The further development of the relations between the European Union and the Eastern Partnership countries is the stake of the EaP Riga Summit. Surely such countries as Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, which already signed Association Agreements with the EU, expect signals for the future, Slovak MEP Ivan Štefanec said in an interview for Radio Free Europe, quoted by IPN. Štefanec stated that the EU also has a general expectation that the relations with these countries will be strengthened at economic, social and cultural levels.
According to the MEP, the most important thing that should now motivate the people of these countries to believe in the European project is the fact that unlike Russia, the European Union offers stability and peace. Asked if it’s possible for the EaP countries to come closer to the EU after the Riga Summit as a result of doing the reforms defined in the Association Agreement, Ivan Štefanec said it is evident that the three countries will inevitably come nearer the EU.
“If we look at the commercial exchanges of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, we see that the balance clearly inclines towards the EU, not towards Russia. There is even greater potential that can be explored to bring benefits both to these countries and to the EU. But we do not refer to the economy only here. A closer relationship with the EU means also strengthening the area of stability and peace, which is the opposite of what Russia is trying to do on these territories, which is destabilization and war. Russia’s acts cause chaos and instability,” said Ivan Štefanec.
The MEP also said that what they want to achieve after the Riga Summit is stability and peace in the eastern neighborhood through rapprochement with the Eastern partners. “We must be united, including in our position towards the Eastern partners, and to honestly present the advantages and policies of the EU that offer the best model of prosperity, stability and peace to our partners. Thus, telling the truth about the EU is the best instrument by which we can combat the Russian propaganda,” he stated.
The EaP Summit in Riga on May 21-22 will assess the developments after the Vilnius Summit of November 2013.
