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On 22 July Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas during the European Union Foreign Trade Ministers meeting in Brussels stated that the customs tariffs for the industrial goods should be reduced during the World Trade Organisation’s negotiations at the global level thus enhancing the competition conditions for the industrial companies of the EU including Lithuania.

P. Vaitiekūnas stressed that the EU customs duties and subsidies for agriculture should be decreased, necessarily preserving the conditions for effective operation of the EU agricultural sector.

At the meeting the Head of Lithuanian Diplomacy voiced support for extension of  EU-China textile trade regime for 2008. The regime based on imposing of quotas for certain textile products would allow the textile industry of Lithuania and other EU members to complete the adjustment to the new levels of competition.

Minister P. Vaitiekūnas also welcomed the European Commission’s decision to start negotiations on the new free trade agreements with the third countries including Ukraine and Russia. The negotiations with these countries will start after their accession to the World Trade Organisation.

“The free trade agreements with Ukraine and Russia would improve conditions of import of Lithuanian goods and services to these countries. For example, the established rules for the customs procedures and transit rules would provide non-discriminatory conditions for Lithuanian producers and carriers and reduce border crossing costs,” Foreign Minister said, underlining the importance of Ukraine’s and Russia’s accession to the WTO for Lithuania.

Minister P. Vaitiekūnas stressed as well, that it is reasonable for the European Union to start negotiations on the free trade agreement with Georgia, and in the future with Moldova and Armenia. According to the Head of Lithuanian Diplomacy, negotiations on the free trade agreements could become the EU Neighbourhood Policy instrument.