Lithuania Backs Armenia’s Ambitions to Join EU, NATO

Lithuania Backs Armenia’s Ambitions to Join EU, NATO

Agence France Presse
June 30 2005

VILNIUS

Lithuanian leaders on June 30 told a high-ranking delegation of
visitors from Armenia, led by Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, that
they would help Yerevan in its bid to join the European Union and NATO.

“We are prepared to share our experience with Armenia as you prepare
to join NATO and the EU,” Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas
said after meeting Margaryan.

“It took U.S. 10 years to become a member of NATO. I feel certain
Armenia will become a member more quickly,” he said.

Armenia, like Lithuania, is a former Soviet republic. The two became
independent in 1991.

Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus assured Margaryan that Lithuania
“will always be a firm backer of Armenia as you undertake political
and economic reforms, and will encourage cooperation with the European
Union.”

The Armenian delegation, which arrived in Vilnius on June 30 and
includes the economy and finance ministers as well as a group of
businessmen, was due to meet with Lithuanian entrepreneurs and
government ministers before returning to Armenia on July 1.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress