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At the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on July 23 in Brussels, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis emphasized that European Union’s external energy policy had to adequately respond to the challenges of energy dependence on suppliers and that EU with third countries must speak with one voice.

 “The link between energy and foreign policy is more than obvious. It is not a secret that Lithuania feels this link directly with negative political, economic implications,” Ažubalis said.

The Foreign Affairs Council meeting discussed for the first time how to link EU foreign policy and energy policy.

Ažubalis underlined that the EU with energy suppliers and transit countries must speak with one voice, ensure compliance with the principle of solidarity and equal conditions and level playing field for all energy suppliers. Moreover, all member states should share information on agreements with third countries. EU institutions – the European Commission and European External Action Service – should clearly distribute competences and closely coordinate energy policy efforts between EU institutions and Member States.

“It is not possible to discuss external dimension of energy policy without mentioning nuclear safety and security. As it was agreed earlier at the European Council, these issues should be integral part of EU relations with EU neighbouring countries and highest nuclear safety standards should be promoted internationally,” Ažubalis said.

Ministers also discussed the EU cooperation with Eastern Partnership countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. During its EU Presidency, Lithuania will host the 3rd Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius.

Ažubalis said that when wishing to achieve significant progress before the summit, Eastern Partnership countries had to continue their reforms and the EU had to keep an eye on the region. The Minister also called on the EU to help the Eastern Partnership countries that were to hold elections shortly in passing the test of commitment to European values.

“Our toolbox and incentives used within the Eastern Partnership cannot be weaker or less attractive to compare with those offered by other players in the region. There’s a need to ensure that limits of our policy towards the region are wide enough to adequately respond to the progress and ambition of the frontrunners, but at the same time to maintain our appealing power vis-a-vis the others,” the Lithuanian Foreign Minister said.

The Foreign Affairs Council meeting discussed the progress of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy. Ažubalis stressed the need not only to closer cooperate between EU institutions and member states when responding to crises, but also to make join effort with international partners, notably NATO. The Minister stressed the need to promote closer cooperation with Eastern Partnership countries in carrying out EU operations.

At the meeting, ministers also condemned the increased violence against civilians in Syria, discussed the situation in Egypt and further cooperation with Libya after the recently-held parliamentary elections.