It is widely known that we live in a world that changes from day to day, where globalization and words like power and development, but also poverty and famine, constitute the basic axon of the newspapers" articles.
In this quickly changing world there have been a lot of wars, peacetimes, peacekeeping organizations, during the last decades. Now, in the beginning of the 3rd millennium, Europe is trying to define its role in the international system, a role that has to be vital in the configuration of the world, in order to accomplish its basic targets.
The European Union is seeking to create a true space of liberty, security, prosperity and social democracy for the European citizens. It is moving fast to become a political union, but it is very important to maintain the self-determination of all countries.
One of the most important conditions of integration into the EU is good neighborhood relations. Lithuania does not seek to isolate itself from its Eastern neighbors and strives to maintain trade with West and East countries. Lithuania's relations with foreign countries are based on the principles of friendly contacts and mutually beneficial cooperation. Being a transit country, Lithuania seeks to establish good business and cooperation relations with the West and East based on stability and profit for both sides. .
Joining countries will significantly benefit from an enlarged Union. A single set of trade rules, a single tariff, and a single set of administrative procedures will apply not only just across the existing Member States but across the Single Market of the enlarged Union. This will simplify dealings for third-country operators within Europe and improve conditions for investment and trade.
However, the enlargement facing the EU today poses a unique challenge, since it is without precedent in terms of scope and diversity: the number of candidates, the area (increase of 34%) and population (increase of 105 million), the wealth of different histories and cultures.