Eastern Partnership - alternative to CIS

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has declared in an interview with Ekho Moskvi that the EU is Georgia’s natural partner, highlighting that the country has finally withdrawn from the CIS. He also stressed that the Eastern Partnership Programme will facilitate free trade arrangements and visa regime simplification. He did not mention integration with the EU but outlined the new prospects which the EU programme presents.

Economic analyst Kakha Gogolashvili thinks that by using its resources the EU will support the EPP countries and accelerate their economic and political development, thus helping them come closer to European standards and integrate them with European countries. Moscow however is jealous of any kind of partnership programme, considering these attempts to influence the countries which Moscow regards as part of its sphere of interest.