News

On 17 October during the EU Council session on External Relations in Luxembourg Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas acquainted his counterparts with the results of his visit to Georgia on 12 October and urged them to take active part in reducing tension in relations between Georgia and Russia.

“The Council expresses its grave concern at the measures adopted by the Russian Federation against Georgia and at their economic, political and humanitarian consequences,” is said in the conclusions adopted by the Council. Foreign Ministers urged Russia not to pursue measures targeting Georgians in the Russian Federation and called on both parties to act in a manner consistent with their international commitments and obligations.

“This is a good diplomatic move. The conclusions show the EU’s intention to continue active cooperation policy in the Southern Caucasus with Georgia pursuing the Euro-Atlantic path. We will also continue a dialogue of ‘concern’ with the EU’s strategic partner Russia,” Minister Vaitiekūnas said.

The Council also strongly condemned the test of a nuclear explosive device proclaimed by the North Korea that represents a clear threat to international peace and security. The European Union will fully implement the provisions of Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council imposing international sanctions on the North Korea. The EU urged the North Korea to comply with its international obligations and to refrain from conducting any further nuclear test or missile launch.

Development Cooperation and Foreign Affairs Ministers also discussed the issues of coherence of European development policies.

According to Lithuanian Foreign Minister, pursuing this aim it is necessary to include the development cooperation issues into decision-making on national economic sectors.