He went summit in Riga. PM: It’s not our fault that Russia is … – TVN24
Photo: Valda Kalnina / PAP / EPA | Video: Reuters TV Donald Tusk welcomed in Riga president Latvia Andris Berzins
Gala dinner began on Thursday evening in the Riga summit of the Eastern Partnership. – This is not a beauty contest between the EU and Russia – said the head of the European Council, Donald Tusk. However, as judged if Russia was more attractive country, she would not have to lead an aggressive policy towards its neighbors. Meanwhile, diplomatic sources are consistent: do not collapse on top of the ground-breaking decisions.
Achievements …
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– For those who argue that the Eastern Partnership is directed against Russia, I answer that it is not. The Eastern Partnership is not a beauty contest between Russia and the EU. But to be honest, this beauty that counts. If Russia would be gentler, nicer, more attractive, you may not have to compensate for their shortcomings by applying to its neighbors destructive and aggressive tactics – rated Tusk just before the start of the summit in the Latvian capital PW.
Diplomatic sources: turn not be
This year’s event in Riga is the first meeting of the leaders of the EU and the six EaP countries – namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – from the summit in Vilnius in November 2013, where there has been a dramatic twists and turns. At that time, the EU has signed association agreements with Georgia and Moldova, but Ukraine just before the summit resigned from signing such an agreement. This began a pro-European protests in the country and political breakthrough, which was met with fierce reaction of Russia, which has made annexation of the Crimea and unleashed the conflict in Donbas.
According to diplomatic sources should not expect that in Riga will be announced policy changes within the EaP. Among the topics of discussion are the chances of solving the crisis in the east of Ukraine and the implementation of the agreement agreed in Minsk.
No criticism of Russia
The compromise draft final document of the summit, negotiated yet on Wednesday, stresses that both the EU and its Eastern partners attach importance to cooperation within the Eastern Partnership. According to diplomats declaration should contain a provision on the recognition of the European aspirations and the European choice of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.
In the draft document, however, does not provide direct criticism of Russia for action in the Ukraine, which would not be the consent of those countries Partnership East, which maintain good relations with Moscow.
Introducing …
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Visa-free travel to Georgia and Ukraine?
In Riga leaders have summarized what has been achieved since the summit in Vilnius despite unfavorable circumstances. They will show, among others, on the benefits of the temporary implementation of Association Agreements with Georgia and Moldova; according to calculations of the European Commission in September last year. year exports from Moldova to the EU increased by 20 per cent., and Georgia’s accession to the EU – about 18 percent. Implementation of the Agreement with Ukraine is expected to begin in early 2016. Work is also underway to strengthen the energy security of its eastern neighbors; launched, among others, reverse gas flows to Ukraine.
Last year, the EU abolished visas for Moldovans and covenant to introduce visa-free regime with Georgia and Ukraine. But it is not certain whether the fall atop concrete statements on this issue.
Ukraine and Georgia were counting on the fact that already in Riga political decisions will be taken on visa liberalization. However, in early May the European Commission concluded that both countries still have to meet several conditions, including asylum and the fight against corruption, drug trafficking and organized crime. On Monday, EU Commissioner. Neighbourhood Policy, Johannes Hahn did not rule out, however, that before the end of this year the European Commission will recommend the abolition of visas for citizens of these countries.
Accession to the EU also called into question
The Eastern Partnership countries can not even count on the fact that the declaration of the EU summit finally recognize their aspirations to join Union. The leaders merely recognize that each country has the sovereign right to define its ambitions and selection purposes for which it seeks in its relations with the EU.
Summit has recognized that cooperation with six Eastern partners should do more to take into account the differences between them and their different ambitions in terms of rapprochement with the EU.
Armenia may come closer to the European …
Premier holder of the EU presidency Latvia Laimdota Straujuma said in an interview Polish Press Agency that the Eastern partners “are now more aware of their interests and level of ambition for cooperation with the European Union” and therefore PW “should be tailored to their wishes and current events.”
The European Union …
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Armenia, who resigned under pressure from Russia with the signing of the association agreement already finished with the EU and decided to accede to the inspiration of Moscow built Eurasian Union may, in Riga announce the resumption of negotiations with the Union.
… But in turn, Lukashenko has not arrived
Contrary to earlier speculation came to Riga not subject to EU sanctions Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The country will be represented by Foreign Minister Uladzimir Makey. In recent months there has been a warming of relations between Minsk and the EU, mainly due to the attitude towards the conflict Lukashenko in Ukraine.
In Riga, is expected to sign a memorandum on the conditions of macro-financial assistance program for Ukraine in the amount of 1.8 billion euros . It is the third tranche of EU aid.
When I talk about …
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Tusk: Eastern Europe must arm themselves with patience
The European Council President appealed for patience and explained that the aim of the summit, which ends on Friday, is also confirmed that the EU is “trusted partner for years “. – Riga summit is not meant to proclaim giant steps forward. Our partnership will be developed step by step, as the European Union was built. In this context, it means real progress in trade, energy, mobility, reform, which is in the interests of our partners, but also the whole of Europe – he stressed.
He also stated that the EU “wants to develop relations with all our partners Eastern Partnership “and” cooperation to match their expectations, preparedness and sovereign elections. ” According to the President of the European Council, the EU wants to help its partners from the East in transforming societies for the benefit of citizens, so that society will become “more resistant to external pressure.”
The Eastern Partnership was established with the joint initiative of the Polish and Swedish presented in 2009. Previous summits were held in Prague, Warsaw and Vilnius. This is the fourth summit of the Eastern Partnership.
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