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

Andrius Kubilius and Viktor Yanukovych. Vilnius, 14.10.2010.

The prime minister stated that "the European Union's Eastern Partnership and euro-integration aspirations of Ukraine are among Lithuania's most important foreign policy issues, which will be particularly relevant during Lithuania's presidency of the European Union," the press service of the Government said in a press release.

The Ukrainian leader briefed Kubilius on the changes that were taking place in Ukraine. According to Yanukovych, his country is now carrying out thorough systemic reforms, but political stability prevails, writes LETA/ELTA.

According to Prime Minister Kubilius, Lithuania is closely observing the changes in Ukraine. The prime minister called on Ukraine not to fear a free trade agreement with the European Union, setting Lithuania as an example of enjoying the benefits of free trade.

The prime minister also noted that one of his political experience lessons was simple – one should take care of the opposition's rights when in power. Kubilius urged Ukraine to listen to expert advice and recalled how on its way to the European Union Lithuania benefited from listening to rather critical advice of European experts on freedom of expression, the rights of the opposition.