Juodka: EU association agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine will aide their political stability

“The development of relations with the Eastern Partnership countries is among the top priorities of Lithuania’s foreign policy. Therefore, I am very glad that an important step has been made today in strengthening the relations between the EU and Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, the states which clearly demonstrate their will and determination to become fully-fledged members of the EU community,” says Prof Benediktas Juodka, Chair of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs.

“The association agreements are the most effective instrument of strengthening their political and economic stability, enhancing resilience to external threats and responding appropriately to the choice of people to link their future with the European Union. It is a highly significant step in the history of both these states and whole Europe,” he is quoted as saying in a press release, commenting on the signing of the agreements. He recalled that in its Resolution of 8 May 2014, the Seimas expressed its unwavering support for Georgia’s, Moldova’s and Ukraine’s EU membership prospects.

The Foreign Affairs Committee chair believes that the Seimas of Lithuania pays special attention to this matter and intends to actively continue implementing initiatives for strengthening interparliamentary cooperation with the three countries.

“We know perfectly well from our recent experience the importance of support from partners and therefore we intend to cooperate with fellow parliamentarians from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine and the general public by sharing our expertise in democratic reforms and transposition and implementation of the EU acquis,” claims Prof Juodka.

All the parliaments of the European Union and those of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine must still ratify the agreements.