"Ahead of the 4th Eastern Partnership Summit taking place today and tomorrow in Riga, the members of the S&D Group stressed the importance of an even closer relationship with the eastern partnership countries on the basis of shared values, commitment to the principles democracy, rule of law, and the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. While recognising and welcoming the progress achieved so far, they underlined the need to be more ambitious and creative in establishing the immediate priorities of the partnership and the way forward.
S&D vice-chair responsible for foreign affairs, Knut Fleckenstein, said:
"In the light of the multiple crises and growing security challenges in the EU's neighbourhood, the Riga summit must stress the need for more cooperation, more solidarity and more effectiveness.
"The EU needs to respond better to the differing aspirations of the partners. Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, countries that have signed and already provisionally implemented Association Agreements/DCFTAs with the EU, need to receive additional support in their efforts to implement the related socio-economic reforms for the benefit of their own citizens.
"New constructive forms of cooperation must be developed with the other partners who were not ready to take this major step. We firmly believe that this cooperation can be further developed in all areas of mutual interest within the Eastern Partnership framework. However these contractual relations must also reflect our common values.
"The Eastern Partnership is a policy of cooperation and good neighbourly relations. We stress our conviction that the closer relations with the EU should not be seen as an impediment to good relations of the eastern partners with any of their neighbours."
S&D MEP and vice-president for foreign affairs Victor Boştinaru added:
"Europe cannot afford to lower its ambition in its eastern neighbourhood.
"Achieving even closer cooperation between the EU and the eastern partnership countries is of crucial importance for ensuring stability and prosperity on the European continent.
"The Riga summit needs to recognise the progress achieved so far and offer concrete incentives to the forerunners of the partnership. We support the visa liberalisation process for Ukraine and Georgia and we call for a clear recognition of their reform efforts. The EU should give a positive message by setting a target-date for the completion of the action plans for this visa liberalisation. With good will from all sides, we believe that this should be feasible by the end of the year.
"The summit needs to be seen as a chance to show solidarity towards these countries, which remain under pressure to make clear their European aspirations."
