Speaking at a meeting with representatives of Belarusian democratic parties in Vilnius on Wednesday, Kirkilas said that Lithuanian EU presidency priorities were of relevance for Belarus, including Eastern Partnership, energy security, and protection of external borders.
"Of course, we are fans of Belarus. Lithuania truly hopes that all of these countries integrate with the democratic Europe and that the process does not take decades. Therefore, I would like to emphasize – Lithuania really expects Belarus in the European Union," said Kirkilas, Lithuania's ex-PM.
"Europe has been long waiting for democratic changes in Belarus, but they haven't happened, and it is very difficult to forecast when they can be expected," he said.
In Kirkilas' words, Lithuania and the EU support civil society in Belarus and want to support the country's democratic opposition and its democratic intellectuals.
"Lithuania's position is that the people of Belarus should not be victims of the Belarusian administration's relations with the EU," he said.
Belarus participates in the EU Eastern Partnership program. An EU summit on the topic will take place in Vilnius in November. Lithuanian and EU diplomats still haven't picked the Belarusian official to invite to the event. EU has banned entry of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and a few hundred other officials for repressions against the opposition and human rights activists.
Lithuania will hold EU Council presidency for six months after July 1.
