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On 2 May during the commemoration of the second anniversary of Lithuania‘s accession to the European Union EU in the Lithuanian Seimas Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis stressed that during these two years Lithuania has been seen as an active participant of the European Union and the international community.

“We became more open, we shape Lithuania’s interests according to the European and international context. Our foreign policy has changed fundamentally – we aim at influencing our environment not at being passive and influenced by it,” the Head of Lithuanian Diplomacy said.

In his speech the Minister underlined that a lot was left to be done to shape and implement a common policy towards the East, settle the energy security and supply issues, remove obstacles for implementation of trans-European infrastructure projects, accomplish the creation of the common market.

“European integration is strong for actions not words. We should preserve the Constitution, continue with the ambitious Lisbon agenda, strengthen the common market, especially in services, free movement of workers, and energy sectors,” Minister Valionis  stated.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister emphasised that the possibility of free travel in the Schengen area is one of the tangible benefits of the EU membership. The Minister urged not to delay the “homework” and reach this goal by 2007.

“Nowadays the energy sector becomes an important object of our country’s national security and foreign policy,” Foreign Minister said. “Energy provision will become a serious political and economic challenge both for Lithuania and the European Union. Lithuania is in the “embrace” of Russia’s energy resources and as Europe becomes more dependent on Russian energy supply and Russia strengthens its “energy” arguments in the dialogue with the EU, we should urgently look for decisions.”