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At the informal meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union Member States on 27-28 March in Hluboká nad Vltavou (Czech Republic), head of Lithuania’s diplomacy Vygaudas Ušackas and his counterparts discussed the Eastern Partnership initiative, forthcoming EU-U.S. summit, Middle East Peace Process, EU enlargement, other issues of international policy. EU foreign ministers exchanged views on the participation of Belarus in the Eastern Partnership initiative. Belarus is invited to join the initiative together with other five EU’s Eastern neighbours – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. According to Minister V.Ušackas, the Eastern Partnership initiative should become an effective practical instrument which would encourage closer relations between Belarus and the EU, would contribute to the creation of a more open society, adherence to the principles of human rights and democracy.

During the informal meeting (Gymnich), head of Lithuania’s diplomacy stressed that it was important to prepare for the formal launching of the Eastern Partnership properly, but of no less importance were the deliberations on possible projects covering cooperation with Eastern neighbours in various fields.

“Economic crisis puts an even stronger obligation on us to consider a more intensive cooperation with EU’s Eastern neighbours, aiming to maintain stability and energy security in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood”, Minister V.Ušackas said.

The EU’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs also discussed preparations for the meeting of EU heads of state and government with President of the U.S.A. Barack Obama which is scheduled for 5 April in Prague. The summit will address issues of global financial architecture and consequences of the economic crisis, issues of energy security and climate change, matters of international policy.

Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that the forthcoming EU-U.S. summit might serve as a new positive impetus in the relations between Europe and America.

“The EU is willing and capable of being a strong partner of the U.S.A.”, Minister V.Ušackas said.  

On the subject of Middle East Peace Process, the Minister noted that Lithuania supported the idea of Israel and Palestine as two states living in peace next to each other. Minister V.Ušackas expressed trust that the peace process had to be continued and called for both sides to start negotiations as soon as the conditions allowed.

“The new Israeli government has to continue negotiations on the founding of the Palestinian state, despite the composition of the new government”, head of Lithuania’s diplomacy said.