A new European plan for Ukraine that provides for assistance and investment in Ukraine by the European Union, has already become one of the priorities of the EU agenda and is gaining momentum. This was stated by Vytautas Bakas, Chair of the Committee on National Security and Defence of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania in the course of the meeting with Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze , Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.

«The European plan for Ukraine (the so-called Marshall Plan) is a reality», noted the representative of the Lithuanian Parliament. Vytautas Bakas recalled that Lithuania had initiated political discussions at the level of the EU member states regarding this document. According to him, the plan of financial assistance to Ukraine and investments are one of the burning issues during any negotiations between representatives of Lithuania and the European partners. He drew attention to the fact that it is possible to confidently speak about a clear awareness of the need for such assistance in the EU. Hence, talks with the MPs of the European Parliament and the member states, European political parties, the European Commission, other institutions are expected to be continued in order to work out this issue and shape ways for providing appropriate financial support to Ukraine in the framework of the new EU budget for 2020 -2027 years.

The Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration thanked Lithuanian MPs for the staunchest and active pro-Ukrainian position in the international arena. She emphasized that Lithuania's assistance is meaningful and concrete. First of all, it is about rehabilitation of Ukrainian  military servants, humanitarian aid, assistance in training units of the Armed Forces and advisory assistance in pursuing reforms. "We are grateful for the unwavering support of Lithuania. Your country provided Ukraine with the greatest assistance in rehabilitating of military men who were in the ATO zone. During the three years in Lithuania, 22 Maidan Square activists and 177 military servants have received treatment and / or rehabilitation courses", she stressed.

In the course of the meeting, the parties exchanged views on issues of international cooperation and domestic Ukrainian reforms. In particular, the security situation in the Donbas and successes and difficulties in implementing reforms were the issues at the stake. Vytautas Bakas noted that the stability of the east of Europe depends on the success of reforms in Ukraine. He expressed his conviction that Ukraine should become the guarantor of stability in this part of the European continent.

 Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze , summarizing the discussion, expressed hope that the intensity and effectiveness of the cooperation between Ukraine and Lithuania will increase.

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