Nausėda: Lithuania backs consistent EU integration approach for Ukraine and Moldova
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated that he currently sees no reason to distinguish between Ukraine and Moldova on the path to European Union membership.
He made these remarks ahead of the summit in Cyprus, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.
Nausėda addressed the issue of enlargement, emphasizing the need to begin opening negotiation chapters with Moldova and Ukraine.
The president currently sees no reason to discuss the need to separate these two countries in the process, as they have earned an invitation to begin negotiations.
Lithuania, its leader noted, will support a merit-based approach for candidate countries—those nations that are making significant efforts, striving to implement reforms, and aiming to become members of Europe and the European Union as soon as possible.
Regarding NATO, Nausėda said he understands the need to “revive” Article 5 of the NATO Charter, which is key to collective security and defense.
He also announced that exercises will be held to demonstrate how this article can work for non-member countries. Participants will include Lithuania (a NATO member) and Cyprus (which is not a member of the Alliance).
“It is important to me that this complements, but does not compete with, NATO’s Article 5,” he added.
As reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is participating in the summit in Cyprus.
Photo: X / Gitanas Nausėda