Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Lithuania, Ukraine

Photo: seimas.lt

"As Ukraine is taking steps on the path of European integration, political unity is vital. It’s a key platform all vital issues – from the implementation of the Minsk agreements and introduction of stability and reforms in the country to Ukraine's further European integration – should be based on," Grauziniene told during meetings with Ukraine's leaders.

In Kiev, the Lithuanian speaker is attending meetings of the Baltic and Nordic parliamentary speakers (NB8) with Ukraine's top officials. The delegations have already met with Oleksandr Turchynov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Volodymyr Groysman, chairman of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, elders of the political groups in the Ukrainian parliament and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

During the meetings, Grauziniene stressed the need for political stability, her office said, as well determination to implement necessary reforms.

The Lithuanian parliamentary speaker said she was aware of the difficult conditions the Ukrainian government had to work in amid an ongoing war in the country, and underlined the need for the consolidation of all major political powers in Ukraine.

"The European Unions supports Ukraine's Western path, therefore, it is important for Ukraine to demonstrate political unity," Grauziniene said.

During her visit to Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, Grauziniene called on Ukrainian politicians not to stop on their path of reforms but to move forward as key EU decisions on the extension of sanctions for Russia and a visa-free regime for Ukraine are ahead, adding that Lithuania would continue supporting Ukraine.

The speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas will return from Ukraine on Thursday.

The NB8 format includes Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden. The countries regularly cooperate in various areas since 1992.