EU shifting focus to aspiring democracies to undercut Moscow`s clout
The European Union plans to reconsider the policy on
its eastern neighbors to focus on assisting countries that
vigorously pursue democracy, in an move to undercut Russia`s
efforts to boost its clout in the former Soviet republics.
The 27-member bloc has decided to heed attention to the FSU states, in response to the brief Russia-Georgia war and the recent Russia-Ukraine gas dispute, as well as the dire world economic crisis and Moscow`s attempts to keep the regional states in its sphere of influence.
The announcement was made by the European Union External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner with regard to the Eastern Partnership program, which was initiated by Poland and Sweden, and envisions cooperation between the EU and its partners, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus.
The EU plans to put on discussion these proposals and submit them to the participating states at a summit to be held March 19-20.
Ferrero-Waldner made it clear that the bloc was proposing not planned membership, but an expansion of the existing European New Neighborhood Policy (ENNP). More specifically, the EU is offering to the six ex-Soviet states free trade, visa-free travel and closer energy cooperation. In exchange, the participating countries are required to bring their laws into compliance with EU standards, pursue economic reforms and make an effort to bolster democratic development.
"This plan is aimed at encouraging reform. In other words, the more commitments you meet, the more privileges you will gain," the EU commissioner said.
The EU is also considering the allocation of 600 million euros to the mentioned states for the period of 2010-2013 to make its proposals more attractive and facilitate reform.
The union has already allotted funds to the tune of over 11 billion euros for its programs of assistance to southern and eastern neighbors in 2007-2013, with a third of the amount to benefit the countries that will be cooperating more closely with the organization within Eastern Partnership. The EU has pledged that the states meeting its recommendations more swiftly will receive more funds.
Meanwhile, the EU formally admitted Belarus to the program. The decision to draw the country, which is criticized by the West over alleged lack of democratic standards, to the initiative was passed at a meeting of the bloc`s members held in Brussels on Monday.
The issue of Belarus`s participation has remained open until now over what is described as the rule of an authoritarian government in the ex-Soviet state.
Russia and Turkey - the regional states considered as major players in the vital region - have been invited to take part in Eastern Partnership as observers.
The European Commission passed a decision to support the Eastern Partnership initiative on December 4. Closer cooperation between the EU and regional states covers a variety of areas, including creating free trade areas, adoption of a set of EU regulations by the ex-Soviet states and supporting respect for human rights and the rule of law.
The 27-member bloc has decided to heed attention to the FSU states, in response to the brief Russia-Georgia war and the recent Russia-Ukraine gas dispute, as well as the dire world economic crisis and Moscow`s attempts to keep the regional states in its sphere of influence.
The announcement was made by the European Union External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner with regard to the Eastern Partnership program, which was initiated by Poland and Sweden, and envisions cooperation between the EU and its partners, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus.
The EU plans to put on discussion these proposals and submit them to the participating states at a summit to be held March 19-20.
Ferrero-Waldner made it clear that the bloc was proposing not planned membership, but an expansion of the existing European New Neighborhood Policy (ENNP). More specifically, the EU is offering to the six ex-Soviet states free trade, visa-free travel and closer energy cooperation. In exchange, the participating countries are required to bring their laws into compliance with EU standards, pursue economic reforms and make an effort to bolster democratic development.
"This plan is aimed at encouraging reform. In other words, the more commitments you meet, the more privileges you will gain," the EU commissioner said.
The EU is also considering the allocation of 600 million euros to the mentioned states for the period of 2010-2013 to make its proposals more attractive and facilitate reform.
The union has already allotted funds to the tune of over 11 billion euros for its programs of assistance to southern and eastern neighbors in 2007-2013, with a third of the amount to benefit the countries that will be cooperating more closely with the organization within Eastern Partnership. The EU has pledged that the states meeting its recommendations more swiftly will receive more funds.
Meanwhile, the EU formally admitted Belarus to the program. The decision to draw the country, which is criticized by the West over alleged lack of democratic standards, to the initiative was passed at a meeting of the bloc`s members held in Brussels on Monday.
The issue of Belarus`s participation has remained open until now over what is described as the rule of an authoritarian government in the ex-Soviet state.
Russia and Turkey - the regional states considered as major players in the vital region - have been invited to take part in Eastern Partnership as observers.
The European Commission passed a decision to support the Eastern Partnership initiative on December 4. Closer cooperation between the EU and regional states covers a variety of areas, including creating free trade areas, adoption of a set of EU regulations by the ex-Soviet states and supporting respect for human rights and the rule of law.
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