During the virtual meeting, the Lithuanian and Ukrainian representatives discussed the implementation of the Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Ukraine, cooperation in the areas of digital agenda, energy security, transport, justice and home affairs, the Eastern Partnership initiative and preparations for the Fourth Ukraine Reform Conference in Vilnius in 2021.
“Lithuania will continue to fully support Ukraine in implementing the Association Agreement and related reforms. We support the further deepening of the EU-Ukraine relationship, closer cooperation in the fields of energy, customs, the digital agenda, justice and home affairs. At the same time, it is important to maintain the results of implemented reforms and to continue pursuing the ambitious agenda," said L. Linkevičius. “Ukraine remains Lithuania’s most important development cooperation and humanitarian assistance partner”.
The meeting also discussed security issues. Lithuania affirmed its consistent support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Representatives of Lithuania and Ukraine condemned the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and stressed the need to maintain the EU’s economic sanctions against Russia until the Minsk agreements were fully implemented. The Ukrainian representatives informed that additional measures had been agreed upon at the level of the Tripartite Contact Group on 22 July to ensure compliance with a full and comprehensive ceasefire that was expected to pave the way for the implementation of other provisions of the Minsk agreements.
The participants of the meeting also exchanged the experience of both countries in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences.
The Lithuania-Ukraine Commission for European Integration coordinates Lithuania’s support for the implementation of Ukraine’s political, administrative, economic and social reforms with a view to implementing Ukraine’s European integration aspirations.
