A European perspective for Belarus or Ukraine? It's No & Nein

(BRUSSELS2, exclusive) The discussion on the Eastern Partnership gave rise to a certain consensus among Europeans in condemning both the development in Ukraine - with the imprisonment of former President Timoshenko - and in Belarus and repeating how much cooperation with Europe's eastern neighbors is important. But beyond this superficial consensus, there was also a very clear warning issued by the French and German ministers not to open up a European perspective to these countries.

The Franco-German couple at the forefront

With the decline of democracy in Ukraine and an unhealthy business climate, this is not really the time to open up a European perspective. Here are the main arguments used, according to our information, by Guido Westerwelle and Alain Juppé. A position followed by others which obviously does not delight Poland which has made enlargement on its eastern flank one of the foundations of its foreign policy.

This confirms the general brake given to the enlargement policy of the European Union, Balkan countries apart. Beyond the arguments of the economic situation in these countries, there is also the problem of European borders, of its ability to constantly digest new arrivals. This in the midst of an economic and budgetary crisis. Not to mention the growing unpopularity of this race forward which never seems to end.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)