President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso said the Association Agreements that the EU will sign with Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine are the most ambitious negotiated so far by the European Union. They aim to deepen political and economic relations with the EU and to gradually integrate these three countries in the EU’s Internal Market, the largest single market in the world, IPN reports, quoting the official’s remarks disseminated by the European Commission.
“I do not hesitate to call these agreements historic. Historic for those countries, that's their historic objective, but also historic for Europe, what this can mean for the whole of Europe. Last November at the end of the Vilnius Summit many were quick in passing judgments on the failure of our Eastern Partnership. I think that as usual they underestimated our commitment to this policy, the determination of our partner countries to move ahead and the willingness of the citizens of these countries to be closely associated with the EU,” said the European official.
José Manuel Durão Barroso also said that for Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, this will be a recognition of the significant progress made over recent years and of their strong political determination to come closer to the European Union. “For the EU, these signatures will be a solemn commitment to accompany Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine each step of the way along the road of transforming their countries into stable, prosperous democracies,” he stated.
The European official noted that these agreements offer opportunities and not ready-made solutions; they are certainly not a panacea. And their success will very much depend on these countries continued will to undertake the reforms that will bring them closer to the European way of life, politically, economically and culturally.
“It is also important to recall once more that these agreements are for something, not against anyone. We are not seeking an exclusive relationship with these three partners. We believe in open societies and open economies. The signature of the Agreements is the logical outcome of a path started more than 20 years ago when these countries became independent states. We have worked on this matter in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect because this is the way the European Union works with its neighbours and partners, and because these three countries are all sovereign and independent nations that have the right to make their own choice concerning their future,” said José Manuel Durão Barroso.
He concluded saying that the EU will need to remain active and vigilant regarding its Eastern neighbourhood, in particular after the signature of the Association Agreements where our responsibility increases and not diminishes.
