On 7 May 2009 the Belarusian delegation took part in the constituent summit of the Eastern Partnership Programme. The Eastern Partnership Programme is a rather new EU initiative proposed by Poland and Lithuania in 2008 in order to create necessary conditions to “accelerate political association and further economic integration” between the EU and 6 former Soviet countries – Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Moldova (“Eastern Partners”).
The Programme is based on 5 comprehensive platforms:
• trade and regulatory approximation with a view to “establishing a deep and comprehensive free trade area” as a final goal;
• supporting mobility of citizens and visa liberalisation (i.e. waiving the visa fee) with a view to implementing a visa-free travel as a final goal;
• good governance and stability achieved through programmes (including training, technical assistance, etc.) with each partner country separately in order to improve their administrative capacity;
• development of institutions of democracy;
• energy security through cooperation with regard to long-term stable and secure energy supply and transit.
These 5 platforms will be implemented through specific projects and programmes on multilateral and bilateral levels. The budget of the Eastern Partnership is EUR 600 million.
The invitation of Belarus to participate in the constituent summit of the Eastern Partnership on 7 May 2009, though much disputed within the EU almost until the summit, is of historical importance. The EU representatives note that the Eastern Partnership not only opens considerable opportunities for Belarus in the economic sphere but also means the end of political isolation of Belarus.
Belarusian Government gives great prominence to the participation of Belarus in the Eastern Partnership. Belarusian President confirmed that the economic aspect of the Eastern Partnership is crucially important for Belarus, having a potential of extensive development of trade between the EU countries and Belarus and intensification of investments in Belarus.
