Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova Are EU’s Most Ambitious Eastern Partners

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba took part in a video meeting in the format of the “Trio of Associated Partners of the EU” along with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia David Zalkaliani and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova Aureliu Ciocoi.

The participants noted the unity of the three EU Associated States in their vision of the strategic future of the Eastern Partnership and the existence of many areas of common interest in the context of Ukraine’s, Georgia’s and Moldova’s integration into the EU.

“It is important that our three states speak to the European Union with one voice, which is much stronger than the voice of each one alone. The Eastern Partnership should be a tool that contributes to the realisation of the European aspirations of our states, the Associated Trio of the EU’s most ambitious eastern partners,” Dmytro Kuleba stressed.

The foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to work together in the areas of deep and comprehensive free trade areas and sectoral rapprochement with the EU.

Kuleba, Zalkaliani and Chocoi unanimously stressed the importance of developing a security dimension of cooperation within the Eastern Partnership, given the existing threats and challenges to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the eastern partners.

Background

The Eastern Partnership is an EU initiative that continues the eastern direction of the European Neighbourhood Policy, which was launched in 2009. It includes Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus.

The decision to hold the Sixth Summit of the EU’s Eastern Partnership initiative in 2021 was made in June 2020. The summit is to agree on a new package of expected achievements within the framework of the Eastern Partnership in the coming years.

Natalia Tolub