EU concerned about consequences of existing visa liberalization in Eastern Partnership

The EU countries have not yet reached a full agreement on the aspirations for membership of the Eastern Partnership countries and concerned about the consequences of the already implemented visa liberalization. Report says, citing document of RFE/RL.

Diplomats from 27 EU States representing the European Council are discussing seven-page document. It is a response to the European Commission's communique on the Eastern partnership, submitted last month, and to be approved in the coming days.

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

The document under discussion still contains several conclusions in brackets, meaning that there is still no consensus on the wording.

Officials on condition of anonymity told RFE / RL that France, with the support of some southern EU member States, insisted on enclosing a phrase in brackets that states "the Council recognizes the European aspirations and European choice of interested Eastern partners, as specified in the Association agreements."

However, the publication's interlocutors said they expect France to eventually back down, as this phrase has been the EU standard for several years to recognize that Eastern partnership countries such as Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine may join the bloc in the future.

At the same time, the Council members fully agree with chances of suspending visa liberalization. Although it is believed that there will be no suspension, the document states that the member States "note that a the large number of unsubstantiated asylum applications by some citizens of eastern partner countries in EU member states is a matter of concern."

Notably, the EU has so far signed an agreement on visa - a free regime with three of the six countries of the program - Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova.

The document is under discussion, while the European Parliament is debating the draft report on the future of the Eastern partnership.

The non-binding draft sets out more ambitious goals than the Council text, notes RFE / RL. It involves a common economic space between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, as well as the gradual integration of the six countries into the EU energy Union, transport community, and single digital market.