THE EUROPEAN UNION UNDERSTANDS THE LITHUANIAN POSITION BETTER AND BETTER
On 29 April, took part in the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting of the European Union, where he presented Lithuania’s position regarding the mandate for the negotiations between the European Union and Russia. According to Minister of Foreign Affairs P.Vaitiekūnas, the ministerial discussion took a step forward, even though a decision has not yet been made regarding the European Union’s negotiations mandate with Russia. ‘Colleagues ministers gave many constructive, valuable suggestions. All the EU countries are well aware of Lithuania’s interests. However, it is still necessary to make effort to include them in the mandate,’ said the head of Lithuanian diplomacy.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dimitrij Rupel, whose country Slovenia currently holds the EU presidency, took the invitation to come to Vilnius to coordinate the positions.
In the energy declaration, Lithuania suggests to embed Russia’s obligation to fulfil the requirements of the Energy Charter Treaty, to constructively resolve frozen conflicts in Moldova and Georgia, to cooperate with the EU Member States in criminal cases and to fulfil its international obligations, which are set out in the conditions for Russia’s joining the Council of Europe. (See also).
During the GAERC meeting, the heads of diplomacy of the EU Member States also discussed the situation in Georgia, the EU’s relations with the Western Balkan countries and other important issues of international politics.
The European Union Member States encouraged Russia to meet the commitments regarding Georgia’s territorial integrity and to avoid increasing the tension.
‘The EU should take up a more active role resolving the frozen conflicts in Georgia and other regions. The peacekeeping and negotiations mechanisms, which could help to achieve progress and regulate the conflicts, should also be reviewed,’ said Minister P.Vaitiekūnas during the GAERC meeting.
The head of Lithuanian diplomacy also invited to support the peace initiative of the President of Georgia Mikhеil Saakashvili to regulate the conflict in Abkhazia.
During the GAERC meeting, the Ministers signed the EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia, which allows the EU membership perspective for Serbia.
Information note on Russia’s commitment to compensate for the USSR committed crimes
Information note on January aggression and the Medininkai crime cases (1991)
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