"Lithuania has always strongly supported not only further EU integration, but also the EU's commitment to openness. The map of Europe is still far from complete", said Linkevičius.
The Minister underlined the importance of implementing decisions regarding Serbia and Kosovo, and presented the assessment taken by the Presidency regarding further progress of the EU accession talks with Turkey and Montenegro, as well as progress made by other Western Balkan countries carrying out reforms.
"At home is where European Union integration starts. Candidate countries are primarily responsible for the internal changes", said the Minister.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs reminded that the EU was closely watching the progress made by candidate countries in implementing the requirements set, and stressed the need to continue the reforms, particularly in the field of law and order. According to Linkevičius, the involvement of civil society is crucial for successful reforms.
The Minister responded to the questions posed by members of the European Parliament, and stressed the importance of the Eastern Partnership Summit which will be held in November; he also reminded that although the Summit is scheduled in Vilnius, the entire EU and partner countries should feel equally responsible for the results.
"This is an excellent opportunity to mark very tangible accomplishments of the Eastern Partnership in Vilnius by signing the Association Agreement with Ukraine, initialling agreements with Armenia, Georgia and Moldova, as well as an opportunity to agree on the perspectives of this policy. This purpose however requires that both the EU and its Eastern partners work together. There are only two ways - either the EU can wait and see how the partner countries seek progress, or it can become actively involved. Lithuania supports the latter view."
As far as questions regarding relations with Russia, the human rights situation and the case of Mr Magnitsky was concerned, Linkevičius admitted that the latter case was symbolic, demonstrating different understanding of the rule of law in the EU and in Russia; he further reminded of the need for the EU to be consistent in relationship with Russia and to pose questions regarding the implementation of obligations.
The Minister, while stressing the need to prevent a deeper crisis in Egypt, said that the situation requires an in-depth analysis and immediate discussions of the EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs. As for Syria, Linkevičius reminded that the EU was the leader in providing humanitarian aid, and supported the search for a political solution.
The Minister stressed the importance of cooperation of the European Parliament and the EU Council and invited to more actively seek for an agreement on EU external aid financing. "The views taken by us, i.e. the European Parliament and the Council, clearly converge. I am certain that the meeting of the Parliament, the Council and the Lithuanian Presidency will signal sound progress, and we will accomplish an agreement on time", said the chief of Lithuanian diplomacy.
