Fearing the possible reaction from Russia, European leaders gave up on ambitions for expansion to the East, writes.
at the conference "Eastern partnership" in Riga former Soviet republics did not offer bestlocation visa-free regime, and the door to the EU for them " slammed shut ".
at the previous summit, the President Viktor Yanukovych, under pressure from Russia " did not want to sign the Association agreement with the EU, which eventually led to the crisis in Ukraine, writes the print edition." this time, fearing a repeat, European leaders are walking around Russia on tiptoe " - says the Washington post.
along with this even active supporters of EU enlargement recognise that none of the countries of "Eastern partnership" has not carried out the reforms necessary for accession talks in the unit. Thus, in their statements, " the European leaders are afraid to even predict that flirting with Ukraine and its neighbours one day go into a serious relationship ".
"Russia began to play a more prominent role in these discussions," says Kadri Leek from the European Council for international vzaimootnosheniam.
According to the expert, in the EU there is an understanding that " Russia has its own opinion and the ability to resist that one must take into account ". How exactly to take into consideration the opinion of the Russian capital, is a matter of debate, highlights the Leek.
The program "Eastern partnership" includes political Association and economic integration of the EU with Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The last 3 countries last year signed the Association agreement with the EU partnership.
in Riga on may 21-22 passed the summit of the countries participating in the program.
sections: Politics |