The meeting was held under the Polish Presidency of the Visegrad Group and was part of preparations for the EaP Summit that is scheduled to take place in October 2021 in Brussels. A key subject under discussion was the future of the EU Eastern Neighbourhood Policy, in particular the issue of security. At the invitation of Minister Zbigniew Rau, the meeting was also attended by ministers of foreign affairs of Portugal, Finland, and Sweden, as well as by the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi and Secretary General of the European External Action Service Stefano Sannino.

The ministers highlighted the role and exceptional level of engagement of the Visegrad Group countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood Policy, and discussed preparations for the EaP Summit in Brussels. The diplomats stressed that the Eastern Partnership has proved to be one of the most successful initiatives of the EU’s foreign policy, has brought about positive changes in the region and still has a significant transformative potential in economic, social, and regional development.

“The closest possible integration between the EaP states and the European Union, along with further democratisation and modernisation of the region’s countries, is in our long-term and strategic interest. In the context of Russia’s increasingly aggressive policy in this part of the continent, these objectives take on particular significance,” said Minister Rau. The head of Polish diplomacy also underlined the importance of the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in autumn this year, and stressed the need to set ambitious goals for the EaP beyond 2020. “We must give the Partnership an ambitious political vision with specific goals to be achieved in the nearest and more distant future. The Summit Declaration should reflect different aspirations of the Partner Countries and offer a European perspective to Associated countries, in accordance with their individual choices,” said Minister Rau.

The speakers also pointed out to the importance of assisting the EaP countries in fighting the pandemic and fostering economic cooperation. Referring to security issues, Minister Rau added: “It is no accident that we are launching a debate on security within the Eastern Partnership at this very moment. Security challenges in Europe are increasing all the time. We believe that the debate on the EU’s security cannot be separated from the current developments right outside its borders – in the east and the south. As for our eastern neighbourhood, we must admit that the situation is very difficult. Many conflicts remain unresolved and new sources of tensions have emerged. In almost all cases we are dealing with Russia.”

During the video conference, the ministers also adopted a joint statement on the future of the Eastern Partnership, which stresses that the EU’s policy towards the eastern Partners must be credible, dynamic and attractive. It should reflect common values underlying the EaP. The ministers declared their readiness to continue supporting and developing the Eastern Partnership beyond 2020.

Meetings of foreign ministers of the Visegrad Group and the Eastern Partnership are traditionally held during each Polish presidency of this format, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo: Tymon Markowski / MFA