EU intends to specify a few dozen fields of cooperation, starting with energy and elimination of roaming barriers to infrastructural development, however, the partners will not be promised a perspective of EU membership.
Diplomats say the meeting should highlight the contrast between two groups of countries – Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia that have signed association agreements in an effort to come closer to the EU and the second group of Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan that do not have the deals.
At a meeting on Friday, Lithuania’s Grybauskaitė should raise the issue of safety of the Astravyets nuclear power plant under construction in Belarus. Diplomats say nuclear safety should be mentioned in the final declaration of the summit.
At the summit, Belarus will be represented by foreign minister, although an invitation had also been sent to President Alexander Lukashenko. Lithuanian officials held a sceptical view of the decision to invite Lukashenko, as Grybauskaitė does not support resumption of a deeper dialogue with Belarus due to Astravyets safety and joint Belarusian military drills with Russia.