The Members of the Committees unanimously supported the aims of EU trade policy, establishment of a multilateral trading system, and enforcement of trade defence instruments against unfair competition. They pointed out that EU trade policy significantly contributed to delivering economic growth and jobs in Lithuania. As an open economy, Lithuania is strongly dependent on foreign trade. Thirty per cent of jobs in Lithuania are export-dependent.
When referring to the EU–Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the Members of the Committees stressed that the entry into force of the Agreement would pave the way for exports of Lithuania as well as of other EU Member States to Canada. At the same time, implementation of CETA will set an example for further opening up of trade in the world. This is particularly crucial in continuing the EU–US negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
Eastern Partnership countries received particular attention. The Members of the Seimas thanked the European Commission for its tremendous efforts in implementing the deep and comprehensive free trade agreements with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. They also underscored the manifest need for continuing the EU support for these countries as they were implementing reforms to boost competitiveness.
In the context of trade relations with Russia, both sides noted that the EU had to make full use of the dispute settlement mechanisms of the World Trade Organization in order to prevent Russia’s systematic failure to comply with its obligations.
The participants of the meeting also discussed the Astravyets Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) project and its unsafe development in Lithuania’s neighbourhood. The Members of the Seimas underlined that the unsafe NPP in Astravyets must be the concern of not only Lithuania but also of the entire EU. Belarus continues the development of the Astravyets NPP in failure to comply with the international safety requirements, thereby endangering regional safety, public health and the environment. The EU must take this into account in maintaining trade relations with Belarus. One of the possible solutions could be a decision by the EU stating clearly that there would be no trade in electricity produced in unsafe NPPs on the EU market.
