News

On 23 October in Riga, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas addressed the conference “Economic Recovery in a Changing Security Environment: Transatlantic Agenda 2010”.

Minister V.Ušackas was one of the speakers in the discussion “Ukraine between East and West Magnets”.

The Minister highlighted that Ukraine’s importance in Europe and in the transatlantic community did not allow reducing the rate and depth of cooperation and integration. According to him, neither Ukraine, nor the European Union and NATO can afford to get tired of this process.

“Current economic downturn and the political struggle within Ukraine do not mean that we have to turn away from our neighbour. On the contrary, we have to face it and help the country even more to integrate into Europe, especially because Ukraine’s EU membership prospects are set out in the EU Treaty, i.e., every European state can aspire to join the EU ,” Minister V.Ušackas said.

According to the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy, the EU has to be more open and sensitive towards Ukraine, it has to provide the country with a European perspective and to perform the role of a certain guide. Ukraine’s geopolitical and geo-economics importance and complex processes in this country deserve the greatest attention of the EU leaders.

“The EU wishes and expects that after the election in the beginning of 2010, political harmony, cohesion and consistent implementation of reforms will prevail in Ukraine,” said Minister V.Ušackas.

Speaking about Ukraine’s EU integration course, the Minister stressed that Ukraine was an obvious leader in the EU’s Eastern Partnership. According to him, the EU and Ukraine summit on 4 December will provide a chance to acknowledge the progress made in negotiations on the Association Agreement. Moreover, the meeting should also be aimed at outlining clear EU membership prospects for Ukraine and specific guidelines for visa free regime in a long term perspective.

According to the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy, Ukraine has all the necessary instruments to continue its Euro-Atlantic integration. However, Ukraine must aim at achieving a broad consensus on this issue among the political parties and in the society.