Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 15 / Trend S. Ahmadova /
At the Wilton Park conference "The Eastern Partnership: moving ahead" on 14 October, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, and David Lidington, the UK's Minister of State of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, issued a joint statement emphasizing the important role of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in strengthening the EU's relations with Eastern European partners, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry reported today.
The statement emphasizes further support to the Eastern European partners that seek to sign Association Agreements, an ever closer relationship with the EU, to consolidate open economic policies, inclusive democracy, and to sustain respect for the rule of law.
The event focused on accomplishments of the Eastern Partnership Policy, political and economic reforms in Eastern partner countries, the future for close cooperation and the deep and comprehensive free trade area, their implementation and efficiency. Participants of the conference also discussed Eastern Partnership prospects, ways to strengthen and develop this initiative after the Vilnius Summit. Russia's actions with regard to Eastern European partners as well as the political and economic pressure faced by the countries on the path towards European integration were also discussed.