News

On 15 June during the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Luxembourg, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas and his colleagues discussed the preparation for the forthcoming European Council on 18-19 June, the EU-Moldova relations, the closure of the Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre, perspectives of visa liberalisation with the Western Balkans, the Middle East Peace Process and the EU enlargement issues.

At the Council, the Ministers adopted conclusions regarding the “European conscience and totalitarianism”. The Council consented to the invitation of the European Parliament on the establishment of a European platform of memory and conscience, and encouraged the EC to invoke all the available financial remedies to stimulate these processes.

“It is very important that the GAERC conclusions on the “European conscience and totalitarianism” emphasize that Europe must preserve its historical memory, without which no reconciliation is possible. Europe should not forget crimes against humanity of the two worst totalitarian regimes of the 20th century – Fascism and Stalinism,” said V.Ušackas, reminding of the fact that this year will mark the 70th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact.

The EU Foreign Ministers endorsed a joint EU-U.S.A. statement on the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and counterterrorism cooperation. This statement emphasizes shared values between the U.S.A. and the EU. However, it stresses that the decision whether to accept former inmates remains the exclusive competence of the individual Member States. Minister V.Ušackas states that firstly the U.S.A. is responsible for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre, and the issues of the transfer of detainees will be solved on the bilateral bases with the EU Member States.

Foreign Ministers also adopted the conclusions on the EU-Moldova relations. They stress the importance of the new Eastern Partnership, endorse the EU commitment to enhancing EU support for further political and economic reforms in the Republic of Moldova, express the EU wish to open the negotiations on the new agreement on the EU-Moldova relations as soon as possible. The Council called for a respect for human rights in Moldova, investigation of violations and underlined the need for a constructive political dialogue.

Ministers discussed the Middle East Peace Process and stressed the necessity to normalize the Arab-Israeli relations and to stick to a two state solution. Both Israel and Palestine have to make obvious steps towards the peace process.    

Ministers also discussed regional cooperation in the Western Balkans and visa liberalisation.

While discussing the conclusions of the forthcoming European Council, V.Ušackas positively evaluated mentioning of the EU Eastern Partnership. Head of the Lithuanian diplomacy suggested accentuating the solidarity of the EU countries in solving problems of the financial crisis in the conclusions of the European Council. Minister V.Ušackas was glad that the draft conclusions of the European Council takes into consideration the suggestion of Lithuania, as the draft indicates the importance of the Baltic energy links’ plan.

On 18-19 June during the European Council, the nominee for the presidency of the European Commission is intended to be announced, the Treaty of Lisbon, economic situation, promotion of employment, climate change and other issues are expected to be addressed.