The European Union is to present Wednesday a partnership offer proposal for its Eastern neighbours, an effort that is planned to be a priority of Czech Republic`s upcoming EU presidency, an EU official said Friday, dpa reported. Speaking during her Prague visit, EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that she planned to present a package offering association agreements, free trade and energy security deals to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and possibly to Belarus.

The commissioner said the proposal should mean "a real investment...in order for the Eastern countries to really have a chance to get closer to us" but would not disclose further details before Wednesday.

The proposal requires an approval by the Council and European Parliament.

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The so-called Eastern Partnership initiative is planned to be one of the focal points of the Czech Republic`s six-month presidency of the EU due to begin on January 1.

DPA via EarthTimes