During the discussion about Georgia, P.Vaitiekūnas supported the means, suggested by the French EU Presidency regarding the EU’s participation in resolving the conflict in Abkhazia.

‘We are at the crossroads of the tension alleviation and its repeated aggravation. Therefore, an urgent and active EU’s reaction is required,’ said P.Vaitiekūnas.

Head of Lithuanian diplomacy also confirmed that Lithuania was prepared to support specific EU actions in resolving Georgia’s conflict with Russia.

While the EU-Ukraine Summit, due to be held on 9 September in France, is approaching, the EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels evaluated the perspectives of the EU’s relations with Ukraine and discussed the on-going negotiations on a New Enhanced Agreement with Ukraine. Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs urged his colleagues to provide Ukraine with a clear European perspective and to word it in the new Association Agreement. This agreement will replace the EU-Ukraine Partnership and Cooperation Agreement that was signed in 1997.

‘Strong relations between the EU and Ukraine will stimulate internal reforms in this country and will determine strategically important changes in the whole Eastern Europe,’ indicated P.Vaitiekūnas.

He also suggested opening a dialogue on the visa-free regime for Ukraine by preparing a definite action plan and setting conditions. Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs put a specific emphasis on the necessity to successfully conclude negotiations regarding the overall free trade with Ukraine, which will constitute an essential part of the New Enhanced Agreement between the EU and Ukraine.

At the session dedicated to the External Relations, the EU Foreign Ministers discussed the transatlantic partnership, the situation in Serbia and Kosovo, the process of the EU military operation in Chad and the Central African Republic (EUFOR TCHAD/RCA), the situation in Iran, in Somalia, in Zimbabwe and in the Middle East.