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On 17 October, during the conference “Moldova: moving ahead” in the United Kingdom, Undersecretary of Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Žygimantas Pavilionis presented the new geopolitical situation after the conflict in Georgia. According to the Undersecretary, current situation demands a more active policy of the European Union concerning the countries of the Eastern Neighbourhood.

“The EU has a unique opportunity and multiple tools to support Moldova’s European ambitions and to contribute to the settlement of Transnistria conflict. One of such measures is the EU’s initiative of Eastern Partnership ”, noted Ž.Pavilionis during the conference.

The Undersecretary also encouraged the EU to accelerate the preparation for negotiations with Moldova on the ambitious EU-Moldova New Enhanced Agreement which would replace the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, and to participate more actively in the settlement of Transnistria conflict.

Ž.Pavilionis also noted that it was important to extend the mandate of the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM), which expires in the end of 2009. According to him, it is needed to support in practice mutual measures of confidence between Moldova and Transnistria and the initiative on disarmament of parties in conflict, that had recently been presented by president of Moldova Vladimir Voronin.

Lately, Moldova is often mentioned as a new emerging leader in the Eastern Europe, and the EU pays more attention to this country. On 13 October, the European Union’s General Affairs and External Relations Council adopted conclusions on Moldova. A substantial discussion about the perspectives of this country took place on 15-16 October during the session of the European Council.

About 70 politicians, diplomats, analysts, representatives of the non-governmental organizations from the United Kingdom, Lithuania, the United States, Germany, France, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe are taking part in the conference “Moldova: moving ahead”.

The event is taking place at the Wilton Park Conference Centre, close to London. The event is organized by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and the United Kingdom.