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On 25 January, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas attended the European Union’s General Affairs Council and Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. The EU foreign ministers discussed the programme of the Spanish EU Presidency, preparation for the London Conference on Afghanistan, the provision coordination of EU’s aid to Haiti and approved Somalia Training Mission. At the meeting, foreign ministers also discussed the presidential election in Ukraine, possible EU’s further measures for Iran, the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in Yemen.

Head of Lithuania’s diplomacy spoke in support of the priorities of the Spanish EU Presidency in the first half-year of 2010 and highlighted the issues that were the most important for Lithuania. Lithuania will be actively involved in preparing the new EU2020 strategy for the promotion of the EU’s competitiveness. Minister V.Ušackas noted that the strategy should continue to focus mainly on the growth of economy and employment. Besides, it is important to provide means for creating a common energy market and energy infrastructure development.

“It is especially important for Lithuania that the plan would include such priorities as the diversification of energy sources, creation of a common EU energy market and a coordinated EU external energy policy,” the Minister said.

When discussing the preparation for the London Conference on Afghanistan (scheduled for 28 January), Minister V.Ušackas raised a question about the necessity to strengthen the EU Police mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) and highlighted the importance of providing a better and more coordinated support for the development of safe, but economically backward provinces (such as Ghor).

Minister V.Ušackas stressed that the London Conference would signify a renewed contract between the international community and Afghanistan, which would enable gradual transfer of the responsibility for the administration of the country to its authorities and assistance in guaranteeing security, stability, economic growth, fight against drug production and trafficking, as well as fight against corruption.

“The London Conference will also allow demonstrating to EU citizens the link between the security in the EU and the situation in Afghanistan, as well as it will highlight the fact that the EU and other international organizations have a clear plan for assisting the people of Afghanistan,” Minister V.Ušackas said.

The Ministers discussed the situation in Haiti after the earthquake and the aid that the EU provided to this country. Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs allocated 50 thousand Litas (14 481 EUR) in support to Haiti through the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Lithuanian citizens donated almost 300 thousand Litas (86 886 EUR) to Haiti. 

EU heads of diplomacy also made a political decision regarding the EU’s new military mission in Somalia, which would contribute to the training of Somali security forces. The mission would train about two thousand Somalis over a period of one year.