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During the conversation, the presidents discussed the political agenda of the Eastern Partnership, paying particular attention to the situation in Ukraine and Belarus, according to the report. The presidents unanimously expressed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and the fight against disinformation and propaganda from hostile countries. The leaders expressed their solidarity with Belarusian civil society, which is fighting for democratic elections and human rights. According to the leaders, it is necessary to work together to support the long-term vision of a democratic Belarus.
The presidents discussed the situation in Russia. “Russia has failed the human rights test,” the president said, emphasizing Lithuania and Poland’s call for Russia to release illegally imprisoned Russian citizens. The leaders also expressed concern over the recent expulsion of foreign diplomats from Russia.
The organization of the Eastern Partnership Forum is being negotiated in the second half of this year. It was stated that the axis of the leaders’ meeting should be the search for solutions in order to strengthen the civil society of the Eastern Partnership countries, the principles of the rule of law. At the Forum it was agreed to seek a joint statement that sets an ambitious agenda for future Eastern Partnership initiatives.
During the call, the consensus on the implementation of the RailBaltic project was emphasized, one of the main conditions of which is to ensure adequate funding from the EU. It was agreed to follow the 2020 July. Agreements reached by the European Council on the multiannual financial framework.
Views were exchanged at the meeting on the need to expand vaccine production capacity, ensure their timely distribution to Member States and increase the availability of vaccines to the EU’s neighbors. Leaders agreed that the goal of achieving herd immunity in the summer is ambitious but realistic.
Speaking of the regional security situation, emphasis was placed on strengthening the transatlantic connection, which is necessary to ensure the security of the Baltic States and Poland. Plans were exchanged to strengthen cooperation with the United States and the country’s new administration.
The leaders agreed to convene the first Council of Presidents of Lithuania and Poland this year.
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