News

On 9-10 March at the informal foreign ministers’ meeting (Gymnich) in Copenhagen, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis discussed the EU foreign policy priorities and European security strategy issues, stressed the importance of fiscal discipline and common energy policy for the EU's security.

“The ability of member states to adhere to fiscal discipline, efforts to deal with the budget deficit and maintain a healthy economy is an important EU security factor, in particular under current difficult economic conditions,” Ažubalis stressed.

According to him, as the crisis leads to EU budget cuts, it is especially important to maintain the unity, solidarity and EU foreign policy based on common values to ensure the coherence and visibility of the EU action and to involve the European External Action Service.

Ažubalis noted that energy security was among key directions of EU foreign policy. Head of the Lithuanian diplomacy called on EU member states to speak with one voice on the irresponsible nuclear projects in Belarus and the Kaliningrad region that are violating international nuclear safety principles, standards and conventions.

Foreign Ministers also discussed how to enhance the EU policy on human rights, also in the fields of freedom of religion or belief and women’s rights. Ažubalis voiced concern over the globally growing violence on religious grounds and invited the EU member states to protect more actively religious minorities from violent attacks. Human rights should be a cornerstone of the EU foreign policy.

The Minister reminded the participants of the meeting that Lithuania’s Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2011 had dedicated a lot of attention to women’s rights.

Presidency of the Council of the European Union traditionally hosts the informal foreign ministers' meeting (Gymnich) every six months.