Good neighbours: forging closer links with the EU's eastern partners

There is a Europe beyond the EU, which is why the EU has always been keen to foster good relations with its neighbours.

On Thursday and Friday, EU leaders will meet their counterparts from the Eastern Partnership countries. Although Ukraine has decided to put off signing an association agreement with the EU, two other countries are expected to initial important deals, breaking down barriers and bringing them closer to the EU. Check out our infographic to find out what's at stake.


The Vilnius summit on 28-29 November will feature representatives from the EU institutions, member states as well as six countries from the Eastern Partnership: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. It is an important milestone for the Eastern Partnership as both Georgia and Moldova are expected to initial association agreements, an important step toward signing the agreements later on, which will lead to better trade conditions and the easing of travel restrictions.


However, little progress will be made with Ukraine, after its government decided not to go ahead with an association agreement, which was expected to be signed at the Vilnius summit. The announcement was followed by massive protests in the country by people who favour closer links with the EU. The EU had also asked for opposition politician Yulia Tymoshenko to be released from prison in order to receive medical treatment abroad, which Kiev is reluctant to do.