Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine are six countries with which the European Union would like to cooperate more closely. The Eastern Partnership that was signed at the European Summit in Prague on 7 May 2009 is intended to strengthen these countries’ relations with the European Union. In the Czech capital EU representatives declared that the goal of the partnership was to “contribute to stability and prosperity on our eastern border”.
The agreement defines several key areas. The six countries are to be gradually integrated into the EU economy and their legislation harmonized with that of the European Union. Additionally, the partnership also envisages support for these countries in the development of a free-trade network and the simplification of conditions for entry into the EU combined with the simultaneous fulfilment of specific security requirements, such as combating corruption, organized crime and illegal migration.
Further points include improvements in the field of energy supply security and support for these countries in their social and economic development – above all, with regard to the considerable economic and social inequalities in the partner countries, as the EU put it. The European Union promises intensive ongoing support for the reform efforts of these eastern European and Caucasian countries as well as for the development of state institutions, such as courts and public authorities.
