Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Investments, Legislation, Lithuania

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"In view of high demand for investment in the EU, this plan could mark an epoch and become a perfect opportunity to promote the involvement of private capital in the implementation of significant investment projects for Lithuania and the entire EU. However, it is important to ensure that this plan does not undermine financing for energy projects of importance to Lithuania from the EU budget," stressed the minister.

As regards another item on the EU agenda – the EU policy towards Ukraine – Linkevicius called for urgent EU support for Ukraine so that the newly elected Rada and the newly formed Government could carry out reforms. Lithuania's Foreign Minister also highlighted Russia's responsibility for the conflict and the importance of a unified EU position regarding Russia's policy towards Ukraine.

The Council debated strengthening the EU's role in the world – one of EU priorities over the next five years, which was agreed by leaders at the June European Council.

According to Linkevicius, when implementing this priority, it is necessary to coordinate the common foreign policy of EU member states, to speak with one voice at international forums, to strengthen the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), to closely cooperate with NATO, to respond to international crises in a more effective manner, to review EU's policy towards Russia and to rebalance the European Neighbourhood Policy.

The Council assessed the candidate countries' progress on the EU path and called on the candidate countries, particularly Serbia, to align with EU's common foreign policy towards Russia and Ukraine. The Ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Turkey and EU accession negotiations.

The Council agreed to promote and safeguard the rule of law within the EU and to discuss this issue once a year.