Europe Asia News

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys explained Lithuania’s integration process into the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during his speech to students at Yerevan State University.

Minister Budrys recalled that on March 11, 1990, Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to re-declare its independence, noting that this step was taken through the will of the people and contributed to the dissolution process of the Soviet Union.

Stating that Lithuania faced economic embargoes and military pressure during its independence process, Budrys emphasized: “From the very beginning, we chose a clear path: integration into the European Union and NATO. There were reforms, delays, and long negotiations, but the goal never changed.”

Highlighting that the country experienced economic and political transformation with its European Union membership in 2004, Budrys said, “European Union membership brought Lithuania security, stability, and rapid economic growth.”

Budrys also stated that they support European Union enlargement, saying, “European Union enlargement means freedom, democracy, and security. We support the European path of our partners such as Armenia.”