EaP summit declaration: EU acknowledges initiative of associated trio to enhance cooperation with EU
The declaration states that the EU will continue to support the implementation of the Eastern Partnership European school in Georgia along with the support for culture and creative industries. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The Eastern Partnership (EaP) summit held yesterday in Brussels has concluded with the adoption of a declaration which acknowledges the initiative of the associated trio uniting Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova ‘to enhance cooperation with the EU.'
The EU takes good note of the increased coordination amongst them [assosiated trio] on matters of common interest related to the implementation of the Association Agreements and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTAs), and on cooperation within the Eastern Partnership,” the declaration reads.
Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova are the three associated partners of the EU which launched the format of the Associated Trio earlier this year. The main purpose of the Associated Trio is to strengthen the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative and ensure joint efforts for European integration.
It further says that in framework of this cooperation the EU together with these three countries will explore options for enhanced sectoral cooperation such as: the twin green and digital transitions, connectivity, energy security, justice and home affairs, strategic communication and healthcare.
At the same time, the EU continues to stress the importance of the principle of inclusivity, providing equal access to opportunities and resources to all interested partners,” the document says.
Had tête-à-tête w/ @CharlesMichel in the frames of the 6th #EaP Summit. Reassured ????????'s commitment to the reform agenda on its ???????? integration path. ????????& ???????? have a strong & steady partnership. Ambitious benchmarks are set & we are diligent on this path. pic.twitter.com/zmW0PLG1zQ
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) December 15, 2021
The declaration states that the EU will continue to support the implementation of the Eastern Partnership European school in Georgia along with the support for culture and creative industries.
The document also emphasises that the EU remains committed ‘in its support to the territorial integrity within their internationally recognised borders, independence, and sovereignty of all Eastern partners.’
The declaration calls for ‘renewed efforts’ for promoting the peaceful settlement of unresolved conflicts in the Eastern Partnership region ‘based on the principles and norms of international law.’
The documents also touches upon the issue of global pandemic stating that it will continue to support partner countries in addressing ‘the pandemic, the vaccination process, to fight against anti-vaccine disinformation and to foster longer term health resilience.’
Over 2.5 billion EUR has been mobilised through rapid Team Europe support package since 2020 and 13 million vaccine doses were donated to partner countries via the COVAX Facility and through the EU Vaccine Sharing mechanism.
The EaP summit adopted a new agenda which will be underpinned by the 2.3 billion EUR regional economic and investment plan with a potential to mobilise up to 17 billion EUR in public and private investments for the region.
The EaP format was launched on April 7, 2009 and united six Eastern European countries – Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. However, Belarus suspended its participation in the EaP following the economic sanctions imposed by the EU against the country earlier this year.