Brussels, 30 March 2020
Following the European Commission’s announcement on the reallocation of funds to the Eastern Partnership countries to tackle COVID-19, the European People’s Party (EPP) Vice President responsible for the region, Siegfried MURESAN, said the following:
“While Russia is busy waging an information war to discredit the European Union’s image in the Eastern Partnership countries, the EU delivers help to them.
While Russia pretends to help Italy with the COVID-19 crisis by sending soldiers and military equipment, the European Union redirects more than €800 million to the Eastern Partnership countries. Part of the money will be used for immediate needs of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. The remaining part will be made available to these countries to buy medical equipment, train doctors and help SMEs survive economically during the crisis.
Very often, deeds speak louder than words. The European Union has clearly shown today that the Eastern Partnership countries remain a priority to the union. Despite going through challenging times and grappling with the COVID-19 crisis, the EU has not forgotten its neighbours.
Cooperation and solidarity will always remain the tools the EU will use in its vicinity, which come in stark contrast with Russia’s tools of disinformation, propaganda and the spreading of fear. The EPP is and will remain a strong supporter of the Eastern Partnership countries and any EU initiative that brings an added value to the citizens of the region.”