Economische onderwerpen besproken tijdens top Oostelijk Partnerschap (en)

On November 28th, the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, together with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists in collaboration with BUSINESSEUROPE, will host the 2nd Eastern Partnership Business Forum.

The President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso i, the President of the European Investment Bank Werner Hoyer, EU commissioners Karel de Gucht i and Štefan Fūle, the President of Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists and the Vice President of Business Europe Robertas Dargis will participate in the Forum, as well as representatives of governments and business delegations from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Special address will be made by the Prime Minister of Lithuania Algirdas Butkevičius.

“The relations with all six countries have to move forwards and strengthen their integration into the EU. I believe that the initialling of association agreements, especially the provisions of these agreements on the creation of a deep and comprehensive free trade area, and agreements with Moldova and Georgia during the Summit will open the way for new possibilities of political and economic relations with these countries,” said Robertas Dargis, President of the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists.

Held on the eve of the 3rd Eastern Partnership Summit - an important milestone event in the relationship between six Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) and the European Union - this Business Forum will address strategic economic policy issues. Such issues will range from the further enhancement of trade, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTAs) to foreign direct investment, boosting of SMEs, and developing infrastructure for business success. Furthermore, participants will be able to make new contacts through organized B2B and B2G networking opportunities throughout the day.

The 1st Eastern Partnership Business Forum took place in Sopot (Poland) on 30 September, 2011, on the eve of the 2nd Eastern Partnership Summit in Warsaw. The initiative proved successful in helping to establish new contacts, share experiences, and discuss investment opportunities in partner countries and specific Eastern Partnership projects.

More than 500 guests and 100 media representatives will participate in the event. The whole event will be broadcasted at http://eapbusinessforum2013.eu.