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Lithuania‘s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas welcomed European Council‘s decision to adopt an ambitious Eastern Partnership initiative. On 20 March in Brussels, the Minister took part in the summit of the European Union as a member of delegation headed by Lithuania‘s Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius.

“This initiative is the result of Lithuania‘s purposeful policy and efforts in the EU. The Eastern Partnership initiative is important for Lithuania‘s economic and political interests, it should open up additional prospects for the development of Lithuanian business, movement of goods, services and people“, head of Lithuania‘s diplomacy noted.

According to the Minister, it is important that implementation of the Eastern Partnership initiative would be based on common values, respect for human rights, the principles of market economy and sustainable development.

On 20 March, the European Council in Brussels adopted the declaration that welcomed the establishment of the European Union‘s Eastern Partnership initiative.

Presidency Conclusions of the summit meeting note that promoting stability, good governance and economic development in its Eastern neighbourhood is of strategic importance for the European Union. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are included into the Eastern Partnership.

The initiative foresees a deeper bilateral engagement and a new multilateral framework which involves the EU and its Eastern neighbours, aiming at the development of economic integration, conclusion of free trade agreements, travel facilitation and a prospect of visa-free regime, cooperation in the energy security and other areas.

Four thematic platforms will be established according to the main areas of cooperation under Eastern Partnership: Democracy, good governance and stability, Economic integration and convergence with EU policies, Energy security, and Contacts between people.

In order to implement this initiative, the EU has decided to allocate 600 million euros for the period to 2013.

The Eastern Partnership launching summit with the participation of the EU heads and the leaders of Eastern Partnership countries will be held on 7 May 2009 in Prague.