EU leaders focus on the topical matters of global agenda – Iran’s nuclear non-proliferation and trade with the U.S.
According to the President, after the withdrawal of the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it is necessary to ensure that Iran continues nuclear non-proliferation.
A peaceful Iran bound by international obligations is in the common interests of the EU and Lithuania. This concerns not only the Middle East as it means security for all of us. To this end, Lithuania supports the EU decision to take on leadership for the deal with Iran to remain valid.
The EU reaffirmed its determination to pursue the Iran nuclear deal and continue consultations regarding its implementation at the meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Iran held yesterday on initiative of the EU.
The current agreement is not ideal but it helps preventing the renewal of Iran’s nuclear program. Dalia Grybauskaitė also underscored the necessity to negotiate supplementary conditions that would oblige Iran to abandon its ballistic missile program and destabilizing actions in the region.
In discussing the U.S. plans to introduce additional tariffs on steel and aluminum, the President underscored that the U.S. was an important partner of Lithuania in security and economics; therefore, it was in the interests of Lithuania to avoid a trade war with the U.S.
Lithuania supports the EU decision to pursue discussions with the U.S. in search of long-term solutions acceptable for both parties. A more restricted transatlantic trade agreement with the U.S. to cover the reciprocal removal of tariffs for industrial goods could be a compromise in opening new opportunities for economic cooperation with the U.S.
The United States’ role of a gas supplier is on the rise in the world. American gas imported to Europe and Lithuania helps to reduce dependence on Russian gas in the entire EU. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance the EU-U.S. dialogue in the areas of energy and energy security.
