News

On 11 December at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Brussels Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas discussed with his EU counterparts preparations for the European Council, negotiations with Turkey, Afghanistan issues.

During the discussion on the preparations for the European Council Minister Vaitiekūnas marked that the EU enlargement policy should be based on 49 Article of the EU Treaty that provides any European state an opportunity to become a member of the EU.

“Lithuania’s position is that countries aspiring to become EU members should be evaluated in accordance with their performance. The accession to the EU should be determined by conformity to strict but objective Copenhagen criteria,” Minister  Vaitiekūnas said and marked that there is no need for additional EU accession criteria.

According to Mr Vaitiekūnas, European Neighbourhood Policy is the crucial part of the enlargement process.

The Head of Lithuanian Diplomacy also underlined the necessity to address the energy security issues in the first half of 2007. Creation of energy bridges and common mechanisms to enhance EU’s capacity to respond to energy supply problems is among these issues.

In discussion on Turkey’s negotiations Mr Vaitiekūnas supported European Commission’s recommendation to suspend EU’s negotiations with Turkey until Turkey fulfils its commitments. But, according to the Minister, in no case should the negotiations discontinue.

Talking about Afghanistan issues the Minister voiced support for better coordination of the EU assistance to this state. Lithuania plans to increase fourfold its allocation for restoration and development of Afghanistan. 

The Council affirmed the decision to establish the European Gender Equality Institute in Vilnius.