The EU should assist the states of the South Caucasus to ensure their better integration, Lithuanian FM Antanas Valionis said. In his words, if Turkey, which borders those states, becomes an EU member, «the membership of those countries will become a barest necessity to the EU.» He also remarked Lithuania and other EU members will consider themselves secure only in case neighboring eastern states have market economy and democracy. «Some countries, particularly Russia, unfortunately think their security depends on strong pressure upon neighboring states and manipulating these. Democracy in Russia is of vital importance and I openly told it Putin,» Valionis said, adding the same refers to Belarus, reports RFE/RL.