Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Latvia, Lithuania

Dalia Grybauskaite and Latvian president Andris Berzins. Riga, 21.05.2015. Photo: lrp.lt

"The summit in Vilnius a year and a half ago was a turning point in the Eastern Partnership policy. Since then, the geopolitical situation in Europe has changed dramatically highlighting different objectives of Eastern partners. But we have achieved a lot – the people of Moldova enjoy visa-free travels to the European Union, trade restrictions for Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova are being lifted. We must continue supporting these countries and be open to their people," she said.

The Eastern Partnership policy is most beneficial for the people of these countries. The implementation of European reforms makes Eastern partners stronger, more democratic and advanced, with less corruption, more stability and well-being. Stable Eastern neighbourhood also means a more secure Europe.

Grybauskaite underlines that in the near future it is very important to help Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine implement free trade agreements, and the EU must remain open to the citizens of Eastern Partnership countries. According to the president, the people of Georgia and Ukraine should get visa-free access to the EU once these countries meet all the necessary requirements.

Cooperation between the EU and its Eastern partners in the fields of energy, transport, business and investment, digital economy, education and culture must also continue.

It is essential to help Eastern partners improve the public sector, reduce corruption, increase people's resistance to hostile propaganda, and strengthen the civil society.