Brussels, 12/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 12 March, the European Parliament called for an in-depth assessment of the effectiveness of the Eastern Partnership project. In the report by Pawel Robert Kowal (ECR, Poland) on the assessment and establishment of priorities for the European Union's relations with the Eastern Partnership countries, MEPs state that it is necessary to reflect on this more deeply and to give it fresh momentum and a clear vision in order to make it progress - by focusing on political cooperation and companies, and on development in the social, economic and cultural domains. MEPs adopted Kowal's report by 592 votes in favour, 64 against and 24 abstentions.
The Parliament believes that the result of the Eastern Partnership summit highlights the need to strengthen the strategic nature of the partnership, recommending that flexible use be made of the tools available to the EU. Concerned by the fact that the partnership has been challenged by third parties, the Parliament asks all participants involved to maintain their commitment to the project.
Kowal's report also calls for the association agreements with Georgia and Moldova to be signed quickly and if this is done, it calls for the agreements' “total, immediate and effective application in the partner countries”. MEPs state that this will support the process of modernisation and reform in these countries. MEPs call on the European Commission to examine in greater detail the possibilities of reducing obstacles to trade, even before signing the association agreements and implementing the deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA) so as to enable companies and businesses in the Eastern Partnership to feel the economic benefits of closer cooperation with the EU more quickly. Once again deploring the continued pressure from Russia on the Eastern Partnership countries - through its economic; political and military tools - the Parliament calls for a discussion with Moscow on this issue and for measures to support the Eastern Partnership countries.
MEPs believe that visa liberalisation should be a “priority”. They therefore call for greater endeavours in this domain, stressing that it is one of the tools to enable companies to move closer together, and that progress is needed in these closer ties. (CG)