“When the bear roars, we must not retreat!” – He said during the debate of the European Parliament Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (PO). He recalled that Russia was trying to derail the EU’s Eastern Partnership program and will continue trying to exert pressure. “If we do not defend freedom and democracy in our neighborhood, our own freedom, democracy and economic prosperity will be threatened,” – he added.
Karol Karski (PiS) estimated that the final document to be adopted at the summit, should be firm and resolute. “We should acknowledge its European perspective for Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova and to declare the introduction of visa-free travel for Ukrainians and Georgians in 2016 already.” – He said.
“In this text, we should also emphatically call on behalf of the Russian aggression in Ukraine and the annexation of the Crimea. If I go back, if the text is weaker, it will be perceived by Russia as permission to action” – warned Karski.
Also, Mark Demesmaeker Belgian MEP from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, which includes the PiS, sharply criticized the current draft final document of the summit in Riga. “The project really disappointing. (…) There is a lack of real ambition, the lack of a clear strategy that is necessary,” – he said.
He added that the draft declaration of the summit there are no words to condemn Russian aggression in Ukraine. “On the contrary, Russia invites to ensure that defined the terms of the agreement with Ukraine,” – pointed Belgian MEP. He stressed that the people of Ukraine are waiting for a clear and positive signal to the summit in Riga.
“May the EU will be brave! Give the European perspective of Ukraine, give Ukraine and Georgia a clear deadline for liberalizing the visa!” – Appealed Demesmaeker. The same thing also urged Lithuanian Petras liberal Ausztreviczius. “Eastern Partnership has become resistant to Russia!” – He said.
In turn, the Croatian Social-Democrat Tonino Picula assessed that the content of the draft declaration is “a pair of fuzzy and questionable prospects declaration on visa regime”. “Our partners would not cope in the face of great pressure” of Russia – warned.
During the debate on the EP hall was not representative of the European Commission.
The Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga will begin on Thursday evening. It is primarily intended to mark the achievements since the previous summit in Vilnius and a half years ago, and also confirm that both the EU and the Eastern partners want to continue and develop cooperation.
The meeting will take place, however, in the shadow of the conflict in Ukraine and strained relations with Russia. According to some commentators, Moscow’s reaction to the signing of the EU Association Agreements with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia is the reason that it snaps in Riga important decisions concerning the development of the Eastern Partnership program.
The draft declaration of the summit confirms, among others, recognition of the European aspirations and the European choice of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova and talks about the possibility of abolishing visas for Ukrainians and Georgians all conditions.
EU Eastern Partnership Program was established with the joint Polish and Swedish initiative, presented in 2009. It includes six countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
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