Press release, 8 July 2014
Pursuant to a
special urgency procedure, the Seimas has almost unanimously ratified the Association
Agreements between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community
and their Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, of
the other part (draft laws No XIIP-1982,
No XIIP-1983,
and No XIIP-1984).
Signed in the
margins of the European Council meeting on 27 June 2014, the Association Agreements
with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine are ambitious, deep and comprehensive
cooperation instruments of a new generation to deepen political and economic
relations between the EU, on the one part, and Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, on
the other part, and to gradually integrate these countries into certain
segments of the EU common internal market thus creating a deep and
comprehensive free trade area. On behalf of Lithuania, the agreements have been
signed by its President Dalia Grybauskaitė in Brussels.
The agreements provide
for the following general goals of association: to promote gradual
rapprochement among the parties to the agreements on the basis of common
values; to strengthen the framework for a deeper political dialogue; to promote,
preserve and strengthen peace and stability in the region and internationally; to
create conditions for closer economic ties; to consolidate the principle of the
rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and to enable
closer cooperation in other areas of mutual interest. The focus is on the
essential reforms based on common values, economic recovery and growth, good
governance and sectoral cooperation in 28 areas, including public
administration reform, energy, transport, environment, health, consumer
protection, education, youth, culture and others.
Linas Linkevičius,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed that these agreements would not only
enable the countries to immediately undertake certain reforms, but they would
also bring economic benefits to those countries in the long run (though certain
challenges were expected in the near future) and to the whole European Union
because of the significantly enlarged market and undoubtedly enhanced
opportunities.
In 2013 Lithuanian
exports to Ukraine amounted to LTL 2.93 billion (3.45 per cent of the total
Lithuanian exports, i.e. 9th place on the list of Lithuanias export partners),
while imports from Ukraine were valued at LTL 0.76 billion (20th place on the
list of Lithuanias import partners). Ukrainian direct investment in Lithuania
represented LTL 26.58 million (33rd place in respect of direct investment),
whereas Lithuanian direct investment in Ukraine was LTL 154.93 million (9th
place in respect of Lithuanian direct investment abroad).
Currently Lithuania
conducts a small-scale trade with Georgia and Moldova and has a positive trade
balance. In 2013 Lithuanian exports to Georgia stood at LTL 96.50 million and
imports from Georgia amounted to LTL 52.60 million. Lithuanian exports to
Moldova represented LTL 107.03 million, while imports from Moldova were valued
at LTL 37.48 million.
Rimas Rudaitis, Public Relations Unit, Communications Department, Office
of the Seimas,
tel. +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: [email protected]
