Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Lit : Linkevičius and his EU counterparts discuss EU foreign policy priorities in 2017

On 16 January in Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius attended the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council meeting, which focused on the EU's foreign policy agenda, as well as discussed Syria and the Middle East peace process.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini reviewed priorities of the EU's foreign and security policy in the short-term. In her opinion, a lot of attention will be paid to the EU's neighbours and the Western Balkans, relations with the new U.S. administration, Africa, the challenge of migration and the implementation of the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy. Mogherini stressed that the Eastern Partnership Summit in November would be one of the most important events of the year.

According to the Minister Linkevičius, the strategic communication must be put on the Council's agenda in order to counter hybrid threats. Besides dealing with the challenges of migration and security in the southern neighbourhood, it is also very important for the EU to maintain its support for reforms in Ukraine and other associated countries. The Eastern Partnership Summit must bring tangible results and contribute to security and stability in the region. Moreover, it is important to maintain and develop relations with the new U.S. administration.

Lithuania's Foreign Minister discussed changed circumstances in Syria and the EU's regional initiative on the future of Syria that aimed to end the conflict. Mogherini presented the EU's plans to host a conference on Syria and the region in Brussels in spring 2017, in cooperation with the UN, the UK and Germany. Lithuania welcomes all the initiatives that contribute to the restoration of peace in Syria and believes that it is important for all the countries to abide by the ceasefire.

The Ministers exchanged their opinions on prospects for the Middle East peace process, discussed the outcomes of the peace conference in Paris on January 15, and welcomed the ongoing international efforts to resume the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations toward a two-state solution. Lithuania's Foreign Minister said that in order to achieve peace and the two-state solution, both warring sides must engage in dialogue. Linkevičius also agreed with Mogherini's proposal to organize a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council in February.