On 8 February, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with the State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Victor Dolidze. The Ministers discussed preparations for the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit, as well as Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration agenda.

According to the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy, in the run-up to the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held on 24 November in Brussels, the parties must strike the right balance between the practical implementation of the results of the Eastern Partnership and a broader strategic vision. Lithuania is ready to coordinate closely and to support Georgia’s aspirations at the forthcoming meeting.

Linkevičius emphasized that it was equally important to maintain pace in implementing the Association Agreement between the European Union and Georgia.

“Through its patient, persistent work Georgia deserves to be called the leader of the Eastern Partnership. However, as experience shows, it is easier for the countries to obtain such a title than to maintain it. I believe that Georgia will continue to demonstrate its patience, concentration and perseverance, and will gather momentum for the implementation of reforms as set out in the Association Agreement,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.

The ambitious Association Agreement between the EU and Georgia, which fully entered into force on 1 July 2016, will facilitate Georgia’s modernization of public administration and will further gradually deepen its European integration. Setting the Association Agenda priorities for 2017-2020 will help determining key short-term goals.

When speaking about Georgia’s integration with NATO, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister noted that Lithuania supported Georgia’s aspirations and called for the use of all the existing means of deepening cooperation between Georgia and NATO.

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