Lithuanian president discusses EU integration with Ukrainian, Moldovan, Georgian leaders

VILNIUS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda met with the Ukrainian and Moldovan presidents and the Georgian prime minister in Granada on Thursday to discuss the countries' EU integration prospects.

In his meetings with Volodymyr Zelensky, Maia Sandu and Irakli Garibashvili on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit, Nauseda also discussed progress in implementing reforms and following the European Commission's recommendations, the Lithuanian president's office said in a press release.   

Nauseda underlined during the meetings that Lithuania firmly supports the European integration goals of all three countries and is ready to provide expertise and share experience.

"Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia are in Europe. The citizens of these countries have repeatedly made it clear that they want to live in free, democratic and prosperous states and that they want to be part of Europe," the Lithuanian president said in the press release.

"I believe that by focusing on these goals, these countries will succeed in implementing the necessary reforms and becoming full-fledged EU members," he added.

The Lithuanian leader expressed hope that the progress made by the countries will allow starting EU membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova by the end of this year, and granting candidate status to Georgia, according to the press release.

Georgia and Moldova applied for EU candidate status in March 2022, a month after Ukraine did.

In June 2022, EU member states granted that status to Ukraine and Moldova, but not to Georgia, saying that Tbilisi had more work to do.