News

On 30 November Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas greeted the participants of the public debate, dedicated to the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, taking place in Vilnius.

“Two years ago in this hall we also spoke about our and European Union’s future. Then and now our position on the EU Constitutional Treaty refers to the idea that the more united and stronger Europe will be, the better Lithuania’s interests will be represented in the world,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister said.

The Minister reminded that Lithuania had been the first to ratify the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and had urged other EU states to follow suit.

“We should admit that currently Europe still lacks politic will, leadership and understanding among the citizens of the EU on the necessity of the Treaty. Therefore Germany taking over the EU Presidency faces particular responsibility, because it has to present concrete proposals on the creation of the constitutional basis of the EU,” the Head of Lithuanian Diplomacy said.

Talking about the enlargement of the Schengen area Minister Vaitiekūnas underlined that this process should become a strategic aim for the whole Union.

The Head of Lithuanian Diplomacy also marked the importance of the common energy policy.

“Introduction of real, effective and united energy policy and its external dimension would prove that Europe acts and acts for its own benefit,” Minister Vaitiekūnas said.

According to the Minister, people care about stability and security in the EU neighbourhood. We can strengthen it by not turning away from the states of Europe that cherish European values and hope to access the EU.

Representatives of the EU Council, Austria, Latvia, France, Finland, Germany, Members of Lithuanian Seimas and other officials took part in the public debate.