First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić received Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister Rolandas Kriščiunas, who attended the conference on ‘Why the European Union Is Important’.
The twinning light project titled ‘Strengthening the Capacities of MFEA as National Coordinator of European Affairs’, jointly implemented by Croatia and Lithuania since April, Pusić described as successful, namely because it has contributed to the ministry’s efficiency in drafting, harmonizing and adopting national positions and coordinating European affairs. The two officials reiterated the interest in cooperation on joint twinning project in third Southeast European states, as well as countries of the Eastern Partnership and Africa.
Apart from bilateral relations, Pusić and Kriščiunas also discussed the current situation in Europe’s eastern and southern neighbourhood, welcoming the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. They agreed that the association process in the Eastern Partnership countries should be continued. In regard to Southeast Europe and the EU enlargement prospect, Kriščiunas said that although it was certain there would be no new enlargement in the near future, it should not fade into the background. Pusić underlined the importance of membership perspective for the countries of the region and the continuation of the reforms, and that EU should not paralyze but stimulate the association processes. She informed the Lithuanian Deputy FM about Croatia’s strategic energy projects, whose realization will boost Croatia’s energy independence.