Zakenleven voor verdere samenwerking tussen EU en landen Oostelijk partnerschap (en)

Today, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius has attended the second Eastern Partnership Business Forum. According to the Prime Minister, the forum provides an opportunity for business leaders to establish contacts and strengthen cooperation.

“I am happy to note that these days Vilnius has become a place for European Union states and the six Eastern Partnership countries to come together. The Business Forum ”Business Without Borders” focuses on the future of business in the European Union and the Eastern Partnership countries. It is very important that the parties understand that trade liberalization is of mutual benefit. For the Eastern Partnership countries this would mean increased investment flows, economic growth and a possibility to sell products on the EU market with half a billion consumers,“ said Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius.

According to the Head of Government, the Eastern Partnership Business Forum is a good platform for sharing ideas, views and strategies for a better dialogue of businesses and political leaders. “I hope that this Business Forum will mark a tradition of communication for better performance of our economies and better life for societies,” said the Prime Minister.

On Ukraine's decision to suspend the association and free trade agreements with the EU, the Prime Minister has noted his belief that it is not the end of the process.

“Ukraine has achieved a lot and it has come closer to Europe. I believe that this process will be resumed in the near future. I also welcome Moldova and Georgia, who stand ready for initialling of the agreements, which hopefully should be signed in 2014,” said the Prime Minister.