press release cited him as saying.