Oostelijk Partnerschap-top november 2013: nieuwe mogelijkheden voor EU en partners (en)

President Dalia Grybauskaitė i met with Catherine Ashton i, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, who is visiting Lithuania, to discuss preparations for the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius as well as other EU foreign policy and defence issues.

"Lithuania is preparing intensively and very responsibly for the Vilnius Summit which will be held in November. It is one of the largest and most important events of the Lithuanian EU Presidency. This summit can open a new phase and new opportunities for interaction between the European Union and Eastern neighbors. To this end, we need active engagement and close cooperation among Eastern partners, EU member states and EU institutions," the President said.

According to the President, political cooperation between the EU and Eastern Partnership countries is mutually beneficial. Through its support to the ongoing political, economic and social reforms in Eastern neighboring countries and stronger relations with them, the European Union contributes to building a secure neighborhood. Close collaborative contacts will advance the development of economic ties between the EU and its Eastern partners, expand investment by both sides and facilitate travels for people.

The meeting also focused on preparations for December's European Council Summit on security and defence issues.