Seimas called on the EU to develop an ambitious vision of the Eastern Partnership

Press release, 8 June 2017

Having regard to the aggressive Russian foreign policy, which aims at disrupting the European security architecture and is responsible for the creeping occupation of Georgia, the continuing aggression in Ukraine, which has already claimed over 10,000 lives, the information warfare being waged against democracies, and the interference with electoral processes in sovereign states in the Euro-Atlantic area, which poses an increasing threat, the Seimas urged the Western world at this time of particular threats to not only maintain unity, but also focus on supporting and enhancing the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

The Seimas Resolution on the Need to Renew Commitment to Support Democracy was adopted by 85 votes in favour with 2 against and 5 abstentions.

The Resolution invites to jointly seek comprehensive political, security and financial support of the European Union (EU) and the USA for the political and economic reforms taking place in Ukraine and for the democratic opposition forces of Belarus and Russia.

The Seimas urged the EU to shape an ambitious vision of the Eastern Partnership based on the prospects of full EU membership of the most advanced countries of the Eastern Partnership, bearing in mind that the success of the reforms provided for in the association agreements of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova will also largely depend on the European Union’s political engagement and increased financial incentives.

The Resolution calls on the Government to increase the amount of funds and intellectual resources allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for development cooperation, in particular for democratic development initiatives in Eastern Europe and other priority regions.

Rimas Rudaitis, Chief Specialist, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: [email protected]