"Eastern Partnership" not promising EU membership
The prospect of Ukraine and other post-Soviet countries' membership in EU may become an actual issue in 5-10 years' time in case of the proper implementation of "Eastern Partnership" program, saidRuprecht Polents, member of Foreign Affairs Committee of Bundestag.
According to him the initiative aims to establish maximum close ties among eastern neighbors. As noted by Mr. Polents, the program does not promise anything in terms of further prospects of membership.
"At the same time, the fact remains that after the EU expansion in 2004, the community is simply unable to admit new members. Instead, we offer Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova and Belarus such programs that may facilitate discussions over membership issues in future," Deutsche Welle quoted Polents as saying.
The European Commission adopted the "Eastern Partnership" program on December 3, 2008. The founding summit will take place in Prague on May the 7th.
According to him the initiative aims to establish maximum close ties among eastern neighbors. As noted by Mr. Polents, the program does not promise anything in terms of further prospects of membership.
"At the same time, the fact remains that after the EU expansion in 2004, the community is simply unable to admit new members. Instead, we offer Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova and Belarus such programs that may facilitate discussions over membership issues in future," Deutsche Welle quoted Polents as saying.
The European Commission adopted the "Eastern Partnership" program on December 3, 2008. The founding summit will take place in Prague on May the 7th.
