European Parliament president said he is deeply disappointed that Ukraine and Armenia had abandoned plans to sign the Association Agreements at the Vilnius summit.

In his statement issued ahead of the summit, Martin Schulz congratulated Moldova and Georgia on the planned initialling of the Association Agreements with the EU.

“I am deeply disappointed, however, that Ukraine and Armenia have abandoned plans to sign the Association Agreements at the summit. It is especially regrettable that the countries’ decisions to reconsider their choices have been made under external pressure. We should say clearly and loudly that the economic and political pressure exerted by Russia against our eastern partners is simply unacceptable,” he said.

President of the European Parliament added that the door of association with the EU remains open and EU will never abandon the European hopes and aspirations of the peoples of the region.