New EU, NATO Members Meet To Discuss Stability

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is one of the leaders attending the summit (file photo) (epa) May 4, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Leaders from the Baltic, Black Sea, and Caucasus regions will meet in Vilnius later today for a conference entitled "Common Vision For A Common Neighborhood.”

The meeting in the Lithuanian capital brings together some of the EU’s and NATO’s newest members with their neighbors.

The goal is to begin charting a road map for stability and democracy for the entire region in the years ahead.

Among those attending are Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Romanian President Traian Basescu, Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin, and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

The Lithuanian and Polish presidents, whose countries recently joined NATO and the EU, are co-hosting the Vilnius gathering.

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney is due to deliver the keynote address.

See also: Interview: Lithuanian President On Building 'Common Neighborhood'