Poland and Sweden focus eastward

Poland and Sweden will press the European Union to offer stronger ties with its eastern neighbors to match those plans for the Mediterranean region.

The initiative, led by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his Swedish counterpart Fredrik Reinfeldt, will try to highlight the divisions within the 27 EU member states over foreign policy efforts.

Both leaders will seek an agreement at next months EU summit to boost cooperation with Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus.

 "We would like to see the EU upgrading its contacts with the east at a time the EU is upgrading relations with the Mediterranean region," said a Polish diplomat to Reuters.

While, a Swedish diplomat told Reuters that the leaders are working on an initiative regarding the EU's eastern neighbors. The initiative, called the Eastern Parthernship would offer the countries easier travel, trade, aid programmes in return for political and economic reform.

The initiative stops at offering the countries EU membership.

Source: Reuters