News

On 12 October, on the margins of the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys met with Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement. Their discussions focused on the EU’s preparedness for enlargement and Ukraine’s accession negotiations.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister stressed the need to preserve the credibility and momentum of the enlargement process by ensuring that political obstacles do not become the main reason for delaying Ukraine’s path to EU membership. The meeting addressed Ukraine’s progress in the accession process, the next stages of negotiations, the European Commission’s support for reforms, and the EU’s preparedness for future enlargement.

“EU enlargement is an investment in Europe’s security and stability. Even under wartime conditions, Ukraine continues to demonstrate remarkable determination in pursuing reforms. We must therefore maintain a clear and ambitious membership perspective for Ukraine and open the remaining negotiating clusters as soon as possible, thereby enabling further progress,” said the Minister.

Budrys also underlined that EU enlargement and the Union’s internal reforms must proceed in parallel. Following enlargement, the EU must remain capable of functioning effectively, protecting its values and financial interests, and ensuring efficient decision-making. Lithuania supports the gradual integration of candidate countries into EU policy areas and the Single Market, but emphasises that such steps should help prepare them for full membership rather than become an alternative to it.