Azernews.Az

The European Commission has approved a decision to support the Eastern Partnership initiative that envisions EU member states` reaching out for closer cooperation with six former Soviet republics, its president has announced.
"This promotes stability, good governance and prosperity in these countries," Jose Manuel Barroso told journalists in Brussels last Wednesday. "We passed this decision now, and the Georgia developments [the South Caucasus republic`s armed conflict with Russia in August] affected our decision."
Poland and Sweden have proposed setting up a common forum for Europe`s eastern neighbors. Eastern Partnership will include Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus. Agreements to be signed with those countries participating in the program envision creating free trade areas. The ex-Soviet states are also required to adopt a set of EU regulations, along with simplifying visa regulations. Further, such key issues as democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law should be top priorities for the signatories, said officials.
According to Barroso, the European Commission is ready to assist the Eastern Partnership states in solving their political and economic problems. These countries, he said, are facing common challenges with human rights and democracy, and the new initiative targets solving these problems.
"For this purpose, the Commission will increase financial aid to these countries. 50 million euros - the amount allocated in 2008 - will be raised to 350 million euros," Barroso added.
A final decision on the issue, which is up to the European Council, a body made up of the heads of state and governments of all EU countries, will be passed in March 2009.
The EU currently is composed of 27 members. Azerbaijan adopted the five-year Action Plan of the organization`s European New Neighborhood Policy in 2006. The document outlines its cooperation with the Union and the steps required for European integration.