The European course of Lithuania and its integration into the Euro-Atlantic bodies contributed to the implementation of a series of reforms aimed at modernizing the state, including reforms that, in particular circumstances, could generate difficulties too. The consensus in society and at political level, regardless of the doctrines of political parties, played the most important role, Ambassador at Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Marijus Gudynas was quoted by IPN as saying.
Darting a discussion with a group of Moldovan journalists in Vilnius, Marijus Gudynas said that before the initiation of negotiations with the European Union, the wish to enter the EU was already felt in society. The people understood that state security can be ensured only through integration into the EU and NATO. All the political parties signed an agreement to this effect. Any decision, either in Parliament or in the Government or any other body, if it referred to the European integration, was definitely supported, even if a draft decision could generate discussions.
The official said that even if there were unpopular reforms, the common understanding of their necessity moved things on. Lithuania opened talks with the EU as part of the second group of states that were invited to have negotiations on the entry, but managed to catch up with the countries of the first group and to even surpass some of these before the end of negotiations. There were held many discussions, but the goal was common – integration into the Euro-Atlantic bodies. Surely, there were misunderstandings too. There were entrepreneurs who maintained that if law X or Y (for example, the laws on environment protection requirements, on implementation of EU standards, etc.) was adopted, the companies would go bankrupt. However, these laws were passed and, after their implementation, some of these enterprises even made significant progress. No company went bankrupt. It was one of the learned lessons: if you have a clear goal, you must tend to achieve it.
Marijus Gudynas noted that to benefit from European assistance and financial support, the states that aspire to a European future should meet a number of conditions. Certainly, the financial support is not the whole thing. Even large volumes of financial support cannot help if the country will not have detailed visions and political will to put reforms into practice. Ultimately, everything depends on the steps taken at internal level. Lithuania started the negotiations in 1999, completed them in 2003 and joined the EU in 2004. The fact that Lithuania is a member of the EU does not mean that nothing more is yet to be done. Lithonia continues to do reforms that are sometimes difficult, but necessary.
The ambassador also said that Lithuania offers Moldova assistance and is ready to continue to provide support on the path of coming closer to the European Union. In its path of European integration, Lithuania also enjoyed significant support from other states. It is very important for the authorities to take practical steps and not to stop at statements. The key tasks include corruption fighting and sector reforms. Even if sometimes these are not popular, they should be done.
As to the Moldovan authorities’ intention to stipulate the country’s European course in the Constitution, Marijus Gudynas said the decision looks nice, but does not free the state from the obligation to modernize the country. Reforms need to be done to come closer to the EU and the list of reforms is evident. All the developed European states covered this path and the Republic of Moldova should also do it.
