Citing Russian 'Aggression,' EU Steps Up Neighborhood Plans

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BRUSSELS -- Russia's August war with Georgia and its recent natural-gas standoff with Ukraine have had a pivotal impact on EU plans for its eastern neighbors, Eneko Landaburu told a hearing in Brussels on January 20.

Landaburu, the European Commission's director-general for external relations, told the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee that "the aggressive nature of Russia's policies" regarding its neighbors puts the EU "in a position where it becomes vital for us to reinforce cooperation with our eastern neighbors."

The next EU summit in March is expected to endorse a European Commission plan to set up a new Eastern Partnership program within the auspices of European Neighborhood Policy (ENP).

Two months later, on May 7, EU leaders will hold a joint summit with their counterparts from Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in Prague to cement the initiative.

Landaburu said a "successful" Eastern Partnership would be the "best thing" for its participants' ambitions to "one day" join the EU. This is the first time the EU has made a direct link between the ENP and enlargement.

However, Landaburu warned membership hopefuls that, for the time being, the EU remains divided on the issue of future enlargement. "The question of accession is not on the [EU] agenda, [whether] you like it or not," he said. "It's a political reality. There is no consensus in the union to start negotiations of accession -- that is a fact."

This applies to potential eastern applicants. The more affluent and better-integrated Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland could join the EU in a matter of months.

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Landaburu noted that the EU's activity on its eastern flank is seen as a challenge by Moscow. "What we are doing with our eastern policy doesn't please the Russians," he said. But, he added, "it's not our job to pursue policies that are particularly pleasant for Mr.[Russian Prime Minister Vladimir] Putin."

http://www.rferl.org/content/Citing_Russia...ns/1372874.html

[mawilson 2,133]

The more affluent and better-integrated Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland could join the EU in a matter of months.

Thought they were broke?

[Ban Hammer 13,678]

The more affluent and better-integrated Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland could join the EU in a matter of months.

Thought they were broke?

what better time to join?