Punishment against Russia announced by the European Union in connection With events in Ukraine and the response of the Russian Federation in 2014 for Lithuania resulted in the loss commensurate With 0, 8% of the gross domestic product (GDP), such information has led Prime Minister Algirdas butkevi?ius. Speaking in Parliament With an annual report on the activities of the office, he admitted that the punishment of the EU towards Russia, which joined in solidarity Lithuania, has severely affected its economic performance. in 2014 GDP grew by 3%. Because of the mutual punishment and the limits of export Lithuania missed 0, 8% of GDP, " said butkevi?ius. The main achievements of the government, which is placed at the equator of his term, the head of the Cabinet called the successful transition to the European currency and the strengthening of energy security, reports the news Agency." Start a liquefied natural gas terminal (LNG terminal) is a technically challenging project, completed in a short time, is greatly in our favor changed circumstances With energy security, " said butkevi?ius. In addition, according to him, Lithuania in difficult economic conditions, successfully stood the test of transition of 1 January Europe's common currency." The clock chimes we symbolically chose from ATM new Euro, " he recalled. The Prime Minister said that the government was complicated by the complex geopolitical situation." in the East of Europe have multiplied the existence of forces, " said butkevi?ius. In this situation, the country must pay more attention to the defense sector, he said." Fulfilling the obligations under the joint Memorandum of the political parties, Lithuania in 2014 on one-fifth increased spending on defence by 2020, to bring them to a level of 2% of GDP ", - added the Prime Minister. On Tuesday, the European Parliament's Committee on international relations blessed the draft decision calling for sanctions against Russia in case of failure of the Minsk agreements, and agreed to bring the document to valaisiana Assembly in June. Before in the same day, the Minister for foreign Affairs of Austria Sebastian Kurz said that the European Union States links the future of sanctions against Russia With the progress of the Minsk agreements on Ukraine. In response to this, the head of the Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation S. V. Lavrov, the penalties are not Russia's decision, for this reason, any criteria for lifting them With the EU will not be discussed. For its part, the permanent Commissioner of Russia to the EU Vladimir Chizhov said that Moscow is not engaged in dialogues With the European Union on the abolition of punishment, it is the decision of the countries of Europe make their own.