Eastern Partnership FMs mull preparations for summit

An informal videoconference of the Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers has kicked off, Report says. The meeting is chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrel.

During the meeting, the Ministers of the Eastern Partnership countries and the EU countries will have an informal exchange ahead of the upcoming Eastern Partners leaders' video conference on June 18.

Their discussion will center around the Joint Communication on the Eastern Partnership (EaP) beyond 2020 and its five long-term policy objectives: economy and connectivity; accountable institutions; the rule of law and security; the green and digital transformations; and fair and inclusive societies.

They will also review the new proposal to the Joint Communication to reinforce cooperation in the areas of wellbeing and health, with an explicit reference to public health and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ministers will also focus on the EU's support to the EaP partner countries in the fight against COVID-19, which involves addressing immediate health sector-related needs and long-term socio-economic impacts.

Notably, the EU launched the Eastern partnership program in 2009, and the main goal is to develop regional cooperation with six countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.