"I have a very good impression. The first time I spoke with colleagues from the Lithuanian government about the Lithuanian presidency, I think it was in 2009. I think Lithuania has been preparing for a number of years and Lithuania has many important issues on the agenda, most importantly – the Eastern Partnership Summit," Dowgielewicz told BNS in Vilnius.
He said he was certain that the summit in Vilnius in November would produce an association agreement with Ukraine and initial agreements with Georgia, Armenia, and Moldova.
Lithuania's Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius told BNS that signing the association treaty would mean a breakthrough in the EU-Ukrainian relations. In his words, it would be a "historic event."
"We spoke about Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, the likelihood of signing the association treaty with Ukraine – it would be great to have it signed, it would be a certain breakthrough between the EU and Ukraine, as well as a historic event," Butkevicius said.
In his words, it was useful to hear about Poland's EU presidency experience.
In preparation for the EU Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius, Lithuania aims to sign association and close cooperation and free trade agreements before or during the event.
Negotiations on association treaties with Moldova, Georgia and, possibly, Armenia should be completed prior to the November summit.
