  Russia criticizes EU Eastern PartnershipMarch 26, 2009 - 23:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia's Foreign Ministry Thursday renewed criticism of the European Union's new "Eastern Partnership" with six ex-Soviet states, saying the scheme forced them to side with either Europe or Russia, easy bourse.com reports"We still have questions regarding the added value of the 'Eastern Partnership'," ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko told journalists at a weekly briefing. He referred to a plan launched last week in Brussels designed to provide support to eastern European countries and also encourage reforms. The countries involved - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and possibly Belarus - "face an artificial choice: Are you with the European Union or are you with Russia?" said Nesterenko. "That can be applied to Belarus to the fullest extent," he said. He also warned against bringing the countries into conflict with Moscow-led regional structures such as the Commonwealth of Independent States and a defense group called the Collective Security Treaty Organization. "In our opinion, such an architecture of E.U. cooperation with Russia's neighbors shouldn't come into conflict with the integration obligations of these counties within the CIS and the Collective Security Treaty Organization," said Nesterenko. The new partnership plan has an aid package attached worth EUR600 million - money likely to be welcome as the economic crisis hits the region.   Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".   Partner news |  Related sections Topics Latest news Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia  Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for childrenMoscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said.Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19.Armenia, India hold first defense consultations The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan. |
