The Eastern Partnership project has a meaning despite the recent events in Ukraine, as it may contribute towards stabilising the region, boosting democracy and prosperity and protecting human rights, said Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák at an informal meeting of foreign ministers of the so-called Moldova European Action Group on Monday.
The Eastern Partnership is a European Union initiative governing its relations with the post-Soviet states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Moldova already signed the Association Agreement with the EU in June. Lajčák stressed that Slovakia is ready to continue supporting members of the Eastern Partnership in what he described as the current difficult period. One specific step is the setting up of a Pro-Europe Secretariat of Non-government Organisations Platform in Chisinau on Monday, which was supported by funds from the SlovakAid programme. The platform is supposed to mobilise civil society and mobilise a pro-EU direction for Moldova. “We want the Pro-Europe Platform, which was initiated by Slovakia, to become a source of information, and a voice of democracy and civil society in Moldova. I'm looking forward to seeing you in the EU,” added Lajčák.
