EU’s new partnership agreement with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine is meant to extend the EU’s political and economic ties, writes The Moscow Times. EU offers the six former USSR republics free trade, millions in economic aid, regular security consultations, economic integration into its single European market, technical expertise and visa-free travel. “The Eastern Partnership will seek to support political and socioeconomic reforms of the partner countries, facilitating approximation toward the European Union,” says a draft of the summit’s final statement. The deal obliges the neighbours to commit to democracy, the rule of law and sound economic and human rights policies.
