Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has urged the European Union to open “real” membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova by July.
“We must start real negotiations on EU membership for Ukraine and Moldova as soon as possible – in this half-year,” Šimonytė told reporters on Monday after a meeting with her Estonian and Latvian counterparts in Vilnius.
“We must keep our promise to the people of Ukraine and Moldova and use this historic moment to expand Europe’s space of success for our own security, among other reasons,” she added.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has said that EU membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova must start this June.
The three Baltic prime ministers met in Vilnius on Monday as Lithuania takes over the presidency of the Baltic Council of Ministers.
According to Šimonytė, the three leaders also discussed security and defence of the Baltic region, support for Ukraine, sanctions against Russia and Belarus, and the implementation of regional infrastructure projects.
“Our countries share the same view of the situation; the security of our region is directly linked to Ukraine’s victory and we can’t get tired. I believe that we’ll not get tired of helping Ukraine in its fight,” she said.
The Lithuanian prime minister said that the EU has to continue stepping up pressure on Russia and Belarus, expand its sanctions against the aggressor, and look for ways to prevent their circumvention.
According to Šimonytė, Russia’s economic performance indicates that the bloc’s sanctions are effective and have a “direct and long-term impact”.
“We agreed on the need to continue to increase pressure, to strengthen Russia’s international isolation, to consistently tighten sanctions, to mobilise efforts in the region, in the EU and globally to prevent attempts to circumvent the sanctions,” she said.
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