The conference topic is “EaP from Vilnius to Riga: Achievements, Challenges and Future Prospects” and was attended by the Baltic States, EU experts, Visegrad and Scandinavian countries. Z. Abashidze, the Head of the GUAM PA delegation and GUAM Secretary General, ValeriChechelashvili also participated in the Conference.

The conference was open by the Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament. Conference participants spoke about EaP Riga Summit agenda.

The Deputy-Foreign Minister of Lithuania spoke about EaP development necessity and called on EU states to AA ratification before Riga Summit and on EaP members to finalize the second phase of visa liberalization for Ukraine and Georgia. “Russia wants to revive Soviet Union. It violates all the agreements, including the Minsk agreements and threats to territorial integrity of Ukraine and Georgia. Thus, EU shall change the strategy towards these countries and Russia as well. More sanctions are to be enacted against Russia and more economic and political support shall be directed to EaP states”. The same rhetoric was expressed by the Foreign Relations Committee Member. According to him, the countries aspiring to approximate to EU, encountered military challenges from Russia. “EU shall respond to more flexible foreign policy”, - he noted.

MEP demanded more EU efforts to confront the Russian propaganda mechanism. EU fails to deal with it as this propaganda is directed not only against EaP but also against EU values.

Z. Abashidze reminded the participants that EU members, in view of reforming in Georgia asap and establishment of relations with Europe and sharing EU values, shall in shortest term finalize visa liberalization process. He noted that Georgia, on its turn, has fulfilled the relevant obligations.

Riga Summit shall gain concrete outcomes for the countries which after the hardest efforts, achieved goals. EU political signal will give the new birth to EaP. He expressed his gratitude to EU states already ratifying EUAA and called on other countries to accomplish this process before Riga Summit.