E.U. grants Russia “key partner” status

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
June 14, 2004, Monday

Luxembourg

European Union governments Monday identified Russia as a “key
partner” in the bloc’s new strategy of upgrading political and
economic relations with its neighbours. Foreign ministers from the
25 nation bloc said that the policy – including the elaboration of
action plans aimed at bolstering reform in neighbouring states – would
be prepared for Jordan, Moldova, Morocco, Tunisia, Ukraine, Israel
and the Palestinian Authority. In addition, Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia are also being brought into the neighbourhood blueprint. The
policy provides for a “significant degree of economic integration”
between the neighbours and the E.U. as well as a deepening of political
relations. Ministers said the E.U. did not want to create “new dividing
lines” between the recently-enlarged Union and its neighbours. dpa
si sr
From: Baghdasarian