Vice-Minister Mitkus: support for Ukraine through trade measures must be an EU priorityEuropean UnionMultilateral RelationsNews of the Ministry

On 15 May in Brussels, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Sigitas Mitkus, attended the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council (Trade). During the meeting, the EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs responsible for Trade discussed EU-US trade relations, European economic security, and trade negotiations with third countries.

Regarding the EU-US trade relations, the Vice-Minister Mitkus stressed the importance of transatlantic unity and called for solutions through consultations and dialogue.

"The EU-US trade has been and continues to be the basis for economic prosperity and economic security on both sides of the Atlantic. In the face of current challenges, the EU must remain united and continue to seek concrete, mutually beneficial solutions. We therefore support the European Commission in its efforts to negotiate with the U.S.," said the Vice-Minister.

When speaking about the implementation of the EU's economic security strategy, the Vice-Minister Mitkus stressed that consistent use of economic security measures was necessary to increase the EU's resilience to geopolitical threats.

"Non-market economy countries also use trade policy as a geopolitical tool. Therefore, the EU must urgently accelerate the implementation of the EU's economic security strategy, build resilience, expand the circle of reliable partners, and apply effective trade protection instruments," said the Vice-Minister.

During the discussion on the negotiations of trade agreements with third countries, the Vice-Minister underlined the need for solutions that would improve the entry of Ukrainian exporters to the EU market. Therefore, Lithuania hopes that the EU will look for opportunities to expand trade liberalisation between EU and Ukraine, which is particularly important in the face of the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Vice-Minister also underlined that the development of EU free trade agreements helped to diversify trade relations and strengthen the EU's economic resilience.

"Trade agreements help to build closer ties with like-minded countries and open up new opportunities for our businesses," said the Vice-Minister.