"Any economic threat or political pressure directed against Eastern partners because of their European aspirations and engagement with the EU is unacceptable. These countries have the right to choose themselves what is best for their future," reads a statement signed by the eight countries.
Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius told BNS after the meeting in the Swedish city of Visby that the statement came in response to Moscow's statements about Ukraine and Moldova.
"Yes, it refers to Russia. We have lately heard statements from political scientists and top-ranking officials, saying: 'you should not sign the Association Agreement, you should not draw closer to Europe, as this will bring consequences'. It is difficult viewing the measures as anything else than political pressure," the minister said in a telephone interview from Sweden.
"As far as we have heard in public, there have been repeated statements about Ukraine, and now there have been similar warnings about Moldova – allegedly it will make it more difficult to settle the Transnistria problem and any connections with Russia will have to be severed, which is illogical and untrue," Linkevičius told BNS.
"All of the statements are probably aimed at triggering emotions in the countries and keeping them back from decisions," Linkevičius said.
The ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden expressed support to signing the EU-Ukrainian Association Agreement during the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November, given that Ukraine's progress is sufficient.
The Nordic and Baltic states also stated that the Vilnius summit should initial similar agreements with Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia.
Russian officials recently warned that Ukraine's signing of the agreement with the EU and refusal to join the Russian Customs Union could lead to restricted imports from the country. Moscow has also pledged to supply cheaper gas to Ukraine, if the country chooses its union over closer relations with the EU.
Russian officials have lately warned Moldova that closer ties with the EU could hinder the settlement of the Transnistria problem; they also spoke about restriction of wines imports.
Lithuania is holding EU Council presidency in the second half of 2013.
