KIEV, July 13 – Russia should not interpret the participation of eastern European states in the Eastern Partnership project as a partnership of these states against it, Chairman of the Defense Committee of the European Security and Defense Assembly Robert Walter stated at an international parliamentary conference on European security in Kiev on Monday.

He said that the partnership should increase trust and mutual understanding. He also cited several statements by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who said that Russia would not approve the European Charter Treaty, which Europe considers to be very important for its energy security.