Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that the creation of the Eastern Partnership format by the EU in 2009, was an alarming signal in Russia-EU relations. 
“The launch of the Eastern Partnership initiative, which was essentially aimed at breaking away from Russia our closest neighbours with whom we have been linked for centuries, has become an alarming sign in Russia-EU relations. The sad consequences of this selfish policy are felt to this day”, - told Lavrov to Russian journalists.

Ten years have passed since the creation of the EU Eastern Partnership format, uniting Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine to support democracy, prosperity and stability in the region. Georgia has been recognized as the leader of the Eastern Partnership initiative with its achievements.