Brussels, 23/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 25 October, the European Council will discuss the progress of preparations for the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius on 28-29 November.
Several member states may possibly refer to the pressure being exerted by Russia on third countries participating in the Eastern Partnership. During the Vilnius Summit, the EU could also possibly sign an association agreement and a comprehensive and far reaching free-trade agreement with Ukraine, as well as initialling similar agreements with Georgia and Armenia.
Speaking at the European Parliament on Wednesday 23 October, the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, pointed out that the EU expected its partners to respect “their commitments to reform and the values underpinning these partnerships”.
On Monday, European ministers for foreign affairs discussed the Vilnius Summit, particularly with regard to Ukraine. Ministers highlighted that progress still needed to be made, in addition to the situation affecting former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko. The decision to sign the association agreement with Kiev is expected to be taken during the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 November. Barroso called on “Ukraine to meet the remaining criteria and seize the opportunity of the extension of the Cox-Kwasniewski mission”. (CG/transl.fl)