The European Union's door has to remain open for an eventual signature of the agreement with Ukraine in the future, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said on November 29, following the Eastern Partnership EU summit on Friday which was held in Vilnius, Lithuania. The summit was attended by the leaders of the 28 EU member states and the six Eastern partners and was chaired by European Council President Herman van Rompuy.

"Since its launching in 2009 in Prague, the Eastern Partnership has gained an admirable momentum," Samaras said, adding that "Eastern Partner States, with EU assistance, have been making decisive steps towards political, social and economic development, as their societies have been gradually transforming themselves."

Referring to Ukraine’s decision not to join the agreement, Samaras stated “we regret that Ukraine is not ready to sign the agreement today. But, at the same time, we respect its sovereign decision. EU door has to remain open for an eventual signature of the agreement with Ukraine in the future."

Regarding the Greek EU presidency, Samaras stressed that Greece will work eagerly to promote the next phase of the Eastern Partnership agenda. "For us, the Eastern Partnership is a project of inclusiveness, not of drawing new divisive lines along the map of Europe. Each Partner’s pace and geopolitical realities should be taken into account, avoiding dilemmas that can prove counterproductive. A strategy to engage all players in the region might be now in order," he said.

On the sidelines of the summit, Samaras met with Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca.