OREANDA-NEWS. June 20, 2008. President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus took part in the final session of the European Council.

The European heads of states/governments agreed on the conclusions in which they managed to reflect the first deliberations held on April 8 in Brussels on crimes committed by totalitarian regimes and the need to continue this process. According to the President, this is a very important step taken by the European Council to denounce crimes of totalitarian regimes at the European Union level.

“In the today's Europe we have twenty-seven different histories, but we need to have a singe approach towards crimes committed by totalitarian regimes. Intolerance in this regard must become a part of Europe’s common understanding”, President Adamkus said.

The European Council also agreed on the need to develop Eastern partnership by enhancing cross-border cooperation between the European Union and its eastern neighbours.  “I am happy about the concrete step made today to make sure that in a few years’ time we talk with our Eastern neighbours not only about the implementation of various action plans but also about genuine integration and euro-aspirations of our Eastern neighbours”, President Adamkus further said.

The idea of developing Eastern partnership was raised by Lithuania’s and Poland’s presidents in the March European Council 2008.  

Talking about the upcoming EU-Russian Summit scheduled on June 26 in Khanty Mansiisk, Russia, Lithuanian President drew attention to the difficult situation in Georgia. “In this Summit, the European Union must send a very clear message to Russia regarding the withdrawal of its troops from Abkhazia”, President Adamkus stressed.