BNS: EU should focus on Eastern Partnership program - Lithuanian president
Updated 2009-04-20
VILNIUS, Apr 10, BNS - Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus said during his official visit in Prague that the European Union (EU) should pay special attention to its Eastern Partnership program and the EU summit to take place in the Czech Republic in May.
Adamkus spoke at a meeting with the acting Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek on Thursday, the presidential press service reported. According to the press release, the upcoming summit is expected to focus
on Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and other countries participating in the Eastern Partnership program and provide them with assistance on the road to Euro-integration.
In the president's words, this is the only actual alternative for strengthening their integration ties with the EU and guarantying stability and well-being in Europe's East.
Adamkus expressed hope and confidence that the Czech Republic, after overcoming its government crisis, would successfully complete its term of EU presidency. "This was confirmed by the recent EU-US summit in Prague, which was beneficial in every respect," Adamkus said.
He also voiced gratitude for a successful Czech presidency of the European Union: in March, the European Council meeting decided to provide additional funding to create Baltic energy connections.
Adamkus underlined that the EU external energy policy had to be strengthened: the EU had not only to speak in one voice, but also to work out clear and effective measures for concerted action. The president pointed out that it was necessary to concentrate on the diversity of sources, not only on the diversity of supply routes.
The Lithuanian president has been in the Czech Republic since Thursday. Adamkus already met with his Czech counterpart, Vaclav Klaus, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and Premysl Sobotka, the president of the Upper Parliamentary Chamber, the Senate, with a visit with Miloslav Vlcek, the head of the Lower Parliamentary Chamber, the House of Deputies, planned for Friday.
Later on Friday, the Lithuanian leader is also hosting a business breakfast where investors from the Czech Republic and other foreign states should discuss business development perspectives in Central Europe.
The Lithuanian leader returned to Vilnius on Friday evening.
