Poroshenko presented Ukraine's ongoing reforms, including those related to the implementation of the trade part of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and visa-free access for Ukraine. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada briefed Lithuania's Foreign Minister about the law on e-declarations that was adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament that day.
Linkevičius noted that Lithuania had consistently supported faster visa-free travel for Ukrainian citizens who should get what they had deserved.
"I welcome today's adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of the law on e-declarations that opens door for visa-free travel. Visa-free travel with the EU will have a positive impact on Ukrainian citizens in terms of economic, cultural and education opportunities. It will also facilitate people-to-people contacts and youth exchanges. Both Ukrainian and European civil society will be enriched by this relationship," said Linkevičius.
"We see the huge effort made by Ukraine to carry out its reforms, which is accompanied by difficult circumstances such as the ongoing external aggression against Ukraine. Namely undertaking resolute and result-oriented reforms is the best response to those who since the beginning of the aggression have unsuccessfully sought to prostrate Ukraine, undermining your country's intention to cooperate more closely with the EU," said Lithuania's Foreign Minister.
"Unfortunately, time is not an ally of Ukraine. Ukraine should step up its implementation of reforms, which are necessary, firstly, for the people of Ukraine," noted Lithuania's Foreign Minister.
Lithuania's Foreign Minister and the leaders of Ukraine also discussed measures that could be put into place ensuring that the persons responsible for the imprisonment of the Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savhenko and her farcical trial were held accountable for their actions.
The leaders of Ukraine thanked Lithuania for its solidarity and support for the ongoing reforms in the country. Linkevičius reiterated Lithuania's resolve to continue to support Ukraine on its path towards reforms and to share Lithuania's experience on the process of European integration.
Today, Lithuania's Foreign Minister will also meet with the Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin.
