VILNIUS - Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis, on a visit to Moldova, says that Lithuania firmly supports the country's aspirations to become a member of the European Union.

Skvernelis underlined this during a meeting with Moldova's Prime Minister Pavel Filip on Thursday, the Lithuanian government said in a press release.

Skvernelis also expressed support for Moldova's territorial integrity, noted with satisfaction certain progress in solving some of the problems caused by the conflict in Transnistria and called for a withdrawal of Russian troops from the region.

"The head of the Lithuanian government called for continuing the reforms necessary for Moldova and its people," the government said.

Skvernelis also met with Andrian Candu, the speaker of Moldova's parliament.