Eastern Partners may apply to become EU members, Speakers say

The Eastern Partners have a European perspective and may apply to become members of the European Union, read a statement issued by the Presidency Conclusions at the Conference of Speakers of European Union (EU) Parliaments.

The conference was held in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, today.

The Speakers noted the EU aspirations of Eastern partnership member countries and said such countries "may apply” to become members of the Union.

This would be possible if the aspirant countries "adhere to the principles of democracy, respect fundamental freedoms, human and minority rights, and ensure the rule of law,” read the document.

The Speakers also considered the implementation of the Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (AA/DCFTA) as an important step in fulfilling these European aspirations.

"Once the AA/DCFTA agreements are signed with the first group of Eastern Partners, EU Parliaments will have a special role to play in ratifying these agreements,” the report stated.In a bid to send a strong message of support to Eastern Partners, the Speakers expressed their commitment to complete the ratification process as quickly as possible.

Georgia’s Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili said the Speaker also supported the idea of creating an informal ratification support group to accelerate the ratification process across the EU.

"The Speakers reaffirmed that that they will coordinate the ratification process … so not to create any kind of difficulties,” Usupashvili said.

The Presidency Conclusions also welcomed the initiation Georgia and Moldova to sign the AA at the earliest possible occasion and no later than June.