Azernews.Az

The leaders of European Union and six ex-Soviet countries pledged to continue implementing the EU’s Eastern Partnership program in a joint statement passed at a summit that drew to a close on Friday in Warsaw.

The statement, adopted at the second summit of Eastern Partnership, which includes Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus, said resolution of conflicts and good neighborliness relations are pivotal for economic and social development as well as cooperation in the region.

The signatories welcomed the implementation of the EU’s agreements with Georgia on simplified visa regulations, the start of the 27-member bloc’s talks with Ukraine and Moldova, and said that visa facilitation agreements will also be sought with Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Participants also stressed the EU’s increasing role in efforts to settle conflicts and strengthen confidence-building.

The statement also noted that 1.9 billion euros have been allocated for the period 2010-2013 to implement Eastern Partnership.

Eastern Partnership envisages simplified visa regulations, free trade and closer energy cooperation, but EU membership is not on the agenda for now. The participating countries are required to bring their laws into compliance with EU standards, pursue economic reforms and bolster democratic development.

The two-day summit held in the Polish capital was attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovich, Georgia’s Mikheil Saakashvili, Armenia’s Serzh Sargsyan and Moldovan Prime Minister Vladimir Filat.

Belarus was represented by its ambassador in Warsaw, but its delegation walked out of the meeting after the country faced criticism over its human rights record.

Attendees also adopted a special document on the situation in Belarus. Though issued at the Eastern Partnership summit also attended by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, the statement was published on behalf of the EU-27 alone.