Since Romania borders Ukraine and Moldova in north east, much focus was placed on the issues and challenges of the Eastern Partnership. The Speaker of the Seimas emphasised that Lithuania was actively striving for the EU Eastern Partnership to be an effective foreign and security policy ensuring the spread of European values, progress, social and economic welfare, and stability in Eastern Europe. “In the context of the significance of the Eastern Partnership, the population of the region must be given a possibility to opt for Europe. Lithuania, in turn, continues its consistent support for the EU enlargement policy,” Mrs Graužinienė said.
The Speaker of the Seimas also underlined that the success of Eastern partners had a direct impact on security in the EU; therefore, unanimous efforts of EU Member States were required in providing political, specific expert and other assistance to the governments of Eastern partners on their path of the necessary reform. “Certainly, readiness and willingness of these countries to implement reforms is an important and fundamental factor,” the Speaker of the Seimas said.
In addition, the Speaker of the Seimas noted that Lithuania was looking forward to a speedier entry into force of the association agreements with Georgia and Ukraine.
It was repeatedly stressed at the meeting that both countries were engaged in good and active bilateral political relations. Mrs Graužinienė said that Lithuania appreciated the existing economic, academic and cultural relations with Romania but there still was great unexploited potential.
At the end of the meeting, the Romanian President signed the Guestbook of the Seimas. Subsequently, together with the Speaker of the Seimas, the President visited the January 13th Memorial.
