RFE/RL: “EU may direct more funding for Eastern Partnership nations to reduce Russian energy dependence”

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty has published an article in which it says that the European Union (EU) plans to increase funding for alternative energy to ween six nations of its Eastern Partnership programme off Russian fossil fuels.

In a leaked draft of its joint communication about the future of the Eastern Partnership seen by RFE/RL, Brussels also said it wants to step up the fight against economic crime in the six countries, including the recovery of stolen assets.

Created in 2009, the EU’s Eastern Partnership aims to bring the former Soviet states of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine closer to the bloc through help with reforms, without offering those nations guarantees that they could one day join.

The 18-page paper, which is likely to be presented by the European Commission next week, is titled Reinforcing Resilience – An Eastern Partnership That Delivers For All and follows months of consultations among EU member states and the six nations about the future of the Eastern Partnership.

The paper will form the basis of discussion when EU and the Eastern Partnership leaders meet for their next summit in Brussels, tentatively scheduled for June 18. The leaders will discuss launching new visa liberalization talks with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus, whose citizens still require visas to travel to the EU.

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