VILNIUS, Lithuania, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Progress made on bringing other parties into a partnership with the European Union has been "delightful," the Lithuanian foreign minister said.
Lithuania holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. A meeting next month in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, has the accession ambitions of former Soviet republics in Eastern Europe on its agenda.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said he welcomed outreach extended to Western Balkan States, Iceland and Turkey.
"The progress of the EU enlargement process demonstrated by the countries is delightful," he said in a statement published Thursday. "Progress acceleration has been sustained, and the implemented reforms are irreversible and ensure the smooth accession of the countries into the EU."
The European Commission this week gave a mixed report for aspiring members. Reforms, such as those proposed for minority Kurds in Turkey, were welcomed though the commission said most countries had room to improve in terms of political development.
The British government responded to the commission's report Wednesday saying countries should not join the EU until they've shown they're ready to do so.
Lithuania joined the EU in 2004.
