Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova express joint vision for Eastern Partnership development

02.02.2021 17:42

Ukrinform

The foreign ministers of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova have sent a letter to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi and the foreign ministers of the EU member states on a common strategic vision for the further development of the Eastern Partnership initiative, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service has reported.

According to the report, Foreign Ministers Dmytro Kuleba of Ukraine, David Zalkaliani of Georgia and Aureliu Ciocoi of Moldova are convinced that the Eastern Partnership should take due account of the European aspirations of the three countries and introduce an ambitious approach to deepen their integration with the EU.

"Opening new horizons of cooperation for the most interested partner countries committed to the European vector of development will contribute to their closer political, economic and sectoral rapprochement with the EU. Adapting the Eastern Partnership to the new realities and the needs of its member states is necessary to strengthen the transformational potential of this initiative and stability in the region," the ministers said in a joint letter.

Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova outlined their Eastern Partnership priorities, which include integration into the EU's internal market, rapprochement with the EU in the areas of transport, energy, digital market, green economy, healthcare, and strengthening security cooperation.

The ministers announced their intention to strengthen coordination as part of preparations for the Eastern Partnership Summit in 2021 and to form a new package of its tasks and goals.

The foreign ministers emphasized that the differentiated approach of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova does not deny their commitment to the integrity and inclusiveness of the Eastern Partnership, the recognition of the strategic importance of the initiative for all six member states and the region as a whole.

The letter reads that the achievements of the three countries on the European integration path will serve as a guide for other Eastern partners.