While the European Union seeks to reinforce its relations with its neighbouring countries, Justice and Home Affairs issues grow ever more important in the dialogue and cooperation between the Union and the Eastern Partners, Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, and Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, say in a joint article, Info-Prim Neo reports. The two officials said the successive EU enlargements have brought Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus closer to the EU. Given the new geopolitical situation, EU leaders saw a need to promote prosperity, stability and security in the region in order to avoid the development of new dividing lines between the enlarged EU and its neighbours. With this in mind, the EU has been developing an ambitious Eastern Partnership, since December 2009, which forms part of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The European Union offers its neighbours a privileged relationship to help foster greater political association and further economic integration, building upon common values (democracy and human rights, rule of law, good governance, market economy principles and sustainable development). Ambitions for that relationship depend on the extent to which these values are shared, reads the article. Cecilia Malmström and Štefan Füle said they need to make sure that Justice and Home Affairs issues are properly addressed both at the political and expert levels. They should have a more prominent place on the agenda. In this respect, holding regular ministerial meetings would provide for better overall guidance. The two commissioners also said that promoting regional cooperation between the Eastern Partners is crucial for successfully addressing cross-border challenges. The European Commission would also like to promote the stronger involvement of civil society, especially with regard to increasing contacts between people.