News

On 9-10 September in Estonia, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Egidijus Meilūnas took part in the annual meeting of the Baltic and Benelux foreign ministers that focused on the enlargement and neighborhood policy of the European Union, the Middle East peace process, situation in Afghanistan and activities of the European External Action Service (EEAS).

The Ministers expressed concern about the stalled Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and hoped that a single EU position and its active role would have a positive impact on the Middle East peace process.

Participants of the meeting in Estonia, the Muhu Island, called on the countries, which are seeking rapprochement with the EU and participating in the Eastern Partnership programme, to continue the political and economic reforms actively.

Lithuanian Foreign Vice-Minister said that it was expected that the upcoming Eastern Partnership summit in late September in Warsaw would focus on issues of the European perspective, mobility and free trade.

The Ministers agreed to hold a meeting of directors of Consular Departments of the foreign ministries at an early date. The meeting would discuss activities of the EEAS and issues related to the provision of the consular assistance to EU citizens outside the EU.

Since 2007, foreign ministers meetings of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg have aimed to intensify the dialogue of these countries and to develop interregional cooperation. The partnership framework is determined to a large extent by the similar size of the participating countries, and by their similar interests within the EU, especially with regard to the issues of the EU institutions.

On 21 November last year, the meeting of the Baltic and Benelux foreign ministers was held in Belgium.