Caspian Energy (CE): What does Eastern Partnership mean to the EU? To what extent has the trade-economic partnership been expanded with the Eastern Partnership countries?
Olivér Várhelyi, European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement: As its name indicates, this is first and foremost a partnership between the Eastern neighbours and the EU. The Eastern Partnership – a joint policy initiative - is based on close cooperation through which we offer tangible benefits to citizens and the economies of our partner countries, leading to an increased political and economic integration within the region and with the EU.
For the last 14 years this Partnership has been a successful tool for building resilience and promoting our shared values. Furthermore, recognizing the European perspectives of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, and granting the status of candidate country to Ukraine and to Moldova, are proof of its success bringing these countries closer to the EU.
We are convinced that this regional framework remains a valid and important tool – in synergy with our enlargement policy – to address existing challenges from energy supply to food security. There is still so much the Eastern Partnership can do to promote a stable, peaceful and prosperous Europe and Eastern Neighbourhood, to the benefit of both. Through the Eastern Partnership, which includes a 17 billion euro worth of Economic and Investment Plan, the EU is contributing to a more diversified economies in the region attracting investment and creating growth and jobs. It has also opened more trade and business opportunities as we improve connectivity, i.e. transport and digital infrastructure, energy security and efficiency infrastructure, as well as invest in young people. Moreover, the EU has concluded Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia as part of our Association Agreements with those countries. These are some of the EU’s most ambitious agreements worldwide. They eliminate most tariffs and quotas in our trade as well as providing for alignment of their national legislation with EU legislation in areas such as public procurement, food and product safety. We also have close economic ties with Azerbaijan. Noteworthy is the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement - with negotiations underway to update it - that aims to further boost trade. All this bring our partners’ economies closer to the EU internal market, bringing jobs, growth, innovation and higher standards to the people of the region. Trade between the EU and the Eastern Partnership region has increased by over 20% in a decade, and the EU is now the main trading partner for four of the partners.
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