Accepting new members is in the EU’s own interest, says G. Nausėda

“First of all, we have to say that the invitation of the Eastern Partnership states and the Western Balkan states is in the EU’s own interest,” the head of the country said in a video commentary released by the Presidency on Tuesday.

“We will create a much larger zone where there will be economic prosperity and human rights will be respected. This will be the most important factor of stability in this unstable world”, said the president.

“If we adhere to this postulate, all other matters are resolved,” he added.

This is what G. Nausėda spoke after an informal meeting in Berlin with the leaders of the European Council (ECU), Germany, Greece, Belgium, Cyprus, Austria and Hungary.

Last week, the European Commission recommended that the EU start accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and give Sakartvel candidate status.

At that time, Bosnia and Herzegovina did not receive a favorable position for the start of negotiations.

The President of Lithuania said at the meeting that he emphasized that the EU must maintain the principle of unanimity on the most important issues while expanding.

“This is an opportunity for small states to participate at the table with equal rights with the big ones,” he said.

At the same time, major member countries are seeking to move the Community away from its current veto and move towards qualified majority voting on security and foreign policy issues.