EU must maintain ambitious Eastern Partnership agenda, Lithuanian foreign minister insists

“We need to send a clear and strategic political signal to our Eastern neighbours that the EU remains ambitious and committed to fulfilling its obligations. The Eastern Partnership countries have to choose their own path towards development and it has to be defended. We cannot allow Russia to influence our policies,” said the Lithuanian foreign minister.

With regard to the situation in Africa, Linkevičius drew attention to the importance of peace on the continent as a basis for progress. The EU must promote capacity building in African states and improve self-sufficiency in all areas. Lithuania’s foreign minister highlighted the importance of the fight against terrorism, named Lithuania’s active role in the work of the United Nations Security Council (as Chair of the Central African Republic (CAR) Sanctions Committee), participation in international missions in Mali and Somalia.

“It is also important for the EU to cooperate with African regional organizations, which sometimes have more effective ways to address economic and security challenges. This must be a true partnership, a dialogue between equals,” he underlined.