News

During the annual meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic States and Germany held on 23 August in Riga, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis and his colleagues discussed the most important issues of the European Union`s economy, cooperation with its Eastern neighbours and energy sector.

Ministers A.Ažubalis, Edgars Rinkēvičs, Urmas Paet and Guido Westerwelle devoted special attention to the debt crisis in the eurozone countries, as well as to the negotiations on the EU budget for 2014-2020.

According to the head of the Lithuanian diplomacy, agreements on the European Stability Mechanism and Stability and Growth Pact signed this year are the milestones that may help to stabilize financial situation, however, the smooth process of the ratification in the Member States is a prerequisite to it.

Minister A.Ažubalis expressed hope that compromise on the multiannual financial framework will be reached soon.

“We believe an agreement on the new financial perspective will be reached by the end of this year and it will reflect Lithuanian position and its arguments”, the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

He also invited colleagues from the Baltic States and Germany to participate at the third Eastern Partnership Summit, which will take place in Vilnius, during Lithuania’s EU Presidency in autumn 2013.

Minister stressed that despite the fact that Belarus has chosen the path of self-isolation, it is necessary to ensure the continuity of the Eastern Partnership in cooperation with this important EU’s neighbour.

“Suspension of Belarusian participation in the Eastern Partnership would leave Belarusian people without the option of European perspective”, A.Ažubalis emphasized.

Ministers also discussed energy issues, relations with Russia, the EU Baltic Sea region strategy development issues.

On Thursday, A.Ažubalis, E.Rinkēvičs, U.Paet and G.Westerwelle also released a joint statement, in which they condemned the occupation of the Baltic States and the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

According to the Minister A. Ažubalis, Europe has finally (after 73 years!) learned this cruel historical lesson. The meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic States and Germany means that Europe is united in comprehension of its painful past and unanimously condemns war crimes and crimes against humanity. In particular, it is important that today the Baltic countries together with Germany are the part of the united European Community.

Meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic States and Germany are held on a regular basis every year, since 1996. Next year this meeting will take place in Lithuania.