Supporting the European aspirations of the peoples of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership countries, and for other purposes.

supports the European aspirations of the peoples of the Eastern Partnership countries;

recognizes the significant benefits to these and other countries in the Eastern Europe and Caucasus region of closer economic and political ties with the EU, which will spur economic growth, strengthen democratic institutions and norms, and bolster the rule of law in the region;

supports the right of all sovereign states to enter into voluntary partnerships of their choosing, in keeping with their interests and values, and as enshrined in the OSCE’s Helsinki principles;

rejects the concept of spheres of influence which would divide the European continent;

calls on the Government of Russia to respect the rights of states to make their own sovereign choices with regard to international partnerships, including to sign Association Agreements with the EU;

applauds the significant progress Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia have made in adopting democratic norms and standards, calls on these states to continue to implement necessary reforms, and urges Ukraine to address the remaining essential requirements for signing its Association Agreement with the EU: electoral and rule of law reforms and those related to selective justice, including the release of ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko;

urges the Department of State to continue to work closely with our European partners and allies to support the right of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia to enter into voluntary partnerships of their choosing, provided that any conditions are met; and

calls on the Department of State to continue to support reforms in all Eastern Partnership countries which will both help them meet the conditions necessary for closer relations with the EU and which also make these states more democratic, prosperous, and secure.