Ministers discussed political perspectives for the EU engagement with Moldova and the way forward, following the parliamentary elections three weeks before.
"We hope that Moldova will maintain the direction of European integration, will make progress in implementing the Association Agreement, and will initiate reforms to help restore confidence of the people of Moldova and the EU. We will make a decision on the further path of Moldova bearing in mind real achievements and implemented reforms,” said the Minister L. Linkevičius.
In the run-up to the 21st EU-China summit on 9 April 2019 in Brussels, ministers discussed relations with China. China's geopolitical ambitions have been growing steadily in recent years. Thus, foreign ministers agreed that a unified EU position and coordinated action were of importance for the development of more effective and mutually beneficial cooperation.
According to Minister L. Linkevičius, the issue of bilateral investments must be addressed on the basis of reciprocity. The investments, especially into strategic sectors, must be controlled for safeguarding national security and economic interests. This requires coordinated EU policies and national instruments. Such mechanism functions in Lithuania already.
On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea, foreign ministers stressed that it was important for the EU to present a unified front and condemn the occupation of Crimea. In preparation for this meeting, the Minister L. Linkevičius, along with the Estonian, Latvian and Polish Foreign Ministers, circulated a letter to EU member states and institutions urging for a more active protection of the right for Ukraine and EU member states to enjoy unhindered and free passage through the Kerch Strait to and from the Sea of Azov, in accordance with the international maritime law.
