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The last two waves of EU enlargement have brought Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and South Caucasus to the Union’s doorstep. This changed the whole dynamics of Europe’s engagement with her Eastern neighbours and called for the development of a strong, integrated, open and outward-looking policy.

Over the years, the EU has substantially strengthened relations with its Eastern neighbours and has supported their reform efforts. The progress is visible, but the process is not yet finished. The Eastern Partnership is a significant step forward: it finally gives us a strategy towards the East, just as the Union for the Mediterranean provides a strategy to our South.

Current financial-economic crisis has increased the sense of vulnerability across Eastern Europe by directly affecting political-economic stability in the region. Without proper actions, it may lead to political instability, as well as bring to power radical and populist forces.

The difficult political, financial and economic situation in the Eastern neighbourhood, which might have long term consequences, makes the case for Eastern Partnership even stronger. I am convinced that four months ago in Prague we have launched a much needed initiative at a right time. The challenge is now to make it work.

Europe’s integration has proven over the years to be the best guarantor of prosperity and peace. Economic well-being requires secure environment and stability. A stable Europe can be guaranteed only by creating a stable and secure region beyond the EU borders.

Any instability at the doorsteps of Europe is a luxury that the EU cannot afford. It would be a huge financial burden. The Balkan case clearly proved this, as the EU had to invest tremendous funds for the after-war recovery.

Interdependence in today’s world is real, as is responsibility. Political walls should not be erected where once the Iron Curtain divided Europe. We should also understand that the closer our Eastern neighbours are to the EU in terms of standards, economy and free market, the bigger the economic benefits for the entire EU.

Eastern Partnership, however, is not only about trade, energy and visa liberalization. Partner nations, if they are serious about participation in the Eastern Partnership, have to adhere to the universal values and principles – democracy, human rights and respect of territorial integrity of other countries.

Yesterday President of Belarus visited Lithuania. Open talks were held on political, economic and cultural relations. Lithuania welcomes Belarus’s interest in intensifying relations with the EU and participating in Eastern Partnership. However, as Prime Minister Kubilius stated yesterday to President Lukashenko, a full-fledged partnership with the European Union, which is based on the principles of the rule of law, democratic political systems, respect for human rights and guaranteed freedoms of expression and press, is possible only when our Belarusian neighbours embrace the values and principles that represent the core of the European Union. I wish that Belarus proves in the immediate future that it can deliver on its commitment as regards one of the most fundamental principles of Eastern Partnership, namely the respect for territorial integrity of other countries, and in particular of Georgia. This is of key importance for the successful future participation within the EaP and relations with Europe as a whole. And this was stressed yesterday during the discussion with the Head of Belarus’s state.

Eastern Partnership going beyond the current ENP will:

·  strengthen horizontal links between neighbours and the EU.

·  provide a long-term vision of an enhanced EU policy. Taking into account the current political and economic situation in partner countries and promoting European values, standards and norms, the initiative will build stability and prosperity in the region.

·  bring a tangible support for the Partners’ democratic and structural domestic reforms.

·  deepen bilateral co-operation and offer a more profound integration with the EU.

·  create a framework for multilateral co-operation complementary to the existing regional co-operation schemes.

Eastern Partnership responds to the desire of our Eastern neighbours to move closer to the EU. On the other hand, it is also in the EU’s vital interest to contribute to the development of stability, better governance and economic development at its Eastern borders.

We should also make full use of other instruments Eastern Partnership offers:

First, association agreements for all partners. They will provide a response to partners' aspirations for closer relations. New agreements will create a strong political bond and promote further convergence by establishing a closer link to EU legislation and standards.

Second, deep and comprehensive free trade areas. They will create real perspectives for enhanced movement of goods, capital and services.

Third, the process aimed at visa liberalisation. It will improve cooperation (business, cultural, educational, social) and intensify people-to-people contacts.

Fourth, strengthened energy cooperation. More active cooperation would enhance energy security of the EU and of the partners. In the medium term cooperation could induce the creation of interconnected and diversified energy market.

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After the Prague Summit we should exploit the momentum to implement what was agreed and to guarantee the continuous attention and engagement of the EU Member States as well as the partner countries towards the Eastern Partnership. It is important to take practical steps implementing new Association Agreements, visa liberalisation and establishing deep and comprehensive free trade areas.

We also need as soon as possible give a full use to a newly established framework for multilateral cooperation and move forward implementing flagship initiatives and projects.

To make Eastern Partnership a real success, cooperation among governments and governmental agencies is not enough. We need contacts and exchange among parliaments, civil societies, non-governmental and youth organisations. 

EU and six partner nations own EaP equally – it is not EU’s ‘façade’ initiative, nor is it partners’ business only, either. It is a common undertaking with stakes – political and otherwise - equally high for both EU27 and EaP6.

What EaP does? It creates a unified area of political stability and economic reforms for EU27 and EaP6 underpinned by the same values and principles. 

Platforms – there is no soft and hardcore projects within EaP, no first and second tier. Make no mistake – all four platforms are of the same added value and participation in all four is important for the Six. There is however self-selection. Those more active would move closer to the EU and become better plugged in into the European day to day activities. And even some of them will shape their own future within the EU.

Lithuania, together with Sweden and Poland as well as other EU member states, has put a huge amount of political energy and imagination into Eastern Partnership to make it a reality. It is our ambition now to make it work.

EaP should survive the test of financial crisis through sustained commitment by the EU and Partners. Commitments have to be backed by adequate resources. However, it is not only finances that would make a difference at the end of the day.

In long-term I see this common space of thirty-three – or maybe even more - nations to become truly common: with free movement of people, goods, capital and services. We are embarking now on the way with ultimate goal of a more secure, stable, stronger Europe. 

EaP stands for Enthusiasm and Possibilities. Let us keep our energy high to sweat out the maximum for a braver, bolder, brighter Europe.