BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

22/11/2009

Lithuanian, Belarusian, Ukrainian FMs to discuss cooperation in Kiev

Ministers will also discuss the possibility of electricity deliveries from Ukraine to Lithuania via the Belarusian electrical network

VILNIUS, November 22 (RIA Novosti) - Foreign ministers of Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine will meet in Kiev on November 22-23 in order to discuss cooperation within the framework of the European Union's Eastern Partnership program, a Lithuanian foreign ministry spokesman said.

During the meeting, Vygaudas Usackas, Sergei Martynov and Petro Poroshenko will focus on the development of joint projects, as well as on energy, transport and cultural cooperation between the three states, the spokesman said.

He added the ministers will also discuss the possibility of electricity deliveries from Ukraine to Lithuania via the Belarusian electrical network.

Lithuania is planning to start importing electricity from abroad in 2010, after the Ignalinsk nuclear power station, which produces more than 70% of the country's electricity, is closed in accordance with the EU directive.

Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland earlier announced their plans to create a combined military unit, in order to boost would-be NATO member Ukraine's ties with the alliance. Lithuania, which joined NATO in 2004, is among the staunchest supporters of ex-Soviet state.

The Eastern Partnership program, adopted by 27 EU countries in 2008, includes Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova and Georgia and aims to bring these countries in line with EU standards without formal admission to the EU.

Source:

http://en.rian.ru/world/20091122/156935428.html


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