Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine Pledge to Take Joint Path to EU

Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia signed a memorandum in Kyiv on Monday that formalises their cooperation on a joint path towards membership of the European Union.

Moldovan Foreign Minister Aureliu Ciocoi said that by signing the document, the three countries with European aspirations are sending another strong signal that they will continue to implement reform and modernisation plans.

"The signing of the memorandum and the establishment of the 'Associated Trio' is a concrete commitment to intensify trilateral cooperation in the field of European integration," said Ciocoi.

The memorandum sets out a series of objectives for cooperation on the road to membership of the bloc, including joint diplomatic activities and trilateral consultations.

"This new initiative will help us move more effectively and together towards European integration. Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova have the status of associated partners in the relationship with the European Union," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

The three states agreed develop joint initiatives in dialogue with EU institutions and coordinate their positions within the Eastern Partnership, the EU's cooperation initiative for post-Soviet states.

David Zalkaliani, Georgia's foreign minister, said the memorandum was an important political step.

"Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine are pursuing a common goal of European integration. This is our sovereign choice, and no power could reverse it," Zalkaliani said.

Ciocoi added that the three states must do their homework to achieve their common goal "so that our countries do not ask, but are invited to join the family of the European Union."

Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine are all ex-Soviet states which have frozen or ongoing...