Russian FM: Eastern Partnership initiative was alarming signal in EU-Russia relations

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that the creation of the Eastern Partnership format by the EU in 2009, uniting Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine for democracy and stability in the region, was an alarming signal in Russia-EU relations. 

• 10 years since the creation of EU Eastern Partnership: 'all opportunities used'

The launch of the Eastern Partnership initiative, which was essentially aimed at breaking away from Russia our closest neighbours with whom we have been linked for centuries, has become an alarming sign in Russia-EU relations. The sad consequences of this selfish policy are felt to this day,” Lavrov says in his letter for the Rosiskaia Gazeta released today. 

Lavrov says that the EU was not ready for equality in relations with Russia.

In the lexicon of Brussels the term Europe has finally become synonymous with the  European Union. It is assumed that real Europeans are members of the EU and all the other countries of the continent still have to earn the high rank of Europeans. Thus, they are trying again to artificially divide the continent, distorting both geography and history, “ Lavrov said, adding that Russia has always been part of Europe. 

Ten years have passed since the creation of the EU Eastern Partnership format, uniting six Eastern European countries to support democracy, prosperity and stability in the region.

Georgia has been recognised as the leader of the Eastern Partnership initiative with its achievements.