Brussels, 23/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - There is “general consensus” within Council in affirming that the Eastern Partnership is a “viable political concept” and that the conclusion of association agreements and free trade areas with the neighbouring countries of the East is the “way forward”, Karel Schwarzenberg told the press after the External Relations Council on Monday 23 February. The acting president did, however, recognise that the details, particularly finance, had to be finalised before the Eastern Partnership can be approved by the European Council in March, to be officially launched at the 7 May summit in Prague. Mr Schwarzenberg affirmed that if Belarus recognised Southern Ossetia and Abkhazia's independence, it would have “extremely big problems” with the EU, which would compromise its future participation in the Eastern Partnership. (H.B./trans/jl/rh)