Voorzitter EP Schulz bij top over Oostelijk Partnerschap Vilnius (en)

European Parliament President Martin Schulz i will participate in the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29. On the eve of the summit, President Schulz said:

"The Eastern Partnership is a valuable project that brings closer the European Union and its eastern neighbours for the benefit of their citizens by fostering stronger economic, political and cultural ties. The Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius marks an important step in this process.

I congratulate Moldova and Georgia on the planned initialling of the Association Agreements with the EU. I am deeply disappointed, however, that Ukraine and Armenia have abandoned plans to sign the Association Agreements at the summit. It is especially regrettable that the countries' decisions to reconsider their choices have been made under external pressure. We should say clearly and loudly that the economic and political pressure exerted by Russia against our eastern partners is simply unacceptable.

I would like to stress that the door of association with the EU remains open and that we will never abandon the European hopes and aspirations of the peoples of the region."

Programme:

Thursday, November 28

20:00 Informal working dinner with Heads of States and Government

Friday, November 29

07:30 Meeting with George Margvelashvili, President ofGeorgia

09:00 Participation in signing ceremonies

10:00 Participation in the plenary session, speech

13:45 Joint news conference with Dalia Grybauskaitė i, President of the Republic of Lithuania, Herman Van Rompuy i, President of the European Council and José Manuel Barroso i, President of the European Commission

14:45 Individual press briefing