Countries from EU's East want union acording to Mediterranian Union pattern

As EU officials mull a Mediterranean Union to bring in the bloc's southern neighbors, some eastern members want a similar initiative to focus on former Soviet states. But it wouldn't include the region's biggest player, transmite Info-Prim Neo. Polish Premier Donald Tusk and his Swedish counterpart, Fredrik Reinfeldt, are expected to present a plan to their EU colleagues in June that will call for more cooperation with Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to news reports. Even Belarus, which has been ostracized because of its dictatorial regime, would be invited to participate -- albeit on a reduced level. Called the Eastern Partnership, the new initiative would offer participating countries liberalized trade, the lifting of travel restrictions, cultural exchanges and aid programs. The eastern partners, in return, would be expected to push ahead with political and economic reforms. The plan falls short of giving countries any prospects of EU membership, as western European states are wary of any further expansion drives at the moment. Poland, however, does back eventual membership for Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. The region's heavy-weight, Russia, will not be invited to join the partnership under the initial proposal. EU officials on Wednesday, however, agreed to initiate separate talks on a wide-ranging cooperation agreement, according to Reuters. EU foreign ministers are likely to discuss the idea at their meeting in Brussels on Monday, May 26. The plan has reportedly been well-received by the EU Commission as well as key member states, including Britain, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Italy, Portugal and Spain, on the other hand, are skeptical.