Xinhua News Agency
April 26, 2014
Prague hosts 5th anniversary meeting of Eastern Partnership
Eastern Partnership: The West’s Final Assault On the Former Soviet Union
PRAGUE: The Czech city of Prague has played host to the 5th anniversary conference of the Eastern Partnership on April 24-25.
The two-day gathering between the European Union (EU) and six partner countries in Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus region came amid the Ukraine crisis, which was at the forefront of most discussions.
The European Partnership was established on May 7 of 2009 in Prague to promote dialogue and strengthen relations between the EU and its neighbors. In addition to the 28 member-states of the EU, the partnership includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
The Ukrainian crisis has largely overshadowed the event, bringing into question both the strength of European resolve to further deepen ties with its neighbors and the willingness of the partner countries to risk Russian ire.
Belarus was not in attendance.
Issues regarding territorial integrity face many of the countries in the region, not only the Ukraine, and particularly in both Georgia and Moldova.
Out of the partner countries, Georgia is the farthest along in terms of its journey towards the EU, and is strongly showing its desire for both EU and NATO accession.
Both Moldova and Georgia will sign Association Agreements with the EU this year, which is a vital step on the way to EU membership.
The ultimate goal of the Eastern Partnership is to assist in building and maintaining democracy and human rights in the partner countries. EU accession is not the priority, though some states may wish to obtain it in the future.
EU Commissioner Stefan Fule stressed on multiple occasions that the EU only wishes to facilitate the wishes of the partner states, and their journey towards the EU is as a result of their own sovereign decisions and the wishes of the people.
Armenia is a willing participant of the Eastern Partnership, even though it is to join the Eurasian Union with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Beyond the crises, the Eastern Partnership noted great progress in visa facilitation, allowing the partner countries’ citizens to easily enter the European Union.
All participants came together to issue a unanimous recommendation to withdraw all troops from the territory of the Ukraine in the interest of de-escalating the conflict.
It was recommended that the Ukraine further decentralize to appease the pro-Russian regions in the east of the country.
It was emphasized that the elections to be held in Ukraine next month must be allowed to be free and fair, with no foreign intervention, and that international monitors must be able to fully supervise them.
The main focus of the conference seemed to be finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The Czech Republic has offered to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, if both states will agree to mediation.
Czech President Milos Zeman said the meeting had led to very fruitful discussions, and the priority was now bringing words to deeds.
Source