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

Dalia Grybauskaite and Petro Poroshenko. Kyiv, 24.11.2014. Photo: lrp.lt

"Today Ukraine is facing huge challenges – part of its territory is torn off, soldiers and civilians are being killed in the war in its eastern region. At the same time, this country has to implement difficult but necessary reforms. This is a difficult time for Ukraine. And we must and can help it," the President said.

The President underlined it was very important for Ukraine to implement without delay the provisions of the EU Association Agreement, including deep and comprehensive free trade area, as well as to deliver other necessary reforms. Lithuania has always supported and will continue to support the choice of the Ukrainian people. Our country can offer the needed expert assistance in the economic, legal, energy, transport and other spheres.

According to the President, in the light of ongoing military attacks against Ukraine security and defense cooperation is especially important. Lithuania receives injured Ukrainian soldiers for rehabilitation, provides food, clothes and medical aid, and is ready to increase its assistance in the near future.

To impart Lithuania's accumulated experience in building modern armed forces, it is planned to invite more Ukrainian soldiers to study at the Military Academy of Lithuania, conduct joint military exercises, and to complete the formation of the trilateral brigade of Lithuania, Ukraine and Poland.

During their meeting, the Presidents discussed the energy security issues of importance to Lithuania and Ukraine. Lithuania can share its experience how to increase energy independence and create a transparent and competitive energy market.

In Ukraine, the Lithuanian head of state also discussed bilateral cooperation issues and the strengthening of trade relations. The transparency and stability of the investment and trade environment in Ukraine is in the interest of Lithuanian business which can help Ukrainian companies to introduce European quality standards for goods and services.

President Grybauskaitė will also meet with Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.