EU urges to provide vaccines to Eastern Partnership countries by spring

The European Union should develop a simplified mechanism for access to Western coronavirus vaccines for the countries of the Eastern Partnership program (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine) as a "strong signal of support for partner states" for the summit of this program, scheduled for spring 2021.

The letter addressed to the European Commission of foreign ministers of 13 EU reads, Report states, citing TASS.

"We urge the European Commission to quickly develop a support mechanism similar to the already launched mechanism for the supply of vaccines to the countries of the Western Balkans. By the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit (in the first half of 2021), we must send a strong and coordinated message about the strategic importance of this program. Simplified access to coronavirus vaccines will be an important part of this signal. We are confident that these actions will be highly appreciated by these states' governments and civil societies. The mentioned measures will increase the European Union's geopolitical role in the world, " the letter says, signed by the foreign ministers of all Eastern European countries of the EU, as well as Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.

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