Franco Frattini: Eastern Partnership should not be anti-Russian initiative

PanARMENIAN.Net - Italy has called on European Union member states to invite Russia for the Eastern Partnership Summit due in Prague on May 7.



"Eastern Partnership should not be an anti-Russian initiative," Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said upon completion of EU Foreign Minister's meeting in Brussels.



At that, he said that Italy's proposal did not stir up opposition, RIA Novosti reports.



The European Commission puts forward concrete ideas for enhancing our relationship with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus (the latter depending on the development of its relations with the EU). This would imply new association agreements including deep and comprehensive free trade agreements with those countries willing and able to enter into a deeper engagement, gradual integration in the EU economy and allow for easier travel to the EU through gradual visa liberalization, accompanied by measures to tackle illegal immigration.