LITHUANIA SUPPORTS THE EU’s AIMS TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURS IN THE EAST
On 3 December, the European Commission presented a communiqué on the Eastern Partnership development with six neighbouring countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and depending on when it meets the requirements - Belarus. The communiqué suggests to deepen bilateral relations and to develop mutually beneficial regional cooperation.
Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs assesses this document positively, as the creation of the format of Eastern Partnership cooperation will contribute to guaranteeing stability, security and welfare in the whole region.
The communiqué suggests new Association Agreements to all partner countries in the Eastern Europe; it also offers establishing free trade areas, foresees visa facilitation and intends to intensify cooperation in the areas of energy security and social cohesion.
Besides deepening bilateral relations, the Commission proposes multilateral initiatives in the areas of democracy and good governance, economic integration, energy security and people-to-people contacts.
The communiqué of the European Commission reflects Lithuania’s position on the active support to strengthening further relations between the European Union and its neighbouring countries in the East. Lithuania is interested in an active and effective EU foreign policy, based on values and long-term visions.
After implementing the ambitious suggestions by the Commission, new impetus would be given to the development of relations between the EU and neighbouring countries in the East; this would raise the cooperation to a qualitatively new level.
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