We, the Representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of Georgia, Lithuania, Poland
and Ukraine, gathered on the eve of the 6th Eastern Partnership Summit, in recognition of the importance of this important instrument of the European Neighbourhood Policy, created on the initiative of Poland and Sweden after the Russian invasion of Georgia and serving as an expression of the European Union's solidarity with the Georgian people, who were facing armed aggression from the Russian Federation against their country, today - when a similar threat is faced by the Ukrainian people - we declare the following:

            The Eastern Partnership, encompassing six European countries, the eastern neighbors of the European Union: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, remains the leading platform for deepening relations between the Union and these nations and should be further developed and strengthened. However, the time that has elapsed since the initiative was launched makes it necessary to adapt the Eastern Partnership to new emerging challenges so that it can continue to fulfil its tasks effectively.

We support the principle of an open-door policy with regard to the prospect of membership of the European Union. Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union remains a fundamental right of the European Union and is fully applicable to the countries of the Eastern Partnership that want it and meet the criteria, including the Associated Trio. This principle should be reflected in concrete actions aimed at starting the accession process.   

We recognize the principle of conditionality expressed in the "more for more" formula as an important instrument for supporting the implementation of reforms that are crucial in the process of European integration of the partner countries. We welcome the principle of differentiation and formation of the Associated Trio as the group most advanced in the European integration process of the Eastern Partnership countries: Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. We appeal to the European Union to fill in the content of the above formula by admitting these countries to EU programs and policies, including specific areas of security and sectoral cooperation, such as through the creation of a common roaming area and further integration into the European internal market. We call for the establishment of a structured dialogue between the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Human Rights Committee of the democratically elected parliaments of the Eastern Partnership countries and of the European Union Member States particularly concerned. Representatives of democratic forces in Belarus should also find an appropriate place in this dialogue. The dialogue should be based on a regular rhythm of meetings aimed at drafting and presenting by the Commission at the beginning of each EU presidency joint reports on the state of relations between the European Union and the Eastern Partnership countries and reports on human rights in the territories of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine occupied or controlled by Russia, as well as in Belarus. These reports, together with recommendations for action, should be presented to the EU Council Presidency, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and in the area of human rights also to the UN, OSCE Parliamentary Assemblies and the Council of Europe.