EU putting a stop to Lithuanian-Russian blocks

Apr 25, 2008
In cooperation with BNS

Photo: Jan Mark

VILNIUS- European nations tried Thursday to convince Lithuania to lift its ban on talks with Moscow on a key EU-Russia partnership agreement, diplomats said.

However, news agencies reported that no consensus has been found because Lithuaniastuck to demands that any mandate of the European Commission (EC) for negotiations with Russia include assurances on energy supplies, cooperation over a missing businessman and movement by Russia on frozen conflicts in former Soviet republics.

EU foreign ministers will meet next Tuesday in Luxembourg to agree on negotiations regarding the stance for a new "Partnership and Cooperation Agreement" with Moscow.

The wide-ranging pact will cover the key issue of Russia's massive energy supplies for Europe.

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekunas said earlier this week that Lithuania would like for Russia to be included into closer cooperation with the EU, however, not at the expense of Lithuania's interests.

Vaitiekunas noted that Lithuania is aiming for EU's interior policy on issues of energy to be stated in one voice, constructively and based on existing juridical norms. He added that Lithuania's interest of solving "frozen conflicts" should also not be forgotten.

"We don't want to block the talks," an unnamed Lithuanian diplomat told AFP.

He also noted that Lithuania will make all efforts towards an agreement to present the EC with a mandate for talks with Moscow before next week's meeting of EU foreign ministers.

On the other hand, another Lithuanian diplomat quoted by Reuters asserted that a new proposal doesn't yet mean a deal has been made.

"There is no deal, negotiations have just started... There may be pressure on us at the foreign ministers meeting but we will stand firm," an unnamed Lithuanian diplomat said, adding Vilnius wanted firmer assurances than those suggested by current EU presidency of Slovenia.

Diplomats said the new EU presidency proposals sought to meet Lithuanian demands for assurances on the dormant-since-2006 Druzhba pipeline and on judicial cooperation.

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