The European Union and the Council of Europe will closely cooperate during the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union due to start in July 2013. Particular focus will be on strengthening the Eastern Partnership, Lithuania’s key priority, and on bringing the six countries, covered by the Eastern Partnership policy, namely Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus, closer to the EU.

This was confirmed at the meeting between Gediminas Kirkilas, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas and Chair of the Committee on European Affairs, and Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

“The Eastern Partnership policy has naturally become the main priority for the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Lithuania has a duty to be an active advocate of the Eastern Partnership countries in their EU integration process. This obligation stems from Lithuania’s own experience of striving for EU membership and consolidation of democratic values”, Gediminas Kirkilas said.

During the meeting, the Deputy Speaker expressed his appreciation for the contribution of the Council of Europe to the democratic developments in Lithuania and noted the major changes that had taken place in Lithuania over the twenty years of the country’s membership of the Council of Europe. One of the key objectives of the Council of Europe is promotion and strengthening of democracy and human rights worldwide.

Morta Vidūnaitė, Assistant to Gediminas Kirkilas, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas, tel: +370 5 239 6278, mob: +370 612 01121; e-mail: [email protected]