Azernews.Az

By Kamila Aliyeva

The foreign ministers of the EU member states discussed progress in the implementation of initiatives to strengthen the common defense policy of the EU and relations with the Eastern partners - Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Armenia at the scheduled meeting on Monday.

The Foreign Ministers in Brussels discussed the prospects of the Eastern Partnership initiative, which includes above-mentioned countries, Sputnik news agency reported.

The common position of European diplomats is 'there will be partnership.' The European Union also outlined priority issues in relations with Baku, Minsk, Tbilisi, Kishenev, Kiev and Yerevan. They include economic development, public administration, communication, energy efficiency, mobility and people-to-people contacts.

In total, during this program, EU has allocated 3.2 billion euros to the Eastern Partnership member countries for the implementation of various development programs.

The sides promised to present a new vision at the development of the initiative at the ministerial meeting of the EU and the Eastern partners, which will be held in Luxembourg in June, as well as the summit of this project, which is expected to be held in Estonia in November.

Meanwhile, Belarus offers its platform for strengthening interconnections and convergence of integration in Central and Eastern Europe.

At the same time, Azerbaijan and the EU are expected to sign the new strategic partnership agreement in the near future. The new EU-Azerbaijan agreement on strategic partnership will follow the principles endorsed in the 2015 review of the European Neighborhood Policy and offer a renewed basis for political dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan.

The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is a joint initiative involving the EU, its member states and 6 eastern European partners: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

It is based on a commitment to the principles of international law and fundamental values - democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. It also encompasses support for a market economy, sustainable development and good governance.

The EU and partner countries leaders meet every other year in Eastern Partnership Summits. The latest Eastern Partnership Summit Declaration, agreed in May 2015 in Riga, reviewed the cooperation and provided the direction for further joint action.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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