Füle considers unacceptable Russia’s pressure on Eastern Partnership countries

European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Füle considers unacceptable pressure of Russia on the countries of "Eastern Partnership", which seek to sign the association agreement with the EU. 

Füle noted that the EU partners should have opportunity to make their own decisions and to establish relationship with its neighbors. "Any pressure, whatever it may be, should not affect the country's decision to sign the Association Agreement," Füle said in his speech at the 5th Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum in Chisinau (Moldova). "The concept of solidarity is not an empty word for us. We would not want anyone to become a victim of this pressure," the Commissioner said.

Referring to situation in Moldova, he expressed the hope that by the end of the year, and perhaps earlier, the EU will increase the quotas on exports of Moldovan wine. He also noted that the "Eastern Partnership" is a policy that links not only neighbors of the European Union, "but the neighbors of our neighbors." 

 Füle stressed once again that the initiatives to establish free trade areas with the EU and the countries of the CIS do not contradict each other.