Brussels, 18/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 18th February, the Foreign Ministers of the EU stressed the importance of fully engaging partner countries in the preparation of the Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held in late November 2013, where they hope that many stages will be completed. In their conclusions, the ministers point out that the pace of reforms will determine the intensity of cooperation, looking forward with interest to the elections to be held in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Welcoming the “substantial” progress made in the negotiation of the association agreements, the Council looks forward to determined actions and tangible progress in order to be able to sign the agreement with Ukraine, adding that the signature may be accompanied by the provisional application of certain parts of the agreement. It also stresses that the European Council has called for progress with Moldova, Georgia and Armenia for the finalisation of their agreements at the summit. The ministers also welcome progress under way in negotiations with Azerbaijan.
As regards the visa-free regime, the heads of diplomacy welcome progress made by Moldova and urged Ukraine to step up its efforts, awaiting with interest the swift conclusion of agreements on the facilitation of modified visas with both countries. They state that the implementation of the action plan on the future liberalisation of visas with Georgia, as well as the entry into force of the agreements on visa facilitation and readmission with Armenia and the conclusion of negotiations on these agreements with Azerbaijan, should take place at the time of the summit. The ministers reiterate that they are prepared to start negotiations on visas with Belarus.
The Council also welcomes the “significant range of activities ongoing in the framework of the multilateral dimension” of the Partnership, and the creation of informal dialogue, and stresses the importance it attaches to the engagement of civil society in the Eastern Partnership. (CG/transl.fl)