VILNIUS - Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus has implored the European Union to continue expanding its membership.
In an address to the Council of Europe Summit in Brussels on June 15, Adamkus said the EU should be open to new members which are carrying out reforms and meeting the prescribed criteria.
He also noted the necessity of agreeing on a specific action plan and deadline for the EU constitution ratification process.
EU leaders agreed to set 2008 as the deadline for the decision regarding the 'No' vote to the constitution in France and the Netherlands.
The constitution has been ratified by all Baltic states, but must be accepted by all EU members to come into effect.
Adamkus spoke in support of EU further enlargement, stressing that the organization should be open to new members that are executing reforms and comply with membership criteria. In his opinion, no artificial obstacles should be created for countries striving for accession to the international community.
Other issues on the summit agenda focused on the EU constitution, enlargement, energy policy and crisis management.
