LITHUANIAN AND UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSSED DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS BETWEEN EU AND UKRAINE
Created 2005-01-12
Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis met with his Ukrainian counterpart Kostyantyn Hryshchenko, who was on a visit to Lithuania.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister underlined that priority of his country’s foreign policy is integration to the EU and NATO, preserving good relations with Russia at the same time.The Ministers paid considerable attention to development of European Union and Ukraine relations and adoption of EU-Ukraine action plan. They stressed the necessity to start implementation of this action plan as soon as possible.
A. Valionis assured K. Hryshchenko that Lithuania actively participates in shaping EU policy on Ukraine. Lithuania proposes to take specific steps aiming to facilitate visa regime and acquire market economy status, offers support for Ukraine’s membership in the World Trade Organization, what would allow to consider possibility of free trade agreement between the EU and Ukraine, activate the EU-Ukrainian political dialogue.
In Lithuania’s opinion, after successful implementation of the action plan the EU should revise its relations with Ukraine.
Discussing on granting Ukraine market economy status, A. Valionis expressed hope that Ukraine would make relevant economic decisions.
The foreign ministers also stressed plans to strengthen practical cooperation between Ukraine and NATO.
After meetings in Palanga K. Hryshchenko left for Klaipeda and Nida. He is expected to return to Kiev later in the afternoon.
