Today.Az » Politics » Azerbaijani political expert: Swedish prime minister meant suspension of Eastern Partnership which includes Azerbaijan for coming half-year
02 July 2009 [16:45] - Today.Az
I think Swedish Prime Minister Frederick Reinsfild who presides over the EU meant suspension of the Eastern Partnership which includes Azerbaijan for coming half-year during which Sweden will hold EU chairmanship.
Political expert Rasim Musabayov said to Day.az while commenting on Swedish PM Frederick Reinsfild’s statement which said Eastern Partnership Program will be postponed.
“Eastern Partnership is not confined only to the fact that the EU allocates money. It has lots of things that do not require the direct costs. This is to facilitate access of products to EU markets and facilitating visa regime,” he said.
“The funds the EU has allocated for the program is very little. Moreover, much of this sum has already been allocated as a part of the European Neighborhood Policy,” the political expert said.
“I think prime minister’s statement refers only to the fact it is not worth waiting for additional funds over the next half-year of Sweden's EU chairmanship. But that does not mean that the program is closed. Reinsfild is just not authorized to do it,” Musabayov said.
The Eastern Partnership was initiated by Sweden and Poland. The program of cooperation with six former Soviet countries Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Moldova, Georgia and Azerbaijan involves deepening of cooperation with Europe.
Naila Abdullayeva,
Day.az
|
|
