Eastern Partnership has proved its efficiency - conclusions

13.05.2019 18:38

Ukrinform

The foreign ministers of the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine – have summed up the work carried out over the ten years since the program was established and identified reform implementation as a priority for the years to come.

This is stated in the conclusions on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership program, which were posted on the website of the European Council on May 13.

The document recalls that ten years ago, the EU and six partner countries gathered in Prague to strengthen mutual ties of friendship and cooperation and to launch a strategic and ambitious partnership, as a specific dimension of the European Neighborhood Policy to be developed in complementarity with bilateral cooperation. This joint endeavor was based on shared values, mutual interests and commitments, bringing Eastern European Partner countries closer to the European Union and developing stronger ties among the partner countries themselves, for the benefit of all.

On May 13, 2019, the foreign ministers and representatives of member states of the EU, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the foreign ministers of the six Eastern European Partners met in Brussels to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership, to reiterate its importance, to celebrate its success and achievements so far, as well as to reflect on the future of our continued strategic and ambitious partnership.

According to the conclusions, this unique policy is based on shared fundamental values and joint commitment to the principles and norms of international law, human rights including rights of persons belonging to minorities, democracy and rule of law, accountability and good governance, including the fight against corruption, sustainable development and market economy.

Over the years, the Eastern Partnership has proved to be an efficient, resilient, tailored and dynamic framework. It has served to develop, to adapt to new challenges, including those to stability and resilience, and ultimately to strengthen our mutually beneficial relationship. The Eastern Partnership has been updated to support the delivery of the key global policy goals set by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, also reflecting the revised European Neighborhood Policy as well as the EU Global Strategy.

Since 2009, the Eastern Partnership has provided a solid foundation to further deepen cooperation, both at bilateral and multilateral levels. It delivers tangible results to citizens and accelerates political association, economic integration and enhanced partnership between the EU and interested partners. The 20 deliverables set for 2020 further focused on practical cooperation, thereby promoting economic development and market opportunities.

The document notes that further challenges lie ahead. In this context, civil society, including think tanks and human rights defenders, as well as vulnerable groups, journalists and other media actors, women, young people, and the private sector play an important role.