Azerbaijan, Baku, December 15 / Trend , E.Ostapenko /
EU's eastern neighbors must use the existing point in order to get closer to the EU and show everyone that this is a common space, said former EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
"These countries need to use the existing point in order to approach us, to show all countries, including Russia, that this is our common neighborhood," said in an interview with Radio Liberty Waldner, who after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, took the post of EU Commissioner for Trade.
Stabilizing these countries does not threaten Russia, she said, adding that it is beneficial for whole Europe and these countries particularly. Waldner said that this issue should be considered in this political context.
Speaking about the reforms in the countries that are EU's eastern neighbors, Waldner said that these countries, not being EU members, must implement their own reforms.
Waldner urged to use this moment, arguing that the EU partner countries receive more financial support, including for the establishment of a free trade zone.
According to the European Commissioner, besides bilateral talks, EU Eastern Partnership program established a multilateral space where "the countries can share experiences and see who next moves in this or another way, which is very important."
Eastern Partnership program is aimed at rapprochement between the EU and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine. The program envisages allocation of 600 million euros to the countries up to 2013 to strengthen state institutions, control of borders and help small businesses.
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