Lithuania: membership application and partnership, 8 December 1995

The European Parliament adopted the report drafted by Mrs Magdalene HOFF (PES, D) on Lithuania's application for membership of the EU and the state of negotiations. This resolution calls for negotiations to be conducted in such a way as to enable Lithuania to join the first wave of enlargement. The Parliament notes that Lithuania clearly satisfies the political criteria for EU membership, but calls on Lithuania to continue the fight against corruption and to adopt effective measures to combat trafficking in human beings. However, on the other hand, the Parliament welcomes in great strides that Lithuania has made in developing its border controls and considers that a simplified border crossing for local residents should be found. Furthermore, Lithuania is encouraged to gradually focus its economic policy on creating conditions that promote long-term growth. The Parliament also emphasises that the current timetable for the decommissioning of the two Chernobyl-type units of the Ignalina nuclear power plant must not be relaxed.�