Russia to watch EU's policies in post-Soviet space

“Russia is to closely follow the policies of the EU at the post-Soviet space,” stated the Russian Ambassador to the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov. In this way he commented the Eastern Partnership program presented by the EU previously, the Deutsche Welle reports, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. Chizhov assured that Russia does not lay claims for monopoly in the relations with the former Soviet republics. The Russian Ambassador to the European Union also added that Russia cannot join the Eastern Partnership program because the format of its relations with the EU is different. On December 3 a new Eastern Partnership initiative aimed at eastern European neighbors and partners was presented in Brussels. The initiative is addressed to Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The European Union already grants financing to the Eastern Partnership countries in bilateral programs. Till 2010, Armenia will get 98.4 million euros, Azerbaidjan – 92 million, Georgia – 120.4 million (to add up to 500 million euros to diminish the consequences of the August crisis, 2008), Moldova – 209,7 million and Ukraine – 494 million euros. Certain steps are expected from Belarus by the EU. Beside to adaptation of the whole body of laws of the EU, recognition of the European Court decision signing the memorandum on mutual understanding in the sphere of energy security, the Belarusian regime should demonstrate progress in liberalization and democratization. The stage of Belarus’ participation in the project would be defined only after half a year period after sanctions suspension. When asked what Russia's response might be to the Eastern Partnership, since that country sees the former Soviet republics as its zones of influence, the leader of the European Movement from Moldova, Oleg Serebrian, told a news conference hosted Monday by Info-Prim Neo news agency that “Russia is always disturbed by military issues and has neglected the Eastern partnership.”