Lithuania welcomes EC determination to strengthen relations with ENP countriesApril 5, 2008 - 14:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On 2 April European Commission issued a Communication to the Parliament and the Council "Implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy in 2007" and published progress reports concerning the reforms implemented by the states participating in the European Union's Neighborhood Policy - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia, Jordan, Lebanon, Moldova, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine.Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes European Commission's determination to continue cooperation based on close mutual relations with the countries which had expressed their willingness and have necessary capabilities. This European Commission's Communication perfectly reflects Lithuanian intention to support further strengthening of relations between Ukraine, Moldova, states of the Southern Caucasus and the European Union, the Ministry said in a publication posted on its website. "It is very important to evaluate properly the progress of the eastern EU neighbors in implementation of the Neighborhood Action Plan in the future also. In their turn these countries should continue to implement internal reforms and strengthen bilateral relations with the EU," Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekunas said. In the document adopted by the European Commission the progress of the partner states in such spheres as political cooperation, economy, migration, energy, transport, scientific research, mobility of students and young people is reviewed. The Commission drew attention to existing problems especially in the areas of corruption, protection of human rights and independence of the judiciary. It is marked in the Commission's report that four countries, Ukraine and Moldova among them, made remarkable progress in implementation of reforms provided in the action plans. Moldova actively carries out its commitments and shows strong political will to continue the work started. It is marked in the Communication that taking into consideration the conclusions of the Council of February 2008 the EU is ready to start negotiations on the new Enhanced Agreement with Moldova. In development of relations between the EU and Ukraine the Commission plans to continue the launched negotiations on the new Enhanced Agreement which includes closer free trade cooperation. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | 17 bridges collapse as a result of floods in Armenia As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. Armenia: Top cleric to retain title as he bids to become interim PM Galstanyan said earlier that the interim government would be tasked with stopping the “destruction of our homeland”. Ex-mayor of Karabakh capital arrested in Yerevan Ex-mayor of the Nagorno-Karabakh city of Stepanakert David Sargsyan has been arrested for 20 days. 269 people evacuated amid severe floods in Armenia’s north According to the Interior Ministry, 269 people have been evacuated from their homes in Lori and Tavush provinces. |