On 24 June, EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, received in Brussels the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, David Zalkaliani, Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, Aureliu Ciocoi, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba. They discussed the possibilities of further enhanced cooperation between the EU and the three associated partners.
In his remarks following the meeting, Borrell noted that “this year is an important year for the Eastern Partnership. Together with the Commission, we are in the process of finalising the post-2020 agenda, which contains concrete deliverables and targets”.
Borrell also welcomed the closer coordination between Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as their request for enhanced cooperation with the European Union. “We should be proud that our partners want to move closer the European Union, and even to join it,” said Borrell.
EU High Representative also reminded that Association Agreements, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas, are the most comprehensive that the EU has with any of its partners.
“The full implementation of these agreements is key to exploit all the opportunities they offer, for example further trade exchanges, more security cooperation – and today especially in the new fields of disinformation, cyber and hybrid threats – on environment, and connectivity,” Borrell said.
Borrell reiterated that the Eastern Partnership summit, which will take place in December, will be “an opportunity to set this new agenda in motion, and to agree on a common vision for the future”.
