Europos Sąjungos kaimynystės politika: tarp saugumo panacėjos ir klaidų kartojimo

ENThe introductory article by Antanas Valionis, the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs briefly describes the aims of the Lithuanian foreign policy in the field of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Lithuania has actively supported the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) since the beginning of 2002 when its initiative was published by the British presidency. Consequently, the ENP has become one of the most important fields of the Lithuanian EU policy, directly linked to the priorities of the Lithuanian foreign and security policy. Due to historical reasons Lithuania directs the greatest attention to the development of the EU relations with Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and South Caucasus. Lithuania lobbed for the inclusion of South Caucasus into the “Wider Europe” initiative. The ENP should both enhance co-operation and promote the integration of ENP partners into the European structures. After the “colour revolutions” Georgia and Ukraine declared the EU membership aspirations. The next step is to be taken by the EU. It must encourage these states alongside with Moldova to continue with introduction of the European values. It can be done most effectively by indicating a membership perspective. The European Commission has already prepared ENP Action plans for Ukraine and Moldova. EU-Georgia Action Plan is due to follow soon. With developing co-operation and changes in the Eastern Europe, it is likely to expect the EU proposition to strengthen the co-operation with the most advanced partners by developing integration ties. The main current goal of Lithuania is to foster and widen the EU dialogue with the neighbours. EU could propose a new Partnership and co-operation treaty for Ukraine, thus creating new quality of bilateral relations and motivating this state. [...].