ArmInfo. The Eastern Partnership Index was presented in Brussels, evaluating the success of six countries in democratic reforms, the implementation of EU standards, and the links between their economies and citizens with the European Union. The Eastern Partnership Index 2017 introduced the Eastern Partnership civil society forum.
According to DW, according to the index, Ukraine and Georgia are leaders among the six Eastern Partnership countries for democratic reforms and European integration. "Unfortunately, we cannot say that reforms are progressing well, if we are talking in general about the six countries of the Eastern Partnership ... But there is reason for optimism, and there are a number of success stories," Anastasia Ismailova from the Permanent Mission noted Lithuania at the EU, where the index results were presented. In particular, it is indicated that the worst indicators in terms of democracy are in Belarus and Azerbaijan, while Ukraine and Moldova are lagging behind in the business climate.The index covers two criteria: the first - rapprochement with the EU - reflects how each country adopts EU norms and international standards.
The leader here is Ukraine (index 0.73), followed by Armenia (0.66), Moldova (0.65), Georgia (0.64), Azerbaijan (0.56) and Belarus (0.52). This criterion demonstrates how the level of democracy in those other countries meets international European standards, how EU standards are implemented and how countries achieve sustainable development goals. By the first two indicators, Ukraine is also in the lead. But in sustainable development in the first place is Azerbaijan.The second criterion shows how closely each of the countries is connected with the EU. We are talking about relations between governments, in the economy and among citizens. Here in the first place is Georgia and Moldova - an index of 0.71. They are followed by Ukraine (0.66), Armenia (0.50), Azerbaijan (0.47) and Belarus (0.45). The forum, which brings together civil society organizations from the countries of the Eastern Partnership program and from the EU member states, has published this index annually since 2011. The Eastern Partnership program was launched by the European Union in 2009 for six Eastern European countries actively cooperating with Brussels.