EU striving to end Russian clout over ex-Soviet neighbors - report
The European Union has pledged to assist six of its
post-Soviet neighbors, including Azerbaijan, from being unduly
pressured by Russian influence, the BBC reported.
The statement came in a report of the European Commission outlining the 27-member bloc`s future relations with these countries. The EU should set as a priority for itself distancing Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan from Moscow`s influence. The EU is to offer tripling assistance to these countries to 1.5 billion euros by 2020, according to the report.
The new EU policy - first floated by Poland and Sweden in May - proposes closer cooperation by signing "Association Agreements" under the Eastern Partnership program. The program seeks to create visa-free travel in the long-term, as well as boost free trade and economic integration, given that the EU is keen on maintaining stability close to its borders.
The European Commission`s report also reiterated that the EU should aspire toward diversification of energy supply routes, providing hope that European leaders would enact this plan at a summit planned for this spring.
The statement came in a report of the European Commission outlining the 27-member bloc`s future relations with these countries. The EU should set as a priority for itself distancing Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan from Moscow`s influence. The EU is to offer tripling assistance to these countries to 1.5 billion euros by 2020, according to the report.
The new EU policy - first floated by Poland and Sweden in May - proposes closer cooperation by signing "Association Agreements" under the Eastern Partnership program. The program seeks to create visa-free travel in the long-term, as well as boost free trade and economic integration, given that the EU is keen on maintaining stability close to its borders.
The European Commission`s report also reiterated that the EU should aspire toward diversification of energy supply routes, providing hope that European leaders would enact this plan at a summit planned for this spring.
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