In 2009 Moldova was close to becoming a failed state, but now is a leading country as regards the talks on admission to the EU, said Lithuanian Foreign Minster Linas Linkevičius, who is in Chisinau on a visit, Info-Prim Neo reports. The minister told a news conference that at the start of the 1990s, Moldova set off from the same point as Lithuania. That’s why he wants the European road to be covered quicker by the Moldovans. The often visits paid by European officials to Moldova are a clear sign that this country is important to the EU. Linas Linkevičius also said that the EU devotes special attention to the developments in Moldova and the European officials believe that the country has enough capacity to achieve the set objectives. As regards the political crisis created by renouncing the agreement on the formation of the ruling alliance, the official said a crisis is not beneficial by definition and the Moldovan politicians should put the state interests on top, especially because the time is not in Moldova’s favor and the Eastern Partnership Summit is approaching. The Lithuanian minister said that the Association Agreement with the EU is an important document that must be negotiated fundamentally so that the people benefit later from its provisions. Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Iurie Leanca said the visit of his Lithuanian counterpart was a clear expression of the good relations between Moldova and Lithuania. He specified that in July Lithuania will take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the Eastern Partnership Summit of November will take place in Vilnius.