"What is most important is that our partners feel comfortable. They have different expectations – some want to join the European Union, others just want to be near-by. Europe will be able to provide as much support, as the partners want to receive," Linkevičius told BNS at an EP plenary in Strasbourg earlier this week.
On Thursday, the EP adopted a resolution, urging Russia to respect the right of EU's Eastern neighbors to decide about their EU integration. MEPs stated that sanctions imposed by Russia on Ukraine and Moldova, as well as threats to undermine Armenia's security, are unacceptable.
Linkevičius said it is important to give the countries a free choice. "We never shoved our union and will never do it, however, our reaction is sensitive to seeing when countries are not allowed to choose. A country has chosen its path, a path of free trade and was subjected to threats, economic threats and political pressure," Linkevičius said.