US greets former Soviet states over pacts with EU

Washington, June 28 (IANS) The US congratulates Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine on signing association agreements with the European Union, Secretary of State John Kerry said.

The three former Soviet republics signed the Association Agreements with the EU Friday with the aim of deepening political and economic ties.

“The agreements signed today mark a major step toward integrating these Eastern Partnership countries more closely with the European Union and realizing a Europe whole, free, and at peace,” Xinhua quoted Kerry as saying in a statement.

The US continues to support the territorial integrity of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, Kerry said.

“The decision on the best path to security, prosperity, and a better future for their citizens is one that can and should be made by these sovereign nations, and by them alone,” he said.

Though EU has said the agreements are a “landmark” in EU’s Eastern Partnership policy and are not “against anyone”, Russia warned of “consequences” on the deal.

“There is no doubt that the signing (of the EU deal) by Ukraine and Moldova will have major consequences,” Russian deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said.