Russian steps as regards Eastern Partnership states unacceptable - EU Council President
VILNIUS. Nov 29 (Interfax) - The European Union does not accept Russia's limitations on EU relations with its eastern partners, President of the Council of the European Union Herman van Rompuy said.
He told a press conference in Vilnius they had stated more than once that Russia's actions as regards the Eastern Partnership countries were inconsistent with the way international relations were conducted in the 21st century.
Van Rompuy said that the EU would insist that every attempt of Russia to influence the choices made by the Eastern Partnership countries would be a violation of OSCE principles.
He stressed at the same time that Russia remained a strategically important partner of the European Union.
The EU would insist that any steps of Russia taken in order to put pressure on independent countries, partners of Europe, meet the Helsinki criteria - the freedom of choice in organizing their relations with other countries.
